Williams has strong advantage in both field and fundraising efforts heading into June 8th Primary
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Santa Barbara City Councilmember and Assembly District 35 candidate Das Williams officially picked up the California Democratic Party (CDP) endorsement this weekend at the State Convention in Los Angeles. Williams is now the only candidate officially endorsed by the California Democratic Party in the race for Assembly District 35.
Region 10 - Santa Barbara and Ventura County – local Democratic Party Delegates voted 66-12 in favor of supporting Das Williams at last month’s Pre-Endorsement Conference, which placed Das on the Party’s endorsement consent calendar.
Susan Jordan, Das’s primary opponent and wife of the District’s current Assemblymember Pedro Nava, was unable to garner the local Democratic support needed, signatures from just 20 percent of local delegates, to block the CDP’s sole endorsement of Williams.
Other organizations to have recently provided sole endorsements of Williams’ campaign include the California Teachers Association, California Nurses Association, SEIU California State Council, California National Organization for Women (NOW), and a host of local and regional Democratic clubs such as the Young Democrats of Ventura County and the U.C. Santa Barbara Campus Democrats.
“Sacramento is broken. Our budgeting system is broken, our political system is broken and our priorities are broken. The reason that so many grassroots democrats have rallied behind Das is because he has a proven record of fighting hard and taking risks. That’s the kind of leadership we need.” said Daraka Larimore-Hall, Chairman of the Santa Barbara Democratic Party. “It’s not an easy thing to win the California Democratic Party’s endorsement. It’s that kind of commitment that won it for Das.”
“Local Democrats are so impressed with Das’ record and the campaign he has run,” added Brian Leshon, Chairman of the Ventura County Democratic Party. “His record of working with teachers and parents to strengthen our schools, creating good family supporting jobs, protecting the environment and improving public safety is one that democrats can be proud of. California needs experienced, proven leaders like Das who won’t compromise our Democratic values, are connected to the grassroots and know how to bring people together to get things done.”
The formal support of the State Democratic Party and its local activists, coupled with endorsements from countless leaders and organizations representing labor, public safety, women, and other key grassroots constituencies, shows once again that Das Williams’ field campaign is going to be tough to beat as the June 8th election closes in. Das Williams also has an over $130,000 cash-on-hand advantage over his opponent.
“The fact that Ventura and Santa Barbara Democrats have so overwhelmingly supported my candidacy in this race represents a key vote of confidence not only in what I fought for and achieved locally, but also the vision I have for where this state needs to go,” said Das Williams. “I’m honored that sentiment was echoed at this weekends’ State Democratic Convention, and I am so honored to carry the California Democratic Party's sole endorsement heading into the June election.”
“I can’t wait to get up to Sacramento, and fight to ensure that our Democratic values are reflected in the policies coming out of the State Legislature,” added Williams.
As a member of the Santa Barbara City Councilmember, Das Williams has balanced the city's budget in the face of shortfalls without resorting to major layoffs to critical positions, as well as led negotiations to adopt fair contracts, pensions and benefits for the city’s public employees. Additionally, he’s led the charge to implement the toughest local energy efficiency standards in the state, create jobs, promote energy efficiency projects, expand the city’s public transit system, and develop vital after-school programs for Santa Barbara youth. As a local community organizer, Das previously fought to stop the development of a Wal-Mart in Ventura and enact local living wage laws for workers in the Santa Barbara and Ventura regions.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment!