Endorsed by the Trinity County Democratic Central Committee
March 21, 2007 

 

 

All District Strategy for Funding California Legislative Races

 

     Whereas the recent Democratic takeover of Congress has proven the effectiveness of Howard Dean’s 50 state strategy for funding the Democratic Party in every state regardless of the voter registration advantage to the other side or the history of Republican voting patterns and resulted in election victories and Democratic Party advances and

     Whereas the California Democratic Party’s  recent election funding decision resulted in only modest advances and victories not on the scale of results nationally, and  

 

     Whereas providing resources for candidates in each legislative district will build the Party’s identity in every geographical area, develop a deep reserve of competitive Democratic candidates and encourage volunteer loyalty,

      Be it resolved that the California Democratic Party shall adopt at it’s 2007 Convention to allocate at least $4 million to be spent in all Assembly and State Senate districts that are open seats or in which there is a Democratic challenger to a Republican incumbent, to assure that every endorsed Democratic candidate for the state legislature gets at least some funding for the general election, enabling candidates to mount a viable campaign, then

     Be it resolved that for the general election, each party-endorsed Democratic challenger or party-endorsed Democratic candidate for an open legislative seat shall receive at least $50,000 in seed money, and that candidates who raise $50,000, produce a field plan, and sign up 50 volunteers or more shall received at least $50,000 in additional matching funds.  The money shall be spent to implement a grassroots organizing and GOTV effort by the candidate.  Evidence of volunteer sincerity will be a five dollar check to the candidate.  

 

This policy will spread the Democratic message to voters in every part of California, thus helping to grow the Party and get out the vote even in conservative regions.  This strategy will improve the chances of victory not only for those legislative seats funded, but for all Democratic candidates in California - including “down-ticket” candidates for local offices as well as candidates running for statewide and national offices. 

 

 Submitted by Leon Thompson

77th Assembly District E-board Representative

 leon@eastcountyunited.org; 619-316-0657