NEWBURY PARK, CA. It is now official. Ferial Masry is the only Democratic candidate running for the California 37th Assembly District primary and general election. Her two opponents Warren Harwood and Ernest Morrell have both dropped out of the race. Masry hopes she has the region’s full endorsement and financial support.

“When the Republican opponent refers to the candidate as an inspiration and promises to run a fair, positive campaign, we can only hope our Democrats can share this enthusiasm and bolster her with pride also,” says Percy Severn, a Newbury Park resident.

This is now an open seat. After coming within 4.5% of winning the last campaign, Masry still realizes that she will garner early support, in spite of Gorell’s $250,000 treasury and the full backing of the Republican Party.

“Yes, she has been the standard bearer for the 37th Assembly District when others didn’t believe it was possible for a Democrat to even run”, says Todd L. Hoover, a Castaic resident, “This time we believe that, with her name recognition, residents identifying with her will stay with her to the finish line due to her persistence and perseverance.”

Lynn Landers, a neighbor of Masry, summed it up in four words, “Her campaign should be renamed to ‘2010: Yo Go Girl’.”

For more information regarding the campaign please contact her Communications Team at: Friends for Ferial Masry Assembly 2010. #1321069; Post office Box # 19244, Newbury Park, CA 91320-0213.

Phone: 805.498.7608
Cell: 805.300.7226 and 661.295.9318
website: http://www.ferialmasryforassembly.com and email: masryforassembly@gmail.com

The Democratic Club of Camarillo will host a forum at our regular meeting March 4th featuring candidates for California’s 24th Congressional District.  Joining us will be candidates Tim Allison and Marie Panec. Each candidate will have the opportunity to speak and questions will be taken from the membership so bring your questions!

Socializing will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the program starting at 7:00 p.m.  The club meets in the Orchid Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, which is located at the Camarillo Springs Exit from the South 101. The meeting is free and open to the public.  Call 805/987-1846 for additional information.

The Ventura County Democratic Party chose Brian Leshon as its new central committee chairman Tuesday night, party officials announced today.

Leshon lives in Ventura and owns an Internet marketing company. He has been the Democratic Central Committee’s acting chairman for the past month, since the last chairwoman, Jill Martinez, resigned her post.  Leshon has also been first vice chairman for the past six months and is chairman of the committee’s communications subcommittee.

Leshon won the vote of 22 of the 29 Central Committee members who voted at Tuesday night’s meeting, according to a statement released this morning.

The Central Committee governs the local Democratic Party and has 44 members. Twenty-four are voted onto the committee in Democratic primary elections, and the rest serve because they have won Democratic nominations for office or are presidents of local Democratic clubs.

~ Tony Biasotti, the Ventura County Star

On February 22, 2010, having pulled papers with the Ventura County Elections Division, Ed Summers announced his candidacy for Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Summers enters the race with top qualifications among competitors in the field with a background that includes educational, professional and elected service in finance and banking. A broad base of community and business leaders including former Ventura County Supervisor Susan K. Lacey and former Ventura County Supervisor Judy Mikels, and Mayor Bill Fulton have formally endorsed the candidate praising the strength of Summers’ community service in addition to a strong financial background.

Summers spent a career in financial services and community banking after earning a bachelor’s degree in business finance at the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in business administration from Claremont Graduate School. He is a 20-year resident of Ventura, and spent four years as a city council member beginning in 2005. Summers has a strong record of community activities and service.

“Ventura County voters can feel confident in my experience, passion, and commitment to serving them as treasurer-tax collector,” says Summers. “I will provide more than good stewardship for Ventura County – the role of treasurer-tax collector is about the voters entrusting me to look out for the taxpayer funds that flow into our County’s cities and schools as well. Being treasurer-tax collector means working together in non-partisan fashion to ensure prosperity for Ventura County in the long term.”

Summers continues: “I’ve spent my life managing finances – in the private sector, in the community as former chair of the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County and Ventura County Economic Development Association, and in public service on the Ventura City Council’s Finance, Audit, and Budget Committee.” Summers noted that, while on the City Council’s Finance, Audit, and Budget Committee, the City succeeded in having its debt rating improved by ratings agencies despite the national economic downturn.

Of Summers’ candidacy, former Ventura County Supervisor Susan K. Lacey says, “Ed Summers is the kind of finance professional that Ventura County needs to steer it in the right direction. When he gives his word, you can take it to the bank.”

For more information, please contact Ed Summers’ campaign at 805-644-5122, edsummers4countytreasurer@gmail.com, or 3875A Telegraph Road #107, Ventura, CA 93003.

Join us on Saturday, 27 February at 4:00 as we come together to organize Marie Panec’s campaign for the 24th Congressional District Democratic Primary Election.

Meet with Marie, members of her grassroots leadership team and new campaign staff. Share your concerns for the district, bring your ideas and help plan a course of action for the campaign and let’s win this election together!

Marie invites you to get engaged in her campaign. Enjoy some good food. Find out how you can be part of something great, take meaningful action, and make a difference in your own community.

4:00 pm – Saturday, 27 Feb. 2010
14886 Marquette St. Moorpark, CA 93021
R.S.V.P: panec4congress@gmail.com

Hosted by: Min Gu & John Baker
Sponsored by Friends of Marie Panec for Congress
www.panec4congress.com

Assembly leader Karen Bass has given her full support to Susan Jordan’s Assembly District 35

“Susan Jordan is the type of Democrat we need in the Assembly,” Bass said. “She has proven that she sticks to her principles and Democratic values — and she wins the tough battles against the special interests and Governor Schwarzenegger. Susan Jordan is a champion for our public schools, our coastline and health care for all.”

Speaker Bass is the first African-American woman to lead a house of a state legislature and the first Democratic woman to lead the Assembly. Currently only 20 of 80 seats in the Assembly are held by women and five are termed out.

“Speaker Bass has been a champion for the most vulnerable in our society,” Jordan said. “She has been a leader in making sure those without a voice are heard. She has also worked very hard to retain and create new jobs in our state and make sure educational opportunities are available for all.”

“Bass is also not afraid to stand up to our Governor when she feels he is not working in the best interest of the people,” Jordan added. “Her leadership and courage is an inspiration to me and her endorsement is a great honor.”

Jordan said she is also impressed with Bass’ 47th Assembly District People’s Council, a group made up of representatives from the education, environment, small business and health communities. “This kind of constituent outreach is exactly what I will do within my district when elected.”

Susan Jordan is an award-winning environmental leader, businesswoman, health advocate and mother with 15 years of experience working to protect California’s coastline as an economic, environmental and recreational resource. As chair of the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, she was known for her balanced and analytical approach. As an environmental leader statewide, she has taken on large-scale projects which have broad public policy implications, and won.

Jim Dantona, an independent businessman and veteran of local, state and national government, has announced his candidacy for the office of Ventura County Clerk and Recorder.  Promoting fair elections, fiscal responsibility and protecting our future, Dantona has already secured the endorsement of the Ventura County Firefighters.

Dantona acknowledges “The average voter may not realize just how important is the work of Clerk and Recorder.  Besides recording and securing vital public records, the Elections Division is ultimately responsible for guaranteeing fair elections and timely results. In recent years, I think we’ve seen mistakes that call into question whether or not Ventura County has always accomplished that.”

Dantona’s government experience includes work with both Democratic and Republican leadership which he sees as a major advantage in this non-partisan position. “I have always said we do not need new taxes. What we need is new leadership and strict fiscal accountability to halt the waste of taxpayer dollars.  I will work to create more efficiency and embrace competent, proven technology that saves money and protects our records and our votes. And if Sacramento comes knocking on Ventura County’s door, I have the ability, the contacts and the guts to oppose them for trying to cover their own mismanagement of taxpayers dollars by raiding Ventura County funds.”

Dantona says he relates to many county residents today who are struggling through personal and professional hardship. “Believe me, I have been there and my past opponents have tried to exploit that fact, but I know that leadership, hard work and determination are what will ultimately get us through.”  A single parent, Dantona raised his three children on his own, founded an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to keeping young people off drugs, in school and out of gangs, and was honored by     the FBI for doing so.  He has also managed large staffs for the State of California and consulted for two U.S. Presidents.

Tim Allison for Congress – Official Campaign Kickoff and Fundraiser

Candidate Reception – Saturday, February 27th 4 pm to 7 pm

Guests will be treated to an evening of Fabulous food, Full Bar and Chocolaty Treats.  Hear from the candidate. Mingle with friends. 

Event cost – $55, Early Sign-up,  $50, Young Dems – $10.

Our gracious hosts, the DeMarco Family, will open their Camarillo Estates home for this momentous evening.  Join us as we kick Tim’s bid for Congress into high gear.   

RSVP today!

www.TimAllison.com

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Campus Democrats today announced their endorsement of local Santa Barbara Councilmember Das Williams in his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.  The UCSB Campus Democrats voted unanimously to endorse Das Williams.

Leaders of the UCSB Campus Democrats cited Das Williams’ deep commitment to and understand of higher education issues and service to the campus community.

“After carefully considering both democratic candidates, we are pleased to endorse Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams for the 35th State Assembly District,” said Amanda Wallner, President of the UCSB Campus Democrats.  “Das Williams has been a huge supporter of Campus Democrats for years. He knows students, he knows Isla Vista, and I am confident that he will continue to work for us and with us in the State Assembly.  Das cares about the students and his commitment to UCSB is unwavering.  The UCSB Campus Democrats are excited to have this opportunity to send a strong advocate for students to Sacramento.”

The UCSB Campus Democrats have hundreds of active members and are the largest Democratic club in the 35th State Assembly District.  The UCSB Campus Democrats are nationally recognized leaders in voter registration and were awarded Chapter of the Year Award in 2009 from the California College Democrats.

“I am proud to have the support of the UCSB Campus Democrats,” said Das Williams.  “I look forward to continue working closely with the Campus Democrats and the UCSB campus community to make affordable, quality higher education a priority in Sacramento.”

Das Williams is running to succeed fellow democrat and termed-out Assemblymember Pedro Nava in 2010.

A public opinion survey this month showed a “toxic” level of negative views about Assemblywoman Audra Strickland just before she launched her campaign for county supervisor, the pollster said Tuesday.

The poll was commissioned by the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association. The union supports Strickland’s opponent, 2nd District Supervisor Linda Parks.

Precision Politics, a political consulting firm based in Simi Valley, conducted the poll during the first week of February, a few days before Strickland, R-Thousand Oaks, officially entered the race.

Marc O’Hara, Precision Politics’ owner and founder, said the results show “a very toxic environment for Audra Strickland.”

Herb Gooch, a political science professor at California Lutheran University, said the poll is a “rough indicator” for the 2nd District, because it had a fairly high margin of error. But even taking that into account, Gooch said, Strickland’s negatives were very high.

“If I were running Audra Strickland’s campaign, I’d be worried,” he said. “She’s got a lot of work to do…”

~ excerpted from the Ventura County Star 2/16/10; article by Tony Biasotti