OCYD’s get most of their endorsements right

The Orange County Young Democrats (OCYD’s) have announced their endorsements of local candidates.  There were a few surprises.  They endorsed Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, even though he supported Prop. 187 and he placed Minuteman Lupe Moreno on the Santa Ana Library Board.  He also has supported Republican Rosie Avila for the SAUSD School Board.  Pulido is opposed by Santa Ana Council Woman Michele Martinez, who is far more progressive than Pulido.

I was also disappointed that the OCYD’s endorsed Santa Ana council candidate Vince Sarmiento over the more progressive Jim Walker.

But the OCYDs did get it right for the most part on their other endorsements.  For example, they did endorse two of the better candidates for the SAUSD School Board, Irene Ibarra and Valerie Amezcua.  They also endorsed several of the better local politicians in Orange County, including Fullerton’s Sharon Quirk and La Habra’s Rose Espinoza.  And they endorsed several promising candidates including Lynette Verino for the RSCCD Board and Daren Nigsarian for the La Habra City Council.

Here is the OCYD’s press release:

For Immediate Release

Orange County Young Democrats endorse local candidates

SANTA ANA, CA –The Orange County Young Democrats (OCYD) hosted the only endorsement meeting supported by young progressive Democrats in Orange County on Thursday, September 25th at Original Mike’s. Local candidates for elected office seeking the OCYD endorsement completed a comprehensive questionnaire providing details on their political background, reason for running, their position on issues important to young people such as quality healthcare, education, women’s rights, employment and much more. Many candidates including incumbents Jose Solorio, Assemblyman 69th district, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and La Habra Mayor Rose Espinoza spoke to OCYD members seeking their endorsement for the upcoming election. OCYD officially endorsed the following candidates and positions on propositions for the November 2008 elections.

List of Candidates Endorsed by OCYD:

• Loretta Sanchez, U.S. Congress, 47th District
• Steve Young, U.S. Congress, 48th District
• Jose Solorio, State Assembly, 69th District
• Gary Pritchard, State Senator, 33rd District
• Greg Ferguson, Councilmember, City of Buena Park
• Sharon Quirk, Councilmember, City of Fullerton
• Karen Haluza, Councilmember, City of Fullerton
• Linh Ho, Councilmember, City of Garden Grove
• Robin Marcario, Councilmember, City of Garden Grove
• Keith Bohr, Councilmember, City of Huntington Beach
• Rose Espinoza, Mayor, City of La Habra
• Daren Nissarian, Councilmember, City of La Habra
• Miguel Pulido, Mayor, City of Santa Ana
• Vincent Sarmiento, Councilmember, City of Santa Ana
• Molly McClanahan, North Orange County College District
• Jerry Patterson, Trustee, Coast Community College District, Area 2
• Lorraine Prinsky, Trustee, Coast Community College District, Area 3
• Charlotte Pirch, Trustee, Rancho Santiago Community College District, Area 1
• Mark McLoughlin, Trustee, Rancho Santiago Community College District, Area 1
• Lynette Verino, Trustee, Rancho Santiago Community College District, Area 1
• Florice Hoffman, Trustee, Orange Unified School District, Area 3
• Linda Zamora, School Board Member, Garden Grove Unified School District
• Cathy McGough, School Board Member, Huntington Beach City School District
• Irene Ibarra, School Board Member, Santa Ana Unified School District
• Valerie Amezcua, School Board Member, Santa Ana Unified School District
• Sergio Contreras, School Board Member, Westminster School District

OCYD Positions on Propositions:
• Yes on 5
• No on 8
• No on 4
• Yes on 2

The Orange County Young Democrats are an all volunteer, non-profit grassroots organization. This year marks the tenth anniversary for the Orange County Young Democrats. In 2007, OCYD was chosen as the Young Professional Chapter of the Year by the California Young Democrats in recognition of OCYD’s peer-to-peer campaign during the 2006 election.

Please contact Mitch Star, OCYD Political Director, at mitch4assembly@aol.com with any questions.