XPosted 4/26/2008 11:22 PM PDT on MyDesert.com in blog by BluePalmSpringsBoyz

At the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Monthly Meeting earlier today, according to an email that I just received from Chuck McDaniel, Vice-President, the DHSDC unanimously endorsed Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman and former Mayor Pro-tem of Cathedral City, for the Democratic nomination for the 80th Assembly District to succeed the termed-out, thank the deity, Bonnie Garcia (R).  Pettis’ rivals for the nomination garnered not a single tally in the endorsement process today.

Pettis has been either City Councilman or Mayor Pro-tem of Cathedral City for the last 13 years and has served with distinction in other local governmental positions in the region as well.  McDaniel, also a union official with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 440, was enthusiastic in his support of the Pettis candidacy, having worked with Pettis in numerous capacities and in many local elections during recent years, including Mary Ann Andreas’ candidacy for the 80th AD and Steve Clute’s candidacy for the 80th AD.

More below the flip…

All of the other local Democratic clubs who have thus far endorsed have endorsed Pettis for the 80th AD seat.  These clubs include but are not limited to the Pass Democratic Club, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Palm Springs Democratic Club, Inland Stonewall Democrats, San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Women’s Democratic Club.  Club leaders also endorsing Pettis include Pass Democratic Club President Jacqueline Atwood, Pass Democratic Club Vice-President Betty McMillion, Desert Stonewall Democrats Vice-President Roger Tansey, DSD Treasurer Bob Silverman, DSD Steering Committee Members Sandy Eldridge, Donald W. Grimm, Ph.D., Jono Hildner, James Reynolds, Greg Rodriguez, Robert Lee Thomas, and Lynn Worley, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair Sandy Eldridge, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair David Pye, Desert Hot Springs President Will Pieper, and Desert Hot Springs Vice-President Chuck McDaniel, Sun City Democratic Club President Arnie Kaminsky, Democratic Club of Moreno Valley President Paul Rasso, and Riverside County Democratic Central Committee Alternate Kira Klatchko.  Not a single Democratic club in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys has thus far endorsed another candidate besides Pettis for the nomination.

Pettis stated, “I am indeed grateful for the confidence that the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club has shown in my candidacy and for their generous support.  The local clubs, especially the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, have long been a source for the volunteers in any successful Democratic campaign in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.  I deeply appreciate the work that Will Pieper, Chuck McDaniel and the Club membership have done thus far with my campaign, and I look forward to continue working with them during the primary and general election campaigns.”

In a related positive note, at tonight’s Pass Democratic Club Annual Unity Dinner at the Morongo Resort and Casino in Cabazon, McMillion gave a wonderul personal introduction to Pettis during the night’s festivities that was only outshone by that given to Secretary of State Debra Bowen.  McMillion noted that ‘all’ of the desert clubs have fully supported Pettis’ candidacy, especially at the pre-nomination convention in Moreno Valley where 70%+ of the delegates voted to endorse, and continue to provide active and full support for Pettis.  Most in attendance were pleasantly surprised at the length and depth of the support from the platform.  Kudos to McMillion!

Following Pettis’ introduction, McMillion gave a brief intro for Victor Manuel Perez, Candidate for the 80th AD, alluding to the fact that Perez might have some school involvement.  Perez, his campaign manager, and another in his contingent were then seen leaving the ballroom before Bowen’s introduction and speech.  Some Democratic activists in attendance, myself not included, wondered about the propriety of Perez’ sudden departure and the unintended message to Bowen.

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter and friend of Greg Pettis for Assembly.

According to Richard Oberhaus, Campaign Director for the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District Campaign, as of yesterday, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 440 has now endorsed Pettis in his race to replace Bonnie Garcia.  IBEW Local 440 has long been active in Coachella Valley politics and Progressive Democratic circles.

Chuck McDaniel, a IBEW Local 440 leader and activist, is also a co-leader of the newly formed Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, is a member of the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee, and attended the recent Pettis Campaign for 80th AD website preview.

Garcia, aka Barfcia due to her various verbal indiscretions and embarrassments to the District, is currently termed out and, pending defeat of the proposed ballot initiative to extend term limits, cannot again run for re-election.

The good news for Proud Progressive Democrats is that the Coachella Valley is trending blue with recent wins by Steve Pougnet for Mayor of Palm Springs, by Rick Hutcheson in the Palm Springs City Council, by Karl Baker in the Desert Hot Springs City Council, by Greg Pettis in the Cathedral City City Council, by Craig Ewing in the Desert Water Agency, and No on C.  Garcia barely won re-election in the last race against a little-known candidate, Steve Clute, who did not have the backing of all of the Democratic clubs because of his opposition to Marriage Equality.

In addition, Democrats now out-register Repugnants by 9% of the voters, i.e., 13,000 votes!  The voter registration figures are also trending Democratic across the district from Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City in the West Valley to Indio, Coachella, and even Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, and Palm Desert in Down Valley.

Pettis has a well-funded, well-oiled candidacy and has already outraised all of his competitors combined in FundRace 2008!  In addition, Pettis already has endorsements from four of the local Democratic clubs, including the Pass Democratic Club, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Inland Stonewall Democrats, and San Diego Democratic Club.

Other labor organizations already endorsing Pettis include Building Trades of California, Cathedral City Professional Firefighters, and San Bernardino/Riverside Central Labor Council.