Resistance with Results

Feb 16, 2018 | Campaigns, Candidate Info

Fellow Democrats,

Remember last year when Trump’s “voter fraud” commission tried to demand the personal information of all California voters? Trump’s motivation was clear- he wants to disenfranchise the people of color, young folks and working families who oppose his racist, reactionary agenda. In the face of this obvious sham, Secretary of State Alex Padilla called “BS”, and refused to play along with Trump’s erosion of democracy. Last month, Alex won, and the commission was shut down.

That’s who Alex Padilla is – a steadfast fighter for what’s right.

As a Legislator, Alex stood for justice in the workplace and the preservation of our environment.  He took on the health care industry with SB 1299, a bill to demand better workplace protections for California nurses. He had the vision to author SB 270, the bill that made California the first state in the nation to phase out single use plastic bags.

As Secretary of State, Alex Padilla is a key part of California’s Resistance.  Alex has led the charge to adopt and implement automatic voter registration and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year olds. And now with the Voters Choice Act, he’s giving Californians more convenient options for when, where, and how we cast our ballots, both key elements of our party’s progressive platform.

Please join me at Convention in supporting Alex Padilla for Secretary of State 2018 and keep building the Resistance with Results.

Whether it’s protecting our environment, voting rights, reproductive rights, healthcare for all, labor protections for working people, or educational opportunity, Alex Padilla has been there.

Now let’s be there for Alex. Click here to let me know that you’re joining me in endorsing Alex Padilla for Secretary of State.

Thank you,

Daraka Larimore-Hall

Vice-Chair California Democratic Party

My Statement on Reducing Gun Violence in Schools

Feb 16, 2018 | Campaigns, Candidate Info

As a parent of two public school students, I am heartbroken for the families who lost their loved ones yesterday in Parkland, Florida, and for everyone who has been traumatized by so many school shootings this year. And I am angry, because I have so little faith in our Republican-controlled Congress and President to do anything to address the crisis of gun violence in our country.

In their total absence, we must take the safety of our kids into our own hands.

There are steps that we can take to help schools learn how to identify students and members of their school communities who are potential threats. California is one of few states that has an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) law, which allows law enforcement to temporarily remove weapons from the possession of individuals reported to pose extreme risk. This is very relevant to the tragedy in Florida, where teachers and students believed this young man to be a threat and knew that he had weapons in his possession.

I have been making progress in my Bay Area Assembly District to bring gun violence prevention programs to schools and youth organizations. We should provide these resources to every school district. I’m working to connect school districts across the state to training programs for addressing gun violence issues – click here to put your name on our list for more information and to share how your community is working to reduce school violence.

Another initiative of mine, which aims to address mental health more broadly in our student population but will also help to reduce risks that students pose to themselves and others, is a bill I introduced this week which provides schools with resources for in-school physical, social, and emotional services for students. I believe that all students, no matter their income and background, should have access to mental health services to support their success and safety.

I refuse to accept that there are no solutions to gun violence in schools. As a parent, I feel it is my duty to push for these reforms and additional changes to increase school safety.

I invite you to join the conversation – join our list for more information on the progress of our initiatives and to share your input. We are more effective together than alone when it comes to ending gun violence.

Thank you,

Tony Thurmond

Consider Me Corporate Free

Feb 16, 2018 | Campaigns, Candidate Info

As most of you know, I have long expressed that our campaign finance system is a disaster, and Californians are sick and tired of having the best candidates money can buy. In California, unlike the federal level, corporations are able to donate directly to candidates for state office. Today, I am proud to share that I am joining the growing tide of democratic candidates around the country and declining ALL corporate donations.

I have been a longtime supporter of Common Cause and People for the American Way and experienced first hand the threat of big money on politics during my re-election campaign for State Superintendent in 1998.

Two weeks before the November election, David Packard donated $500,000 to the campaign of my opponent. At the time, it was the largest contribution ever made to a California politician. He was joined by Howard Ahmanson from Home Savings who donated $225,000 and John Walton of Walmart who kicked in $55,000. Three other wealthy corporate moguls brought the total contribution to over one million dollars.

The money was spent to attack me as a liberal, for having a “gay agenda” because she proudly touted endorsements from LGBTQ organizations, and for being a strong supporter of bilingual education.  It went to the campaign of a candidate that the Sacramento Bee characterized as “…not remotely qualified to hold this office”.

They thought they could take me out, but we fought back with a lot of small dollar donors, and I won. And that is how I will win our campaign to be your next governor. 

Will you help today with a contribution of $2.92 or more here? Every dollar makes a difference. Ask your friends and share our press release here.

You can also Make an Express Donation using your Act Blue Account:

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Or, donate another amount

My dad always told me that you might as well shoot a dog as give it a bad name. California has the highest effective poverty rate in the country. People are understandably cynical. They want money out of politics. I support public funding of campaigns, but in the meantime, I am going entirely corporate free, and returning funds that do not meet this pledge, because it is the right thing to do. I am also continuing my pledge not to take money from Big Oil, Big Tobacco, or the Pharmaceutical Industry. 

Let’s win this!

Delaine

Because of Xavier Becerra…

Feb 16, 2018 | Campaigns, Candidate Info

As a kid growing up, I didn’t have access to many progressive role models. I was in high school the first time I met then-Congressman Xavier Becerra. I found myself in student government, working to get my school’s community more engaged with our students.

That’s when former Congressman Becerra encouraged me to get involved in local politics. Because of him, I came to have a voice on issues critical to our state’s future. He believes in the impact each activist engaged in our Party can have on shaping not just our Party’s, but our state’s – and, ultimately, our nation’s – future.

That’s why I’m supporting Attorney General Becerra in his bid to remain our Attorney General.

Whether by fighting to protect federal laws that support access to birth control or protecting DREAMers or working to keep our air and water clean, Attorney General Becerra has shown time and time again that he’s got our back.

Will you join me in supporting Attorney General Xavier Becerra?

Thank you,

Mark Gonzalez

Chair, LA County Democratic Party

My Pledge

Feb 16, 2018 | Campaigns, Candidate Info

Dear Democrat,

I moved to the United States over twenty years ago with one goal in mind — to help others. It’s why I’ve spent my life fighting for Californians, whether it’s in my doctor’s office, in free clinics, or across my community.

My principles are the same now as they have always been — Californians need someone to fight to make sure that everyone is able to lead healthy and prosperous lives. We need someone who can crack down on abuses by predatory companies, and we need our leaders to stand up for our progressive values against the agenda of hate coming out of DC.

As Insurance Commissioner, I pledge that I will always put Californians first. That’s why I refuse to take a dime from pharmaceuticals or insurance companies. Because YOU are my constituents — not Big Pharma.

I know firsthand that the insurance system in this country is a nightmare for everyday people. In times of need, our insurance system should work on behalf of consumers — not nickel and dime them.

As Insurance Commissioner, I want to make sure that Californians are taken care of now and in the future.

If you think it’s time for our state’s leaders to stand up to Big Pharma, I hope you’ll join me in this race.

I want to hear from you. What keeps you up at night? What ideas do you have to fix the insurance industry in this state? How can I help you?

Email me. Tweet at me. I’m eager to hear from you!

Thanks for your hard work,

Dr. Asif Mahmood
Candidate for Insurance Commissioner