Take Back Red California (TBRC) is a grassroots coalition that connects northern California Democrats in urban counties with northern California Democratic activists working in rural counties especially on a local level. Click here to learn more. 

THANK YOU!

Dear Supporter,

On behalf of Take Back Red California (TBRC) and the candidates and campaigns we endorsed, thank you very much for contributing to our efforts during this election!

The results of this cycle have challenged the concept of perennially "safe Republican seats,"  and developed a strongly energized Democratic base in regions that had been ceded to conservatives for decades.

In several of the campaigns that TBRC supported, the races are still too close to call. We are awaiting the final counts from the registrars offices. As soon as we have the finals, we will post them on the website and send out an email blast.

The very fact, that things are too close to call in areas that were never even considered contestable, is a great leap forward. We could not have done it without your investment in TBRC, and the campaigns directly.

Over the next year, TBRC will focus on strengthening county Democratic infrastructure, training, and improving support systems in order to prepare for the next election cycle. We hope that we can count on your support during this time as well.

Again, thank you. We could not have accomplished this incredible forward momentum without your help.

Warmly,

four waters

Chair, Take Back Red California

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Take Back Red California (TBRC) supports Democrats, up and down the ticket, in northern and central California:  http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/10/the_final_push.html

New Endorsements:

MICKEY HARRINGTON (AD 3) – Mickey is a union leader who favors single-payer health care, improved working conditions, and support for education in his race against Yuba County Supervisor Dan Logue for the seat vacated by Rick Keene, who was termed out. Republicans have a 41% to 34% registration advantage in this sprawling district, which takes in most of Butte County as well as Lassen, Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, Yuba, and a bit of Placer. But Mickey gained name recognition in his campaign against Keene in 2006 and deserves support. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, click here.

JOHN EISENHUT (AD 26) – John is a Turlock almond farmer and former school board member who has the advantage of a slight edge in voter registration in his effort to replace termed-out Republican Greg Aghazarian. His opponent, Bill Berryhill, lacks political experience but had a slight lead in fundraising in the summer quarter. John’s polling, however, indicates that the race is tied. The district includes the eastern half of San Joaquin County, including part of Stockton, and the western half of Stanislaus County, with a population that is 33% Hispanic. To learn more about, support, or become involved in this campaign, click here.                   

GRACE BENNETT (Siskiyou County Supervisor, Dist. 4) – Grace has served three terms on the Yreka City Council and was mayor for two of those years. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, click here.                                                        

JIM HARDY (Siskiyou County Supervisor, Dist. 2) -- Jim is currently president of the Board of Trustees of the College of the Siskiyous. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, click here. 

BARBARA SMILEY (El Dorado County Supervisor, Dist. 2) – Barbara has spent her entire career in community development and organizing and has shown that she can work with all types of people to build consensus. She is the only Democrat in this nonpartisan race and has just received the endorsement of the Sacramento Bee. Her campaign is motivating a strong grassroots base. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, click here.

TBRC's Previous Endorsements:

JEFF MORRIS (CD-2) – Jeff is a Trinity County Supervisor whose family has lived in Northern California for six generations. (One of Jeff’s first endorsers, Pete McCloskey, is the former Republican Congressman turned Democrat who rallied support for Jerry McNerney’s 2006 successful Congressional race; many remember McCloskey as the co-founder of Earth Day and a fighter for green causes.) In Jeff Morris, Democrats have found a grassroots-based candidate, with a wealth of policy experience at the local level, who will mount a serious effort to unseat entrenched Republican Wally Herger and strengthen and reenergize Democratic organizations in this district. For more information click here.

ALYSON HUBER (AD-10) – Alyson is an El Dorado Hills attorney and Lodi native, who brings a powerful (and local) personal story to her campaign. This seat (vacated by termed-out Republican Alan Nakanishi) is contested by conservative Republican Jack Sieglock, a former San Joaquin County Supervisor. As California struggles with a record-setting budget mess, the need to win this seat and break the gridlock holding our state hostage is glaringly obvious. Democrats have succeeded in reducing the Republican registration advantage in AD-10 from 4.74% in 2006 to less than 1.97% currently; she is supported by a massive grassroots campaign in her district (which is also working cooperatively with several other candidates, including Joan Buchanan, Bill Durston, Lois Wolk, and local down-ticket races). For more information click here.

CELESTE GARAMENDI (Mayor of Tracy) – Celeste, a long-time community activist, a health care executive, and a mother, is an advocate for smart and balanced growth, historical preservation, and improved youth activities in Tracy. Her Republican opponent, incumbent Brett Ives, won the last election using PAC money from disgraced Congressmen Richard Pombo and John Doolittle, eventually spending up to $135,000 – an unprecedented amount in Tracy politics. Celeste is running for the second time against Ives and Republican Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert. This year, Celeste is helped by an 8% Democratic registration advantage in Tracy and voter dissatisfaction with current city government. To visit our website click here.

Campaign Updates:

DR. BILL DURSTON (CD-3)  Bill’s grassroots campaign is challenging incumbent Republican Dan Lungren on Lungren’s rubberstamp support of Bush policies, especially the war in Iraq. Meanwhile Bill has become an effective fundraiser and campaigner. Volunteers have been canvassing and calling from the campaign’s new office in Fair Oaks, and Bill, an emergency room physician in Sacramento, makes many political house calls. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Bill was keynote speaker for the California Veterans for Obama kick-off event in Sacramento. For more information, click here.

CHARLIE BROWN (CD-4)  Retired Air Force officer Charlie Brown’s campaign against career politician Tom McClintock is gathering momentum. More than 150 volunteers gathered at the campaign’s regional offices on a recent Saturday to walk precincts, telephone voters, and write cards and letters. Recently, Charlie distributed another $30,000 as part of his ongoing commitment to dedicate 5% of his campaign funds to service providers who aid military veterans in the area. With strong support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) backing up Charlie’s own fundraising success, an active grassroots campaign, and a current lead in the polls (43-41), we are convinced that he can overcome the large Republican advantage in voter registration. For more information, click here.

CONGRESSMAN JERRY MCNERNEY (CD-11)  Environmental organizations played a big part in helping Jerry oust Richard Pombo, the powerful chairman of the House Resources Committee, in 2006. It appears that Jerry will get green support again this year, with the announcement that the League of Conservation Voters has named his Republican opponent Dean Andal to its “Dirty Dozen” list. Andal had a 9% lifetime rating from the League during his four years in the Assembly. Jerry has had a strong fundraising campaign, and volunteers from TBRC and other groups are regularly knocking on doors and phone banking for Jerry. Several political reports have recently listed the race as “leans Democratic". For more information, click here.

Stockton Mayor, Ed Chavez endorses Congressman McNerney. Please click here to read more.