Saturday, May 4, 2013

Democrats to Welcome Nathan Fletcher at Annual Gala

Major Obama Fundraiser, La Jolla's Christine Forester, Among Tonight's Honorees

Several surprises will greet the sellout crowd at the San Diego County Democratic Party's 33rd Annual Roosevelt Dinner, themed “Painting the Town Blue,” at the Hilton San Diego Resort in Mission Bay tonight. The reception and silent auction begin at 6:00 p.m. and the program begins at 7:00.

Nathan Fletcher, a former Republican Assemblymember and San Diego mayoral candidate, will be welcomed by County Party Chair Francine Busby as a newly registered Democrat. He announced his registration change this morning on Facebook.

Other special guests will include State Controller John Chiang, a candidate for Treasurer;  State Board of Equalization Member Betty Yee, a candidate for Controller; and State Senator Alex Padilla, a candidate for Secretary of State. The program will feature special awards for Chair Emeritus Jess Durfee and Christine Forester, a prominent local fundraiser for President Obama who sits on several presidential advisory boards.

This year's sellout crowd of more than 600 party activists, volunteers, elected officials, and community leaders will celebrate the sweeping victories of the 2012 election in which 71% of Democratic candidates won countywide. Major wins included picking up a Republican-held Congressional seat; a Democratic Mayor and City Council in San Diego for the first time in history; and the District 3 County Board of Supervisors seat.

This event will be open to credentialed media. The Mission Bay Hilton is located at 1775 Mission Bay Dr., San DIego (92109). Please contact Stephen Whitburn for details at (619) 543-0333.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Attorney General Kamala Harris Endorses Lorena Gonzalez 

Pro-Jobs Democrat Earns the Support of California’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer




CHULA VISTA – (Thursday, May 2, 2013) – California Attorney General Kamala Harris has endorsed pro-jobs Democrat Lorena Gonzalez's campaign in the May 21 special election for the 80th Assembly District.

As the state’s top law enforcement officer and chief lawyer, Harris has aggressively defended the rights of consumers, fought for homeowner rights in the wake of the foreclosure crisis and combated the transnational trafficking of guns and drugs into California. Harris is the first woman, the first African American and the first South Asian to hold the office of Attorney General in California.

"California needs all the strong, passionate voices for justice it can get and that's exactly why I'm counting on Lorena,” Harris said. “She has proven herself to be a successful consensus-builder even when doing the right thing is tough. That's the sort of courage and leadership we need to keep California on the track to greater success."

A full list of Lorena’s endorsements can be viewed at www.votelorena.com/endorsements.

Lorena is a candidate to replace State Senator Ben Hueso in the 80th Assembly District, which includes Chula Vista, National City and the City of San Diego neighborhoods of San Ysidro, City Heights, Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Otay Mesa, Paradise Hills and Golden Hill. The special election for the 80th Assembly District will be held Tuesday, May 21.

Learn more about Lorena’s campaign at www.VoteLorena.com or by e-mail VoteLorena@gmail.com.


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom Endorses Lorena Gonzalez 

 
 Pro-Jobs Democrat Earns the Support of California’s Champion for Innovation of Public Service and Progressive Values



CHULA VISTA – (Wednesday, May 1, 2013) – Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom has endorsed pro-jobs Democrat Lorena Gonzalez's campaign in the May 21 special election for the 80th Assembly District, her campaign announced today.

Newsom has promoted innovation in public service and civic engagement and has led initiatives to benefit environmental quality, job creation and equal rights in California throughout his career. As Lt. Governor, Newsom serves on the governing boards of the University of California and California State University, the State Lands Commission and the California Commission for Economic Development.

“Lorena's reputation as an honest, effective advocate for all working families is already well-known across California,” Newsom said. “I know Lorena will be an outspoken champion for middle-class jobs, high environmental standards and a world-class education system that will prepare our students for the careers of the future.  I’m proud to call her my friend and I’ll be even prouder to call her ‘Assemblywoman’.”

A full list of Lorena’s endorsements can be viewed at www.votelorena.com/endorsements.

Lorena is a candidate to replace State Senator Ben Hueso in the 80th Assembly District, which includes Chula Vista, National City and the City of San Diego neighborhoods of San Ysidro, City Heights, Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Otay Mesa, Paradise Hills and Golden Hill. The special election for the 80th Assembly District will be held Tuesday, May 21.

Learn more about Lorena’s campaign at www.VoteLorena.com or by e-mail VoteLorena@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

San Diego Labor Leader Blasts Walmart and former Mayor Jerry Sanders


SAN DIEGO - With the recent completion of a state audit of the City of San Diego Development Services Department, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135 President Mickey Kasparian calls for the City of San Diego to take action, based on those results.

“In light of the finding by state auditors, our city has no choice but to take extreme action on the Walmart project in Sherman Heights,” demanded Kasparian. “The clear violations of City codes and procedures, possible ethics violations, and a complete lack of transparency, are stunning in their magnitude.”

“Former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and his Administration are completely responsible for this mess,” said Kasparian. “An historic site was demolished under his watch. San Diego and its citizens deserve better.”

According to a UT San Diego article dated April 25, 2013, the Sherman Heights construction project gained approval even as Walmart was making donations to political causes favored by former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.

“The Walmart construction site in Sherman Heights should be closed and their permits should be revoked,” Mr. Kasparian went on to state. “Walmart has recently been accused of bribery scandals in Mexico and India. We need to know the truth here in San Diego as well.”

Please reference: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/25/audit-walmart-approval-sherman-heights/

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San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council

The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO represents more than 200,000 union workers in the region and advocates for an economy with more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all workers in the region - union and non-union.
www.unionyes.org