Political Claireity

Lighting the Channukiah with my website designer Dan Fisher!

For Immediate Release:  Friday, December 11, 2009

SACRAMENTO - California Young Democrats President Alissa Ko released the following statement on the election of Assemblymember John Perez as Speaker of the California State Assembly:

“I want to congratulate Assemblymember John Perez for his election as Speaker of the State Assembly. The unanimous vote of his colleagues is testament to a lifetime of fighting for progressive change as a labor leader and party activist–for the same democratic values that inspired stunning youth participation in 2008,” said Alissa Ko, President of the California Young Democrats.

“Assemblymember Perez made history by becoming the first openly gay person of color to be elected to state office. His election as Speaker is a tremendous reminder that we can make progress on many fronts, even as we prepare for an eventual repeal of Prop. 8. I am especially gratified because I know he is an inspirational figure to the LGBT youth who will be crucial to winning back our rights,” said Amanda Wallner, co-chair of the California Young Democrats Queer Caucus.

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The California Young Democrats (CYD) is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35.  The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation.  Using proven peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California.  Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women’s rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.

The California College Democrats (CCD) is the official College student arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive students.

The California High School Democrats (CAHSD) is the official High School student arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive students.

At the historic hotel in Walnut Grove, CA http://www.rydehotel.com/html/sunday_buffet.html

For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Portland, Maine — The California Young Democrats sent 35 young activists to Maine to strengthen the NO ON QUESTION 1 ground campaign to help gather support in favor of marriage equality.

Young Democrats from all across California campaigning in Maine are available to media for election day reaction.

In May, Maine became the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage.  We cannot allow the right to same-sex marriage in Maine to fail, and that is why CYD has been and will always be committed to protecting the right of gays and lesbians to marry in this country. Young democrats are coming together and standing up against inequality and bigotry not just in the Golden State, but also across America.

In June 2008, the Executive Board of the California Young Democrats took the official stance of “Hell No” on Proposition 8, and since then have been actively involved with the campaign to earn equality for all.

“With skyrocketing college costs, cuts to public transportation, a flagging economy, and an endless war in  Iraq, it is outrageous to young people that the one thing they should be worried about is taking away the right for someone to marry the person they love,” said Alissa Ko, President of the California Young Democrats.  Ko continued, “I am proud to stand with the most diverse and progressive Generation in America’s history to say yes to fairness, and yes to marriage equality.”

About our Maine organizers:
John Vigna is a Legislative Aide for Asm John A. Perez and is the Founding Co-Chair of the Young Democrats Queer Caucus alongside Amanda Wallner, who is a student at UCSB and President of the UCSB Campus Democrats.

Jennifer Longley serves as Vice President of Membership for the CA Young Democrats and is a past President of the San Francisco Young Democrats. Jennifer is a field organizer who has worked for Senator Leno in his successful primary challenge to Carole Migden and directed the CA Democratic Party Bay Area Coordinated Campaign in 2008.

Allan Acevedo serves as CA Young Democrats South State Director and is a founding member and President of San Diego Stonewall Young Democrats.  He attends San Diego State University.

For Immediate Release:  Sunday, October 25, 2009

SACRAMENTO – The California Young Democrats (CYD) announce the overwhelming success of our Biennial Tahoe Retreat held October 23-25.  Over 400 young and enthusiastic Democrats from across our Golden State came together, answering the call for change and strategized for a strong 2010 Young Voter Revolution Campaign.  Young Democratic Leaders from every corner of California have pledged to bring the revolution to their respective communities and neighborhoods.

“It is wonderful to see young Californians from all backgrounds come together and show their excitement about how can they make a difference,” said Alissa Ko, President of the California Young Democrats. “California’s young Democrats are ready to work hard and have their voices heard in the 2010 campaign season.”

We are excited to announce the election of four new talented CYD officers who were elected today to join the already brilliant CYD leadership:

Erin Carlstrom of Santa Rosa, elected CYD National Committeewoman
Eddie Kirby of Sacramento, elected CYD Vice-President of Finance
Lee Weissmann of Tarzana, elected CYD Communications Director
Nibal Halabi of Merced, elected CYD Central Valley Region Director

The California Young Democrats were joined by several elected officials.  State Controller John Chiang gave the keynote address speaking on the state of the state and what needs to be done now.   Assemblymembers Hector De La Torre, Dave Jones, Pedro Nava, Alberto Torrico, and LA City Councilmember Janice Hahn were also in attendance, along with CDP First Vice Chair Alex Rooker, and CDP Vice Chair Eric Bauman. Additionally, Chris Kelly, Chief Privacy Officer for Facebook and Candidate for Attorney General attended.

The CYD retreat also brought together some of our state’s promising young candidates running for public office:

Marc Berman, Candidate for Assembly District 21
Nancy Bui, SMUD Board Member
Samantha Corbin, Candidate for Sacramento City Unified School Board, Area #2
Becca Doten, Candidate for CDP - DNC Member
Jason Everett, Candidate for Escondido City Council
Rocky Fernandez, Re-Election to AC Transit Board
Ricardo Lara, Candidate for Assembly District 50
Chris Parker, Candidate for Board of Equalization, District 2
Luis Reyna, Candidate for San Bernardino City Unified School Board
Kai Stinchcombe, Candidate for Assembly District 21
Das Williams, Candidate for Assembly District 35

Moreover, the gathering served as an avenue to train our young Democrats. During the event, participants joined enriching workshops ranging from voter registration to fundraising, health care and labor organizing, and much. These terrific trainings have not only provided our members with a chance to share their ideas but also gain knowledge from top trainers about very crucial issues our state faces today.

We applaud all the participants for their time and support of CYD’s causes. Through dedication and hard work, we will keep California blue, and bring the change our citizens truly deserve.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

SACRAMENTO – The California Young Democrats (CYD) are gearing up for the final stretch of the 2008 election campaign.  Saturday, October 18th, CYD along with local host Chapter, the University of California Santa Barbara College Democrats co-sponsored a volunteer campaign invasion to help elect candidate Hannah-Beth Jackson to State Senate District 19.  This invasion resulted in 500 new Democratic registrations and the UCSB College Democrats won national recognition on Monday, October 20, 2008 for being a part of a non-partisan voter registration coalition that registered 10,000 new voters this year, the most registrations on any college campus in the country.

This campaign invasion was just one of dozens of Young Voter Revolution events happening across the state.  The recent CYD Voting Man camping and canvassing invasion in Stockton, CA added hundreds of Democratic voter registrations and voter contacts in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.  This activism among young people doesn’t surprise California Young Democrats President Rocky Fernandez, “Young people have the most on the line in this election. With a souring economy, rising college tuition, scarce job availability, and several threats to our future quality of life, it is easy to see why young people are leading the revolution for change in this country,” said Fernandez.  In 2004, voters under 34 were the only age demographic to vote for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.  This year, young voters will be the margin of victory in electing Barack Obama to be our next president.  Given the California Presidential Primary this year, in which 852,459 voters under 30 cast ballots, young people have shown that this is the year of the young voter!

CHICAGO, IL— Crystal Strait, was elected President of the Young Democrats of America (YDA) with overwhelming support from across the nation, Saturday, August 8, 2009, winning by more than a two-to-one margin. Strait is the first Californian to be elected YDA President and is also the first Asian American President.

President Strait called upon the organization’s young leaders to advocate for healthcare for all, marriage equality, green jobs, help bring our immigration policy into the 21st century and to hold our elected officials accountable.  President Strait remarked upon her victory, “The Young Democrats of America are positioned to engage thousands of young people to vote in California’s upcoming elections. Young workers, young families, college and high school students will be the margin of victory in turning red American blue in 2010.”

Prior to her election, Strait served as YDA’s female representative on the Democratic National Committee. She served as President of CYD for two terms, first elected in 2005 and the reelected in 2006. Professionally, Strait most recently served as political director of the California Democratic Party, coordinating the campaign effort which resulted in President Obama’s record shattering landslide victory in California that also saw Democratic gains in the state Legislature.

Congratulations to our 2009-2011 YDA Executive Board
President: Crystal Strait of California
Executive Vice-President: Rod Snyder of West Virgina
Democratic National Committeewoman: Stephanie Hausner of New York
Democratic National Committeeman: Francisco Domenech of Puerto Rico
Vice President: Renee Hartley of Texas
Vice President: Issac Robinson of Michigan
Vice President: Colmon Elridge of Kentucky
Secretary: Emily Robinson of Illinois
Treasurer: Mark Newman of North Carolina

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The Young Democrats of America is the largest youth-led, national, partisan political organization. YDA mobilizes young people under the age of 36 to participate in the electoral process, influences the ideals of the Democratic Party, and develops the skills of the youth generation to serve as leaders at the local and national level. YDA has chartered chapters in 42 states and U.S. territories with over 2,400 local chapters. Our 200,000+ members – including middle school, high school and college students as well as young workers, young professionals and young families – reflects the broad diversity of our nation and the Democratic Party. The Young Democrats of America has been the official youth arm of the Democratic Party since 1932.

For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, July 7, 2009

SACRAMENTO – The California Young Democrats (CYD), offended by Governor Schwarzenegger’s flippant remarks regarding his lack of stress about California’s budget situation, are demanding that the Governor grant all Californians access to his Jacuzzi while California’s economy remains stalled due to his governance and the Republican legislators’ bargaining tactics.

In an interview published in Sunday’s New York Times, Governor Schwarzenegger made the following comments: “Someone else might walk out of here every day depressed, but I don’t walk out of here depressed”. Whatever happens, “I will sit down in my Jacuzzi tonight,” he said. “I’m going to lay back with a stogie.”

With California’s bond rating being downgraded, the budget deficit having risen by another 2 billion dollars to its current level of $26.3 billion, and a group of the biggest U.S. banks saying they will not accept California’s IOU’s after Friday, this is not the time for levity.

“We as young democrats are very disappointed in Governor Schwarzenegger’s actions and statements,” said Julie Lind, Political Director of the California Young Democrats. Lind continued, “If he’s not willing to come to the table when Democrats passed a balanced budget the least he could do is invite us to the Jacuzzi so we can have a moment of relaxation. Then he’d at least be doing something for the people.”

“Schwarzenegger’s demands include cuts that would obliterate social programs that help our neediest citizens survive,” said Alissa Ko, President of the California Young Democrats. “His comments in the New York Times make Californians feel that he neither acknowledges nor cares about the real human impact of his actions.  With young people getting hit by raising costs and every state service being cut, Governor Schwarzenegger’s attitude is unbecoming of the office he was elected to.”

CYD is encouraging all of its members and anyone else who is worried about the state of California’s economy to take a few minutes to call the governor and express their disapproval of his obstinacy, in addition to requesting a moment of relief in the Governor’s hot tub.

CYD implores both political parties to work together to find a responsible solution sooner rather than later, one that assists those who need help the most, and one that does not continue to saddle our generation with further debt in the years to come.

Rachel and I drove to SF to march with State Senator Mark Leno in the Gay Pride Parade.  Such a beautiful day celebrating beautiful people!

Luke, myself, Owen & Rachel

After the parade we went to Mayor Gavin Newsom’s party at City Hall.  LOVE THE FLAG!