On Tuesday, November 12, at our usual meeting time of 7pm, the Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) will be discussing election results and “What Next?”
Our US Congressman, John Garamendi will be our guest. There may be additional guests as well.
Please invite your friends, and come celebrate our election wins and consider any election losses in order to gather strength to go forward.
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.
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.)
MEMBER MEETING
