EAST COUNTY DEMOCRATS ELECT NEW EXECUTIVE-BOARD REPRSENTATIVE AND DELEGATES

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Democrats in East County’s 77th Assembly district elected a pro-labor/progressive
slate of 12 delegates on Saturday, January 10th at the El Cajon Library.

Ninety-one local Democratic voters registered to cast ballots in the election,
in which a record 23 people ran for twelve delegate positions. Delegates
represent the region at the California Democratic convention for the next two
years, casting votes on candidate endorsements, party platform changes and
more.

Delegates elected are Cynthia Balvanz, Marge Carlson, Sherry Cohen-Richards,
Judy McEntire, Karen Marie Otter, Dorene Perry, Nico Ferraro, Pat Hurley,
Mickey Kasperian, Barnard McEntire, Ryan Mims, and Daniel Ortiz.

“It was gratifying and exciting to see such a tremendous turnout at Sunday's
delegate election,” said Leon Thompson, outgoing Executive Board representative
and convener of the meeting. In past years, he noted, it had sometimes
been difficult to find 12 people willing to serve as delegates to the California
Democratic Party from East County, a traditional Republican stronghold. “Involvement
has been steadily growing and today we have not only twelve representatives
to the State Party but seasoned veterans with a mix of eager newcomers,” Thompson
noted. “Our contingent will be led by Dan Ortiz who is easily the best political
strategist in East County and who is profoundly aware of our needs and how
to fill them.”

Daniel Ortiz (photo, above) won election unanimously as new Executive Board
representative, running unopposed. Currently a worksite organizer for
the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221, which represents
probation workers, Ortiz is former vice president of United Auto Workers Union
local 4123, which organized teaching assistants, graduate assistants, tutors
and graders at California State University campuses.

“As a delegate Dan helped move forward the All District Funding Resolution
that caused such a stir in the State,” Thompson said. Ortiz also
participated on an Ad Hoc committee meeting with CDP Chairman Art Torres to
resolve pleas from "red" districts seeking resources for candidates.
The State party pledged to provide more funding and resources if local party
leaders created a regional plan, worked at year-round precinct organizing and
voter registration. In recognition of his efforts and expertise, Ortiz was
also appointed by the CDP to the Platform Committee and served as chair
of the Energy and the Environment plank, and also on the immigration plank..

“The job won't be easy,” Thompson concluded. “They say that
organizing Democrats is like herding cats. But we are starting out with
a terrific bunch of cats and an exceptional shepherd. I am confident
that the next two years will usher in a new era of Democratic progress.”


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