BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
Democrats living in the 54th State Assembly District came out in droves last Sunday to elect the 12 people who will represent them on the California Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC). That body determines the state party’s platform and policies and endorses candidates for state and national elected office.
Assembly districts throughout the state held similar elections. The 54th District election was coordinated primarily by the Long Beach Democratic Club.
“This event is basically the local delegate contest for the State Democratic Party,” said Sam Hall, current Long Beach Democratic Club president and former aid to State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D — 27th District). “The people who are voted in today will serve on the Democratic State Central Committee.” He explained that in addition to determining the party platform, the committee elects party officers, votes on amendments to the party’s bylaws and participates in various caucuses. “Basically, we are the voting members of the committee and we represent the Democrats in the 54th Assembly District,” he said.
Hall noted that each of the 80 Assembly District elects 12 members to the committee, equally divided between men and women. The Democratic Assembly members are also voting members of the party’s state central committee.
About 30 people ran to represent the 54th District on the committee. The top 12 vote-getters were: Virginia Acevedo, Lillie Bray, A. Dolores Canizales, Susana Gonzalez, Carrie Scoville, Rae Wyman, Jeff Price, David Greene, Marcos Gonzalez, Sam Hall, James Johnson and Adrian Tatum.
The event began with a lunch at Carnitas Michoacan, which was followed by registration and voting at the Machinist Union Hall at 319 W. Broadway Avenue, next door to the restaurant. At the hall, candidates took turns giving speeches explaining why they felt they were the best choice for the committee.
James Johnson, former president of the Long Beach Democratic Club said the organization has about 300 to 400 members. He explained the importance of DSCC. “This committee is basically the governing body of the state Democratic Party,” he said. “We decide the state party’s platform and we decide who the party will endorse in certain races. Basically, we are the lifeblood of the party and decide what direction it is going in.”
Johnson was also elected as a member of the committee’s executive board (E-Board). “When the full committee is unable to meet, the E-Board members represent the districts,” he said. The DSCC has a state convention once a year, but at other times, the E-Board members are the voice of their respective districts. The next annual DSCC convention is scheduled for April in Sacramento.
“I have been a member of the Long Beach Democratic Club since 1992, and I can see how important this work has been in carrying out progressive democratic principles,” said Joan Greenwood, community activist. “Because these people are local and well known, I believe they will serve us well.” She explained that there are several other Democratic Clubs in the Long Beach area and one way a person can demonstrate that they are committed to the party’s goals is to join one of the clubs and participate in its activities. She added that getting to know other active Democrats is also important to anyone seeking to get elected to office.
Voting for the DSCC delegates began at 1:30pm. A total of 230 cast their ballots. “This is one of the largest turnouts I have ever seen for an election to delegates on the DSCC from this district,” said Betty Karnette, who recently finished her last term as 54th District assemblywoman. “This is very inspiring.”
“It’s really nice to see people come out for this event,” said Tim Patton, field representative for 7th District Long Beach City Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga. “There is nothing really in it for them. It’s just a part of the democratic process, and it is great to see so many people getting involved.”
Senator Lowenthal said he was also encouraged by the large turnout. “With the election of Barack Obama as president and the severity of economic issues, people are really looking for real solutions and real hope,” he said. “And they are looking to the Democratic Party to provide solutions to the problems and to offer hope during this time of so much despair.”
Bonnie Lowenthal, who was recently elected as assemblywoman for the 54th District agreed. “The fact that we have an incoming Democratic president has created an environment of hope and optimism,” she said. “Hundreds of people throughout the state want to be involved as delegates to the central committee. It is a symptom of the times of a new sense of hope and optimism, and an opportunity for people to participate politically in their local assembly districts.” She added that her colleagues in the Assembly all expected large turnouts in their district elections as well.
Johnson said he hoped that more people would get active in the democratic process. “I encourage Democrats to get involved in their party,” he said. “There are a lot of good groups they can join: The Long Beach Democratic Club, the Lambda Democratic Club and others.”
He added that joining one of the clubs helps people know the community and its issues. “If you are a Democrat, it also helps to get to know the people who are involved in trying to make an impact in our daily lives,” he said.
