Ventura County has many seriously contested elections including for the State Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. The newly chosen Chair of the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee David Atkins has been a prominent blogger on progressive websites like Dailykos.com and others. Now he is using that position to rally netroots support for Ventura County candidates. His latest blog entry on Dailykos.com is an appeal to nationwide activists to

What candidates on his list do you like the most? I think Dr. Lee Rogers deserves more support.

Local Democrats have an interesting idea for fundraiser. You can attend and choose which candidate earns your contribution.

Here is the information:

On SATURDAY JUNE 23 from 4-7 p.m., Democratic Club of Camarillo will host a FUNDRAISER FOR OUR CANDIDATES, at the lovely Camarillo home of Rose Obetz and John Noonan.

The club will provide food and drink. Live old time string band music will be by Watermelon Pie (Jack and Phyllis Phillips and friends -- they're SUPER!).

Your admittance will be a direct donation (or donations) to the Democratic candidate(s) of your choice, so bring your checkbook or cash. If you prefer to pay by credit card, we'll have a computer there for your use so you can donate on the spot through a candidate's website.

We're inviting candidates and representatives from their campaigns and hope you can join in too! Call Linda McKenna for information and reservations at 805-650-1634. (Address given upon reserving.) RSVP by June 22.

If you go you can post photographs from the event to facebook.com/briandennerthere

The American labor movement has seen better days. Many other industrialized nations have much stronger labor movements and protections for workers. Labor heroes like Woody Guthrie continue to remind union members of their greatest victories on behalf of working people.

Have you seen the original lyrics to This Land is My Land by Woody Guthrie? Labor union members have had a rough year with pushes to eliminate their ability to organize across the country. Republicans in the House even were willing to stop the FAA bill unless they could further restrict the ability of unions to organize.

Locally the Democratic Party has strong support from labor unions. That includes help in organizing events like the Labor Day picnic. This year it will be exciting because of redistricting. It will be interesting to see which candidates for the House, State Assembly, and State Senate have a booth there. I want to see David Pollock and David Cruz Thayne work the crowd.

This is a great event for candidates to practice their speeches in front of a friendly audience and to gather support from party activists. Almost every serious candidate for a legislative office will have a presence.

You can post pictures of the event of the event on my Facebook page for this blog. Speaking of which if you want to discuss local politics but don't like the level of discourse of anonymous people on blogs join the discussion on the Facebook page. It is much more civil.

The Ventura County Young Democrats are having a beach party fundraiser. Here is their announcement:

Celebrate summer with the Ventura County Young Democrats

Beach Party Luau, Saturday, Aug. 13

Come enjoy the beach, sunset, barbeque, volleyball, bonfire and more on Saturday, Aug. 13 starting at 5 p.m. at a private residence on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard.

Tickets: $30 general with RSVP, $35 at door; $15 student with RSVP, $20 at door. Dinner and drinks included with ticket.

For more information or to RSVP contact us at vcyoungdems@gmail.com.

You can also join them on Facebook.

Quick question for Young Democrats organizer Nilufar Boloorchi,

Can you share with us a few local elected Democrats have been great advocates for young people?

Here is the announcement from the Ventura County Democratic central Committee:

Ventura County Democratic Party
Offers $1,000 Scholarship

The Ventura County Democratic Party is now seeking student applicants for its $1,000 Jack O'Connell scholarship.

Click on continue reading for more details.

My former student and current political science major at UCSB, Mike Gillooly is a previous winner. He has been blogging about his time as an intern in Wasgington DC. With his humility, work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and talents he has a promising future in politics. It is an honor to have been his teacher.

Please pass on this opportunity to some young people. With the cost of education going up this could help.

The Ventura County Democratic Party have created a new social group for single people. They will be meeting at party headquarters and then going to a local bar. Click here for more details.

This looks much more interesting than the typical party meetings. What political films have you seen that you would like to recommend to others? I liked Waiting For Superman and Street Fight.

Are you frustrated with people disguising their party affiliation on slate mailers? In the last cycle I have seen Republican candidates supported by their party pay to be included on slate mailers that appear to be from Democrats. Local Democratic candidates have done it too. To purposefully attempt to mislead voters while claiming to be running a honest campaign is a tough task.

If you want to do something the local Democratic Party would like your help. I have copies of most of the mailers if you need to include them with your letter.

I am glad the Ventura County Democratic Party is organizing this letter writing campaign. Here is their request:

Demand Truth in Political Advertising: Send an Email to the FPPC Now!

You see them cluttering your mailbox every election cycle. If you're like many California voters, you may even have been fooled by them: deceptive slate mailer advertisements that are meant to trick voters and hide the big money, special interests who pay for them.

Using patriotic pictures of eagles and made-up names like the "Voting Information Guide for Democrats," they fool many unsuspecting voters into thinking they are actually reporting official Democratic Party endorsements, when in fact space on these mailers is often sold to the highest bidder -- in some cases giant oil, insurance, and utility companies! These purported Democratic mailers often take take positions that are the exact opposite of the Democratic Party's values.

MANY GOOD INITIATIVES AND CANDIDATES, INCLUDING PROPOSITION 15, THE CALIFORNIA FAIR ELECTIONS ACT, HAVE LOST IN PART DUE TO DECEPTIVE SLATES.

We urge you to send a letter now asking for serious reform of deceptive slate mailers!

California's Fair Political Practices Commission now has a Political Reform Act Task Force that is collecting public comments on reforms of the rules governing slate mailers. The Ventura County Democratic Party has joined groups like California Clean Money Campaign and California Common Cause to ask for SERIOUS slate mailer disclosure reform to put an end to these deceptive practices.

The proposals would institute truth in slate advertising by requiring non-official Democratic Party slate mailers to:

* Clearly say they are "NOT the Official Slate of a Democratic Party Organization" wherever they use the word "Democrat" or "Democratic" Party.
* Identify right under the title when they are "Paid Political Advertising."
* Make absolutely clear that the listings are "Paid" endorsements everywhere paid endorsements are shown and indicate who is actually paying for them.

THE FPPC NEEDS TO HEAR FROM ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC LIKE YOU!

Send a letter asking for serious reform of deceptive slate mailers now!

Our easy letter-writing tool will provide you a draft letter that includes the Ventura County Democratic Party's recommendations. (See the rest of our recommendations when you send the email!)

Thanks for everything you do for clean money and fair elections,

Richard Carter, Chairman,
Ventura County Democratic Party

The Ventura County Democrats have opened an office to help organize for the 2010 General Election. They are requesting cash donations so they can pay for the following:

1. Phones and phone service for the call bank. 2. Computer parts (hard drives and memory) to fix up the donated computers. 3. Copy machine and printer supplies - copy paper, toner cartridges, repair contract. 4. Internet wireless router - so anyone working in the office can have Internet access. 5. Security system and cameras. 6. Locking file and storage cabinets. 7. Refrigerator, coffee, water, and snacks for our volunteers. 8. Huge sign that can be easily read from the 101 freeway. 9. Keep the office after November 2010.

They are also open to donations of any of the above materials.

Click on continue reading for their email and click here for their website.

There is a protest outside Rep. Elton Gallegly's office today. Send me any photographs you want posted.

On Thursday Nights I interview people that are interesting in Ventura County politics. That includes candidates and activists. I don't always support their views of their campaigns but I find it interesting to learn more. Send me an email if you would like to be interviewed.

Tonight I am interviewing the new president of The Ventura County Young Democrats, Andrew Parada.

The interview is just between us but when it is over post your own questions and Andrew can respond to them.

Click here to check out their Facebook group page.

Andrew, click on continue reading for your first question.

I am running the cutest political animal contest with the top prize being a blog post at the top of my page next Tuesday for the primary election. All candidates will have their dog picture posted. I was inspired after seeing a picture of Mark Lunn that he posted on his Facebook page. While the issues we face are serious we should take opportunities to have hearts like children.

Also, I like animals.

Heather Lacayo clearly understands the concept in the picture above.

In addition to working on Lela Henke-Dobroth's campaign for Judge, Heather Lacayo is running for a position on the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee. Central Committees can be debating societies or powerful players in local elections. But to get elected to a position that many voters don't even know exists requires candidates to find ways to get their message out. That's where social networking and blogs come in. Here is an e-mail from Heather about her contest entry.

Hi Brian,

My dog Ty is camera shy but I got him into a pic at the beach with me. :-) My mom rescued him and I got him the first chance I had with a decent yard. He's 11 and has been with me for the past 6 years. I've been told he's a mix of shepherd, chow, boxer and?? He's super mellow, well behaved, and really gets along well with others. Occasionally he'll chase a ball, but only if HE feels like it. :-)

Thought I'd have a little fun with the pic since I don't have any signs so I photo-chalked the wall behind me. :-)

Thanks for asking for the pic! Hope it gets in.

All the best,

Heather

Click on continue reading to see the other animals before voting in the poll. You can vote for as many animals as you want.

The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee is becoming more involved in local elections, copying something Ventura County Republicans have been doing for years. Their latest mailer ties Peter Foy and Mark Lunn together, something voters paying attention to the proximity and pattern of the many Foy / Lunn signs will have noticed.

The VCDCC is currently the most effective I ever remember it. What do you think of their mailers?

Send me any mailers you want me to post. If you don't see a mailer it is safe to assume a campaign didn't send it to me.

UPDATE: Here is another blog post on the same subject.

For a long time Democrats have complained that Republicans were getting involved in local nonpartisan races but Democrats didn't have a plan to respond. This election cycle is different.

In the last few days they sent a mailer to Democrats in East County attacking Peter Foy and supporting their candidates Bruce Thomas for Supervisor and Jim Dantona for Clerk / Recorder. Earlier today I received a robocall from Brian Leshon acting as Ventura County Democratic Central Committee Chair in support of Ed Summers.

There are spending restrictions in many of these races but these mailers find loopholes including arguing they are only sending them to party members.

I know the Ventura County Republican Party has been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of Democrat Audra Strickland in her campaign against Republican Linda Parks but are they sending mailers in support of Mark Lunn? Send them to me and I will post them too.

This latest mailer hits an easy target when they go after Waste Managements plan to expand the Simi Valley Landfill. I have mixed feelings on the expansion and I could be persuaded to support it if will be in the best interest of Simi Valley. I am interested in hiw many more jobs it will bring to the area and the environmental impact. That said expanding the dump has a very low support in polls and I doubt any politician will make a clear statement of support anytime soon.

In addition to this member communications I saw this ad for Jim Dantona on Facebook. Send me any screenshots of ads for local candidates you want me to post.

Jim Dantona's other recent mailer mixes his vision for the office with an another attack on Lunn's massive pension.

I like his ideas for the office but his attack on Lunn's pension doesn't move me. But Lunn's quote that he isn't a politician is hilarious. Mark Lunn is a Chief of Staff to a politician, he sits on a planning commission, and he was on the Ventura County Republican Central Committee. Add to that he is running in an election and Mark Lunn is literally a politician.

When he denies that he is a politician he insinuates that elected office public service is something unseemly that shouldn't be admired. If he has a problem with the ways politicians act he should set a better example instead of denying the obvious.