Why Real Choice Matters

The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee has not endorsed any candidate in this race.

Let’s be clear: there is no middle ground when it comes to legislating a woman’s right to choose. We either respect a woman’s reproductive freedom in our laws or we don’t.

The issue is not how many seats we hold, it’s about who holds them and their values. It’s about building the bench. If we don’t elect progressive, pro-choice candidates at the local level, there is literally no qualified candidate to run for higher office when the time comes. And let’s remind ourselves that even here in big, blue California, the majority of our local seats are held by Republicans.

Today, many Democrats face a difficult quandary in our red and purple districts: back an anti-choice Democrat, alienate women and ditch our core values or leave the field to the Republicans. It’s time we create another option. It’s time we build the bench.

We, as a Party, are solely responsible for this quagmire. It’s time for us to stop pointing fingers at each other, and instead look in the mirror and ask, “What have we personally done to help build the bench of pro-choice candidates in local office?” If the answer is don’t know, can’t remember or nothing; well, let’s stop talking about it; let’s be about it.

I’m running to be the Chair of the California Democratic Party. You have a right to know where I stand on this issue. So let me be crystal clear: if a candidate doesn’t support a woman’s right to choose, they shouldn’t expect to be supported. Period.

My seven step plan addresses how we are going to solve this gap in qualified, pro-choice local candidates here in California’s red and purple districts. No, it won’t happen overnight – it will take time.

But I can assure you, if there isn’t a pipeline of pro-choice candidates in these opposition held Californian districts in the future, you can point that finger in my direction because, the buck stops here.

Democratically yours,