CALIFORNIA PRIMARY ELECTION
PRO-CHOICE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN RACES
By Bettina Duval, Founder, The CALIFORNIA LIST
What a primary election! California’s pro-choice Democratic women candidates ran competitive campaigns in really difficult races. Your support helped provide these candidates with the resources necessary to win.

Although The CALIFORNIA LIST works to elect women to California state government, we MUST recognize Francine Busby, CALIFORNIA LIST member and candidate, on her courage and perseverance in an arduous bid for Congress in a special election against Republican Brian Bilbray. At our event in San Diego last week, much of the talk centered on the terrible, continuous ads running against Francine. In a solidly Republican district, national Republicans spent a staggering $3 million on relentless attack ads to keep Busby from winning this seat. Unfortunately, their tactics worked. Being able to counter deep pockets of the GOP is one of the reasons why we must continue to keep the pipeline filled for The CALIFORNIA LIST endorsed candidates.

California’s pro-choice Democratic women can be proud of themselves for running such successful campaigns and for doing so well in the June 6th primary elections. Please read on to learn about the outcomes of some very competitive races.

Executive Branch

There have only been five women to ever serve in the Executive Branch of California’s state government. Currently, there are no women holding office in this capacity. After yesterday’s election, this could very well change.

Congratulations are in order for State Senator Debra Bowen for her successful bid as the Democratic party nominee for Secretary of State. Unfortunately, we have missed a tremendous opportunity to have another woman in the Executive Branch of California state government with the defeat of current State Senators Jackie Speier and Liz Figueroa for the Democratic nomination to run as Lieutenant Governor. The race was close between Speier and winner John Garamendi with Speier taking 38.6% of the vote, and Garamendi winning with 43.4%.

Accolades must also go out to Betty Yee and Judy Chu for winning seats on the State Board of Equalization. Betty Yee easily won re-election in District 1, and in a combative campaign, Judy Chu victoriously defeated Jerome Horton in District 4.

The CALIFORNIA LIST will be working hard to make sure that these women win their seats in November’s general election so that we can finally change a stale statistic and increase the number of women to have served in California’s Executive Branch of government.

California State Senate

With only twelve women serving in our California State Senate, all of whom are Democrats and six of whom are being termed out, we are grateful that four Democratic women candidates were victorious in their Senate races. Congratulations to Pat Wiggins (SD 2), Ellen Corbett (SD 10), Jenny Oropeza (SD 28), and Gloria Negrete McLeod (SD 32) for winning their races. Incumbents Gloria Romero (SD 24), and Denise Ducheny (SD 40) held onto their seats. Despite our tremendous victory, the decline in the number of women elected officials begins – the number of Democratic women serving in the California State Senate will drop from twelve to ten.

California State Assembly

While Democratic women lost two seats in the State Senate, the real decline started in the Assembly where nine Democratic women left due to term limits, and one, Cindy Montañez, left early to run for the Senate. There were 18 Democratic women running in open seats.

In 12 of the races with only one woman running, only five women won. Congratulations to Cathleen Galgiani (AD 17), Mary Hayashi (AD 18), Laura Richardson (AD 55), Wilmer D. Carter (AD 62) and Mary Salas (AD 79).

There were two races where two or more women were running against each other and a few men, one candidate won. Congratulations to Julia Brownley (AD 41).

In the two seats with women running against each other, we know that there will be two new pro-choice Democratic women representatives. Congratulations to Fiona Ma (AD 12) and Anna Caballeros (AD 28).

As I mentioned before, we’ve lost ten Democratic women in our State Assembly and now have the possibility of eight new female representatives. Out of the eight, two of the candidates face very competitive general election races.

With your continued support, we can provide The CALIFORNIA LIST candidates with the financial backing and moral support they need to forge ahead and win those seats!

There are also pro-choice Democratic women candidates running in Districts with extremely high Republican voter registration. Thank you all for your candidacy and building our Democratic base.

All of the Democratic women incumbents running for re-election were successful. Congratulations to Patty Berg (AD 1), Noreen Evans (AD 7), Lois Wolk (AD 8), Loni Hancock (AD 14), Sally Lieber (AD 22), Nicole Parra (AD 30), Karen Bass (AD 47), Betty Karnette (AD 54), and Lori Rae Saldaña (AD 76).

Congratulations to all of the Democratic women candidates – up and down the ticket – who ran outstanding campaigns! These races were among some of California’s most difficult, and most important. We appreciate all that you have done for Democrats, and for women. Thanks must also be given to all of our donors and supporters. Because of you, we successfully supported Democratic women candidates throughout California. Together we are making a difference. Thank you!

The following chart lists the outcome of each California state primary election race in which a pro-choice Democratic woman was running. Winners are notated in bold, and The CALIFORNIA LIST endorsed candidates have all been identified.

Democratic Women Candidates
for the California State Legislature
June 6, 2006 Democratic Primary Election Results

In a few weeks, you will receive the next CALIFORNIA LIST newsletter. It will describe our candidates’ races in greater detail and outline how California’s women voted in the state races. We’ll also tell you about our plan to build a political network supporting Democratic women throughout California!

EVENTS:

CELEBRATING A WOMAN OF MANY FIRSTS!

On Friday May, 26, former Congresswoman Lynn Schenk was honored at a luncheon at the W Hotel in San Diego. This fabulous event sold out with the room filled beyond capacity, as those touched by Lynn’s strength and courage paid tribute to this icon. It was an intimate event brimming with insight, humor, and inspiration. Midge Costanza, long time friend of Lynn’s, was the Mistress of Ceremonies. Other speakers included Christine Kehoe who recognized Lynn for how much she has done for San Diego, now and as a Congresswoman in Sacramento. Laurie Black, former Chief of Staff to Lynn, spoke thoughtfully and poignantly in her tribute to Lynn. In a touching moment, the Women’s Lawyers Club announced that they have set up a scholarship in Lynn’s name at the University of San Diego School of Law.

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

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 7. This will be a great opportunity to meet the women who have won their primary elections and to encourage them as they enter the final stretch toward the general election. To get involved, call us at 310.458.9355.