Our kudos go out to all the volunteers who took to the phones and the streets to get out the vote for issues and candidates who will make positive change in our communities in the June 7 Primary. See you all in November!!
Contra Costa
In Contra Costa County, Local 21 Members turned out to move our endorsed candidates to November runoffs for the Board of Supervisors, volunteering more than 80 times. Our candidate, Martinez City Councilwoman Anamarie Avilla Farias, made a strong showing in a five-way race to unseat 16-year Incumbent Federal Glover, garnering 31% of the vote against Glover’s 35%. In District 3, Local 21’s candidate, Diane Burgis, won 22% of the vote and will face off in November with Steve Barr who received 29% of the vote in a six-way race. This election marked a new high for Contra Costa Chapter Members who volunteered in the largest numbers ever, many for the first time.
Alameda County
Hayward was the last city in Alameda County to cling to the tradition of holding elections for City Council in June, a month with low voter turnout. Local 21 sponsored Measure C to move the local elections to November, saving the City money and dramatically increasing voter turnout. It passed with 61% of the vote, thanks in part to Local 21 Members who volunteered 57 times, made nearly 2,500 calls, and walked two dozen precincts. Oakland Members also pitched in, stepping up to fill three phone banks in solidarity with Hayward. Additionally, Measure D to extend the utility tax passed with more than 70% of the vote. In the City Council race, former Local 21 Member Elisa Marquez handily won re-election; and former Local 21 Member Sharon Ball won re-election to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee.
South Bay
San Jose Members volunteered nearly 50 times and two of our endorsed candidates made it into the runoff, Sergio Jimenez in San Jose City Council District 2 and Helen Chapman in District 6. Measure B, a small increase in the sales tax to raise revenue for San Jose, won with 62% of the vote. In the race for State Assembly, our longtime ally City Councilman, Ash Kalra, made the runoff in a very close race against former Councilmember Madison Nguyen.
San Francisco
In San Francisco, Local 21 Members volunteered 96 times, helping to identify 14,000 supporters and walk 100 precincts targeting tenants and progressive homeowners. It paid off with several endorsed candidates elected to the Democratic Central Committee, including Local 21 Member Rafael Mandelman! Local 21-supported Jane Kim is slightly ahead in the race for CA State Senate with Scott Wiener, and the two will face off in November for a runoff election. All four Local 21-backed ballot measures also passed, including a bond measure for City infrastructure that will provide jobs for our Members, and Proposition C which requires that 25% of new housing be affordable to moderate- and middle-income residents. Regional Measure AA to restore San Francisco Bay also won.