The Election You Haven’t Heard About

Dear reader,

In the next few weeks, some of the most important positions will be elected. No, I’m not talking about the Oakland special elections for Mayor or City Council. Right now people are campaigning to become delegates of the California Democratic Party (CADEM). 

Two years ago I wrote in my personal blog about these Assembly District delegates. These delegates are the first to endorse for congressional, statewide, and state legislative races. In a state and region where voters overwhelmingly vote for Democrats, the Party’s endorsement can make or break many campaigns.

There’s one race in particular that’s noteworthy. The California Governor race in 2026. The delegates we elect in a few days will cast the votes.

Having been a delegate for nearly six years, I’m proud to endorse the following two slates. In AD-18 Housing & Climate Progressive Democratic Slate and AD-14, the Democrats for Progress and Justice Slate. 

To vote in this special ADEMS election, you need to register here for an online ballot before January 31st. This is not like your ordinary voter registration - it is only to vote for ADEMs, this is an internal vote for registered Democrats. Ballots are provided by the Party for Party members. If you are a registered Democrat in the State of California, you can register for a ballot.

This ADEMs slate has great civic and public leaders who I know will place our community’s priorities at the top. I’m confident they will fight to prioritize livable, vibrant, and equitable communities. At a moment full of chaos and despair, we need committed leaders across all of our institutions.

The Housing & Climate Progressive Democratic Slate includes

• Sam Davis

• Regina Chagolla

• Shawn Danino

• Ashlee Jemmott

• Arielle Fleisher

• Sam Gould

• Cathy Adams

• Bobbi Lopez

• Zac Bowling

• Lauren Wilson

• Ben Gould

• Genice Jacobs

• Nate Hanson

The Democrats for Progress and Justice Slate includes

• Susan Wengraf

• Neil Tsutsui

• Dilli Bhattarai

• Y’Anad Burrell

• Connie Taylor-Smith

• Andrea Dooley

• Cesar Zepeda

• Nick Pilch

• Sarah Bell

• Anthony Caro

• Teddy Gray King

• Gabriel Sandoval

• Dan Kalb

These slate members are committed to working with me to address our housing & transportation challenges, supporting public safety and combating hate, ensuring good schools and good jobs, delivering core government services like fixing potholes and working fire hydrants, and protecting our vulnerable LGBTQ and immigrant communities in the face of a new Trump administration.

 Can I count on you to support this slate? 

Please register here for an online ballot before January 31st.

Once you register for an online ballot, your voting credentials will be mailed (via USPS) in early February. Once you receive your credentials in the mail, you can sign in and cast your ballot anytime before Sunday, February 23rd at 6 PM. 

 Thank you for your continued support and for helping to make the California Democratic Party reflect our communities.

Thank you for your support!