[March 20, 2014] SAN FRANCISCO.  Last weekend, I accompanied a group of volunteers that descended upon Los Angeles to encourage party unity for the office of Secretary of State.  Leland Yee, a current democratic state senator representing District 8, wanted to follow the recommendation of California Democratic Party Chair, John Burton, to not endorse a particular candidate at the state convention.  Since the new law allows the top two vote getters to be on the November ballot, theoretically, there could be two democrats on the ballot as opposed to the one candidate who would receive the party’s endorsement.  Despite Burton’s plea, there was a lot of resistance.  Nevertheless, Senator Yee was victorious in achieving a no endorsement outcome at the State Convention.

Although this was a wonderful learning experience of the real life democratic process, the trip was not all work.  In addition to attending various caucuses on issues that concern all Californians, there were numerous hospitality suites, happy hours, and party’s to celebrate various elected officials and candidates running for office.  For example, I attended a reception for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles.

I also attended a party for former San Francisco Mayor and current Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsome at the Westin Bonaventure.

All in all, it was an eye opening experience and I look forward to possibly being a delegate in the future.

By:  Kevin L. Nichols, The Social Politician™