Democratic Club
By Mary Larson
LW Contributor
With the Jan. 31 run-off election for City Council positions completed, the 2022 election season is finally a thing of the past. The LW Democratic Club can now look at ways to begin helping members be aware of what local and state wide races will be open in 2024, as well as what issues will be important.
Official endorsements are a long way off. However, candidates are already announcing their intention to run.
Congressman Adam Schiff is the latest candidate to announce he will officially join Katie Porter and other legislators seeking to replace Dianne Feinstein in the Senate. He is currently serving his 11th term in the House of Representatives. His Los Angeles district features one of the most diverse constituencies and areas in the country.
Schiff is best known statewide as the leader of the first impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump.
In another race, Democrat Kim Bernice Nguyen has just announced she will be running in the 45th Congressional District to replace the former Leisure World representative, Republican Michelle Steel.
Harley Rouda and Senator Dave Min have both announced they will be running to replace Porter in the House.
The LW Democratic Club will also spend time addressing issues currently being considered at the state level, as well as several appointments being made at that level.
Newly elected Assembly Democrat Stephanie Nguyen is the first ever Asian American Pacific Islander woman legislator to represent the Sacramento region. She has been appointed to serve in leadership as the assistant California Assembly speaker pro tempore. She will be up for re-election in 2024.
The current LW representative in the California Senate, Republican Janet Nguyen, has just been elected as the Senate Minority Caucus chair. She will not be up for re-election until 2026.
Other Orange County Democratic senators will chair various committees this year. The list includes:
•Bob Archuleta, Military and Veterans Affairs.
•Dave Min, Natural Resources and Water.
•Josh Newman, Education.
•Tom Umberg, Judiciary.
Jan. 20 was the last day for the legislators to submit bill requests to the California Office of Legislative Counsel. People can visit www.legislativecounsel. ca.gov/about-us for more information.
••• The Democratic Party of Orange County will hold a workshop on local Democratic Party structure on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1-3 p.m. It will include information about the party’s governing body at the county level, Democratic clubs, the role of affiliate groups, and how the county party endorses candidates. Statewide and national structures will be mentioned. However, the focus will be on the county level party structure and its role in participation in elections. To register or get more information, visit https:// socalblue.org/event/dem-party-101-training/2023-02-04.
For more in-depth reporting on issues, Democrats and supporters can subscribe to the club’s free newsletter by emailing democraticclubsblw@gmail. com or calling 562-296-8521.
