UPDATED AT THE END OF THE DIARY - BREAKING NEWS!
The California Democratic Party is convening delegate election meetings in each of the state’s 80 Assembly Districts on January 10 or 11, 2009 to elect delegates to the the California Democratic Party's State Convention, to be held April 24-26, 2009 in Sacramento. Each assembly district elects 12 people who will represent their Assembly District for both the 2009 and 2010 State Conventions. They will elect one person to represent the AD on the State Party’s Executive Board.
So, are you pissed of about Prop 8 passing this past fall? Are you pissed off with yourself because you didn't do ANYTHING to defeat Prop 8? Are you pissed off Rev. Warren is speaking at the inaugural - my constant state since it was announced? Or maybe you are pissed off because your boyfriend or girlfriend spilled coffee and permanently stained your favorite "Free Wynona" t-shirt? Or perhaps you aren't pissed of and are felling great - because the combination of Percocet and Zoloft finally has done the trick! Well, I am looking for all of you who are pissed - we need to focus our anger and make something good come out of it. And as you can see, I am definetely focused - I only mentioned Rev. Rick once, an all time record.
Okay. We need memebers of the LGBT community and ALL OF OUR FRIENDS to show up at assembly meetings tomorrow and help elect memebers of our community to the state convention thi spring. We have got to increase our memebership at the convention, make sure our voices are heard, and to vote on various resolutions which have particular importance to our community. Some assembly districts already held their elections today, but about half of them are holding their elections tomorrow. I am focusing on those held tomorrow.
Now, some of you are probably wondering why I am blogging about this - and the answer is simple. Groups like the Human Rights Campaign should be handling stuff like this - but they are un-focused and basically useless, ever since they endorsed Al D'Amato of Chuck Schumer in the New York Senae race in 1994 - or was it 1992? My hag would know but she is nowhere to be found, and is probably hiding out at a nail salon for the afternoon. But, I digress.
The State of California is broken up into 78 assembly districts. Each district every couple of years elects a member to represent them in Sacrameto. Here is a map of the state with the districts marked. If you live in the Bay area or Los Angeles area, click on the box outlined and you will see all the assembly districts in those areas:
http://www.legislature.ca.gov/...
Here is a listing from the California Democratic Party of the locations for each assembly district election being held tomorrow, Sunday, January 11, 2009 with the location and time each election is being held. Be sure to scroll past those listed for Janaury 10, 2009 until you see those listed for Janaury 11, 2009:
http://www.cadem.org/...
If you are unsure which assembly district you live in, the information should be included on your voter registration card or you can use this link to determine the district you reside in:
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/...
Here are a few tips rgarding the process:
* You must be a registered Democrat
* You must be registered as a Democrat in your asembly district since the November 2008 election
* You must complete a sign-in sheet provided at the site
* Request your ballots from the Convener, or their representative
* Pay a requested donation of $5 to the CDP; however, this is optional, and may be waived by checking the "financial hardship" box
*To finish the voting process, just deposit your ballot in the ballot box
You are not required to stay for the entire meeting. You can vote and leave once you have turned in your ballot. Or, you may stay for the entire meeting. Depending on how long the line is to sign in and get your ballot, you should only need to be at the election site for a few minutes.
I would suggest arriving a good 30-45 minutes prior to the meeting beginning so you can run in, register, vote and leave in a short period of time.
Here are a selected list of LGBT candidates running in assembly districts on Sunday, January 11, 2009 in the Los Angeles area. If you would like to know who the LGBT candidates are who are running for delegate in your district, please use the link below, select your assembly district number, and a list of those who have filed will appear, along with any written statements they have prepared.
http://www.cadem.org/...
40th Assembly District - Laurette Healey:
As Deputy State Controller in two administrations,
I worked on a state "green jobs" initiative,
developed educational forums for emerging minority
businesswomen, and implemented statewide tax
forums to address Domestic Partner laws.
As the only female LGBT candidate to run in the
Democratic primary for State Assembly in 2008,I
received the endorsement of the California Nurses
Association,the California League of Conservation
Voters,the Amalgamated Transit Union,the Los
Angeles Police Protective League,The Victory Fund,
Equality California,IBEW Local 18,Emily's List,
Hon.Sheila Kuehl,statewide environmental, law
enforcement,human rights advocates, and energy
leaders.
As a board member of LAUSD "After the Bell" I
successfully lobbied the Hahn administration for
increased funding for this program and was among
the first citizens to serve as a local elected
neighborhood council leader where I spearheaded
town halls throughout the Valley on water
conservation.
I am a former board member of DP/SFV, and have
previously served as a State Democratic Delegate
on behalf of the former State Controller.
I am currently working on a statewide task force
to study the implementation of renewable energy in
California, and working with elected officials to
lobby for the repeal of Proposition 8.
As your delegate I will hold steadfast to the core
principles of the Democratic Party and pledge to
work steadfastly to ensure equal rights, renewable
energy, health care for all,public safety, and
economic stability for the working men and women
of California.
42nd Assembly District - Susan Shannon:
I have served as a delegate and the Executive
Board Representative for the 42nd AD for the past
two years. I am running again for both positions
on the progressive slate.
I am a dedicated progressive activist both inside
and outside the Democratic Party.
As a community organizer with L.A. Coalition to
End Hunger and Homelessness, former producer at
Air America Radio, Director of Poverty Matters,
the Co-Producer/Director of the anti-war
documentary Back from Iraq, and Stonewall
Democratic Club steering committee member, I have
worked tirelessly on progressive issues from anti-
war organizing to marriage equality to helping
the homeless. I have passed legislation at the
state and local levels of government and am
currently working on national anti-poverty
legislation.
In 2005, before I became a delegate, I
successfully added poverty issues to the CA
Democratic Party Platform (poverty was not even
mentioned before this). Given how difficult it
was to add this language, I decided to run for E-
Board and delegate so that I could advocate for
progressive issues and open up the process for
others to participate and affect change.
Here are some of my accomplishments:
- Chaired 3 educational forums (convened with
other 42nd AD elected delegates) to empower
individuals to write their own resolutions and
platform language and to impact the legislative
process.
- Developed petition and grassroots strategy with
Stonewall Democratic Club to add Marriage
Equality to the party platform.
- As a member of the legislative committee, co-
authored the policy to give all democrats the
power to submit recommendations on legislation.
Our cmte. made recommendations on 44 pieces of
legislation, including HR 676 - Natl. Single
Payer Health Care.
- Authored and/or co-sponsored resolutions on
progressive issues including poverty, housing,
impeachment, Iraq War, single payer health care &
more.
Please vote for me to serve another term. There
is still so much work to do.
44th Assembly District - Estuardo Ponciano:
I would like to be a delegate because my
professional experience in the non-profit sector
gives me valuable insight into the needs and
interests of my community. As the manager of
the legal help line at Lambda Legal's Western
Regional Office, I have daily contact with
poeple from all walks of life, and I have a
unique opportunity to hear the problems and
issues that are most urgent to them. Too often,
the frustration these problems cause is the
result of a lack of access to services and a
feeling of not being heard by those who have the
power and influence to make change. I believe
that people will take the proactive steps to
better their lives and their communities when
they have the opportunity and resources to do
so. As a volunteer for The Wall Las Memorias
Project, I have been impressed with the great
work carried out by members of our Latino
community, who come together from different
educational, professional, and socioeconomic
backgrounds in order to educate our community at
large about HIV and self-empowerment. I have
also been inspired by those we try to serve, who
heed the teachings we try to impart and begin to
make lifestyle choices that will promote their
own health and well-being. As a gay Latino man,
my life experience has allowed me to be an
outsider in many ways, and allows me to
understand the feeling of isolation and
disenfranchisement that many people feel. I
believe that to be an effective advocate, one
must be able to understand the needs of those
one represents. While my experiences may not be
parallel or equal to those of every person, I
believe that they've shaped me into a person who
is able to see things from different
perspectives, and to respect and consider all
viewpoints. I feel that my legal background and
training allows me to understand law and policy,
and how to use these effectively to move
forward. For these reasons, I am interested in
being a delegate, and believe I will be an
effective advocate for my community.
44th Assembly District - Richard Zaldivar:Richard Zaldivar is known for his leadership in mobilizing
community members and coalition building among all segments
from the community to provide a voice.
He is founder/ and executive director of The Wall Las Memorias
Project; a non-profit organization. His leadership led the effort
to construct the first publicly funded AIDS monument in the
nation at Lincoln Park. The project provides HIV education-
prevention to men and to the Latino faith based community of
Los Angeles County.
Zaldivar served in the California state democratic party for 10
years ending in 1986. He worked as a field deputy to the former
legendary L.A. City Councilman Art Snyder and served in the
National Democratic Convention Platform committee in 1980 as
a Kennedy delegate. Zaldivar played the key role in the "Save
Cathedral High School effort. He worked in the statewide
campaign outreaching to the Latino community for the Tom
Bradley for Governor campaign in 1982.
He recently was elected as an U.S. American advisor to the
president of Mexico (Consejeros por Meritos y Trayectoria),
serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the U.S. Office of
Minority Health Capacity Building division and was named one of
100 most influential gay persons by Out Magazine in 1987. He
also serves as a co-chair of the Amigos de David Alfaro
Siqueiros, a project that preserves history of the famed muralist
at El Pueblo.
Zaldivar worked actively in the Barack Obama for President as a
volunteer at the East LA office and in the GOTV effort in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
Those who are called to act must answer, not for our own
interest but for the good of the community. We should inspire
others who would normally be silent to create change for the
betterment of all people and not just some or for personal
interest.
Change in all of our community should be our challenge and we
should all work together to meet that challenge.
We should always remember that moment when our country
created history this past November and know that dreams can
come true, Together, we can do it!
So there you have it - and I hope as many of you as possible will show up and vote tomorrow. You might not think it will amount to much but these are the types of elections that can have an affect internally within the party.
So, if you and your girlfriend are planning a Noon bruch out, leave a few minutes early, stop by, register, vote and leave. Or, if you are out clubbing tonight with your boyfriend, promise him breakfeast in bed if he goes and votes with you tomorrow.
Oh, and one other thing - muy importante: I am planning on voting for three LGBT candidates in my assembly district - I am hoping that by single-shotting them, it might increase their chances of winning. However, review all the nominess statements in your district - there are numerous candidates who have very good stands on issues relating to the LGBT community and consider voting for them as well.
Well, gotta run - the hag is back from her trip to the nail salon so we are off to dinner!
Peace.
UPDATE:
Okay, this has taken on even more importance now due to the HUGE fight taking place within the so-called leaders of the Democratic Party.
One of the functions at the convention is to elect a new party chair. One of the favorites for the post was Eric Bauman, the current chair os the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Eric rose through the ranks, starting out as the chair of the Stonewall Democratic Club, if I recall correctly. Eric has been consistently successful at running polirical organizations.
A few weeks ago, Eric suddenly pulled out of the race for chair and announced he would run for 1st Vice Chair. Scoop has it the higher ups in the party, eleced officials, etc., got him to withdraw because they wanted Burton.
Well, the current 1st Vice Chair announced shw was running for chair, but today, suddenly, she announced shw would not run for CHair, but she would seek re-election as 1st Vice Chair, whcih, from what I am now hearing via phone and email, is causing quite an uproar within the gay community.
Here is the email from 1st Vice Chair Alex Rooker:
Dear __________
Congratulations on becoming a candidate for California Democratic Party delegate. It is your involvement that will help shape the Democratic Party and make us successful in the coming years!
Throughout my years as First Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party I have been focused on the need to build this Party out of the activists and volunteers that make it great. It is only through the engagement of real grassroots leaders like you that we can be successful in races from the federal to local level.
Over a year ago I entered the race to become your next State Party Chair. When former Senate Pro Tem John Burton entered the race I was not willing to step aside because I felt that my supporters and I had a vision for the Party that was too important. Over the past few weeks I have been watching the Burton campaign closely. I have been talking to members of the party leadership that are supporting his campaign and paying close attention to his remarks and written statements. The consistency of his message and the sincerity he displays have convinced me that he has come to share our goals and understands the needs that we face as an organization.
It is for this reason that I have decided to exit the race for chair. Over the next few weeks I will bring several key endorsements into my race for re-election as 1st Vice Chair. Our Party deserves a unified leadership to the build on the current organization and enthusiasm of 2008, take us through the election of a Democratic Governor and re-election of Senator Barbara Boxer in 2010, the redistricting process in 2011 and the resulting tumultuous election year in 2012.
As you go to your delegate elections tomorrow, I think there are just a few questions that should guide your votes: Who has been most active with the party? Who represents the party that we see as our future? Who best represents your values as a Democrat?
I am confident that without the distracting race for Party Chair we can elect hundreds of hard working Democratic activists this coming weekend and work to strengthen the lifeblood of this Party to reach our shared goals in the coming years.
In Unity,
Alex Rooker
1st Vice-Chair
California Democratic Party
What a mess!