Let’s Make Tomorrow a Date in California History: Attend Democratic Delegate Selection Caucuses

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Sharon Kyle
Publisher
LA Progressive

Even if you don’t know anyone who is listed as a potential delegate, attend a caucus this Sunday and vote. Let’s make April 13th a date that goes down in California Political History. The locations are listed here. Caucuses open at 2 p.m. and you must be in line by 3 p.m. in all locations.

Last week, a dear friend introduced me to a young activist who happens to be running to be an Obama delegate to the National Democratic Convention. My friend had spoken fondly of the young activist on several occasions, telling me of the many progressive causes she had volunteered to support. When the activist and I met, she asked if I had any tips on how she might achieve the coveted honor of being a delegate at the convention. I told her I was the wrong person to ask. But after she pressed me, I thought for a moment and recollected a personal experience I had had just two years ago.

In 2006, the Northeast Democratic Club of Los Angeles had an endorsement meeting for a seat on the Los Angeles Unified School Board left vacant when Jose Huizar became a Los Angeles City Council Member. There were several candidates vying to fill that seat. Two were Northeast Democratic Club members. Both were good speakers. After hearing all of the candidates, the club voted but did not endorse because no candidate received enough votes.

Later that same week, on NPR, it was reported that one of those candidates—let’s call him Joe—had misrepresented his credentials. In his presentation to our Dem Club, Joe claimed to have earned two masters degrees from USC. But not long after touting these credentials, NPR reported that the claims could not be substantiated by USC. I sat in my car listening to the report with my mouth agape as more was revealed. Over time, more damaging stories surfaced and were reported in the Los Angeles Times and the L.A. Weekly. Joe ultimately withdrew from the LAUSD Board race.

Two months after these events, Dick and I decided to run for membership to the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee. If you aren’t familiar with the county central committees, they promote Democratic Party activities at the grassroots level. To become an elected member, obviously, you must be elected. To run for the seat and have your name appear on the ballot, you must get a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 40 valid signatures from Democrats in your district. You then submit your signed petitions to the Registrar of Voters. County Central Committee Membership elections are held in June in primary elections in even numbered years.