Latest News & Statements

Statement on LA County BOS vote on Permanent Vote-By-Mail

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to 

LA County Board of Supervisor's Vote on Permanent Vote-By-Mail

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to the LA County BOS vote today on permanent vote-by-mail across the county, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“Voting is a fundamental right, and one that should be accessible to all eligible voters here in LA County and across the nation. I’m proud that our LA County Supervisors have voted unanimously on Supervisor Hahn and Supervisor Kuehl’s proposal to send a vote-by-mail ballot to all voters in all elections, starting this November. While Donald Trump and Republicans are doing everything they can to suppress the vote, our  LA County leaders along with Secretary Padilla are leading the way for what should become the future of voting in this country. As we helped lead this charge before the primary, we look forward to working with the LA County Registrar’s office and leading get-out-the-vote efforts this fall to make sure that ALL voters know their options of how and when to vote this November."

Statement on Martinez/Benitez Lawsuit against Governor Newsom

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to 

Martinez/Benitez Immigrant Relief Lawsuit against Governor Newsom

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to the recent lawsuit from Republicans, Councilwoman Jessica Martinez and Valley resident Ricardo Benitez against Governor Newsom, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“While Governor Newsom is leading our state to ensure the safety and health of all Californians, Republicans like Assembly candidates, Whittier City Councilwoman Jessica Martinez and San Fernando Valley candidate Ricardo Benitez are teaming up with a right wing extremist organization to deny earned assistance from millions of working families. At a time when our leaders should be finding ways to provide adequate economic relief to all residents who continue to provide their salaries,  these two are actively engaging in the exact opposite - which is not consistent with our values in this state and our county. LA Democrats and I believe in the Governor, and  stand with the residents of the 57th and 39th Assembly Districts, and call on Martinez and Benitez to recuse themselves from this frivolous lawsuit.” 

Statement on Mayor's State of the City 2020

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to 

Mayor Garcetti's 2020 State of the City Address

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to Mayor Eric Garcetti's 2020 State of the City Address, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“In these unprecedented times, the safety, health, and recovery of our residents and workers here in LA County and across the City of Los Angeles should remain the highest priority of our elected officials. From his aggressive approach in response to the affects of COVID-19 including the formation of the new CARES Corps, to calling on Congress to address our infrastructure needs, continuing to address our homelessness, climate, and education crises, and strengthening our city services, tonight Mayor Garcetti has continued to show us he’s committed to leading by example. The Los Angeles Democratic Party looks forward to working with him, President Martinez, our city leaders and more in addressing and prioritizing the issues that we believe in and working on behalf of all Angelenos.”

What you need to know about the Ethnic Studies Bill, AB 1460

Discussions on AB 1460 have been temporarily halted by the Sacramento State Faculty Senate due to the impact of COVID-19 on campus. The State Hornet put together an FAQ on what students need to know about the bill when deliberations move forward.

Chair's 2020 Easter Message

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez sends blessings this Easter

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“Christians all over the LA County and around the world are ending this Holy Week, remembering a story of salvation, grace, and sacrifice - that …”who ever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” This Easter, while those celebrating may not be able to have an annual Easter egg hunt, or break bread together with their families, I  know that we will emerge with a revived sense of graciousness, compassion, and purpose to help our community and those in need. Wishing you and your families a blessed, safe, and joyful Easter."

Chair's 2020 Passover Message

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez extends warm wishes this Passover

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“Tonight, our Jewish families, friends, neighbors, and strangers begin sharing with each other the story of Exodus. Like this and many rituals marking the beginning of Pesach, or Passover, here in LA County, America, the State of Israel and around the world this is a time of redemption, blessings, and an opporutnity to renew a belief that our future remains hopeful in these uncertain times - even when so many won’t be able to celebrate together this year. Los Angeles Democrats remain truly dedicated to the principles of peace, freedom and unity, and send our best and warmest wishes this season. Chag Sameach."

LA County Supervisors' Attempt to Remove Sheriff as head of Emergency Services

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to 

LA County Supervisors' attempt to Remove Sheriff as head of Emergency Operations

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  In response to the LA County Board of Supervisors' attempt to remove the Sheriff as the head of emergency operations, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“Timing is everything - especially during a pandemic. The Kathryn Barger-led efforts to remove emergency operations from the Sheriff’s oversight during a crisis is woefully inappropriate and concerning. The time for any personal or petty politics right now is over. It's high time for the Board of Supervisors to be working with Sheriff Villanueva to ensure that LA County residents remain safe, and continue coordinating and supporting LA County health departments, homelessness outreach, housing placement and other emergency services during this time.”

Urging Governor to Expand "Emergency Worker" Classification

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez urges Governor Newsom to expand "Emergency Worker" Classification

 

LOS ANGELES, CA --  Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“'Essential.' That’s the word we’re seeing thrown around during this pandemic. I’ve seen first hand the incredibly essential work of our first responders, transportation services, restaurant chefs, and grocery store workers out on the front lines for residents of Los Angeles County. This unprecedented time requires unprecedented real time decisions to continue to protect workers who are out working for us. I  stand with the International Union local 770, UFCW 770, UFCW 1428 and all of our brothers and sisters in labor, and support their advocacy on behalf of grocery store workers, pharmacists, delivery drivers and more across LA County, calling on the governor to classify and treat those workers as “emergency workers.” Workers, union and non-union, should not be worried about their safety and the safety of their families, while working to keep our shelves stocked or our medicine re-filled - we should be protecting them by any means necessary. I  urge Governor Newsom to work with local unions to make sure their workers are protected as they continue to do the essential work they’re being asked to do.”

Response to Trump's Coronavirus Rhetoric

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to Donald Trump's hateful rhetoric during this Coronavirus Crisis

Nation's largest county Democratic Party responds to the president's hateful and divisive rhetoric 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA --  In response to Donald Trump's hateful and targeted rhetoric in this time of global crisis, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“The world and our country is going through an existential crisis that is testing the very fabric of our democracy. As the leader of the free world, the President of the United States should be leading by example. Since the moment he announced his candidacy, Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric about minorities and global partners  continues to be divisive and unbecoming. Using an ethnic-specific term like “Chinese Virus” to refer to COVID-19 or Coronavirus is just that - hateful - and has no place in ensuring the safety and security of our nation during this challenging time. I’m proud of the work Governor Newsom, our state legislature, Mayor Garcetti and our elected officials at City Hall and here in LA County have done over the past few weeks to make sure that our communities will be able to get through this and back to our daily lives.”

Response to Secretary Padilla's Vote-By-Mail directive to LA County

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez responds to Secretary of State Alex Padilla's call for mandatory Vote-By-Mail Ballots in LA County for the General Election

Nation's largest county Democratic Party responds to Secretary Padilla's call for mandatory vote-by-mail ballots

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA --  In response to Secretary Padilla's latest statement on vote-by-mail ballots for the upcoming general election in LA County, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J. Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"I    welcome the call from Secretary Padilla to the LA County Registrar's office to mail every registered voter in our county a mail-in ballot for the 2020 General Election - 30 days prior to the election. There's a difference between voter suppression, and unintentionally suppressing the vote, and unlike our Republican colleagues across the country, we should be doing everything we can to ensure that all Angelenos can exercise their right to vote. From same-day voter registration, paid return postage, voter pre-registration and more, we continue to be a leader in this area. However, barriers like the ones thousands of voters experienced on Primary Day due to the new voting machines is unacceptable. We look forward to continuing to work with the Registrar's office improve our election system over the next few months."  

Long lines, frustration push new LA voting system’s debut deep into the night

In an election marred by long lines, hours-long waits and frustratingly few answers from officials, hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles County voters cast their ballots on Super Tuesday during the first high-pressure run of the county’s mammoth voting overhaul.

Los Angeles County’s bold effort to improve voting leads to malfunctioning equipment, long lines and angry voters

A new voting system in Los Angeles County faced its first big test on Super Tuesday, the culmination of a decade of work on what was envisioned as a model for the nation. But technical glitches caused hours-long lines across the county — the largest in the country with more than 5 million registered voters — and harsh criticism from candidates, voters and political parties.