Dwight Pelz, chair of the Washington State Democrats, announced that the inaugural winner of the Local Party of the Year Maggie Award was the 30th District Democrats, which represents Federal Way, Algona, Pacific, Milton and parts of Des Moines and Auburn.

The Maggies – named after the state’s former six-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Warren G. “Maggie” Magnuson – has been the official state Democrats’ awards ceremony for 20 years.

In all, 88 county and legislative district Democratic organizations were eligible for the award.

The awards ceremony is Sunday at the Washington State Convention Center.

This year’s special guest is Ted Strickland, former Ohio governor and congressman. Gov. Jay Inslee and other party leaders also will attend.

Pelz said in his award announcement that “for years the 30th struggled with low attendance and low energy,” but a “new leadership team has refused to accept old excuses. Today, attendance has tripled, paid membership has exceeded 100 members for the first time in recent history, and the number of PCO’s (precinct committee officers) has more than doubled since 2010.”

The 30th District Democrats is represented by Sen. Tracey Eide (Federal Way) and Rep. Roger Freeman (Federal Way) in the Legislature. The leadership of The 30th District Democrats includes Tim Burns (chair), Richard Champion (first vice chair) and Kim Dixon (second vice chair.

For learn more, visit www.30thDemsWA.org.