2024 Election, Endorsements, Meeting notices

Our Next Meeting – WEDNESDAY, October 16

MEMBER MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCT 16, 2024, 7:00 PM

IN PERSON MEETING!
Please note this is not on Tuesday night.

___________________________________________________________________________

Dear members and supporters—

On Wednesday, October 16, at our usual meeting time of 7pm, the Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) will host an in-person Ice Cream Social and Postcarding Party for our endorsed candidates and ballot measures, including Christina Gilpin-Hayes.  This event will also serve as our general membership meeting.

The party will be held in the Community Room at Casa De Vilarrasa, at 383 East I Street, just across the street from the ballpark.  Just walk through the main entrance and we will be across the courtyard.

Please invite your friends, come and relax, eat a little ice cream and do some election work.  I’m excited to see everyone in person and to be able to chat and do some good work at the same time.

If you’d like to attend, please RSVP and pick your favorite ice cream flavor.



Upcoming Local Candidate and Issue Forums

We’re lucky to have several local candidate forums coming up, too.  They are your chance to meet with the candidates and see where they stand, and support the candidates we have already endorsed as a club.  Please add to your calendar…

  • Wed., Oct. 2, at 6pm – Benicia High School

    • From BHS: October 2nd the Benicia Chamber of Commerce and the Benicia High School Debate team will host a Mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum. The event will be held in the Performing Arts Building at the Benicia High School. We hope to fill all the seats so please share! Event is from 6-9pm. This is a free event. The Benicia High School Debate team will be selling waters and candy to raise money to send their team to competitions. If you would like to support the team they will be accepting cash donations. Come hear from all of the candidates on issues and their plan for Benicia.

(I hope all of you can come to this debate.  It’s great for our endorsed candidates to see friendly faces in the audience and I have some questions I’d like to ask.  The debate team sponsored a debate between the State Senate candidate in the primary and it was great. – Kathy)

  • Mon., Oct. 7, at 6:30pm – Benicia Public Library

    • From LWV: Find Out About Local and State Propositions in person on Monday, October 7th from 7-8:30 pm at the Benicia Public Library, Dona Benicia Room. Don’t be baffled by the local and state propositions.  Come to this informational Q&A and leave better informed. Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. 

  • Mon., Oct. 14, at 6:30pm – Benicia Public Library

    • From LWV: Hear from Benicia City Council Candidates in person on Monday, October 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm at Benicia Public Library, Doña Benicia Room. Learn where they stand on the issues and ask them questions. Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. 

And if you are a Rancho Benicia resident, you also have access to a private candidate forum on Wed., Oct. 9 to connect with your community and the candidates.

PDB is not affiliated with these events or their organizers.

Have You Checked Your Voter Registration?

While we have your attention, don’t wait until the last minute to find out there are issues with your voter registration! If you haven’t voted in a long time, if you moved and want to make sure your registration is exactly as it should be, or if you’re just double-checking, you can check your registration at the Secretary of State’s website. This website also gives you helpful information like your polling location, language preference and more.

Check Your Voter Registration! (CA)

See you soon

Please don’t forget to RSVP to our ice cream social so we know how much ice cream to get. We really look forward to seeing you all soon.

California Politics, Endorsements, Progressive Candidates

Congratulations to our Endorsed 2024 Candidates for Benicia School Board & Tax Measures

Dear Members and Supporters:

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) are proud to announce their endorsements for the upcoming Benicia School Board – Area 3 and Solano Community College Board – Area 3 elections, as well as their positions on local ballot measures.

Candidate Endorsements

After interviewing Democratic candidates for Benicia School Board – Area 3 (which is generally between 780, Rose Drive and west of Grove Circle, including Robert Semple Elementary School) and Solano Community College Board Area – 3 (which includes Benicia as well as parts of Vallejo, and Suisun City), the PDB membership has voted to endorse:

  • Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board – Area 3
  • Shannon Frisinger for Solano Community College Board – Area 3

Congratulations to these candidates, whose impressive qualifications, leadership experience, and commitment to student success clearly resonated with voting members who share their vision for fostering safe, supportive schools and educational spaces.

Kashanna Harmon-Lee, Candidate for Benicia School Board Area 3 Trustee. | Nancy Rothstein for Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board 2024.

Ballot Measure Endorsements

After the candidate interviews, Mayor Steve Young and City Manager Mario Giuliani answered questions about local ballot measures and their potential impacts on the City of Benicia, including Measures G and H. Maggie Kolk from the Benicia Save Our Streets Committee presented information about Measure F.

The club also learned about Proposition 5 (CA), which would allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval.

After the presentations, PDB membership has voted to endorse:

  • YES on Measure F: A citizen’s initiative proposing a 1/2 cent sales tax for street repairs and maintenance.
  • YES on Measure G: A proposal to adopt a City Charter, allowing voters to consider enacting a real property transfer tax.
  • YES on Measure H: A sliding real property transfer tax to invest in essential city services.
  • YES on Proposition 5: Allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval.

 

Thank You…and Don’t Forget to Vote!

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia thank the candidates and officials for their time. We encourage all residents to stay informed, get involved in local politics, and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. Don’t forget to check your voter registration at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.

More about PDB

Learn more about the Progressive Democrats of Benicia at progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org. Dues are $30/year and you must be a registered Democrat to join as a full member. (Non-Democrats and non-Benicians are always welcome to attend public meetings.)

2024 Election, Endorsements, Meeting notices

Our Next Meeting – WEDNESDAY, September 4

MEMBER MEETING
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 4, 2024, 7:00 PM

ZOOM MEETING

___________________________________________________________________________

Dear members and supporters—

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) will host a candidate forum TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 4, at 7pm via Zoom (sign-in details are below and on our website).   This virtual event, which is free and open to all regardless of city of residence or political party, will feature interviews with Democratic candidates vying for local office.  (Find out more about our guests below.)

This is YOUR opportunity to engage with local Democratic candidates and gain insights into their positions on key issues affecting Benicia and to learn about the important measures on this fall’s ballot.  We ask that you share this notice to your family, friends and network.  Everyone is welcome.

Endorsement Interviews

At our meeting, we will be interviewing Kashanna Harmon-Lee (left), one of the candidates for the Benicia Unified School District Board of Education – Area 3, which is generally between 780, Rose Drive and west of Grove Circle.  For details, see the pink area on this map:  BeniciaUSD_Trustee_Areas_Scenario1.pdf.  We will also interview and endorse Shannon Frisinger and Rosemary Thurston (Incumbent) for the Solano Community College District that includes Benicia.

The November election will have some important local tax measures on the ballot; we will vote whether or not to endorse these as well. Measure G (Charter City) and Measure H (Real Estate Property Tax). Maggie Kolk will talk about the Citizens’ Initiative to Save our Streets, Measure F.  David Lindsay will speak about CA Prop. 5 that would lower the electoral hurdle for housing bond issues from 67% to 55%.

Zoom Details

The link and sign-in information for most PDB membership meetings in 2024 is below. 

Topic: PDB General Meeting
Time: September 4, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86273821941?pwd=WktDazJLaTJHVTBPNWd3dzlXaGd2Zz09

Meeting ID: 862 7382 1941
Passcode: 528756

One tap mobile
+16699006833,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US

Why Endorse?

Democratic club endorsements like these matter in local elections because they provide the candidates and causes we believe in most with crucial grassroots support. Clubs like PDB often promote their endorsed candidates and help them build name recognition, connect to important volunteer and professional networks, and access Party resources that can elevate campaigns to the next level. Additionally, voters often use club endorsements to help them select candidates.

An endorsement from a PDB is a strategic asset for any Democratic candidate–led campaign, even if the candidate doesn’t identify as progressive. Ours is a big tent – all registered Democrats are invited and welcome to seek endorsement from the club. Our Club may only endorse Democratic candidates, per our by-laws.

Have You Checked Your Voter Registration?

While we have your attention, don’t wait until the last minute to find out there are issues with your voter registration! If you haven’t voted in a long time, if you moved and want to make sure your registration is exactly as it should be, or if you’re just double-checking, you can check your registration at the Secretary of State’s website. This website also gives you helpful information like your polling location, language preference and more.

Check Your Voter Registration! (CA)

Equity & Justice For All