“In American politics, who controls the states controls the nation. The right understands this, and for a generation has waged an unrelenting war to take over state government in America.” Joel Rodgers, The Nation

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
By Bettina Duval, Founder, The CALIFORNIA LIST
On Sundays at the Santa Monica Pier volunteers place a white cross in the sand for each American killed in Iraq. The scene is both touching and captivating. It had been a while since I had jogged this route, but this past Sunday I did, and I was stunned by the dramatic increase in the number of white crosses placed in the sand. The visual impact was staggering – a reminder that failure is not an option. Democrats must win.

Fortunately, as we enter the final stage of the 2006 elections, it appears that Democrats will be victorious across the nation. While the nationwide elections are important, what is happening here in California is equally important – for women, for Democrats, for all.

One of our Founding Circle members said today at lunch, “What happens at the Federal level can hurt you. What happens at the State level can kill you.” In California a quiet battle is being waged. For years, conservatives have assembled a solid base in California: there is a Republican governor and strong voter registration in some of the fastest growing counties in the state. Because California has so many electoral votes, the far right’s plan is ultimately to take control of the state – we must remember that we need to keep California Democratic. Electing and mobilizing women voters is a strategic tactic for victory.

The Secretary of State is one of the most powerful positions in the state. Senator Debra Bowen is challenging the incumbent Republican, Bruce McPherson, to become Secretary of State. McPherson was appointed by our Republican governor, and not elected by the people. This November, we need to storm the front line and win the battle for Democracy by electing a Democratic woman, State Senator Debra Bowen, as California’s Secretary of State.

Over the last several months, McPherson has allowed one unreliable voting system after another to be used in California’s elections even when his own tests and those of independent commissions showed that they were unreliable. The program is rife with technical system errors and poses a great threat to the integrity of our elections……and to democracy. Please DONATE to State Senator Debra Bowen’s campaign.

State legislation directly affects our everyday lives and pro-choice, Democratic women such as Debra Bowen will march on defending critical issues like a female’s reproductive freedoms. Once again, teen safety is at stake with Proposition 85, a “Parental Notification” ballot proposition. Last election, the same ballot proposition narrowly lost. Current polling shows the voters are tied. We will combat once again at the ballot to keep our teens healthy and safe.

The white crosses sitting in the sand serve as a constant reminder that failure to win is not an option. It’s about democracy. It’s about individual freedom. It’s about good management. It’s about good government. It’s about control of our state.

The CALIFORNIA LIST is a political fundraising network that helps elect Democratic pro-choice women to all branches of California state government. The CALIFORNIA LIST raises the “early money” needed to help women candidates – and Democrats – to win.

Since its creation in 2002, The CALIFORNIA LIST has helped California women by electing 11 pro-choice, Democratic women candidates to the California State legislature. We are now on the verge of electing more in the November general election.

The California List recognizes that we are embarking on a long-term project, requiring substantial amounts of money spent over several election cycles. Specifically, we are:

  • targeting winnable legislative and down ballot-statewide races.
  • recruiting Democratic women to run in target races.
  • engaging and activating women throughout California.
  • traveling the state to identify women candidates.
  • and, most importantly, raising early money so that women can become viable contenders.

In our last newsletter we published the primary election results. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7. In addition to helping elect State Senator Debra Bowen as Secretary of State, it is important to support the Democratic women running for State Senate and Assembly. Arm yourself with information by perusing the charts below that detail some of the upcoming races. You can DONATE to their campaigns.

STATE SENATE
During the 2005-06 legislative sessions there were twelve women, all Democrats, serving in the State Senate, who had previously served in the State Assembly. In the upcoming November election there are eight women–six Democrats and two Republicans–running for State Senate seats, two of whom are Democratic incumbents (SD 24 and SD 40).

Of the eight seats that have women running, only one seat (SD 28) has two women running against each other.

Gloria Negrette McLeod running in Senate District 32 does not have an opponent.

There are six seats where a woman is projected to win.

The following chart outlines the Districts with the State Senate seats where women candidates are running. It also describes whether or not it is a Safe Democratic Seat or Republican seat or a “swing seat.”

STATE ASSEMBLY
A total of eighty members make up the California State Assembly. Twenty-five seats are held by women–nineteen Democrats and six Republicans.

Fourteen Assemblywomen are up for re-election–nine Democrats and five Republicans.

Eleven Assemblywomen are leaving the State Assembly due to term-limits or to run for State Senate.

The following chart outlines the Districts with the State Assembly seats where Democratic women candidates are running. It also describes whether or not it is a Safe Democratic Seat or Republican seat or a “swing seat.”

MOVING THE CALIFORNIA LIST FORWARD
There have been many changes and events since our last newsletter. At the top of the list is the addition of new staff. Marianne Gaddy has helped build The CALIFORNIA LIST in San Francisco. In Los Angeles, LJ Carusone is our new Development Director. Thank you Joan Dean and Julie Bronstein for helping organize a successful event and building our membership base in San Diego.

SUMMER EVENTS
Thank you Julie Chase for hosting a reception for The CALIFORNIA LIST at Trader Vics in San Francisco this summer. We appreciate your support!

UPCOMING EVENTS
CALIFORNIA LIST Breakfast
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
9:00 a.m.
Home of Joy Picus
Woodland Hills
RSVP to bduval@californialist.org

CALIFORNIA LIST Cocktail Reception
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2006
6:00-8:00 PM
Jack Falstaff, 598 Second St. (at Brannan) in San Francisco
Thank you Hilary Newsom Callan for hosting our reception. If you are interested in attending, please contact Marianne Gaddy at mgaddy@venturespark.com.

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