The Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Metro San Diego Chapter voted Monday evening to endorse Tracy Emblem for the 50th Congressional District race.

In a very transparent voting process where the member’s ballots were collected, counted and verified in front of all present, the final tally was 19 votes for Emblem, 7 votes for Busby and 2 voters chose to abstain. This brings Emblem’s local Democratic club endorsement tally up to three, which has her closing in on Francine Busby, her competitor for incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray‘s seat. The other local clubs endorsing Emblem include: North County Women’s Democratic Club and Latino American Democratic Club.

Four local clubs have endorsed Busby thus far: Chicano Democratic Association, San Diego Democratic Club, San Diego County Young Democrats, and Rancho Santa Fe Democratic Club.

PDA is the second progressive organization to endorse Emblem this week. The Progressive Push PAC endorsed Emblem on Saturday. Luis A. Cuevas, the National Director, stated on Emblem’s Facebook page that he was proud to endorse “the real progressive in California’s 50th Congressional District race”.

Additionally, Emblem has the formal endorsement of four local labor unions, while Busby has the endorsement of a national women’s political caucus.

However, four San Diego Democratic clubs have withheld endorsements for this seat: Mesa Democratic Club, Lake San Marcos Democratic Club, Black Mountain Democratic Club, and the Democratic Club of Oceanside/Carlsbad. These clubs are withholding a formal endorsement until after the June 8, 2010 primary so that voters in their communities can decide upon the most viable candidate. After the primary, these clubs will endorse the winner.