Category: Endorsements

Posted on

Election Recap

Mid-term election season is officially over. Thank you to all the Club members and volunteers who walked precincts and dropped literature. Also, thank you to all the candidates took the plunge and ran for a seat at the decision makers table. Although the national results for Dems were bleak, California and our local races fared well.

Here’s the list of ECDC-endorsed winners:

  • Governor Jerry Brown
  • Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom
  • Treasure John Chaing
  • Controller Betty Yee
  • Attorney General Kamala Harris
  • Secretary of State Alex Padilla
  • Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
  • Congressional District 11 Mark DeSaulnier
  • Board of Equalization Fiona Ma
  • Assembly District 15 Tony Thurmond
  • AC Transit At-Large Joel B. Young
  • Stege Sanitary  Al Miller and Dwight Merrill 
  • Contra Costa Community College Board John Marquez
  • El Cerrito City Council Janet Ableson and Gabe Quinto
  • Kensington PPCSD Board Len Welsh
  • Prop 47-Yes
  • Indian Gaming-No
  • Measure R-Yes 
Posted on

URGENT ACTION BY MEMBERS NEEDED BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

The El Cerrito Democratic Club endorsed the City of El Cerrito’s Measure R, a one-cent sales tax for 12 years to maintain current levels of public safety, including police services, neighborhood patrols, crime prevention programs, and rapid 9-1-1 response times, as well as after-school programs for children and teens and city parks, playfields, paths and open spaces. 

A bill on the Governor’s desk, AB 1342, would allow Measure R (if passed by the voters in November) to be implemented. Current State law limits the amount of taxes that can be levied. This bill makes an exception for the City of El Cerrito.

We need to support this bill!

If it doesn’t get signed, Measure R cannot be implemented-meaning our City will not have the revenue it needs to support the services we expect, want and deserve.

Here is a link to the legislation:

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1324

You can call or email the Governor

Here is the website for submitting your comments:

https://govnews.ca.gov/gov39mail/mail.php

Be sure to pick AB 1324 from the topics list.

Here is his phone number if you want to leave a voicemail, instead:
916-445-2841

Here are some talking points:

Local economies are still struggling from the Great Recession and in El Cerrito, local property values have declined. Meanwhile, El Cerrito residents have also faced a rise in property crimes

AB 1324 is a practical, responsible bill that will allow Contra Costa cities like El Cerrito to maintain critical local services, such as current levels of public safety and police services, including neighborhood patrols, crime prevention programs, and rapid 9-1-1 response times.

El Cerrito needs local control over local funds, for local needs. AB 1324 simply allows local residents to determine what services they want, and how they want to pay them.

AB 1324 is a narrow, practical, responsible response to the Great Recession, declining property values, and increased property crimes.

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ASAP.

Posted on

ECDC Endorsements – Nov 2014 Election

A crowd of about 80 people was in attendance for our August endorsement forums at El Cerrito High School. ECDC Executive Vice President Greg Lyman moderated five sessions, and the ECDC made the following candidate endorsements:

  • Tony Thurmond – Assembly District 15
  • Al Miller – Stege Sanitary District
  • Dwight Merrill – Stege Sanitary District
  • John Marquez – Contra Costa Community College Board

The club made no endorsement in the West Contra Costa School Board race. Seven candidates and two surrogate speakers attended the forum, and the resulting vote split meant that no candidate achieved the 60% threshold required to earn the club’s endorsement.

In the West Contra Costa Healthcare District race, no candidates attended the forum, and on the endorsement ballot no candidate crossed the 60% threshold.

Following some procedural votes the club unanimously voted to endorse

  • Andy Katz – East Bay MUD

Finally, the club considered El Cerrito’s proposed extension of Measure R, and voted to endorse the Yes position. Following a member inquiry, the ballot measure language can be found on the Contra Costa elections website.

  • Yes on El Cerrito Measure R

The club will consider endorsements in additional races, including El Cerrito City Council and Kensington PPCSD, at the Aug 26 and Sep 23 club meetings.