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 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.
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!
Pursuant to DPCCC’s Resolution to end existing oil and gas drilling in Contra Costa County and phasing out existing oil and gas extraction infrastructure (Nov 18, 2021), here is an action alert from Sunflower Alliance.
All Hands on Deck! On May 11 the County is hearing public comment on the new oil and gas policy for its General Plan, which will dictate land use policy for the next twenty years. Unfortunately, the new oil and gas policy it’s proposing, just like the old, allows oil and gas extraction on county land.
The only difference is the requirement of 3,200′ setbacks. This is a step in the right direction, as it acknowledges the health dangers of living near drilling sites. But recent scientific studies show that 3,200’ setbacks are not the most health-protective approach. And continuing to permit fossil fuel infrastructure begs the question of climate impacts altogether.
Antioch passed a drilling ban in January, and Brentwood just placed a moratorium on drilling while it works on a permanent ban. Now the County needs to do the same. Toxic pollutants and climate emissions from oil and gas production don’t stop at lines on a map. Contra Costa must do better.
The County really needs to hear from us! Please send in comments or testify at the County Planning Commission hearing on May 11 at 6:30 PM. The Zoom link for the hearing will be posted here on 5/6.
Use this Guide to craft your own in-person and written testimony. You can email your comments to planninghearing@dcd.cccounty.us, and testify at the May 11 hearing.
The County Board of Supervisors meets the day before on May 10. We’ll present the No Drilling petition, speak during public comment on non-agenda items, and hold a press conference outside the County Building at 1025 Escobar in Martinez before the meeting starts. East County residents will be speaking, along with MDs and youth activists. Come join us if you can.
Tues May 10, 9 AM: Board of Supervisors Meeting
Comment either via Zoom or in person. Attend the 8:30 AM press conference or watch the livestream on the Sunflower Alliance facebook page.Wed May 11, 6:30 PM: County Planning Commission Meeting (“Study Session” on the Conservation Element of the new General Plan)
Via Zoom. The County won’t release zoom link until May 6. Check this County page and this Sunflower Alliance post for updated information.A very big thank you for taking action!
Here are DPCCC’s endorsements for County offices in the 2022 primary ballot, as decided by the Central Committee voting membership at a special meeting on Thursday, March 24:
For the two offices for which the result was No Endorsement, there are several qualified Democratic candidates who deserve consideration for the support of individual Democrats.
DPCCC’s process to arrive at these endorsements was robust. We interviewed sixteen candidates for seven offices. We had seventy people involved in interviews, representing all five Supervisorial districts. Ninety people attended our final DPCCC Endorsement meeting. Our interview panels included local chartered Democratic club members and DPCCC members from across the county.
We need everyone’s help to get out the vote starting in April – only 6 weeks until ballots will be mailed. Join us at the Primary Campaign Kick-off April 23rd! To volunteer, please email our Elections Committee: elections@contracostadems.com.
The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) is hosting an in-person and outdoor fundraising event on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at Pleasant Hill Park!
Please save the date and we’ll be providing more information soon on ticketing, food and drink, entertainment, speakers, sponsorships, and more!
You can also share like and share the event from Facebook here: LINK
We look forward to seeing you all again!
Fundraising Committee
fundraising@contracostadems.com
Publicly Elected Members
District 1
Gabe Quinto
District 2
Susan H Hildreth
District 2
Katie Ricklefs
District 4
Sue Hamill
District 4
Charles Carpenter
District Directors
District 1
Michael Nye
Officers
1st Vice Chair
Susana Williams
Controller
Marshall Lewis
Club Voting Members
El Cerrito Dem Club
Champage Brown
Contra Costa Young Dems
Cody Keller
Lamorinda Dem Club
Valerie Sloven
Alternates
Jonathan Bash
Joy Pinsky
Tom Lawson
Cecilia Minalga
Associates
Joseph Ely
Kent Green
Kathleen VanWinckel
Sally Sweetser
John Hall
Mayor Lamar Thorpe of Antioch is holding a fundraiser event on January 14, 7-9pm. Follow the link for more information and to register.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roast-of-mayor-lamar-thorpe-fundraiser-tickets-223143647657
Here is DPCCC’s November 2021 newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/343b035a5dcf/dpccc-region-14835778
To submit an item for the next newsletter, please email secretary@contracostadems.com.
From DPCCC’s District 4 Director Colleen Awad:
Deputy District Directors – Openings – As we move into next year with elections, I will need some assistance in staying connected and with elections and such. If you live in District 4 and are interested in getting more involved with the DPCCC, please let me know and email me at Colleenawad@gmail.com
Around the district
• Attended the Young Democrats meeting last night and touched based with some of our LAMBDA Dems as well
Contra Costa County
• Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will have their 5th redistricting hearing on Tuesday, November 23
• Everyone 5 and up is eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccines in our County
Concord
• The City of Concord has kicked off its redistricting process: http://www.cityofconcord.org/951/Redistricting
• The City Council recently passed an ordinance that adds a social worker to the CORE team
• They also added a position within their Housing Department to work on homeless issues
Walnut Creek
• The Walnut Creek City Council will be considering a protected buffer zone near Planned Parenthood. There have been repeated clashes at the planned parenthood in Walnut Creek
• Back in September the Walnut Creek Police Department swore in a new Police Chief Jaime Knox
• https://www.walnut-creek.org/Home/Components/News/News/2904/1851
Pleasant Hill
• Pleasant Hill turned 60 years old
• Pleasant Hill City Council has passed a resolution recognizing United Against Hate Week
• https://www.pleasanthillca.org/1484/United-Against-Hate-Week#liveEditTab_widgets
• It stands against hatred, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia, etc.