Declaration of Candidacy

My Fellow Progressives,

Based on my experiences as a current Officer of the Progressive Caucus of the CA Democratic Party, I have decided to run for the position of Chair. I'm running on a platform of greater inclusion and enfranchisement within our Caucus.

My ideas for greater organizational discipline will make us a more powerful force and help us in our work advancing the Progressive agenda with the Party. My experience as an on-the-ground organizer for issues such as Workers’ Rights, Peace and Human Rights, Election Integrity, and campaigns of all types, gives me confidence to believe that I am the right person for the job. I will roll up my sleeves on Day 1 with the expectation that my job is to make sure WE win. I am not afraid to take the fight to whom and where it needs to go, and I will always work out of respect for the membership of this Caucus.

It's important for all members to choose the best leadership for the Caucus, leadership that will respect work from the bottom up, addressing the concerns and needs of its members. As Chair, I would make sure that the Executive Board includes voices from all parts of the State, and other constituencies that have so far been underrepresented and underserved.

We will build on our Progressive victories and expand our political power within the Party, from the bottom up. I believe we can do this by:

• Increasing active involvement in the Caucus and solidarity of members across the State, by including representatives in the leadership from all regions. These representatives would be chosen by members who reside in those regions.
  
  
• Facilitating input from caucus members throughout California via regional representation and as always, through individuals who know how to provide the sparks that light the flame – you know who you are!
  
  
• Mobilizing our numbers for action on the ground and on the General Assembly floor through education, consciousness raising, election work, lobbying, and full participation in clubs and central committees.
  
  
• Creating and maintaining a top-drawer media component that serves as a repository of great thinking, inspiration and effective mobilization around action items.
  

I have served as Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee and Officer-at-Large of the Progressive Caucus for the last term. I want to work collaboratively with all of you to strengthen our Caucus. I bring to this position a strong ability to work for the benefit of the whole Caucus, along with tested skills as an organizer and negotiator, to help us work more effectively within our Party structure. I am firmly committed to working with you in creating a Caucus that is action-oriented and focused. We'll always know how to 'talk the talk' -- now let's walk the walk!

I look forward to our dialogue over the next few months, and I hope you will join the following individuals in their endorsement of my candidacy.

Thank you!

Organizing Truth to Power,

Karen Bernal
Officer at Large, Progressive Caucus, CDP
DSCC Delegate, 5th AD - Sacramento County DCC

About Me

An unrepentant activist for peace and social justice for many years, I am currently an Officer-at-Large of the Progressive Caucus, CDP. I am also a candidate for Chair of the Caucus; that election will take place at the upcoming annual Convention in Sacramento, April 24-26, 2009. As past Executive Board representative for the 5th AD, I co-authored an Iraq War Withdrawal plan which was presented to the CDP and widely embraced by Party activists. You can find the plan at the Progressive Caucus website: www.progressivecaucuscdp.org. I am also a member of the Labor Caucus, Women's Caucus and Chicano / Latino Caucus of the CDP.

In Sacramento, I am an elected member of the Sacramento Central Committee and belong to the following clubs and organizations: the Stonewall Democratic Club, the Town and Country Democratic Club, and the Wellstone Democratic Club of Sacramento. In California, I am the Northern California State Coordinator for Progressive Democrats of America.

My areas of interest are campaign strategies, and Labor and Foreign policy issues, having been an organizer for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Here are some helpful links to my website:

Endorsement list
Contact me
Endorse me

I look forward to working with you to promote our progressive agenda.

--Karen