President/Chair

Ria immigrated from the Netherlands in 1974 to Washington. She moved to Whidbey Island in 1977 and became a US citizen in 2008. She has been involved with WIDC since 2008. After working on Whidbey for 36 years, Ria now enjoys retirement, gardening, reading and yoga.

Vice Chair

In 2010, Art and his wife moved from Seattle to Whidbey Island where they moved into the house that they designed and he built. He had been a General Contractor in Seattle remodeling old houses. Since arriving on Whidbey, Art has been active in both Island County and 10th LD Democratic politics. Currently, Art is project manager for the restoration of the Haller House in Coupeville, and has been appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission, a part of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. He is also actively involved in North Whidbey Hearts & Hammers and his community water association. Art and his wife are blessed to be grandparents to two wonderful granddaughters and love exploring Whidbey Island and traveling.

Treasurer

“Dedicated to making Whidbey Island and Island County the best place to live our values that include everyone while we find creative ways to talk about our differences.” Margaret retired from years of AT&T Corporate and now spends many hours volunteering to that mission as a non-profit Board member, community participant and County Planning Commissioner. Many consider her a “nerd” for taking Board and Treasurer roles in several local organizations as well as Democrat candidate campaigns during her almost 20 years here on Whidbey. Who knew that a “girl” from Chicago would end up here in our paradise!? Margaret and her husband Bob have one wonderful granddaughter and two local indoor cats that are very friendly.

Secretary

Kim, a native Washingtonian, spent most of her career working in the public sector on energy, water and climate policies and programs – with a short journalism stint at a Seattle non-profit. She’s also been a Democratic activist (and a gardener!) as long as she can remember. Kim and her husband have lived on South Whidbey for nearly 30 years.

After a 32-year career with AT&T, Bob and his wife Margaret retired to Whidbey. During his 17 years on Whidbey, he served as a Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem representing foster children for 10 of those years. “As a pragmatic Democrat, for the past dozen years I have been active in Island County politics, and am known as somewhat of a data nerd.”

Grethe and her spouse Diane have lived on Whidbey Island for 28 years. Grethe is a retired military and civilian registered nurse. In 1998 she ran for Congress. From 1999-2005 Grethe served as Chair of the Island County Democrats and annually hosts the Democratic Summerfest.

Dedicated to community service and good governance, Helen Price Johnson has first hand experience with our democratic process: she is a past president of the Washington State Association of Counties, a three-term Island County Commissioner and two-term South Whidbey School Board member. Helen also made a run for WA State Senate. Her passion lies in strengthening Washington’s rural communities to thrive through support of smart, sustainable economic development while protecting the environment. She is a third generation Whidbey Island small business owner, and loves spending time with her family.

“I was born and raised in Kansas, the fourth child of a high school teacher and civil engineer. My mother, Marilyn, was a PCO for the Republican Party in Republic County, Kansas. Marilyn took me doorbelling for Senator Bob Dole when I was eight years old. Much to her dismay, 3 of her 4 children found the Democratic Party to be a much better fit with our values and outlook for the future of the U.S. democracy. But she had instilled in us the belief that every vote matters, that our democracy is strengthened by having an educated electorate, and that we should consider the skills of each candidate when deciding who will best represent their constituents. My husband, Paul, and I moved to Whidbey full-time in 2007 after falling in love with this vibrant community.”

“As a partner, parent, retired/disabled Navy Veteran, and small business owner, I represent part of a broad coalition known as Democrats. A life-long democrat, my labor roots provide the foundation of my beliefs. My mother and father were union members, and I was a proud union member before I joined the Navy. I have been politically active throughout my life, including Democrats Abroad while serving our country during multiple deployments and several overseas tours. Settling here on beautiful Whidbey Island, I have remained active in my new community and am thrilled to have had so many opportunities to contribute to its strong future. I believe it is incumbent upon each of us as Democrats to ‘give back’ and ‘pay forward’ in the best way that we can in order to grow the future of our Party, increase equity and inclusion, identify and elect strong candidates, support and hold elected candidates accountable, and represent those whom we serve.”