Yes, it is 2024, and goodbye to 2023! I hope your recent holiday celebration with family and friends was rewarding with many happy memories as well as being restful and healthy. Politically, 2024 is a marathon through the Presidential Election in November, but first, we must sprint to the March 5 Primary here in California. Mark your calendar for the MLK event at the Johnson Springview Park in Rocklin on January 15 – come by to say hello and show support for our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

From January 1st, there are only 65 days until March 5, the final day to vote in the Primary. Ballots will be in the mail on February 7, 2024, which will be our kick-off to GOTV (Get Out The Vote) efforts to be certain every Democratic and left-leaning independent is voting to protect our Democracy and freedoms. Keep those 2024 New Year’s Resolutions for electing Democrats in Placer County by checking out the many activities (canvassing, literature drops, phone and text banking) that the Central Committee and our 2 CADEM endorsed candidates will be sponsoring. Talk to your family and neighbors about why you are voting for Jessica Morse for CD3 and Neva Parker for AD5, and be visible with lawn signs and buttons.

There is good news on new members joining the Placer County Democratic Central Committee for a 4-year term through March 2028! Please join me in congratulating Nick Bennett, Jacob Boyce, Julann Brown, Rebecca Chenoweth, Stu Clancy, Noelle Filice-Smith, Tiffany Sickler, and Jackie Smith.

In addition, the following Central Committee members are returning - Ellen Debach-Riley, Bill Lauritsen, Joe Mlakar, Lynne Snyder, Deana Rhoades, Terry Rodriguez, Delana Rudd, Barbara Smith, and myself. This is an exceptionally strong board combining both experienced activists and new energy and perspectives on ways to engage victory for Democrats in our county. There are currently 5 vacant spots for possible appointment to the Democratic Central Committee. District 1 has 2 vacancies. District 2 has 1 vacancy, and District 3 has 2 vacancies. There is an appointment process for filling vacancies, and you must attend 3 consecutive meetings and then be voted in by the Central Committee. Our meetings are on the second Wednesday in the evenings so if you are interested, please contact me or any member of the Central Committee for further information. The election of new officers and Standing Committee chairs will take place at our April 10, 2024, meeting.

Stay tuned for the details on the “Grand Opening” of our Coordinated Campaign Headquarters sponsored by the Placer Democratic Central Committee and the Morse for Congress Campaign while the last final details of our lease are finalized. This is the first time in a decade that there is a Coordinated Campaign Headquarters, which also provides an opportunity to share the expenses as well as have volunteers carry literature for all our endorsed candidates. In addition, the Central Committee is researching ordering and selling Biden/Harris lawn signs beginning in January at the HQ to add to our coffers.

If each Democrat did one thing and donated $10 to our Blue Legacy Fund, this would turn Placer Blue and elect our endorsed candidates! You are needed to make this happen. Please contact me with any questions or suggestions on ways to improve our success locally. chair.pcdp@gmail.com