Five Santa Monica residents were elected last week to two-year terms as delegates to the California Democratic Party, where they will influence the party's direction by weighing in on its candidate and issues endorsements and helping to craft its resolutions and platform.
All were elected as part of a progressive slate, which swept the available slots for men in the newly configured 50th Assembly District. About 175 registered Democrats turned out for the election meeting, held at McKinley Elementary School in Santa Monica.
Jon Katz of Santa Monica, elected as an alternate two years ago, now joins returning delegates Ben Allen, immediate past president of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board; Genise Schnitman, a member of the steering committee of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights, and Santa Monica City Councilmember Kevin McKeown.
Allen and Schnitman also serve on the executive board of the Santa Monica Democratic Club.
The fifth Santa Monica resident elected as delegate, a newcomer to the city, is Jessica Yas, a Berkeley graduate who majored in political science and was previously a San Fernando Valley-elected delegate in the 42nd Assembly District. Yas intends to become involved in Santa Monica civic affairs and the Santa Monica Democratic Club.
"One thing redistricting did not change is the strong progressive commitment that Santa Monica's delegates will bring to the state party, a long tradition they are proud to carry forward," club president Jay Johnson said.
— DAILY PRESS STAFF
