 SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER |
| CHAIR’S MESSAGE The election is almost here—voters will start to receive their 2022 general election ballots in just over two weeks. I hope you will join me in working every day to help elect our candidates. The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has endorsed 68 candidates for offices ranging from Ken Carlson for the County Board of Supervisors to the city councils, school boards, and special districts throughout the county. Our candidates represent the diversity of our county, with 21 being first-time candidates. Each one needs our support to win and make a difference for their community. You can see more about these candidates in a story later in this newsletter. Getting Ken Carlson elected to the Board of Supervisors is one of our top priorities. His election could change the board’s balance for many years to come. If Ken wins, our priority issues and values have a chance to be realized. If Ken loses, our push for housing, healthcare, social justice, climate sustainability, and economic equity will all suffer. This is a race with generational importance. Please add your energy and voice. I want to urge you to join me in picking a few key races at the local level to get involved in and help us Get Out the Vote! In addition to Ken’s campaign for the Board of Supervisors, other local candidates are facing coordinated efforts to get MAGA Republicans elected to our school boards. Please pick a few campaigns to help by knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending texts, or making contributions. A few hours a week will help us elect our 68 locally endorsed candidates and our statewide and Congressional officials. You also will see later in this newsletter how you can take action to help Democrats win close elections in the Central Valley and keep our House majority. It is a lot of work. But I believe electing Democrats is the reason we are here. Let me know if you have any questions. You can email me at chair@contracostadems.com. I hope to see you on the campaign trail! Stay healthy and strong, Katie Ricklefs Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County SEPTEMBER MEETING REPORT The DPCCC’s September 15 Membership Meeting featured the wrap-up of our endorsement process, a report from our Issues Committee (see report later in this newsletter), and updates from our committees on the work they are doing to prepare for election day. Chair Katie Ricklefs thanked Tamela Hawley and Irene Tait for their excellent handling of the endorsement process, working with our District Directors and endorsement committee members. Chair Ricklefs also announced that she was appointing Jeff Koertzen and Robyn Kuslits as the Ad-Hoc Transition Committee for the January 19, 2023, DPCCC Organizational Meeting. First Chair Susana Williams announced that Rebecca Barrett was appointed to co-chair our Elections Committee, joining Chuck Carpenter. The two co-chairs have talked with the District Directors and endorsed candidates, especially new candidates and have received input on what our priority races should be from them and our club leadership. We learned more about what all of our members can do to help elect our endorsed candidates. DPCCC members discussed and approved a revised budget for the rest of the year. Communications Director Jan Bell reported on updates to the DPCCC website to showcase endorsed candidates and encouraged people to provide feedback about this newsletter at commsdir@contracostadems.com. 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! If you are not a DPCCC member and wish to attend the monthly membership meeting, which is typically held on the third Thursday of the month, please RSVP to the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. If you are a DPCCC member, you should receive an email with details for the meeting about seven days in advance. If you do not, please email the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. DPCCC ENDORSES 68 CANDIDATES FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has endorsed 68 candidates for local offices. These endorsements include the County Board of Supervisors, city councils, school boards, and special districts. The DPCCC’s website has the full list of these endorsed candidates, grouped by east, central/south, and west county. Our endorsement website includes candidate questionnaires, campaign videos, and other useful information. The DPCCC has also endorsed Measure K, a Martinez Unified School District Bond, and Measure Q, a Voter Protected Open Space Initiative for the City of Brentwood. You can also see the California Democratic Party’s endorsements for federal and statewide offices and the statewide propositions on the November ballot. Most importantly, remember to VOTE by November 8th and donate or volunteer for Democrats running for office! TAKE ACTION – Calling all volunteers, phone bankers, and canvassers! The path to the next House majority goes through California Join Contra Costa Democrats for a one-day bus trip to work some canvassing magic in Tulare on Saturday, October 15. https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/514161/ Join Contra Costa Democrats as we turn voices into votes…calling voters in Kern and Kings counties on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays at 5 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/439762/ Knock doors every Saturday in Hanford, Kings County, through election day! https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111 Knock doors on Fridays through Sundays, beginning on September 30 in Bakersfield, Kern County, through election day! https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/494449 For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.comor call 510-693-4259. RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION The DPCCC adopted the following proclamations and resolutions at its September 15, 2022, meeting: Proclamation in Support of Veteran’s Day 2022 Proclamation In Celebration of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 1 – 30, 2022; California Native American Day, September 23, 2022; and National Day of Recognition of Native American Heritage, November 25, 2022 Resolution Urging that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors conduct Open Study Sessions on Critical Contra Costa County Sheriff Department Functions Related to the Internal Investigations Process from an Equity Lens, Including Potential Oversight Mechanisms Resolution Re-Committing to Core Principles of Our Democracy—Free & Fair Elections The DPCCC voted at its September 15, 2022, meeting to take positions on the following statewide and local measures on the November 2022 general election ballot: SUPPORT Proposition 1 (Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment to the California State Constitution). Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT Measure K, Martinez Unified School District Bond. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT Measure Q, City of Brentwood Voter-Protected Open-Space Initiative. 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 an index of the Resolutions adopted by the DPCCC since 2022 and a Legislative Tracker of all the bills on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session.SUPPORT OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATES Our Communications team is posting canvassing and fundraising events for our endorsed candidates on the DPCCC website and the DPCCC’s event calendar. There are events all around Contra Costa County. Please support as many of our endorsed candidates as you can as Democrats work to get them elected this November! ANNOUNCEMENTS The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its 50th Anniversary Democratic Unity Dinner at the Oakland Airport Hilton on Saturday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Click here for more information and 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 CALENDAR This 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 HERE to go to the DPCCC Calendar. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Do 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. |
Category Archives: advisories
DPCCC endorses 67 local candidates for November 8th Election
The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has just endorsed sixty-seven local candidates for the upcoming election on November 8th. To help you select candidates on your ballot, which will be mailed to you around October 10th, please CLICK HERE TO VIEW this list of our endorsees.
Agenda for special Membership meeting to decide 2022 endorsements
DPCCC is holding a special Membership meeting this Thursday, September 1 at 6pm to decide our 2022 general election endorsements. Although it has already been noticed to members by email as usual with our meeting agendas, the agenda is also being posted here on the public website in compliance with our Bylaws:
Any DPCCC meeting where official endorsements will be voted on must have this item properly placed on the agenda, and the agenda must be postmarked or sent by e-mail to all DPCCC members at least seven (7) days before the meeting is held and posted on the DPCCC public website.
If you are a registered Democrat, wish to attend, and do not already have the Zoom link for the meeting, please email the Secretary to receive it.
Please note that while any registered Democrat may attend, only the Regular Members of DPCCC and/or their Alternates will be able to vote.
Special membership agenda
2022 general election endorsements
Thursday, September 1, 2022, 6pm
Agenda
- Call to order and welcome
- Review Zoom meeting procedures
- Establish a quorum (31 out of 60 Regular Members)
- Approve agenda
- Action items and reports
- 1st Vice-Chair – Susana Williams
- Endorsements Committee – Irene Tait and Tamela Hawley
- General election 2022 endorsements consent calendar (additional documents: Endorsements voting process, candidate questionnaires)
- Endorsements Committee – Irene Tait and Tamela Hawley
- 1st Vice-Chair – Susana Williams
- Adjourn
August 2022 DPCCC Newsletter
 AUGUST 2022 NEWSLETTER |
| CHAIR’S MESSAGE At our August 18 General Membership meeting, DPCCC members heard an important message from Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. I appreciated their update and the call to action they shared with us. You can read more about their presentation in the August Meeting Report. Our Endorsements Committee has been hard at work in all five districts preparing to make recommendations for the candidates we should support in the November elections. We will have a lot of work to do to counteract the statewide and national efforts of Republicans and their allies. CalMatters reported on what is happening in school board elections throughout California. I am glad the reporter pointed out what we have been doing to support our school board members in Contra Costa. 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 edition of our DPCCC newsletter. Please let our 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 AUGUST MEETING REPORT The DPCCC’s August 18 Membership Meeting featured a presentation by Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. Gonzales and Martinez Franks discussed Reproductive Freedom: Meeting the Moment at the Ballot Box. This issue has become even more of a priority for DPCCC members in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end the federal right to abortion. Martinez Franks explained that California is a Reproductive Freedom State and outlined how California Planned Parenthood Affiliates are the key to fulfilling this commitment. She introduced DPCCC members to PPNC’s operations that cover 20 California counties from Contra Costa north to the Oregon border. There are six health care centers in Contra Costa County. Overall, PPNC serves over 70,000 patients. Preventative care makes up most of the services provided by PPNC, including sexually transmitted disease screening and treatment, pregnancy testing, contraception services, and cancer screening. Gonzales then discussed what we could expect in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. “The situation will get worse before it gets better,” she said. “The only way it will get better is through positive electoral outcomes—and California needs to lead the way.” Gonzales shared that PPNC, like abortion providers around the country, is dealing with the legal ramifications in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision and the efforts of abortion-hostile states to criminalize efforts to help people who can become pregnant receive these vital health care services. DPCCC members can help with this fight right now have three significant ways. First, Gonzales encouraged Democrats to be “all-in on Proposition 1—it is vital for California to send a message.” Proposition 1 will enshrine abortion and birth control access in the California Constitution. Visit YesOn1CA.com to learn more. Second, support abortion funds like Access Reproductive Justice (ARJ). There is a need not just in hostile-to-abortion states, but also here in California. As ARJ explains, “Reproductive rights are meaningless when you don’t know where to get birth control, no abortion provider accepts your insurance, you are afraid to seek prenatal care because of your immigration status, or the closest clinic is hours from your home.” Third, she said that we all needed to elevate abortion stories to minimize abortion stigma. “There should be no shame. And this is everybody’s issue,” Gonzales emphasized. The DPCCC, through its Issues Committee, has made abortion a focus of the legislation we have supported this year. The DPCCC voted to support several federal bills that attempt to address what the Supreme Court ruled in its Dobbs decision and a concurring opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas. You can review these on the DPCCC’s Legislative Tracker. The DPCCC also adopted the updated California Democratic Party Code of Conduct. The DPCC will share it with candidates seeking the DPCCC’s endorsement. The DPCCC will also ask its chartered clubs to review the Code of Conduct and consider adopting it. The Elections Committee is preparing to support the candidates the DPCCC endorses at its Special Membership Meeting on September 1 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Elections Committee Chair Chuck Carpenter noted that our school board and city council members are under attack by coordinated Republican efforts. 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! SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR ENDORSEMENTS The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will hold a special membership meeting on Thursday, September 1, at 6 p.m. via Zoom to consider endorsements for the November General Election. If you are not a DPCCC member and wish to attend, please RSVP to the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. If you are a DPCCC member, you should receive an email with details for the meeting about seven days in advance. If you do not, please email the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. IN THE NEWS The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County’s efforts to support our local school board members during some of the more contentious meetings about public health measures and teaching accurate history over the past year were featured in a Cal Matters story about how California Republicans are betting big on local school board races in 2022. After hearing from some Contra Costa school board members asking for help, the DPCCC adopted two resolutions to support our School Board members. In addition to sharing the resolutions with our members and posting them on our website, DPCCC members and leadership, including Chair Katie Ricklefs, attended school board meetings to share the resolutions. The Republican efforts to take over school boards are happening in Contra Costa County. That’s why supporting the DPCCC’s endorsed school board candidates in the November elections will be one of our top priorities. TAKE ACTION JOIN US IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY TO TALK TO VOTERS, ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME! There are less than three months left to reach voters and the path to the next House majority goes through California. Canvassing is the most effective way to introduce voters to Rudy Salas, help support Democrats, and get your steps in! Lodging and carpool options are available. Knock doors every Saturday in Hanford, Kings County, through election day! https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111 Knock doors on Fridays through Sundays, beginning on September 30 in Bakersfield, Kern County, through election day! https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/494449 Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before—when you arrive at the staging location you will be trained and given all the supplies you need. And once you get going, you’ll find that talking to voters is fun and rewarding! For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.com or call 510-693-4259. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE DPCCC BBQ PARTY Save the date! The DPCCC’s annual BBQ will be on September 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Concord Community Park (3501 Cowell Rd, Concord, CA 94518). Early Bird Tickets are now available through August 31! We’ll enjoy music, a taco bar (our BBQ Chair will BBQ too), plenty of fun drinks, cornhole, giant Jenga, speeches, tabling from our candidates and clubs, and the opportunity to meet and speak with electeds and other activists and volunteers. Bring a friend or new member, bring your dog, wear your Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) shirts or hats, and come ready to have fun! Sponsorships are available and play a vital role in supporting the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County in recruiting and electing democrats both here and in critical or contentious races locally or across the state or country. Your sponsorship also helps support our County party infrastructure to be able to host more fun events, recognize members and support our members. Click here to purchase a ticket or sponsorship!  RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION The DPCCC adopted the following resolutions at its August 18, 2022, meeting: Proclamation in Support of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15, 2022 – October 15, 2022 Proclamation Recognizing and Commemorating the 77th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2022 The DPCCC voted at its August 18, 2022, meeting to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the United States Congress: SUPPORT H.R. 8296 (Authored by Representative Judy Chu), the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would create a federal right for patients to receive and providers to provide abortion care, ensuring every American—regardless of where they live—can make decisions about their own lives and bodies. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT H.R. 8297 (Authored by Representative Lizzie Fletcher), the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which would prohibit anyone acting under state law from interfering with a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT H.R. 8373 (Authored by Representative Kathy Manning), the Right to Contraception Act, which would provide statutory protections for an individual’s right to access and a health care provider’s right to provide contraception and related information. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT H.R. 8404 (Authored by Representative Jerrold Nadler), the Respect for Marriage Act, which would provide statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. 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 an index of the Resolutions adopted by the DPCCC since 2022 and a Legislative Tracker of all the bills on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session. DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY The primary focus of our District Directors during the past month has been organizing and managing our candidate endorsement process for the November 2022 election. Check back next month for more details on what is happening around the county!BIDEN/HARRIS ACCOMPLISHMENTSTo counteract the Republican negative campaign against the Biden/Harris administration, we’ve generated one slide that summarizes their long list of accomplishments under three major goals they have achieved. You can use this information when you’re out canvassing, for talks with your friends and family members and—if you’re really brave—with moderate Republicans! In any event, don’t give in to the Republican negative messages—defend the Biden/Harris administration’s accomplishments! Click here to see the slide: https://contracostadems.com/biden-harris-accomplishments/. ANNOUNCEMENTS Farm workers are marching to win the right to vote for a union free from intimidation and threats. This march is to convince Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2183, the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act (AB 2183-Stone). The bill would give more choices to farm workers so they can vote free from intimidation. Farm workers would be able to vote in secret whenever and wherever they feel safe. You are invited to join the Farm Workers as they complete the final mile of their march in Sacramento on Friday, August 26 at 9 a.m. Click here for more details! The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its 50th Anniversary Democratic Unity Dinner at the Oakland Airport Hilton on Saturday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Early bird tickets for $110 are available until Friday, September 2. Click here for more information and 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 CALENDAR This 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. |
| Copyright © 2022 secretary@contracostadems.com, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Democratic Party of Contra Costa County P. O. Box 4112 Martinez, CA 94553 Add us to your address book |
Sign Petition for AB 2183
Dear Democrats,
Please sign the petition and help farm workers deliver a strong message to CA Governor Newsom to sign AB 2183, the CA Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act, when it reaches his desk.
The bill would give more choices to farm workers so they can vote free from intimidation. Farm workers would be able to vote in secret whenever and wherever they feel safe. AB 2183 offers the same voting choices Gov. Newsom used to defeat the GOP recall election in September 2021. Yet, that month he vetoed last year’s farm worker voting choice bill. His veto came despite huge support for the bill in both state houses.
Join the March from Delano to Sacramento. The March ends on Friday, August 26 at the step of the State Capitol.
June 2022 DPCCC Newsletter
JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER |
CHAIR’S MESSAGEI want to thank all DPCCC members, Democratic Clubs, and Democrats across Contra Costa County for your hard work during the recently concluded June 7 primary elections. JUNE MEETING REPORT
TAKE ACTIONKEEP NEVADA BLUE PHONE BANKS: Join Contra Costa Democrats on Wednesday, June 22, 5 p.m. (PDT) to hear from Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health, an advocacy group working to create change from the ground up, to protect and advance access to reproductive healthcare. With the Supreme Court set to overturn Roe v. Wade in June, this is the time to hear about the decision and our next steps. REGISTER NOW to hear Andrea Miller and then call voters in Nevada—where we need to hold a critical Senate seat in order to codify abortion rights. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) is running in a toss-up race! No experience is needed; our coaches will train you. GET YOUR DPCCC SWAG
The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County is partnering with ForeAmerica, a California-based, Democratic woman-owned small business and union printer, to provide all the Democratic accessories you need. ForeAmerica can connect you with American-made (and reasonably priced!) shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, signs, hats, and fun masks to keep you safe during COVID. FREE SHIPPING! RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATIONThe DPCCC voted to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the California State Legislature: SUPPORT SJR 13 (Authored by Senator Cortese), which would urge the United States Congress and the Department of the Interior to reaffirm and restore the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe as a federally recognized Indian tribe. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT SB 300 (Authored by Senators Cortese and Durazo), the Sentencing Reform Act, which would address the injustice of the felony-murder special circumstance law by allowing a sentence other than the death penalty or life in prison without parole for a person who did not cause, or intend, a death during the commission of a felony. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTYDISTRICT 1: Democrats in District 1 participated in many activities leading up to and through the June 7 election. West County’s three Democratic Clubs took the lead by distributing lawn and window signs and walking precincts. Local Democrats also hosted a Meet and Greet for endorsed 8th Congressional District candidate John Garamendi. ANNOUNCEMENTSThe Recruitment Committee is seeking volunteers for the DPCCC’s upcoming BBQ. You can volunteer by completing this form. 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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We were excited to have Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan join the DPCCC’s June 16, 2022, General Membership Meeting. She updated us about her legislative priorities and explained what Democrats could do to help her and her colleagues. 
DPCCC Newsletter – July 2022
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JULY 2022 Newsletter |
CHAIR’S MESSAGEOn 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
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! KNOCK DOORS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY EVERY SATURDAY! VOTER COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP Our Voter Communication expert, Kathi Walsh, will lead these workshops on communication techniques focused on active listening, goal-focused communication, scaling, and sharing information. 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 LEGISLATIONThe 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. DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTYDISTRICT 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 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. ANNOUNCEMENTSDemocrats 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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DPCCC endorses Ken Carlson for BOS
Members of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County voted unanimously July 21st to endorse Ken Carlson for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 4. For more information on Ken or to donate to his campaign go to https://www.kencarlson.vote
Government-mandated births
Government-mandated births relegate US women and girls to second-class citizens
Following the recent US Supreme Court decision on Roe vs Wade, many Americans feel they have been made second-class citizens and therefore they are not celebrating American freedom on this 4th of July. Americans are furious about this intrusion on their 14th Amendment right to privacy and the infringement on their right to control their own bodies. That’s why millions of Americans will be protesting this flawed Supreme Court decision this holiday weekend and until the ruling is overturned.
A local School Board member and elected member of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, Anamarie Avila Farias, expressed this reaction to the Supreme Court decision on Facebook and was vilified on Fox News and has received death threats. She has responded with a clear statement on her page. As a patriotic American she is exercising her right of free speech. You can read her comments at https://medium.com/@amavilafarias/maybe-your-momma-should-have-aborted-you-1b203c4cc6f7?fs=e&s=cl
The Democratic Party has been very clear about this issue. We stand for all human rights, rights for all humans irrespective of their status or condition. This is not an abortion question; it is a healthcare question. The right to terminate a pregnancy belongs to the pregnant. A free country should provide this and healthcare to its people. There is never a time to go backward.
Government-mandated births return America to a time of patriarchal dominance over women, plus government-mandated births will throw tens of thousands of women into poverty since there is no requirement by the “right to life” movement for any financial support by the father, nor any state responsibility for prenatal care or childcare.
Unlike Republican’s forced birth policy, nothing in the Democratic policy forces any person to terminate their pregnancy. Democrats support the pregnant person’s right to make that decision. Making abortion illegal will not stop abortions; it will just make them unsafe. Societies that make abortion illegal put women and girls’ lives at risk and maternal mortality rates are much higher.
Stand with the Democratic Party’s support for human rights and vote only for candidates who support safe and legal abortions on November 8th. Take action and join the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County and learn how you can make a difference in this fall’s election.
2022 Primary – Democratic Endorsements
To help voters fill out their June 7th 2022 Primary ballot, here is a list of the Democratic Party endorsements by office:
US Senator: Alex Padilla (Special Note: Please vote for Alex Padilla TWICE – once for the short term (balance of his appointed term) and once for the LONG term (the next 6 years)!)
US House of Representatives (District 5): Michael Barkley
US House of Representatives (District 9: Joshua Harder
US House of Representatives (District 10): Mark DeSaulnier
US House of Representatives (District 15): Kevin Mullin
Governor: Gavin Newsom
Lieutenant Governor: Eleni Kounalakis
Secretary of State: Dr. Shirley Weber
Attorney General: Rob Bonta
Treasurer: Fiona Ma
Controller: Malia Cohen
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tony Thurmond
Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara
Board of Equalization (District 2): Sally Lieber
California State Assembly (District 11): Lori Wilson
California State Assembly (District 14): Buffy Wicks
California State Assembly (District 15): Timothy Grayson
California State Assembly (District 16): Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
Contra Costa County Sheriff: Ben Therriault
Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools: Lynn Mackey
Contra Costa County District Attorney: Diana Becton
Contra Costa County Assessor: Floy Andrews
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (District 1): John Gioia
NOTE: Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Board of Supervisor (District 4) positions have several Democrats running for these offices – please vote for one of these great Democrats!