Latest News & Statements

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez responds to Mayor Garcetti's 2021 State of the City

April 19, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez on Mayor Eric Garcetti's 2021 State of the City

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following Mayor Eric Garcetti's 2021 State of the City, LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez issued the following statement: 

"As Los Angeles County works to get our county of 10 million back on track, tonight in his State of the City, Mayor Garcetti laid out a bold, focused agenda to move LA City forward. From major investments in rental assistance, tackling our homeless crisis and pushing a national right to housing” plan, urgently advancing our climate goals, to a pilot program for universal basic income, Mayor Garcetti reminds us that even in the midst of a pandemic, our work for the people of LA continues. I applaud the Mayor for laying out his vision to ensure that the state of Los Angeles City remains strong. Los Angeles Democrats will continue to stand with our elected leaders in the fight for our families and communities."

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LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez responds to the unveiling of President Biden's $2.2 Trillion American Jobs Plan

March 31, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez responds to the unveiling of President Biden's $2.2 Trillion American Jobs Plan

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following today's unveiling of President Biden's American Job's Plan, LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez issued the following statement: 

"On the heels of the American Rescue Plan, today, President Biden laid out his $2.2 Trillion American Jobs Plan, kicking off an important fight ahead for American workers. Investing in critical infrastructure needs - fixing our roads and bridges, expanding broadband, ensuring that communities have clean drinking water, and shifting to clean energy sources not only will have an massive impact on the largest local economy in the nation here in Los Angeles County, but for all Americans. As the president said, it’s going to take everyone involved unions, corporations, Democrats and Republicans to address our socio-economic challenges, overhaul our economy, and reshape American capitalism. I  encourage all of our Los Angeles  and California Democrats to work to get this legislation passed and on the president’s desk so we can stay on track to building America back better.”

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LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez Statement on the appointment of Rob Bonta as California Attorney General

March 24, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez on the appointment of Assemblymember Rob Bonta as California's new Attorney General

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following the announcement of Rob Bonta as California's newest Attorney General, LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez issued the following statement: 

"I want to congratulate Assemblymember Rob Bonta on his appointment as our next State Attorney General. From his time as a attorney, to his work in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, and as a representative of the people of San Francisco, Rob has proven that he knows how to tackle the big cases on behalf of Californians and win. His work on excessive force, cash bail, and holding those in law enforcement accountable is exactly what is needed in today’s climate as our state’s top law enforcement officer. As only our 2nd Asian and Pacific Islander Attorney General in history, this is not only a great day for our AAPI Californians, but all California.”

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LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez statement on the introduction of AB1400 - California Guaranteed Healthcare fo All Act

February 19, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez statement on the introduction of the
California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

After today's introduction of AB1400 - the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“When President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, Democrats and Americans knew this was the beginning of a long road in ensuring that every American regardless of status, race, gender, employment, or anything else would be provided with adequate healthcare. This pandemic has shown the world, that our healthcare system needs an overhaul and that a just system is the only system. This month, Los Angeles Central Committee was the first in the state to unanimously pass a resolution supporting a Single Payer System in our state, and I  have challenged the 57 other Chairs to  follow Los Angeles in supporting a similar resolution.

Today, Assemblymembers Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), Ash Karla (D-San Jose), and Alex Lee (D-San Jose),  joined by members of the Los Angeles Assembly Delegation, introduced AB1400 - the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act. Democratic leaders know that with the rising cost of healthcare brought on by an industry that is designed for profits over people, that AB1400 would guarantee that Californians are provided with comprehensive, high-quality healthcare. Working with the California Nurses Association, labor unions, and activists this new CalCare Program will establish a much needed and improved Medicare for All-type health care system. While past bills failed to address the critical infrastructure required to overhaul the system, our Democratic leaders have found a way to finance this system, control the costs of health care, and address health care disparities. 


Los Angeles Democrats and my staff have and will continue to work and lead on this important issue, starting with bringing a coalition of Democratic leaders all across the state to support this bill and work with legislatures to get this done and make this truly transformative CalCare system a reality."

 

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez statement on the second acquittal of Donald Trump

February 13, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez statement on the 2nd Acquittal of Donald Trump

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

After today's vote by the United States Senate to acquit Donald Trump in a 57-43 vote, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“Today, 57 courageous Senators voted to hold former President Donald Trump accountable for his actions in inciting violence against the United States and its leaders - the largest bipartisan vote in history to convict an American for high crimes and misdemeanors. Despite today’s acquittal, there is no doubt that Donald Trump is guilty. Just ask Minority Leader Mitch McConnell - he all but said it shortly after voting “Not Guilty.” The cowardly nature of elected leaders like Kevin McCarthy, Mike Garcia, Mitch McConnell and Republicans, should remind all Americans that they will continue to abdicate their role to protect and defend our nation, even when the evidence is right in front of their faces. The Republican Party is still Donald Trump’s Party. 

Democrats will continue to keep our nation safe, while working to get Americans back to work and safely reopen. We will not agonize, but will continue to organize and I  look forward to leading Los Angeles Democrats in that fight.”

 

Mark Gonzalez is one of California's 55 electors and Chair of LA County Democratic Party

From recycling cans as a kid to casting an electoral vote in the 2020 General Election, Mark Gonzalez worked his way up in politics for decades.

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez statement on the second impeachment of Donald Trump

January 13, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez statement on the second impeachment of Donald Trump

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following today's bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives impeaching Donald Trump, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“Last week our nation was under attack from within. Attacked from people who claimed to be “patriots,” but were nothing more than domestic terrorists. Attacked by people who claim to “love America,” but have worked tirelessly to dismantle our democracy and the principles of our country. Attacked by people who took direction from charlatans who’s only goal has been to cling to power, while millions of Americans suffer through a pandemic. The ultimate charlatan, Donald Trump, called those people into action to stage a coup attempt, an insurrection, an attack on our Capitol and our nation’s leaders.

Today, in a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives for the second time in this presidency has voted to impeach Donald Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors - incitement of insurrection. Make no mistake, the president is guilty of not only inciting violence against the Capitol of the nation he swore an oath to protect, but guilty again, of interfering in our democratic electoral process. Trump and his enablers like Congressmembers Kevin McCarthy and Mike Garcia, have failed to up hold their oath of office, and should never be able to hold public office again. The president has, and will continue to be a danger to every single American in this country, Democrat, Republican, or Independents. Now the trial and conviction lies with the senate, and we know that Senator Mitch McConnell is too afraid to do what’s right. Democrats in Los Angeles stand with incoming Senate Majority Leader Schumer and the Senate Democrats in ensuring that Trump his held accountable for his actions.”

 

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez calls on Governor Newsom to apply for ACA Single-Payer Waiver

January 12, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark Gonzalez calls on Governor Newsom to apply for ACA Single-Payer Waiver

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following the vote of the Los Angeles Central Committee to urge the Governor to apply for the state innovation waiver provided in the Affordable Care Act, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"Ten Months of a pandemic has taken lives and livelihoods, shuttered small businesses, and pushed our first responders and healthcare system to the brink. For decades, Democrats have unequivocally stated that “Healthcare is a Right” and have led on the issue of how to ensure that millions of Americans and their families have access to healthcare. When the Affordable Care Act passed Congress in 2010, we knew this was the bridge necessary to get us to Healthcare for All. Los Angeles Democrats have been the leader at the forefront of progressive issues in our state, and tonight our Los Angeles Central Committee has voted to call on Governor Newsom to apply, within the first 100 Days of the Biden Administration, for the 1332 State Innovation waiver and any other applicable waivers needed which will allow California to create a single-payer system as permitted by the Affordable Care Act. With almost 40 million residents in California, a raging pandemic, and crushed healthcare system it’s time for California to lead on this issue and move our state towards a system that works and provides for all."

 

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez calls on the removal of Donald Trump and the resignation, recall, or expulsion of Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Mike Garcia

January 8, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez calls on the removal of Donald Trump and the resignation, recall, or expulsion of Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Mike Garcia

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following the attack on our democracy and Capitol, ignited by rhetoric and actions from Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy and Mike Garcia, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J Gonzalez released the following statement: 

“In 2019 House Democrats introduced and passed the “Securing America’s Federal Elections Act”, or SAFE Act, working to ensure that our election systems across the nation were safe and secure and to provide critical infrastructure to states necessary to protect our right to vote. Unsurprisingly, House Republicans led by Los Angeles/Ventura Congressman Kevin McCarthy voted against this necessary legislation, and Senate Republicans never brought the bill to the floor effectively killing the bill. Those same Republicans attempted to gaslight Americans with their calls for "election integrity" and "election security."

With an all out assault on our democracy from this lawless, outgoing president, Republicans like McCarthy, newly elected Congressman Mike Garcia and their colleagues spent years aiding and abetting him, and weeks after the election successfully convincing each other and a mob of domestic terrorists that the election had “been stolen”, ultimately voting with 131 other House Republicans to invalidate the certified electoral votes of Pennsylvanians and 150 Million Americans. McCarthy and Garcia both swore an oath to protect and defend our constitution from enemies foreign and domestic. They have failed that oath 4 days into the 117th Congress. 

Today, I  join my colleagues in calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment, resignation, or impeachment of Donald Trump, but also call for the resignation, expulsion, or a recall from voters of Kevin McCarthy and Mike Garcia from Congress. Their dereliction of duty makes them unfit to serve and represent the voters of CA-23 and CA-25 or the people of California.”

 

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez statement on the domestic terror activity happening in our Nation's Capitol

January 6, 2021

LACDP Chair Mark J Gonzalez releases statement on the domestic terror activity happening in our Nation's Capitol

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA -- 

Following the news reports of the insurrection on the Nation's Capitol, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark J Gonzalez released the following statement: 

"What’s going on in our Nation’s capitol is no less than insurrection and domestic terrorism. Full stop. These are not protestors, these are terrorists. While our right to protest is fundamental, there is no right to terrorize our leaders, and our fellow citizens.

These domestic terrorists need to be arrested and prosecuted, and our Republican colleagues at the Los Angeles Republican Party, Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson and the California Republican Party, Congressmembers Kevin McCarthy and Mike Garcia, and Congressional Republicans who supported this attempted coup of democracy should and will be held responsible. 

Millions of Americans are fighting for their lives during a pandemic. Our nation should not have to also fight for our democracy. We are thinking of the safety of our Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation, their staffs, families and those in Washington, DC. 

As President-elect Biden said, Donald Trump needs to step up."