Paid for by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party
FEC ID #C00300731
1846 – Founding of the California Democratic Party
The California Democratic Party was founded in 1846.
1852 – Los Angeles County Democratic Party Fully Organized
The party was fully organized in 1852 as the Democratic Central Committee of the County of Los Angeles (DCCCLA). John W. Shore served as the first chairman.
1853 – DCCCLA Collaboration with Other County Parties
By 1853, the DCCCLA began collaborating with nearby counties. The LA County Committee worked alongisde Democratic organizations from San Bernardino and San Diego counties in order to organize nominating conventions for state and local races. 
1860 – First Endorsements
During the 1860 general election, DCCCLA affirmed a resolution endorsing John C. Breckenridge and Joseph Lane. The party also promoted the "equality of states" at a time in which the party was anti-abolitionist.
1888 – Los Angeles Hosts State Convention
DCCCLA successfully lobbied the State Committee to choose Los Angeles to host the state convention.
1897 – Public Stand Against Corruption
During the later years of the 1890s, Northern California politics was inundated with bossism and corruption. During this time, the LA County Democrats took a public stand against corruption and bossism.
1898 – Public Stand Against Railroad Tycoons
The LA Democrats once again took a public stand, only this time it was against railroad tycoons that were interfering with and disrupting many Democratic politics and their undue influence on the Republican party.
1904 – Election Platform and Endorsements
The 1904 General Election showcased many of the platform points and initiatives that the DCCCLA endorsed and promoted. Such platform included points on anti-corruption, endorsement of the referendum and the 'direct legislation' approach to California politics, while promoting the outlawing of professional lobbying in the state legislature.
1906 – State Democratic Convention in LA
The organization successfully lobbied to bring the state convention to Los Angeles for the second time. The committee included numerous labor representatives in the convention’s planning process, showing the growing labor influence in politics.
1906 – Hosted the State Central Committee Banquet
During the start of the progressive era, Los Angeles began to rise in prominence and quickly became a major political epicenter in the state of California. This year marked the first time DCCCLA hosted the State Central Committee Banquet.
1906 – DCCCLA Chooses Reform over Party Politics
In a rare move, the county party declined to run a county ticket, citing corruption within the Republican-controlled local government. Rather, they urged voters to support an independent reform movement, prioritizing good governance over party loyalty.
1908 – County Democrats Oppose Corporate Tax Loophole
During the 1908 general election, the DCCCLA actively campaigned against Proposition 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have slashed taxes on corporations and restricted their payments to only state funds rather than local funds. Their opposition contributed to the rejection of the amendment further aligning the party with efforts to maintain local revenue and limit corporate influence.
1908 – County Party Aligns with Organized Labor
The DCCCLA affirmed labor’s right to organize and adopted pro-labor resolutions, marking a key alliance between the Democratic Party and the labor movement in LA. Labor leader W.A. Engle, president of the Central Labor Council of Los Angeles, praised the Democrats for listening to workers’ demands while condemning the Republican Party’s refusal to engage.
1910 – LA Democrats Trailblaze Citizen Engagement with Government
The county party implemented a very successful local initiative, referendum, and recall process that empowered citizens to directly shape government and hold their elected officials accountable. Its success in Los Angeles County inspired the California Democratic Party to adopt a similar measure in its statewide platform.
1910 – Opposed the Southern Pacific Railroad's Political Power
In the 1910 state elections, Los Angeles Democrats joined a broader coalition aimed at curbing the Southern Pacific Railroad’s excessive influence over California politics, largely enabled by the Republican Party.
1910 – Successful Party Organization
Under Chairman Norton’s leadership, the county party achieved a fully unified and efficient party organization across Los Angeles County for the first time. Norton also became the first Southern Californian to serve as an officer in the state Democratic Party, marking a shift in influence as the county party distanced itself from Southern Pacific Railroad’s political control. Congressional candidate Lou Guernsey, post East Coast trip, highlighted the admiration eastern democratic organizations had for the LA party's effort to fight the Southern Pacific bosses, while becoming a strong party through grassroot efforts.
1911 – Women Enfranchisement in California
The 1911 California ballot featured the question "Should women be allowed to vote?". Los Angeles voting yes to this was a key factor in women across California getting the right to vote. After this election, the role of women in LA Democratic politics drastically increased -- with two women being appointed precinct organizers in 2 LA county precincts.
1938 – Crucial Role in Electing Democrat for CA Governor
The 1938 California Gubernatorial race featured Culbert L. Olson (D) running against incumbent Frank F. Merriam (R) in which the LA County Party helped organize and rally voters in support of Olson, securing him a victory and making him the first Democrat elected as Governor of California in 44 years.
1938 – DCCLAC Rallies Behind Women
The late 1930s marked a pivotal point in Democratic politics. Now, the county party now was in full swing when it came to supporting Democratic Women's clubs and supporting the candidacy of many female politicians.
1946 – Against American Forces Intervening in Europe
Following the tragedies of WWII, many grew wary of entagling the U.S. in another foreign conflict. In order to align with labor unions, and other democratic supporters, the LACDCC supported a more diplomatic approach for foreign affairs.
1959 – County Hosts Grassroots Workshops
The county party began hosting grassroots workshops to train local activisits in precinct organization, candidate selection, campaign management, and political fundraising. Such efforts laid the groundwork for a more organized and community driven Democratic presence across the county.
1973 – LA Elects its First Black Mayor
Through a multicultural coalition, Los Angeles elected its first Black Mayor in Tom Bradley. This victory brought in a new face of progressive leadership to such a big city -- Mayor Bradley would go on to serve five terms in this office.
1980 – Focus on Local Issues
While federal politics began to see a rise in conservatism, Los Angeles County Democrats continued to work against harmful policies that threatened welfare and other public benefits. The LACDP truly saw a shift to addressing local issues and engaging with the local Los Angeles communities.
1992 – LA County's Vote Helps Shift CA to a Solid Blue State
In 1992, Los Angeles County delivered a decisive vote that helped propel Bill Clinton to the White House—marking a turning point that began California’s shift into a reliably blue state.
1992 – Civil Unrest Leads to Addressing Deep-Seated Issues
In 1992, the Los Angeles Riots—sparked by the acquittal of officers in the Rodney King case—exposed deep racial and economic inequalities. The LACDP and local leaders began to grapple with how to confront these systemic issues and advocate for meaningful reform.
1992 – Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein Elected to the U.S. Senate
The 1992 election marked by an unusually high voter turnout in Los Angeles neighborhoods helped Barbara Boxer secure a narrow victory over a heavily financed Republican opponent. Alongside joint campaign efforts with Dianne Feinstein, both candidates were elected to the U.S. Senate, marking a historic moment for California Democrats by sending two women to the U.S. Senate.
1994 – Opposition to Proposition 187
The LACDP took a leading role in opposing Proposition 187, which sought to deny public services to undocumented immigrants. Their efforts helped mobilize immigrant communities and strengthen long-term Democratic support across California.
2000 – Key Congressional Win
In 2000, Democrat Adam Schiff unseated a long-time Republican incumbent in California’s 27th Congressional District—a key victory fueled by LACDP support and strong grassroots campaigning. The win marked continued progress in solidifying California as a Democratic stronghold.
2022 – Mayor Bass Elected as the First Woman Mayor of LA
In the 2022 election Karen Bass made history by becoming the first woman elected as mayor of Los Angeles. Her victory was attributed to a robust grassroots campaign that resonated with a diverse coalition of voters, emphasizing unity and change for the city.
2024 – Key House Seats Flipped
The LACDP played a pivotal role in helping Democrats win key key seats, including George Whitesides and Derek Tran’s wins in competitive districts.
2024 – Resistence and Redefining
Following the 2024 election, the LACDP began a new era marked by resisting harmful policies enacted by the Trump administration. This era also served as a redefining moment for LA County Democrats and the role the party would undertake heading into the future.
