GIVE. SUPPORT. VOTE.

By Bettina Duval, Founder, The CALIFORNIA LIST

The climax of nearly two years of campaigning has arrived. Suddenly the primary election day is only 16 days away – Tuesday, June 6th.

In this newsletter I thought I would simply provide you with a brief status report regarding the number of women running in the upcoming primary, offering a glimpse into the status of women elected officials.

As you read along, always remember it’s not too late to donate. The campaigns are heating up, and they can still use your support. Give. Support. Vote.

Executive Branch Candidates

In the history of California, only five women have ever been elected to our Executive Branch of government. Currently there are no women holding an office in this capacity.

In the 2006 cycle the following women are running: There are two women running for Lt. Governor, current State Senators Jackie Speier and Liz Figueroa.

There are two women running for Secretary of State: State Senator Debra Bowen and State Senator Deborah Ortiz.

Two women are running for the Board of Equalization, current Assemblywoman Judy Chu and current Board of Equalization member Betty Yee.

California State Senate Candidates

In 2006, we lose six Democratic women due to term limits. There are only five women running for Senate. No matter what, there will be one less woman in our State Senate. This is the beginning of a steep decline in gender diversity.

The seats being vacated by termed out Senators Deborah Ortiz, Jackie Speier and Martha Escutia will be filled by men because only men are running.

Women are running in the seats of termed out Senators Liz Figueroa, Deborah Bowen and Nel Soto. Three women are also running in seats left open by men who are termed out: Senators Wes Chesbro, Richard Alarcon and Joe Dunn.

Senate District 2 (Napa, Sonoma) is currently held by Senator Chesbro and this seat will probably be filled by a woman because former Assemblywoman Pat Wiggins has no serious competition. The other female senate candidates are in truly competitive campaigns. The Senate Candidates include:
SD 2 (Napa, Sonoma) - Pat Wiggins

California State Assembly Overview

There are 24 open Democratic Assembly seats - 18 have one or more women running. Currently there are 25 elected women in our State Assembly; 20 women are Democrats, five women are Republicans. In 2006, we will lose 11 Democratic women due to term limits. One Assemblywoman, Cindy Montañez is leaving early to run for Senate.

There are 23 non-incumbent Democratic women running for Democratic open seats.

There are six Democratic elected women incumbents running for re-election.

There are five races that have two or more Democratic women candidates.

There are two wives running to replace their husbands.

There are two seats that women could pick-up currently held by Assemblymen Leland Yee and Simon Salinas because the leading candidates are women.

To learn more about each of the candidates, go to our website.

Vote. Not only do we encourage you to support democratic women running for these influential State offices, but we also empower you to get out there and vote. While financial contributions help make their campaigns possible, it is your vote that actually elects them into office. If you have moved or are not yet registered to vote, please visit http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/votereg_notice.html to download the appropriate form. This must be postmarked by May 22 in order to vote in the June 6 primary.

AFTERTHOUGHTS…..

In our March newsletter we discussed South Dakota because the small state had gained attention for introducing a bill to ban abortion. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds has in fact signed the bill that bans all abortions in the state regardless of rape, incest, or the mother’s health. It is a direct challenge to Roe vs. Wade and state versus federal sovereignty. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Cecelia Fire Thunder is firing back—she wants to open an abortion clinic on Native American land, a sovereign nation where state law does not apply.

Also this month, Lawrence Lader, co-founder of NARAL and a pro-choice activist who was cited in Roe vs. Wade, passed away. Mr. Lader founded the organization in the late 1960’s with the help of Betty Freidan, who also passed away recently. Mr. Lader wrote extensively on the topic of abortion and several excerpts from his books were referred to in the Roe v. Wade trial of 1973. Ms. Freidan referred to Lawrence Lader as “The father of the (abortion) movement.” We cannot allow emboldened anti-choice activists in South Dakota to undermine a lifetime of work that marks Mr. Lader’s legacy.

The CALIFORNIA LIST also belatedly wishes Happy Mother’s Day to the foremothers of the feminist movement, who like Ms. Freidan, paved the way for the present candidates and elected officials to make a difference. In our February newsletter, we remembered Betty Friedan, Coretta Scott King and Wendy Wasserstein. Happy Mother’s Day to them, and to our 2006 CALIFORNIA LIST Honoree, Lynn Schenk, a trailblazer for women’s rights over the last several decades. As our network grows, so does our family.

In our March newsletter, we wrote about feminist Helen Reddy’s song “I Am Woman.” The important message of this anthem has been lost over the years, and I thought our readers would like to see what has become of one of the greatest feminist battle songs. Click here to watch the new Burger King “Manthem,” which declares “I Am Man and I Am Hungry.” To view the clip, click on the film reel titled “Manthem.” For today’s generation, this is a new song that’s never been heard before. Ironically, this month Helen Reddy published her memoir titled “The Woman I Am”.

EVENTS:

Last Thursday there were more than motherboards and microchip manufacturing discussed when The CALIFORNIA LIST partnered with the Women’s High Tech Coalition at a reception at the home of Jillian Manus-Salzmann in Silicon Valley. Approximately 100 business leaders and elected officials attended the event discussing legislative issues facing Silicon Valley and the importance of developing working relationships.

EVENING RECEPTION IN PIEDMONT

If you are interested in hosting an event in your district, please call Bettina at 310.458.9355 or email bduval@californialist.org.

THIRD ANNUAL SAN DIEGO WOMEN VOTE LUNCHEON
HONORING FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN LYNN SCHENK
The CALIFORNIA LIST IS PLANNING A LUNCH IN FRESNO!

LOOKING AHEAD

We are beginning preparation for a 2006 campaign launch in Los Angeles on thursday, September 7th. This will be a great opportunity to meet the women who have won their primary elections and join us to encourage them as they enter the final stretch toward the general election. To get involved, call us at 310.458.9355.