DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT

NOVEMBER 2018 PAGE 1 YOUR DNC MEMBERS HELP BRING IT HOME IN THE WESTERN STATES BY DNC MEMBERS JESS DURFEE,GARRY S. SHAY, LAURENCE ZAKSON

For the 4th cycle in a row DNC LGBT Caucus Secre- tary Laurence Zakson, DNC Executive Committee Mem- ber Garry Shay, DNC West- ern States Caucus Chair Jess Durfee, and activists from the Stonewall Demo- cratic Club, including Lester Aponte and Jane Wishon, helped organize a delega- tion of leaders, to assist in organizing activities in Arizo- na and Nevada, to help in both persuasion efforts and Get Out the Vote in Tucson and Las Vegas. This year Heart of LA, West Holly- wood Beverly Hills Demo- cratic Clubs, along with W 2020 - C SFVYD’s and CYD joined in, as well. G I On a mission to elect Ari- BY DNC MEMBERS KEITH UMEMOTO AND ALEX ROOKER zona US Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema and con- Celebrate our victories, heal millions of new eligible vot- gressional candidate Ann our wounds (US Senate). Our ers, from those turning 18 Kirkpatrick, a group of work has just begun. Our focus to naturalized citizens. Southern California Demo- must be reversing 45's anti Nationally, there will be crats traveled to Tucson, agenda: workers, environment, 1.6 million more eligible September 28-30. immigrants, women, public edu- Latinos who turn 18 in the Braving the nearly 100 cation, unions, civil rights, hu- next two years. This figure degree temperatures, your man rights, government, and increases dramatically by DNC delegation canvassed, ALL Americans, and his pro- registering naturalized citi- phone banked and joined corporate and self-dealing zens and eligible Latinos the Pima County Democrats agenda. who had not previously for the annual Tucson 2018 set modern day records registered to vote. LGBTQ Pride parade and in early voting (42% over 2014) Similarly, there will be CDP Vice Chair Alex festival. On Saturday night and voter turnout (114 million about 1 million more regis- Rooker is Treasurer of of our visit, our group met up voters up 37% over 2014 from tered Asian Americans/ the Association of with the Pima County Party 83 million) for a mid-term elec- Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) by State Democratic Chair and others for a dinner tion. So, how was it done and 2020 (2 million more than Chairs and Vice Chair how do we improve upon it? 2016). A huge percentage of the DNC Women’s celebration in anticipation of Caucus the victories ahead. And, no, we should not re-elect of AAPIs decline to state a party preference, but also As of this writing, Ann 45 to be more enraged and have increasingly voted for Kirkpatrick had 53.3% of the fired up, as he was the biggest Democrats. vote and will be serving as motivating factor. This means Inclusive in the above the next representative from building a long term infrastruc- figures are an annual in- AZ-2 and Kyrsten Sinema ture that goes beyond 45. crease of about 3.8 million was leading 49.5% - 48.2%. The voting demographics are clear. Women, youth, LGBT, Americans turning 18 every If successful, Sinema will and minorities voted over- year. Historically, only 50% be the second LGBT U.S. whelmingly for Democrats. register to vote. Again, a senator (joining Wisconsin Labor was solid, as Wisconsin huge percentage of youth Sen. Tammy Baldwin). retired Scott (Anti Union/ decline to state a party pref- Three weeks later, Octo- Worker) Walker. erence, and only 39% voted Keith Umemoto is a ber 19 to 21, with nearly 50 In order to succeed in 2020, in 2016. the Democratic Party infrastruc- Co-Chair of the CDP Credentials Committee Continued on Page 4 ture must continue to recruit Continued on Page 4 and improve its efforts on the

NOVEMBER 2018 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 2 SHIRLEY CHISHOLM LED THE WAY 50 YEARS AGO BY DNC MEMBER REP.

Fifty years ago, Shirley able, quality education. predetermined. The same dis- Chisholm became the first Congresswoman Chisholm advantages that Congress- Black woman elected to inspired me to register to woman Chisholm faced on the Congress. On that day, vote, and eventually, to work campaign trail as a black wom- she wasn’t just running for for her presidential cam- an persist today. It’s an uphill office — she was running paign. She taught me that the battle — but it’s one that we’ll against history. only way to fix a broken politi- keep fighting until we achieve No one expected her to cal system was by getting true equality and justice under win her election, and after involved. the law. she won, many members Shirley Chisholm didn’t win Shirley Chisholm is often hoped she would recede the presidency. But she in- remembered for being the first. into the background. But spired a generation of wom- But she should also be remem- that wasn’t Shirley en of color to reach for the bered for what she accom- Chisholm’s style. stars — and to follow in her plished once she got to Con- Four years later, she footsteps. gress. She took on fights for made history once again low-income families, for hungry By running, Shirley school kids, and for single — as the first African Chisholm showed other American and the first moms. She was instrumental Black women that there was in creating the national school woman to seek the Demo- a path for us. And by articu- cratic nomination for presi- lunch program, expanding the DNC Member Barbara Lee lating a bold, progressive food stamp program, and es- represents California’s dent. vision, she modeled a differ- 13th District in Congress tablishing the Special Supple- I met Shirley Chisholm ent, more inclusive brand of mental Nutrition Program for in 1972, when I was a leadership. Women, Infants and Children, student at Mills College. I Despite Shirley Chisholm’s commonly known as WIC. invited her to speak to the accomplishments, it’s still an 50 years later, these pro- Black Student Union uphill battle for Black women about her historic election grams are bedrocks of our in politics. This year could communities and lifelines to to Congress. When she help change that. spoke, I heard a candidate some of the poorest families in who understood my com- Across the country, African America. I am confident that munity. She understood American women have made the women who made history the challenges I was fac- history — in city halls, state this election cycle will build ing to feed my kids, pay houses, and in Congress. upon Shirley Chisholm’s pro- the bills and get an afford- But this election reminded gress, and will join her name in us that these results were not the history books.

PELOSI AND O’NEILL: GREAT DEMOCRATIC SPEAKERS B ਸ DNC Mਤਬਡਤ਱ Bਮਡ M਴ਫਧਮਫਫਠਭਣ

First, we all need to be a Democrat in Congress that Former Speaker Tip O'Neill grateful for future (and for- could have done what always privately met with new- mer) Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Speaker Pelosi just accom- ly elected Democrats to the She single handily got the plished -- a majority in the U.S. House. He congratulated Affordable Care Act through U.S. House, after recruiting them, then said -- some of you the U.S. House. Democrats many very qualified candi- won't be back, as you were did that for the American dates, especially women elected by "accident," meaning people and yes, like the and raising a record amount their opponent was caught up Democrats who supported of money. in a scandal or a nation- the Clinton Health Care bill, The Founding Fathers al tsunami against the Repub- as well as the Clinton tax lican Party. Bob Mulholland were very concerned about bill (raised taxes on the very even having a President My Message -- we just elect- resides in Chico and can wealthy, leading to a very (potentially like a King), so ed a big number of congress be reached at vibrant economy and budg- our system in the U.S. Gov- members -- some by [email protected] et surpluses), some of ernment includes Yellow "accident," so State Parties and those House members flashing and Red lights. across the country, including @chico.bob would not win re-election. In Trump will need to be re- the CDP, had better laser in the 1994 and 2010 House minded that Congress is that now to help those most vulner- elections, Democrats lost Flashing Yellow Light and in able Democrats for 2020. the majority. the case of money, Con- Secondly, there was not gress can be the Red Light.

NOVEMBER 2018 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 3

California Delegation at Western States Caucus at DNC Meeting in Chicago in August

SUPERDELEGATES LOSE CLOUT IN DNC VOTE ON NOMINATION SYSTEM BY DNC MEMBER MARY ELLEN EARLY

So read the headline in the cluding the role of caucus- pledged delegates would Chicago Sun Times on Sun- es vs. primaries in selecting henceforward become auto- day, August 26. Clout is a a presidential nominee. It matic delegates, with all of word traditionally used in was the role of automatic the rights and privileges that Chicago politics to denote unpledged delegates that come with full delegate sta- political influence. Today it is held the attention of the tus, with one exception: used universally in the politi- public as the Unity Com- they would be unable to cal world. mission met multiple times vote on the first ballot at the What would the alternative to take up these very seri- convention, thus being una- headline read if the reforms ous issues. ble to overturn the will of were voted down? DNC to What the Unity Commis- those elected by caucuses Berniecrats: get lost! DNC to sion did not take into ac- and primaries. There are Millennials: Who Needs count was that any recom- two exceptions to this. If a You? What I have learned mendations had to be ap- clear front runner emerged after many years as a Dem- proved by the entire DNC, after all caucuses and pri- ocratic Party activist is this: exactly the group that stood maries had made their se- We are a family, where eve- the most to lose if these lections, and if there was no ry member is needed to reforms were voted in. chance of overturning the work on behalf of the whole. will of the elected delegates The ultimate recommen- What follows is a brief (which by the way, had nev- dation of the Unity Commis- er happened in the past), synopsis of how the vote sion was to reduce the came down that lessened automatic delegates would number of so-called be allowed to cast a ballot Mary Ellen Early is the the influence of DNC mem- “” to 60%, founding editor of bers as automatic un- on the first round. Other- the California DNC by keeping elected officials wise, they would be forced pledged delegates, known in (Democratic members of Press Democrat media parlance as to wait until a potential sec- Congress, the U.S. Senate, ond round of balloting en- “superdelegates.” At the governors, etc.), and throw- 2016 Democratic National sued. The last time this ing DNC members under happened was in 1952. Convention in Philadelphia, the bus. In other words, there was a lot of tension DNC members would have It seemed a pretty good between the traditional and no role to play at subse- compromise. If the Unity ’ wing of the quent national conventions. Commission had its way, Democratic Party. In order to your DNC delegation would These recommendations heal the rift that had evolved be watching the 2020 Con- had to work their way between these groups, the vention at home on televi- through the DNC Rules and Convention voted to create a sion. Bylaws Committee (RBC). Unity Commission to sug- After many long and ardu- At the Chicago meeting, gest changes that would ous meetings, the RBC there was a General Ses- make the Party more trans- hammered out a compro- sion open to DNC members parent and democratic. mise, whereby all persons only – no guests, and no This Unity Commission previously accorded the took up several issues, in- status of automatic un- Continued on Page 4

NOVEMBER 2018 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 4

DNC GOTV IN ARIZONA AND NEVADA Continued from Page 1

southern Californians retary of State, (trailing at joining us, we continued 48.9% to 48.3% with the Western Pride- “None of the Above” at related invasion of neigh- 2.8%). If elected, Nelson boring states by joining would be the first out the Nevada and Clark LGBT candidate elected County Democratic Par- to statewide office in ties at the Pride parade Nevada. We were also and festival and in can- able to help elect what vassing and phoning could be the first female throughout southern majority legislature in the Nevada. nation. The mobilization was Saturday evening, sev- the first weekend of early eral of us joined Artie Californians Anticipate Democratic Victories in Nevada voting. Those working at Blanco, Nevada DNC the Pride festival on Sat- Executive Committee UPDATE urday were able to help member, for dinner and After winning his race for FROM THE EDITORS: direct voters to early to share experiences and Attorney General in Minnesota, polling locations to vote. best practices. While Keith Ellison resigned his of- The California DNC Press Democrat is published by In addition to promot- many of our crew volun- fice as Deputy Chair of the members of the California ing Jacky Rosen for US teered on Friday and DNC. Since he will also be DNC Delegation, and is not Senate (at 50.4% as of Saturday, a few hearty moving on from his Congres- sional seat, Keith wishes to this writing), our Califor- folks walked again on funded by the California concentrate on serving the Democratic Party. Opinions nia Democrats also cam- Sunday. people of Minnesota. Our loss expressed by the authors paigned for Steve Siso- We are proud to have is their gain. We wish Keith all of this newsletter’s articles lak for Governor (leading played a part in increas- the best in his new post. at 49.4% to 45.3%), and ing Democratic victories! are not necessarily those of the California Delega- Nelson Araujo, for Sec- tion, the DNC or the Cali- fornia Democratic Party. CONSTITUENCIES SUMMER MEETING IN CHICAGO Sincerely, Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 3 Mary Ellen Early Otto Lee In total, this means that Garry S. Shay there will be approximate- press. This was an op- brought up was whether

ly 4.5 million more youth, portunity for all DNC these changes had to be Latinos, and AAPIs regis- members to debate the preceded by a change to the Thank you to our spon- tered to vote in 2020, RBC proposals, and DNC Charter. sors: Steven K. Alari, which is about 9 million each member who At the General Session on Eric C. Bauman, Becca more than 2016. A large wished to do so could the last day, open to both the Doten, Maria Elena Dura- majority will vote Demo- have his or her issues press and invited guests, a zo, Jess Durfee, Mary El- cratic, but the percentage heard. written ballot was taken to len Early, Alice Huffman, and actual vote means The most moving opin- determine what was the will Aleita Huguenin, Michael the difference between a ions I heard from those of the body regarding the Kapp, Andrew Lachman, Republican versus a opposing the RBC rec- necessity of a change to the Hon. Barbara Lee, Otto Democrat in the White ommendations came DNC Charter. Those who Lee, Sandra M. Lowe, Bob House. And it will take an from our brother and supported the RBC changes Mulholland, Christine investment by the Party, sister members from prevailed in this vote by a Pelosi, John A. Pérez, including an effort to get communities of color. three to one margin, deter- Hon. Greg Pettis, Melahat youth, Latinos, and AAPIs These are people who mining that no Charter Rafiei, Alex Rooker, Garry to identify as Democrat. remember how hard they change was necessary to S. Shay, Keith Umemoto, Motivating efforts include and their forebears had approve the proposed chang- Roz Wyman, Laurence the Parkland High School worked (and are still es. Zakson students, 45's vitriol working today) to com- Don Fowler, who led the bat voter suppression. party as National Chair from against immigrants, pub- Printing: lic education, the environ- To be told that after their 1995 to 1997, had been lead- ment, #MeToo/Women's years of loyalty to and ing the charge against the Independent Printers March, Black Lives Mat- toiling on behalf of the RBC recommendations. After Democratic Party, that ter, MoveOn and Indivisi- the paper ballot, Mr. Fowler Proofreading: they would be prohibited got up and asked for approv- ble. In one day, 65,000 Burt B. Belant youth registered to vote from voting at the nation- al of the RBC recommenda- based on Taylor Swift's al convention (at least on tions by acclamation. tweet. the first round) brought Finally, the General Ses- Want an electronic copy? out feelings of outrage sion passed the Call to the The investment the Visit the CADEM web site DNC made in core con- and betrayal. 2020 Democratic National One big issue that Convention, along with the under Our Party/DNC stituency groups in 2018 Members needs to continue, along those who opposed the 2020 Delegate Selection with the 50 State Strate- RBC recommendations Rules. gy.