California
| California Legislature | ||
Democrats |
Republicans |
|
| Senate | ||
| 2006 | 25 |
15 |
| 2008 | 25 |
15 |
| Today | 26 |
14 |
| House | ||
| 2006 | 48 |
31 |
| 2008 | 48 |
32 |
| Today | 51 |
29 |
Conservatives have long been building a base in California and their hard work has paid off: they have a Republican Governor and a stronghold in some of the fastest growing counties in the state. California is also rich in electoral votes — the far right's organizing here is part of a long—term plan to take control of the state and ultimately threaten national elections.
Progressive Majority is not sitting on the sidelines — we're fighting back in California with our own long—term strategy and plan. We are aggressively recruiting candidates in counties where the population has soared and that are right now considered California's so—called "Red Counties."
By doing this work now, Progressive Majority will effectively block the far right and keep California progressive. And, because California's legislators face term—limits, they need Progressive Majority's farm team system to build a bench of rising stars for years to come.
Marty Block
Candidate for State Representative - District 78 (Open Seat)
San Diego County
Marty Block won the race for the 78th Assembly District. Previously, he was elected to the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees, and served on the San Diego Board of Education. The 78th is was held by a conservative, but who was term-limited out of office. This district has grown more Democratic over the years and was one of the best opportunities for a progressive victory this year. Marty will provide a strong platform for progressive issues in San Diego.
Bob Blumenfield
Candidate for State Representative - District 40 (Open Seat)
Los Angeles, Northridge, Van Nuys
Bob was elected to the California Assembly, 40th District. For the past seven years Bob has been the District Director to Congressman Howard Berman. Bob is Chair of the Valley Anti-Defamation League, Vice Chair of the California Trust for Public Schools and a former board member of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. Bob is a strong proponent of progressive issues in such key areas as education, healthcare, the environment and economic justice.
Mark Ridley-Thomas
Candidate for Los Angeles County Supervisor - District 2 (Open Seat)
California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 2nd District, in the highest priority race for progressives in Los Angeles County in 2008. Mark ran against a formidable candidate, former chief of police and current Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks. Although elected by a majority African American district, Parks has a conservative voting record when it comes to investing in communities. If Parks had won, Los Angeles County would have been controlled by a conservative majority at a time when county hospitals and emergency services in communities of color are facing closure. Mark has been a staunch supporter of progressive issues such as the establishment of school health centers, consumer protection, community reinvestment, jobs and workforce development.
Olga Diaz
Candidate for Escondido City Council (Challenger)
Olga Diaz is a business owner, homeowner, mother of four, wife of an Escondido police lieutenant and an active member of the Escondido community. In 2002, she opened Blue Mug Coffee and Tea, a local progressive political hangout. Olga became incensed at the behavior of Escondido's government. In 2006, she challenged for a city council seat, but lost in the primary. Escondido has a 3-2 Republican edge in registration which makes this race difficult. Olga was endorsed by the San Diego Democratic Party and LCV. Progressive Majority began working with Olga in 2007; she received message development and a campaign plan from us. This race was difficult to win and it helped build a base in Escondido.
Alejandra Solis
Candidate for National City City Council (Challenger)
Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, 28, serves as the director of the Community Law Project at UC San Diego. She prepares undergraduate students for law school and careers in public policy. She is also the former district director for State Rep. Lori Saldana (AD79), who represents National City. In 2006, Solis ran for mayor of National City. She placed fourth, but emerged as a future leader. She brings a high level of energy to the often stagnant political debate in National City. Well versed on local issues, she has taken her previous election as a learning experience. Progressive Majority recruited her as she was deciding to run for council.
Sherri Lightner
Candidate for San Diego City Council - District 1 (Open Seat)
Sherri Lightner was elected to the 1st City Council District in San Diego. A community volunteer and leader, Sherri has served as president of both the La Jolla Town Council and the La Jolla Shores Association. An engineer by training, she is a recognized expert on land development law. Because of term limits, the 1st was an open seat. Sherri represents an opportunity for a progressive woman to make a difference in a historically moderate to conservative seat, allowing for a potential progressive majority.
John Lee Evans
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict A (Challenger)
John Lee Evans is a clinical psychologist and long-time progressive activist on education and social justice issues. He is defeated an incumbent Republican, Mitz Lee. John will provide a strong progressive voice on the school board for local control and improved opportunity for children in low-income and immigrant communities. John's win would created a progressive majority and a Democratic super majority.
Richard Barrera
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict D (Challenger)
Richard Barrera was elected to the San Diego School District in Nominating Subdistrict D. Richard is Latino and a union organizer with SEIU Local 399. Richard faced a difficult race in the general election against conservative incumbent Luis Acle, a former Reagan administration official who has openly expressed interest in higher office, but Acle failed to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. This coup left Barrera unopposed for the general election. Barrera's victory created both a working progressive majority and a Democratic supermajority.