VENTURA, CA — Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams is proud to announce that he has picked up key support from the grassroots of the California Democratic Party (CDP), winning this morning’s Region 10 Pre-Endorsement Conference by a vote of 66-12.

Having received 82 percent of the vote from Democratic Party Delegates within Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, Das Williams well-surpassed the 70 percent needed to earn the formal endorsement of the State Democratic Party at the April Convention.

“Das Williams has dedicated his life to serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties,” said E.J. Borah, local longtime Democratic activist. “He grew up here and knows our community. No other candidate in this race has a better understanding of we what need in Sacramento.”

“For too long, California has been held captive to the politics of Sacramento,” said Amanda Wallner, President of U.C. Santa Barbara Campus Democrats, who have also endorsed Das Williams. “To create true and lasting change, the citizens of our great state must take action. Today the local activists of the Democratic Party voted to endorse Das Williams for State Assembly because he has the most impressive record of grassroots organizing and is demonstrating his campaign’s commitment to the power of the people.”

Carol Lindberg of the Ventura Democratic Club added, “Das Williams is a coalition builder and has a proven record of getting things done. We need his leadership in Sacramento and I am proud to have given him my vote for the endorsement of the California Democratic Party.”

Garnering the formal support of Santa Barbara and Ventura County Democratic Party activists, as well as numerous other leaders and organizations representing labor and other key grassroots constituencies, Das Williams’ field campaign is likely to be unbeatable leading up to the June 8th primary.

“I am so honored by the overwhelming support my Assembly campaign received at today’s Pre-Endorsement Caucus,” said Das Williams. “I have always taken great pride in the work I have done to advance the core Democratic principles of fairness, opportunity, and investment, and today’s delegate vote represents a humbling recognition of my record.”

“Earning the California Democratic Party’s early formal endorsement would be a highlight of my career. I am so thankful for the confidence and support showed to me today by our Region 10 delegates,” ended Williams.

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

At our 11/13/09 – 11/15/09 California Democratic Party Executive Board meeting, members voted to support HR 2404, which will require the Secretary of Defense to define an exit strategy for Afghanistan, so we can start bringing our troops home.

For more than seven long years, brave men and women from the American armed forces have been fighting and dying in Afghanistan. The time has come for the people of Afghanistan to assume full control of their own country. It’s also time for American troops to come home – not only from Iraq, but from Afghanistan too. The first step is an exit strategy.

Please help bring our servicemen and servicewomen home by urging your member of Congress to support HR 2404.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Santa Barbara Councilman Das Williams is proud to report today that Alexandra (Alex) Gallardo-Rooker, Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party, has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.

“Nobody has been a bigger champion for the Santa Barbara and Ventura regions than Das Williams,” said Alex Gallardo-Rooker. “Of all the candidates in this race, Das is the one with a proven track record of advancing the core democratic principles of fairness, opportunity, and smart and responsible investments in the people. Das Williams has been a protector of the coast, a leader in creating new local jobs, and a staunch advocate for education and other critical public programs and services. As a leader in the California Democratic Party, I know that Das has the background, values, experience, and leadership to serve his district well come 2010.”

Alex Gallardo-Rooker is one of California’s top ranking democratic officials. As the Legislative Advocate for the California Communications Worker of America (CWA), Alex is also one of the state’s foremost labor leaders. She now joins the growing list of state leaders, organizations, and community advocates in support of Das Williams for Assembly.

“Alex Gallardo-Rooker has a long history of fighting for democratic causes that are at the very center of my campaign for state assembly,” said Das Williams. “I am grateful and deeply honored to have her support in this race.”

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