JULY 2022 Newsletter

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

On Saturday, we will have 100 days left until election day–and only 74 days remaining before the deadline for county elections offices to mail out ballots to voters. 

We are working hard to be ready for this election. I am so pleased that Tamela Hawley and Irene Tait have stepped up to co-chair our Endorsements Committee. That committee’s members will be working long days in the coming weeks to make recommendations for endorsements in November’s city council, school board, and special district elections. 

Our District Directors have been working with Clubs and DPCCC members in their districts to plan endorsement interviews and candidate outreach. Now is an excellent time for Democrats to get involved with these efforts! We are working to have a great Democrat running in every seat this fall.  

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has made its first endorsement for the November election by voting to support Ken Carlson for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 4. You will learn more about this endorsement in the July meeting summary below.  

It will be vital for DPCCC members to work together and unify around supporting the candidates, like Ken, that we endorse. We will need to focus through November 8 on endorsing candidates, planning for the election, and turning out our county’s Democratic voters.  

I hope all Contra Costa Democrats will join me in committing to work at least an hour a week, from now until Election Day, to support the endorsed candidate or candidates of your choice! 

Please let me know if you want to learn more about our endorsement and overall election efforts. You can email me at chair@contracostadems.com.

I also hope you are enjoying this second edition of our DPCCC newsletter. Please let our new Communications Committee know what you think by emailing its Chair, Jan Bell, at commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

Best wishes,

Katie Ricklefs – Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

JULY MEETING REPORT

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County voted unanimously to endorse Ken Carlson for election to the County Board of Supervisors in District 4 at its July 21 meeting. 

Carlson had prevailed in the June 7 primary, garnering more votes than the other four candidates in the race. The district represents Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and the majority of Concord and Walnut Creek. 

After the announcement, Carlson said he was humbled and thankful for the support of the Democratic Party. 

DPCCC Chair Katie Ricklefs stated, “Ken is a great guy and excellent candidate. He has outstanding experience and a passion for the position that will make him an exceptional supervisor.” 

Carlson has also been endorsed by Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades, Contra Costa Central Labor Council, Senator Bill Dodd, Assembly Member Tim Grayson, and over 30 elected officials across the county. He is the first and only openly LGBTQIA+ person to hold a seat on Pleasant Hill’s city council, and he would be the first to serve on the County Board of Supervisors. 

For more information about Ken Carlson’s campaign for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 4, please visit www.kencarlson.vote. 

Please save the date for our next regular meeting on Thursday, August 18, as we will host Gilda Gonzales, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California. She will discuss Reproductive Freedom—Meeting the Moment at the Ballot Box. 

Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here!TAKE ACTIONConnect with voters…one conversation and one voter at a time!

CALL VOTERS IN CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, NEVADA!
Wednesdays 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.
We’ll be talking with voters about Democratic candidates in Nevada, Arizona, and California! Let’s turn our voices into votes!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/439762/

KNOCK DOORS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY EVERY SATURDAY!
It’s time to introduce voters to Rudy Salas … and register voters in the California Central Valley! Join Contra Costa Democrats in going door-to-door talking to Democratic voters.
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111

VOTER COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP
We want to be as effective as possible when we talk to voters. Every conversation with a voter is like gold. The two-part training will be held from 3-4 p.m. (PT) on two consecutive Saturdays: July 30 and August 6.

Our Voter Communication expert, Kathi Walsh, will lead these workshops on communication techniques focused on active listening, goal-focused communication, scaling, and sharing information.
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/477672/

For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.com or call 510-693-4259.2022 DPCCC BBQSave the date! The DPCCC’s annual BBQ will be on September 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Concord Community Park. Taco Bar, music and more! Details to follow.

RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION

The DPCCC voted to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the California State Legislature:SUPPORT AB 2091 (Authored by Assembly Member Bonta), which would enhance privacy protections for medical records related to abortion and pregnancy. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
 SUPPORT AB 2134 (Authored by Assembly Members Akilah Weber and Cristina Garcia), which would establish the California Reproductive Health Equity Program to ensure abortion and contraception are affordable for and accessible to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
 SUPPORT AB 2223 (Authored by Assembly Member Wicks), which would prohibit using the coroner’s statements on the certificate of fetal death to establish, bring, or support a criminal prosecution or civil cause of damages against any person exercising their rights under the Reproductive Privacy Act. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
 SUPPORT AB 2644 (Authored by Assembly Member Holden), which would prohibit a law enforcement officer from using threats, physical harm, deception, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics when questioning a person 25 years of age or younger about the commission of a felony or misdemeanor starting on January 1, 2024. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. You can review a tracker of all the legislation on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session by clicking here. 

DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY  

DISTRICT 1 (Michael Nye, Director): The West County Democratic Club has been reorganizing. We are still recruiting candidates for open positions, especially in Richmond, and preparing for our endorsement process. 

DISTRICT 2 (Tom Duckworth, Director): District 2 clubs and volunteers are focused on the endorsements process for November’s general election.

DISTRICT 3 (Carolina Villaseca, Director): East Contra Costa Fire finished its merger with Contra Costa Fire. This will result in more fire coverage in the area. A new fire station in Oakley has opened, and Bethel Island finally has coverage. Antioch passed a ban on oil and gas drilling. Oakley has a ban on their August agenda. Much credit goes to Ian Cohen (member of Marsh Creek Dems Club and now a senior at Heritage High School), his friends, and the Sunflower Alliance for organizing, writing, and saving our future. Next steps, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors! It’s election season! Please check with me if you are interested in running for City Council, School Board, or any Special District (like water district). We have lots of seats that are open or where only GOP candidates have pulled papers. My e-mail is District3Director@ContraCostaDems.com.

DISTRICT 4 (Ady Olvera, Director): Please join us and other area Democrats as we implement our endorsement process for candidates running for office in 2022. We will be establishing interview questions, participating in interview panels, and making recommendations to the DPCCC. Everyone is welcome as long as they are a registered Democrat. We are creating safe spaces for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color to participate. Please encourage your BIPOC neighbors and loved ones to participate.Monday, August 1, 6-9 p.m. Develop Interview Questions & Preparing Panels
Monday, August 8, 6-9 p.m. Develop Interview Questions & Preparing Panels
Sunday, August 14, Time TBD, Endorsement Interviews
Monday, August 15, 6-9 p.m., Endorsement Interviews
Saturday, August 20, Time TBD, Endorsement Interviews
Sunday, August 21, Time TBD, Endorsement Interviews
Monday, August 22, 6-9 p.m., Endorsement Interviews
Wednesday, August 24, 6-9 p.m., District 4 Endorsement Recommendations/Straw Poll Vote

DISTRICT 5 (Amy Scott-Slovick, Director): Anamarie Ávila Farías was in the national news because of a Facebook post about not wanting to celebrate the 4th of July after Roe was overturned. The DPCCC responded with this press release. A March for Reproductive Freedom was held in Martinez before July 4. Martinez Farmers Markets are raising food for the food bank and engaging with voters. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Democrats of Rossmoor are hosting In-Person Postcard Events on THURSDAYS beginning July 21st until the end of September (except for August 11).  We will meet from 5–7 p.m. in the Oak Room at the Gateway Building (1001 Golden Rain Road) in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek.  Registration is NOT necessary. All are welcome to attend!Postcards and lists from Commit to Democracy will be made available at each event.Bring your blue pens and stamps and come for an hour or stay for two!Bring 3 friends! Volunteers will help get you started on this very effective Get Out the Vote effortDonations for postcards accepted on The Commit to Democracy website: https://www.committoflipblue.com/donateThe Lamorinda Democratic Club is hosting its annual Hot August Night Political Trivia Championship on Thursday, August 11, at 6 p.m. Just like last year, the 2022 ”Trivia Night” will take place at the Lafayette Library, outside, on the patio. Seating is limited, so please register soon using this link: https://forms.gle/Cwq55VapXFsQJJNM7. You can learn more by reviewing LDC’s event announcement.

The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its annual Summer Picnic on July 30, from 12 noon-5 p.m. at San Felipe Park in Hayward. There will be food, trivia, and games! It will also be a great opportunity to mix and mingle with candidates for office. Click here to purchase tickets.

If you have an announcement you would like us to consider including in next month’s newsletter, please email commsdir@contracostadems.com. DPCCC EVENT CALENDARThis calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Please click on the image to get more details!LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINKDo you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

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