CSEA members and my fellow union staffer Dale and I walked precincts in Coachella this morning for Manuel Perez, Assemblyman for the 80th AD. As always with this campaign, we were in good company:

Isadore Hall, Assemblyman for the 52nd District, brought five volunteers with him for precinct walking and carne asada.  More from Isadore Hall, CA52AD, on the flip.

Crossposted from dKos

I’ll get better at this videography thing, I promise:

Assemblyman Hall, continued:

We had LIUNA, United Domestic Workers, Coachella Valley Teachers Association, CSEA and more.  This campaign has so many of the same people we had last time, and Manuel Perez’s grassroots/social justice focus is the same.  The difference is now he is on the inside, with a track record.  

(While the issues within the State Capitol are important, we also need to work on rebuilding a sustainable economy for the future. – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

According to Miguel Figueroa, the Executive Director of the Calexico New River Committee (the sponsors of AB 1079), “Despite decades of resolutions, studies and promises, our city has not received the sustained leadership and support from California that we need to solve this problem. We commend Assemblyman Perez for making New River clean-up a priority in his first term in office…”

Perez is doing what he said he’d do for the region no one has served up to now- clean up the New River, the biggest environmental and public health disaster in the 80th since the 1940s.  Though Senator Ducheny made progress in 2005, it took Perez to get the full coalition together and the federal funds released.

The Desert Sun, true to form, tucks the credit for this “unprecedented attention” and the “reversal of years of neglect” into the second page:

The California-Mexico Border Relations Council in coming weeks will host a public hearing in Imperial County to get residents’ feedback. The relatively new organization, made up of key state secretaries, is tasked with identifying major border issues.

Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez, a Coachella Democrat who secured the state funding and is organizing the coming visits, has authored a bill giving the border council authority to coordinate a restoration plan with locals and oversee the necessary environmental studies.

(btw, If this had been a Benoit or Nestande Republican success, we’d have seen their names in the first line, plus photo.  No liberal media here.)  

Next action on this bill is scheduled for August 27, 2009.  Perez’s first bill to make it into law was AB 1555 – broadband development in rural areas.  That helps in Imperial County, too, where unemployment tops 25%.

Yes, I’d like him to do all of this and be as far in front on the budget as Nancy Skinner. But reclaiming a healthful environment along the New River is transformative stuff, too. The people who live along the New River have an Assemblymember, finally.

Perez will face a well funded challenger in all likelihood.  Can a Republican challenger can peel this constituency off with attacks on Manuel’s support for the gay community and women’s healthcare rights?  Jeandron tried last year and failed.  The New River is toxic to the touch, and dooms the whole region to poverty.  If Perez can turn that around, he’ll have done more than every Republican combined since the 1940s.

(great ground report from the campaign of my favorite soon-to-be Assemblyman. – promoted by David Dayen)

Large majorities of Perez’s ID’d voters have already voted.  The majority of  VBM and PAV are Democrats this time around.  We’ve expanded the universe to make full use of our powerhouse squad of union brothers and sisters on the job today.

Jeandron dropped some particularly sleazy attack mailers yesterday, but California Medical Association mailed a fold out poster IE for Manuel that’s just beautiful, as you can see above.  As the man says, it’s a movimiento, a social justice movement, not just a campaign.

I’m here in Coachella with CSEA.   SEIU is also walking and poll watching, as is LIUNA, United Domestic Workers, CTA.  The enthusiasm in Imperial County is unprecedented – that’s where Manuel started his day.  He’s working his way from volunteer site to site from Calexico to Palm Springs today.  He’ll vote at Coachella City Hall at 3pm, and join Assembly Speaker Karen Bass at the Democratic HQ at 6pm for a rally, then on to Democratic Party at the Agua Caliente, then back to Coachella HQ to get the final numbers.

Two bands, and much food by then.  Updates as I can.  

Gary Jeandron breaks his own pledge opposing new taxes – even before Election Day.

We’re used to politicians breaking campaign promises after they are elected to office. George Bush has done it.  Governor Schwarzenegger has done it.  But it is a rare sight to see politicians break a campaign promise BEFORE they are elected… And that’s exactly what Gary Jeandron has done.

Gary Jeandron has been on the campaign trail saying he opposes new taxes and even asking Manuel Perez to sign a “no new tax pledge.”

But Jeandron violated his own pledge, at least twice since he signed it.  First, he supported increasing property taxes last year as a school board member.  And now, he supports raising the local sales tax by a 1/2 cent.

More, including Manuel’s latest TV spot, over the flip.    

He’s running TV ads attacking Manuel Perez on taxes, trying to scare voters into thinking that Perez is going to harm working families.  That couldn’t be further from the truth.  It seems that by attacking Manuel on taxes, Jeandron is trying to cover up the fact that he has broken a campaign promise – before the election is over.  If Jeandron’s breaking promises before election day, imagine what he’d do if he were to win?

ActBlue page for Manuel here.

(Full disclosure:  I’m an elected DSCC delegate, thanks to constructive nagging in 06 from the Calitics crew, and I’m an alternate to the RCDCC as soon as I’m properly sworn in.  I’m on the board of Democrats of the Desert, a chartered CDP club, and of the ACLU Desert Chapter.

At Netroots Nation, NYBrian and hekebolos had a terrific panel on getting involved with your local Democratic Party.  Most of us have plenty to say on that subject, and in my region the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee takes its share of criticism from the local clubs and activists.   But this year, we have plenty to applaud, and I want to share the work that the RCDCC is doing to support our current candidates, and those coming up.  The board has several new members, and the new chair is making everyone work, work, work.

Crossposted at dkos.

We’re registering voters, building a strong Democratic bench, and supporting our brilliant set of candidates this season:  Manuel Perez in the 80th Assembly District, Art Guerrero for the 37th SD, Julie Bornstein in the CA-45th, and Barack Obama for President.   This is a traditionally red county, but the local Democrats are organized across clubs and across campaigns to make the most of this cycle and every one after.

Betty McMillion, the new Chair, has fostered an ambitious voter registration drive (hat tip to Suzan Wilkinson, who spearheaded the club coordination) with 51 sites around Riverside County.  For the week of Sept 1-6, Democratic volunteers registered 375 Democrats, 48 Republicans (well, it’s the law), and 58 Other.    We are tracking the progress of each site, and readjusting resources to maximize Democratic registration.   Anyone who shows an interest in volunteering for one of the races gets sent straight to that campaign office.  

The local party, for the first time in memory, also interviewed nonpartisan candidates for local races, and endorsed 33.  We’re building a strong farm team, and giving rookie candidates preliminary support and training on GOTV, fundraising, and stump speeches.  We’re solidly behind Manuel Perez, Art Guererro,  Julie Bornstein, and Barack Obama, and looking to the future as well.

Every year we celebrate the memory of Gary Bosworth, local Democratic activist extraordinaire, by honoring an activist of the year, and a volunteer from each club.  (This year’s celebration is this Saturday, and my club is honoring Carole Sumner Krechman for her professionalism and commitment to our fundraising for three solid years.)   The money raised goes toward building the local party, and this year that means supporting candidates with media buys.  

This diary courtesy of Betty’s strong urging, as she wants the local party to get online and into the blogosphere.   I couldn’t agree more.  This is one of those pleasant episodes where the System wants us to take them on, so if you’re local to the Palm Springs area, Betty has a job for you.

I think Gary would be thrilled to see where Riverside County Democrats are this year.

One week ago, Republican Leader Mike Villines and the California Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon featuring a presentation outlining the Republican game plan in the 80th and how they would offset Manuel Perez’s double-digit lead.

A key part of the Republican strategy hinged on filing a politically driven, frivolous lawsuit to challenge Manuel Perez’s ballot designation as an “Educator.”

But today the Sacramento Superior Court dealt Republicans a loss, blowing up their key strategy.  It would seem Rove’s maxim: ‘Attack the Democratic candidate’s strength,’ just won’t work on Perez.  In fact, it boomeranged.

Manuel Perez, a former classroom teacher, authored curriculum that is currently implemented in two school districts. Manuel also earned a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University and serves as an elected school board member for the Coachella Unified School District where he secured $250 million to build new schools and modernize classrooms.  This past February, Harvard honored Perez with the Alumni of Color Achievement Award.

Manuel Perez is no less an educator than Gary Jeandron is a Republican.

Nonetheless, this morning while Manuel campaigned in Imperial County, Republicans appeared in court to have the word “educator” rejected from Manuel’s ballot designation.  After a short court hearing, the Sacramento Superior Court dismissed the Republican’s absurd challenge and ruled in favor of Manuel, citing Manuel’s “significant investment of time and effort” as an educator.  

Today’s hearing offers a glimpse into the minds of the Republicans – the same people who thought they could sell a judge that Manuel Perez is not an educator are the ones trying to sell you that the Republicans can win the 80th in November.  

With the campaign season opening like this we’ll no doubt be bombarded with more unfounded and baseless attacks against Manuel Perez – and more fumbles from the Republicans.

As the local GOP struggles to find a line of attack, Perez is talking to the people across the district about jobs, healthcare, education and the environment, as always.  

Democratic Clubs have a winner, and are feeling the momentum.

Palm Springs Democratic Club:

Manny offers what we need to win this race this year. The issues he speaks to and the experience he brings to the table makes a powerful combination for the citizens in our district.  

Bob Thomas, Program Chair – Palm Springs Democratic Club

Desert Foundation for Democracy

As a gifted and extremely well-educated public servant, Manuel Perez is an exciting and inspiring candidate for California’s 80th Assembly District seat. The demographics of this District are changing, and Manuel is perfectly positioned to bring intelligent and compassionate representation to us all.  The Desert Foundation for Democracy is proud to endorse Manuel Perez for the California 80th Assembly District.

Art Copleston, Chair – Desert Foundation for Democracy

Democrats of the Desert

Democrats of the Desert is proud to endorse Manuel Perez, as he is an exceptionally qualified candidate and will make an excellent representative for the 80th Assembly District.

Elle Kurpiewski, President – Democrats of the Desert

Desert Stonewall Democrats

Manuel Perez is an exceptional candidate. He will bring back the values of hard work, emotional intelligence, vision, communication, and leadership in championing social and economic justice for all communities throughout the district. These have all been lacking in our current Assembly member from the 80th District.

George Zander, President – Desert Stonewall Democrats

And there’s more:

Marty Hittelman, President of the California Federation of Teachers:

Manuel Perez is a real education champion – he’s a former classroom teacher, earned a Masters in Education from Harvard University and serves as a school board member helping struggling schools to succeed. Manuel fights every day to give kids the educational tools they  need to succeed in life and in the workplace.

Steve Clute, Former California State Assemblyman:

(Perez) has the heart – corazón – and passion to truly represent the people.

Fred W. Lowe, Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer for Laborers’ Local 777:

He is a strong and clear voice for the communities he serves, and is willing to fight for fundamental rights; fair pay; fair treatment and justice; protections and security for our families; access to health care; better education and better working conditions for the residents of the 80th Assembly District.

Harvard Graduate School of Education, announcing Manuel Perez as a recipient of the HGSE Alumni of Color Achievement Award:  

Mr. Perez is being recognized for his work, which addresses issues of race and education in ways that offer new frames of thought and practice, and evidences a commitment to promote meaningful strategies to affect change and to improve educational opportunities for people of color.

David Dayen, blogger at Calitics, Hullaballoo, and The Right’s Field:

This is someone who hasn’t waited around for higher office to make a difference in his community; he’s rolled up his sleeves and dived in.  As a director for the Borrego Community Health Foundation, he’s created one of the first diabetes resource centers in the desert region and has delivered health services to underserved regions.  As a researcher for the California Institute for Rural Studies, he put together a groundbreaking study on women’s reproductive health issues in Imperial County, where women have little opportunities and resources to manage their own health.  With Promotores, he’s part of a group of community-based leaders devoted to teaching  about health issues and making sure people in the community get the facts about programs at their disposal.  As a schoolteacher he started his school’s first ever Chicano Studies program designed to allow students to learn history from their perspective.  With the Eastern Coachella Valley Social Change Collaborative, he identified farm workers living in the area and trained them to be community leaders themselves.  Believe it or not, he’s only 34.

…

Manuel Pérez is not only a perfect fit for this district, providing an opportunity to retake this seat and get us closer to 2/3.  He represents a new generation of Hispanic-Americans who are dedicated to working for change from the bottom up.  He would bring to Sacramento a unique set of skills, as someone who can build coalitions and train a group of leaders far into the future.  There are primary candidates on the Democratic side for this seat who appear to be very nice.  I don’t think anyone combines the résumé and the hope for the future more than Manuel Pérez.

Joe Murillo, President,  Coachella Valley Unified School District Board:

(Perez) likes to see improvement. He is not a man for the status quo.

Art Pulaski, Executive Secretary of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

Manuel Perez knows first hand the struggles of working families and will be a champion of healthcare, education and creating new jobs in the State Assembly.

The Republicans have their work cut out for them, because the people of the 80th AD and the community leaders in California already know Manuel Perez, and they can’t wait to get him to Sacramento.

Endorsing Manuel Perez:

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

California Federation of Teachers

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

California Medical Association

California Nurses Association

California School Employees Association

California State Council of Laborer’s

California Teacher’s Association

Coachella Valley Teachers Association

Desert Sands Teachers Association

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 569

Laborer’s International Union of North America (LIUNA)

LIUNA Local 783

LIUNA Local 777

LIUNA Local 652

LIUNA Local 300

Northern California District Council of Laborer’s

Palm Springs Teachers Association

San Diego/Imperial Counties Labor Council

Service Employees International Union California State Council (SEIU)

SEIU Local 1000

SEIU United Health Care Worker’s West

Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters

United Domestic Workers

Border Patrol Union

United Farm Workers

Democrats of the Desert

Stonewall Democratic Club

Palm Springs Democratic Club

Desert Foundation for Democracy

*******

Congressman John Conyers Jr. 14th Congressional District, Michigan

Congressman Raul Grijalva, 7th Congressional District, Arizona

Former Congressman Esteban Torres, 34th Congressional District, California

Joe Coto, State Assemblymember, Latino Caucus Chair

Charles Calderon, State Assemblymember

Anthony Portantino, State Assemblymember

Steve Clute, Former Assemblymember and 80th AD Candidate, 2006

Tony Cardenas, Former Assemblymember, current Councilman City of Los Angeles

Paul M. Rasso, Candidate, 64th Assembly District

Dean Florez, State Senator

Gloria Romero, State Senate Majority Leader

Victor Carrillo, Supervisor, Imperial County Board of Supervisor

Richard Polanco, Former State Senator

Eduardo Garcia, Mayor, City of Coachella

Ray Castillo, Former Mayor, El Centro

Chuck Valenzuela, Former Mayor and Treasurer, Brawley

Steve Hernandez, Councilmember, City of Coachella

George Nava, Councilmember, City of Brawley

Mike Wilson, Councilmember, City of Indio

Daniel Romero, Councilmember, City of Calexico

Luis Castro, Calexico City Councilman

Efrain Silva, El Centro City Councilman

John Moreno, Calexico City Councilman

Don C. Campbell, Brawley Mayor Pro Tem

Esteban R. Vasquez, Brawley City Councilman

Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Councilwoman

Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman- Former Democratic Candidate

Gilbert G. Otero, Imperial County District Attorney

Carlos Campos, Attorney, City of Coachella

Tim Brown, City Manager, City of Coachella

Carlos Ortega, City Manager, City of Palm Desert

Steve Brown, Assistant City Manager, City of Coachella

Manny Rios, Planning Commission, City of Coachella

Bill Sanchez, Planning Commission, City of Coachella

Jackie Lopez, Executive Director, City of Coachella Chamber of Commerce

Sal Alejo, Member, Mecca Community Council

Maria Machuca, Former Chair, Mecca Community Council

Joe Murillo, President, Coachella Valley Unified School Board

Maria Rios, Clerk, Coachella Valley Unified School Board

Jennifer Baker, President, California Latino School Board Association

Joel Perez, Former School Board Trustee, El Centro Elementary School District

Alice Huffman, President NAACP, State of California

Dolores Huerta, Former UFW Labor Leader

Chauncey Veatch, National Teacher of the Year, CVUSD  

Rudy Cardenas Jr. Imperial Valley College Board of Trustee Coachella

Louie Wong, Imperial Valley College Trustee Member

*********

Fred Lowe, Union Representative, LIUNA, Laborer’s Local 777

Jose Mejia, Director, Laborer’s International Union of North America

Michael Rosenfeld, former President, CVTA

Richard Razo, Union Representative, CVTA

Bonifacio Hernandez, Union Representative, CVTA

Dale Wissman, Union Representative, CSEA

Joe Mota, Former Director, UFW

Juan Carlos Sanchez, Former Political Director, Democrats of the Desert

Beth Caskie, Vice-President, Democrats of the Desert

Ruben Gonzalez, President, Coachella Valley Voters League

Inez Cardoza Freeman, Volunteer of the Year, Democrats of the Desert

Amalia DeAztlan, Delegate, National Democratic Committee

V. John White, Environmental Activist, Sacramento, CA

Jose Carmona, Principal, Verde Group, Sacramento, CA

Rafael Aguilera, Principal, Verde Group, Sacramento, CA

Orson Aguilar, Associate Director, Greenlining Institute

Hector Preciado, Health Policy Director, Greenlining Institute

Dr. Richard Gutierrez, Former State Assembly Candidate – Orthodontist

Lombardo Amaya, Border Patrol Union Representative

Lupe Quintero, CRLA Lawyer, Imperial

Jesus Perez, Former Candidate for Superintendent of Public Schools, Imperial County

Arturo Encinas, President, MAPA, Calexico

Bill Hodge, Union Rep, Calexico

Beatriz O. Zayas, Mana member at-large, Calexico

Michael W. Kelley, Imperial County Chief Probation Officer

Juan Arvizu, Imperial County Deputy Probation Officer II

Hildy Carrillo, Calexico Chamber of Commerce Director

Oracio Carranza, President of the Probation & Corrections Peace Officers Association (PCPOA)

Alex Garcia, Imperial Deputy Probation Officer

Armando Padilla, Imperial County Deputy Probation Officer

Pete Mercado, Chief of the Calexico Fire Department

Danny Santillan, Grassroots Organizer, Calexico

Chavela Wong, Amigos Club President, Calexico

Rudy Maldonado, Former IID Director

Emma Silva, Calexico Public Activist

Morris Reisin, President, Chamber of Commerce, Calexico

Tony Tirado, President, Imperial County Democratic Central Committee

Alex Vasquez, Grassroots Organizer, Calexico

Jerry Grijalva, Grassroots Organizer, Calexico

Gilbert Grijalva, Grassroots Organizer, Calexico

Arturo Rioseco, Grassroots Organizer, Calexico

Margarita De necochea, Community Volunteer, Calexico

Guillermo Niebla, Community Activist, Calexico

Johnny Romo, Community Activist, Calexico

Socorro Juarez, Community Activist, Calexico

Jim Horn, Delegate, Imperial County Central Committee, El Centro

Ruben Gonzales, Former President, Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo, El Centro

Antonio Ramos, Retired Probation and Grassroots Organizer, El Centro

Freddy Nuñez, Grassroots Organizer, El Centro

Pete Salgado, Probation Officer, El Centro

Jose Luis Velez Olmedo, Executive Director, El Centro

Joe Arambula, Probation Officer, El Centro

Guillermo Niebla, Retired Probation Officer, El Centro

Eric Reyes, Executive Director, Institute for Social and Economic Justice, Brawley

Jesse G. Enriquez, President, Hidalgo Society, Brawley

Leticia Ibarra, Director, Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo, Brawley

Deirdre Morgan, Education Advocate, Brawley

Sam Palomares, Veteran Affairs Advocate, Brawley

Mr. and Mrs. Aurajo, Community Advocates, Brawley

Abraham and Evelyn Ruvalcaba, Brawley  

Maria Elena Nava, Former  Candidate for Imperial County Supervisor- District 4

David Green, CEO, El Centro Regional Medical Center

Bruce Hebets, CEO, Centro Medico, Eastern Coachella Valley

Stephen Shubert, COO, Centro Medico, Eastern Coachella Valley

Enrique G. Alvarado, Calexico School Board Member

Salvador Pacheco, Calexico School Board Member

Ed Gould, President/Superintendent of Imperial Valley College

Richard A. Partridge Jr., Veterans of Foreign Wars Representative, District #22

Ed Castillo-Rubio, President/Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Rodolfo Pinon, Grassroots Organizer, Blythe

Dan Figueroa, Grassroots Organizer, Blythe

Mike Figueroa, Grassroots Organizer, Blythe

Alfredo Figueroa, Grassroots Organizer, Blythe

Rosalio Plata, Businessman, Cathedral City

Fred Deharo, Former President, Coachella Valley Rotary, La Quinta

Maria Deharo, Director RCOE Migrant Education Program, La Quinta

Gilberto Salcedo, CEO Que Crees Magazine, La Quinta

Greg Cervantes, Tribal Issues Consultant, La Quinta

Adam Sanchez, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club, Desert Hot Springs

Elsa Garcia, Community Resource Specialist, Desert Hot Springs

Father Miguel Ceja, Priest and Activist, Desert Hot Springs

Martin Martinez, CVMACC Co-Founder & Community Activist, Indio

Nadia Villagran, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, Indio

Mike Walsh, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, Indio

Roger Larranaga, Azteca America, Indio

Claudia Castorena, Co-Founder Martha’s Kitchen, Indio

Gloria Gomez, Co-Founder Martha’s Kitchen, Indio

Carlos Gonzalez, Grassroots Organizer, Indio

David Skinner, Educator, Indio

Chris Cuahape, Grassroots Organizer, Indio

Tony Rubio, Grassroots Organizer, Indio

Jim Parkinson, Lawyer, Indio

Roberto Palomino, Director, El Informador Newspaper, Indio  

Leopoldo Trevino Sr. CEO, El Independiente Newspaper, Indio

Edgar Zendejas, Grassroots Organizer, Coachella

Lee Espinoza, Executive Director, Coachella Boxing Club, Coachella

Sal Velasquez, Community Activist, Coachella

Mirna Flores, Executive Director, CET, Coachella

Maria Arcos, Executive Director, Senior Center, Coachella

Elvira Murillo, Executive Director, Vocation and Rehabilitation, Coachella

Abby Figueroa, Community Activist, Coachella

Juanita Godwin, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club, Coachella

Emmanuel Martinez, Grassroots Organizer, Coachella

Jose Luis Huerta, Grassroots Organizer, Oasis

Anna Lisa Vargas, Grassroots Organizer, Thermal

Gina Chapa, Grassroots Organizer, Thermal

Joe Beaver, Community Activist, Palm Springs

Jarvis Crawford, Community Activist, Palm Springs

Ron Amidon, Community Activist, Calipatria

Dr. Gustavo Galindo, Professor & Grassroots Organizer, Holtville

Juan Arvizu, Probation Officer, Heber

More and Better Democrats.  We in the netroots are the most vigorous champions of candidates who truly represent their districts, candidates who challenge the status quo and demand tangible changes in our government.  If we had the power to create the quintessential strong Democrat, we’d be hard put to make up someone more authentic, intelligent, and schooled in the needs of his community than Manuel Perez.  

Crossposted at dKos.  Flip it.

The California 80th Assembly District is currently represented by termed out Republican Bonnie Garcia.  Manuel Perez won a tough primary by a significant margin, and now faces a former police chief, Republican Gary Jeandron.  This is one of the targeted races for both parties, as Republicans need to keep it, and Democrats know we can take it.  Perez represents one of our best hopes for a 2/3 majority. He also represents the people powered movement in Democratic politics.  Perez has been working for his community all his life, as a diligent student, a teacher, a promontore, a healthcare researcher, a healthcare provider, a school reform champion, an environmental advocate, a Schools Not Jails advocate, and a labor advocate.  The education, healthcare, and labor communities overwhelmingly support him, not because he filled out the questionnaires correctly, but because he can write them himself.

The best biography on Perez was written by David Dayen at Calitics shortly after he met him at the beginning of this campaign:

Manuel Pérez’ parents were immigrants who met in the fields while chasing the crops they picked for work.  His mother worked 26 years in the fields, despite raising a family.  His father became a veteraño (a veteran of the migrant fields) and worked for the city of Indio on water issues.  Growing up in Coachella and Calexico, Manuel worked in the fields himself over the summers when he wasn’t in school.  His parents understood the importance of education, teaching the values of “service and sacrifice and social justice,” and pushing him to advance as far as he could go.  At an early age, he saw a community of gangs and drugs where his best friend was killed in a drive-by shooting.

He became the only person in his family to go on to higher education, getting his bachelor’s degree at UC-Riverside (and becoming an organizer on campus).  He had the opportunity to get a master’s degree in Social Policy at Harvard, and took it.  Instead of leaving his community behind, he returned to it, organizing field campaigns throughout the state for candidates and issues like Schools Not Jails.  This is someone who hasn’t waited around for higher office to make a difference in his community; he’s rolled up his sleeves and dived in.  As a director for the Borego Community Health Foundation, he’s created one of the first diabetes resource center in the desert region and has delivered health services to underserved regions.  As a researcher for the California Institute for Rural Studies, he put together a groundbreaking study on women’s reproductive health issues in Imperial County, where women have little opportunities and resources to manage their own health.  With Promotores, he’s part of a group of community-based leaders devoted to teaching  about health issues and making sure people in the community get the facts about programs at their disposal.  As a schoolteacher he started his school’s first ever Chicano Studies program designed to allow students to learn history from their perspective.  With the Eastern Coachella Valley Social Change Collaborative, he identified farm workers living in the area and trained them to be community leaders themselves.  Believe it or not, he’s only 34.

OK, at this point he’s 35.  But still.   Since then, Perez was given the Harvard Graduate School of Education Alumni of Color Achievement Award.

This is an exciting campaign, not because we expect to win, but because Perez will be a legislator we can believe in.  He takes nothing for granted, and expects us to hold him accountable, to hold all elected officials accountable, every day, on all issues.   Like Obama, he wants to build a movement that works past November 4th, and brings the average citizen back into the picture in government.  Here’s Perez on the day of the primary:  

Yesterday morning, Agxibel Barajas greeted me from the front page of our local paper, The Desert Sun.  Agxibel is the office manager and scheduler for Manuel Perez, the powerful progressive Democratic candidate for California’s  80th Assembly District.  We’re going to lose her in the fall when she heads to law school, and that’s going to hurt.  She and Manuel go way back:

Six years ago, Agxibel Barajas was asked what she wanted to do with her life.

“Her response was: ‘I hope to be the first woman president of the United States,'” said Manuel Perez, who at the time was a field representative for Assembly candidate Joey Acuña.

Barajas had arrived at his office wanting to volunteer her services for Acuña’s campaign.

Six years later, the Coachella native is featured in a documentary by “Mad, Hot Ballroom” writer Amy Sewell that attempts to get people talking about why the United States has yet to elect a female president.

Coachella resident Agxibel Barajas, 22, took part in CosmoGirl magazine’s Project 2024, which gave Barajas the opportunity to intern with Merrill Lynch for eight weeks and led her to be a part of the documentary “What’s Your Point, Honey?” The documentary looks at women in politics. She was photographed in her home Monday in Coachella. (Marilyn Chung, The Desert Sun)

Agxibel rocks, but it took this article for me to get a better idea of her accomplishments, because she downplayed this when we talked about it the night before the primary.  This campaign is rich in excellent people like Agxibel, just doing their part to restore California and change America.  Of course, most of us aren’t quite this young!  With women like this coming up, we’re going to be just fine.

“My parents were farmworkers for a long time. I’m a first-generation college student,” she said.

Eyes on the Oval Office?

Does she really want to run for president someday?

“Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t,” she said. “I’m not going to say no because you never know.”

Barajas is no newcomer to politics.  She volunteered for Acuña’s campaign, and is now working for Perez’s 80th Assembly District seat campaign as his office manager/scheduler.

Perez said he has no doubt she will succeed at whatever she decides to do.

“She’s going to do a lot of great things in her future,” he said. “She’s very effective in what she does, very efficient, very thorough in her work, and definitely a leader for others in the community.”

Crossposted at dKos

The Political Insider of the Desert Sun was surprised to find Steve Clute with us at Manuel Perez’s victory party last week.  We weren’t.  When Manuel Perez announced his candidacy for the 80th AD, Steve Clute was there.  Steve Clute was part of our kickoff, and his endorsement quote headed the original website:  “Manuel has the heart, corazon, to truly represent the people of this district.” Clute left me a classy message before the campaign, and called me afterwards to thank me again for my work on behalf of Manuel.  He made that call to everyone heavily involved in the campaign.  

As we head into the general election, it’s appropriate to take a moment to appreciate what a mensch Steve Clute’s been throughout this campaign.

Crossposted to dKos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/…

After he fell off the public radar screen, the Sizzler restaurant in Coachella was one of the last places we (the Political Insider) expected to have a Steve Clute sighting.  Yet at Tuesday’s victory party for Manuel Perez, that’s exactly where we found the one-time Democratic nominee for the 80th who had lost the 2006 election to incumbent Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia.

“It’s great to be here with Manuel Perez, his family and everybody who worked so hard to congratulate them on a fantastic campaign,” Clute said.

Clute backed a winner, as Perez pulled out a primary election victory over three opponents. He’ll face Republican Gary Jeandron in the November general election for the 80th Assembly.  Garcia, a Cathedral City Republican, can’t run again because of term limits.

“I think Manuel is someone who knows the district,” Clute said. “He’s well-educated and committed to the people who live here.”

Like Manuel Perez in 2008, Steve Clute had vigorous support from the education community during his 2006 race:

Allen Tarzwell, teacher, quoted in the California Progess Report back in 06:

Teachers are supporting Steve Clute for Assembly. Clute, a navy veteran who has served in the legislature before, is a moderate Democrat with common sense approaches to problems. He’s someone who supports education and other causes that are near and dear to teachers, like children’s health care. He’s right on the issues and he’s got the experience to get the job done.

It seems much longer than a year ago that Steve Clute first stood with Manuel, the longshot candidate, grassroots champion of working families, teachers, students, women, and healthcare providers:

From the campaign kickoff press release:

Educator and Health Proponent Manuel Perez and former Assemblyman Steve Clute to share their vision of the future of the California State Assembly, 80th District

– Press Conference –

Cathedral City, CA – April, 18, 2007

– Healthcare Proponent and Educator Manuel Perez to announce his bid to be the next 80th District Assemblyman, 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2007, in front of the Cathedral City City Hall.

Joining him on the campaign kick-off and three-stop tour of the 80th District is former Assemblyman Steve Clute, community leaders and friends of the Manuel Perez for the California State Assembly, 80th District Campaign.

Cathedral City, CA

When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Where: Cathedral City Civic Center, in front of City Hall

68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City

Coachella, CA

When: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday

Where: Eleanor Shadowen Senior Center

1540 7th Street, Downtown Coachella

El Centro, CA

When: 2 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Antonio’s Restaurant

215 N. Imperial Avenue, El Centro

Manuel Perez brings to this critical time the key attributes of leadership which have become all too rare: a warm heart; a cool head; a fair mind; fresh ideas; a belief in people; and an unwavering desire to attend to the needs of others. Best of all, he brings an unbroken record of real achievements.

Now Manuel Perez heads into the general election, ready to take the 80th AD back for the Democrats, one more progressive for the 2/3 majority.  The crucial 2/3/ majority is all the more feasible now, and in a large part thanks to Steve Clute, who spoke up early and stands with Manuel all the way.

Thank you, Steve Clute.

Gladis, Carlos, and Ruben last night at the Coachella campaign office (Alejandro was working for dad, too, this is a great bunch).  Met my Calitics buddy Dan last night at last, and he’s hitting the streets today.  I’ve been well-trained to fear the kaynehorah (evil eye), but not Carlos.  He felt good about the work they’ve done last night, and he’s felt happy and positive for the entire campaign.  This is his first time out as a field organizer, and the 200 campaign volunteers hitting the streets today are testament to his work this past year.  It’s 100 degrees in the Coachella Valley today.  Low turnout expected by the registrar, she estimates 30%, 31%.  But not among the ID’d voters for this campaign.  The walk lists have less than 50 households per, because we are rich in volunteers.  Plus, the union workers are out there, and who knows what their number is.

2/3 majority!