Newly elected members of the Sonoma County Democratic Party’s Central Committee were sworn into office on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at the committee’s first meeting of the 2013-2016 term. Judge Jamie Thistlethwaite administered the Oath of Office during a public ceremony.

 

After being sworn in, committee members reorganized for a four-year term, electing officers, 18 delegates to the California Democratic Party (CDP) Central Committee, and two representatives (elected from the 18 Delegates) to the CDP Executive Board. Delegates attend the annual CDP conventions as representatives of the county Central Committee.

 

The composition of the Central Committee reflects the broad range of opinion within the Democratic Party in Sonoma County. Geographic diversity is similarly represented as members are elected by Supervisorial District. Five members of the Central Committee are current or former elected officials in the county: Santa Rosa Councilwoman Erin Carlstrom, Sonoma Councilwoman Laurie Gallian, Healdsburg Councilman Jim Wood, former county supervisor Eric Koenigshofer and former Petaluma mayor Pam Torliatt.

 

Officers for the 2013-2016 term are:

Stephen Gale, Chair – Mr. Gale is a resident of Oakmont in Santa Rosa, a local business owner and Vice Chair of the Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities.

Dorothy Battenfeld, 1st Vice Chair (Internal Affairs) – Ms. Battenfeld is a resident of Santa Rosa, and a teacher at Montgomery High where she coordinates the International Baccalaureate program.

Margaret Fishman, 2nd Vice Chair (External Affairs) – Ms. Fishman is a resident of Penngrove, a retired teacher from Montgomery High and a member of the board for Mentor Me, Petaluma.

Don Frank, Treasurer – Mr. Frank is a resident of Occidental, the former president of the Dry Creek Valley Association in Healdsburg and current board member of Forests Unlimited, among others.

Cherie Maria Alvarez, Recording Secretary – Ms. Alvarez is a resident of Santa Rosa, a local business owner and was the campaign manager for Susan Gorin’s successful supervisor race.

Maria Peluso, Corresponding Secretary – Ms. Peluso is a resident of Santa Rosa, and a labor representative with the Service Employees International Union, Local 1021.

 

The two members elected as representatives to the California Democratic Party’s Executive Board are Stephen Gale and Laura Declercq, a resident of Sonoma and an editor and writer. Mr. Gale has previously served on the E-Board and currently serves as a member of the CDP’s Voter Services Committee.  This will be Ms. Declercq’s first term on the E-Board.

 

The Sonoma County Democratic Party’s Central Committee consists of 23 members who have been elected by supervisorial district during the June Primary election of each presidential election year, along with seven ex-officio members who serve at the pleasure of Democratic elected officials who represent a portion of Sonoma County (state Senate and Assembly members, and U.S. Congress members). In addition to the 30 voting members, each elected member may appoint an alternate. Alternates can only vote when the member who appointed them is not present.  

 

 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the SCDP Crab Feed, which was chosen “Best Crab Feed in Sonoma County” in the Press Democrat’s 2012 Readers' Choice competition.

 

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey will be this year’s guest of honor in recognition of her 20 years of service to the people of Sonoma County and her strong leadership in the Democratic Party.

 

Congressman Mike Thompson will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Other elected officials expected to attend include Congressman Jared Huffman; State Senators Noreen Evans and Lois Wolk; Assemblymembers Wes Chesbro, Marc Levine and Mariko Yamada; Betty Yee, State Board of Equalization; Sonoma County Supervisors Efren Carrillo, Susan Gorin, Mike McGuire, David Rabbitt and Shirlee Zane; Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch; Steven Herrington, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools; and City Council members representing communities throughout the county.

 

Guests will dine on all-you-can-eat, fresh-caught local crab; pasta made by Sonoma County favorite Art "The Pasta King" Ibleto; salad; dessert; and fine Sonoma County wines. The annual Crab Feed is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Sonoma County Democratic Party, and money raised will be used to support Democratic Party candidates in future elections and issues important to Sonoma County Democrats.

 

The program will include an awards ceremony honoring the county’s “Democrat of the Year” and “Young Democrat of the Year”; and the “Roberta Hollowell Award,” a memorial award honoring Sonoma County Democrat Roberta Hollowell. A silent auction and a 50/50 raffle will also be held.

 

More than 600 people are expected to attend, and this event sells out every year, so early ticket purchase is recommended. 

 

Tickets: $50 per person

 

President – $1,500/16 tickets (reserved table)

Governor – $1,000/10 tickets (reserved table)

Speaker of the House – $500/6 tickets (reserved table)

Senator – $300/4 tickets

Congress Member – $150/2 tickets 

 

All sponsors as of February 17 will be listed in the program. Sponsorships purchased after February 17 will be recognized at the event.   

 

 

Reorganization of the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC) begins at the end of 2012 and goes through February 7, 2013. Members of the DSCC (also known as "Delegates") come from the following sources:

The Assembly District Delegates (ADDs) and Assembly District Executive Board representatives ("EBd Reps") are elected at Assembly District Election Meetings (ADEMs) held in each of the 80 Assembly Districts. The California Democratic Party is convening ADEMs on January 12 and 13, 2013, where 12 people (6 men/6 women) from each Assembly District will be elected to represent their district for both the 2013 and 2014 State Conventions.

 

There are three Assembly Districts that include a portion of Sonoma County, and ADEM meeting information for each of these three Districts follows:

2nd Assembly District - If Assemblyman Wes Chesbro is your representative, you live in the 2nd District.

Date:  Saturday, January 12, 2013

Time:  Noon to 4 p.m.

Locations - there will be TWO simultaneous election meetings: 

Ukiah: SEIU 1021 Office, 655 Kings Court, Ukiah, CA  95482

Eureka: - Labor Temple, 840 E Street, Eureka, CA  95501

4th Assembly District - If Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada is your representative, you live in the 4th District.

Date:  Saturday, January 12, 2013

Time:  Noon to 4 p.m.

Locations - there will be TWO simultaneous election meetings: 

Napa: Napa Democratic Headquarters, 1416 Second Street, Napa, CA  94559

Woodland: Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland, CA  95776

10th Assembly District - If Assemblyman Marc Levine is your representative, you live in the 10th District.

Date:  Saturday, January 12, 2013

Time:  Noon to 4 p.m.

Location:  San Rafael - Carpenters Hall, 647 Lindaro Street, San Rafael, CA  94901

 

For more detailed information on the upcoming ADEM meetings and elections, click here: ADEM Information

 

ADEM meeting registration begins at noon on January 12 and must be open for two hours, until 2 p.m. Thereafter, registration to vote in the ADEM is closed. Candidates will then give speeches for up to one minute each. You have the choice to simply register, vote and leave, or you can remain for the speeches and the public counting of the vote. 

 

 

This year the people mounted an incredible "ground game" at every level, and that has left us with a great deal to crow about. For Democrats seeking election to partisan offices that will represent Sonoma County, it was a "clean sweep." Dianne Feinstein was easily reelected to the U.S. Senate, and the Democratic Party expanded its hold on the upper house. Jared Huffman was elected to Congress representing the new CD02, and Congressman Mike Thompson will return to Congress as the CD05 representative. State Senator Lois Wolk was reelected and will join a Super Majority of Democrats in the California Senate. Joining a Super Majority of Democrats in the California Assembly, Wes Chesbro and Mariko Yamada have been reelected, and the AD 10 race remains very close as absentee ballots returned on Election Day are still being counted.

On statewide measures, we also saw victory for the California Democratic Party's propositions that were the focus of our "Battleground California" campaign. Proposition 30 has won a victory for the future of our children by restoring some much needed funding for education while Proposition 32, the special exemptions measure designed to take unions out of the political process, was soundly defeated. Over the course of the election cycle, Sonoma County Democrats canvassed and phoned more than 13,000 Democratic voters - exceeding our commitment as a partner in the campaign. 

Endorsed candidate Kathleen Shaffer's race is "too close to call," with her trailing by 8 votes with 100% of precincts partially reporting. 

Congratulations to all of those who won election. Condolences as well as sincere gratitude to those who ran and will not be serving.     Again, thank you to everyone who contributed to our many victories this year. All my best, Stephen Gale Chair, Sonoma County Democratic Party

 

Voter Information - Election Day - November 6, 2012 Webmaster @ (05 Nov : 12:52) (DCC News)