WAPATO, Wash. — Lower Valley Democrats today announced the lineup for their annual Diversity Dinner, which is set for June 20 in Wapato.

Kathleen Ross, president of Heritage University in Toppenish, will be the headline speaker. Frank Chopp, the Seattle Democrat who is the speaker of the state House of Representatives, will review the 2009 legislative session.

Donicio Marichalar of Grandview, one of three candidates for the 15th Legislative District’s state House seat, will also give remarks.

Republican appointee David Taylor of Moxee and two-time challenger Democrat John Gotts of White Salmon are on the fall ballot, too. The opening was created when Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside accepted a job as director of the state Agriculture Department.

The Diversity Dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. June 20 at the Filipino-American Hall, 211 W. Second St. in Wapato.

Cost for the dinner is $25 a plate or $45 per couple.

Tickets are available through Eunice Powell of Zillah at 509-829-6337 or David Wells of Toppenish at 509-865-4443 or 509-945-7426.

The dinner is open to the public. Organizers say RSVPs would be appreciated.

The 15th Legislative District covers the Lower Valley as well as Klickitat and Skamania counties and eastern Clark County.

- Mark Morey