I've had a hard time finding hope after 2016's election. One exception: using this moment for real progressive change within the Democratic Party.
I want to push the party left, and to hold it accountable to what it could be -- an inclusive place for the left in the United States, which connects the 99% working in solidarity together toward an exciting vision for a racially, environmentally, socially, and economically just society. I believe we need deeply progressive people outside and inside electoral politics to get to our collective liberation.
But while I've doorknocked, textbanked, phonebanked, and donated to Democratic candidates, I've never really been involved in the Democratic party -- up until now.
I'm running to be an Assembly District Delegate to the California Democratic Party. Elections are happening this weekend throughout California, in the state's 80 Assembly districts. If you live in CA, find out where your election is here (and if you don't know your district, check here).
And if you live in Assembly District 18 (most of Oakland (though not North Oakland), San Leandro, and Alameda), you can vote for me this Saturday morning in San Leandro!
Here's more information about my slate (the Groundswell Progressives), and here are more details about where/when to vote (and RSVP). My partner Carter is running, too! (If you live in AD15, which includes Berkeley and North Oakland, I'd recommend you vote for my friend, local enviro justice campaigner Jess Dervin-Ackerman, who’s running in the California’s Future slate. More info is here.)
Why am I doing this now?
Well, I've spent years as a professional and volunteer activist. A number of the campaigns I've worked on -- including here at Daily Kos, where I work in the activism department -- have been directed at elected officials, among other targets (and some have been in partnership with progressive elected Democrats). I'm going to continue to do that work, and it will evolve in this new era.
But after Trump won, I started feeling overwhelmed about how much of what's ahead of us in this Trump era will be fighting to protect what we have. And we will lose a lot. I can't only fight against Trump; I also need to be part of building something.
And around the country, people have been realizing that it's time for them to get involved in electoral politics, including the Democratic party. We need all pieces of the puzzle in this movement, from the radical left flank to the progressives in elected office. I'm excited to be part of it.
So, what do these delegates do?
Every 2 years, Democrats in CA gather to elect 7 women and 7 men from each CA Assembly District as delegates to the state party. (Unfortunately, this excludes nonbinary people.)
Those who are elected this January will have the chance to vote for a new state party chair, which is a hotly contested race, and will help determine how progressive, inclusive, and innovative the party is. Delegates also decide which bills, candidates, and ballot initiatives the California Democrats endorse.
They can join caucuses and help determine party priorities, and vote on various issues at the annual statewide convention. (Daily Kos community member RL Miller discussed this in a recent blog post, too, which I found very helpful.)
I'm enjoying learning more about this process and meeting amazing people who live in my district and want to make a difference -- whether through running as a delegate or turning out their friends to come vote (in addition to contributing to the community in other ways). And we'll see how it goes on Saturday. There's a lot to do in the next few days.
Have you run in a local election like this before? Do you have questions about how slates form and how this works?
I'm learning as I go, but I'm happy to answer questions and also learn from those of you who've done similar things before!
