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California's Democratic Party faithfuls gathered at their annual state convention this weekend, and some Chico State students had front-row seats for the spectacle.
Eleven members of the Student Democratic Club traveled to Sacramento, with some participating as local party delegates.
Junior Caily McElhinny, senior Chris Nowman and sophomore Brian Ray were among the Chico State delegates attending the convention, while senior Aaron Skaggs attended as one of nine Butte County Democratic Central Committee delegates.
Senior Genny McLaren, former managing editor of The Orion, attended as a proxy vote for one of the committee members and had to take an oath at the Butte County elections office in Oroville.
Delegates attended meetings for various interest groups within the party, such as the LGBT Caucus, California College Democrats and the Progressive Caucus, as well as taking part in workshops designed to help build up party membership.
Attendees also decided whether to endorse the upcoming ballot measures known as Propositions 1A through 1F, which would include asking voters to extend new taxes, place long-term spending restrictions on how state government spends its money, and borrow $5 billion from future lottery income.
Eventually, the delegates decided to remain neutral on Proposition 1A, but voted to support Proposition 1B, which would guarantee about $9.3 billion in education funding, and Proposition 1C, which authorizes California to sell about $5 billion in bonds guaranteed by future lottery income.
They stayed neutral on Propositions 1D and 1E, which would move about $900 million from mental health and child development programs into California's general fund, but recommended Proposition 1F for passage, which would prevent legislators from receiving pay raises if a deficit is expected.
They also had the opportunity for a preview of the Democratic candidates for governor, with both San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Jerry Brown addressing the convention.
"I really liked hearing Newsom," McLaren said.
They were also tasked with electing new district directors and a new state party chairperson, which veteran California legislator John Burton won with 76 percent of the vote.
Nowman voted for Burton, even though the 76-year-old does not even own a computer, he said.
"He's been around for a while, but he's got some good ideas for the party," Nowman said. "Technology's not his strong point, but that's what he has us for."
California Democratic Party campaign adviser Bob Mulholland isn't concerned about Burton's technological ability either, Mulholland said.
"John Burton has a great name in politics," he said, noting that Burton has immense credibility with many Democratic constituencies such as labor unions.
More than 700 people between 14 and 35-years-old registered for the convention, according to the Web site youngdems.org.
"People came from all over the state, as far away as San Diego," McLaren said. "That's pretty impressive."
Mulholland was impressed by the amount of student-age attendees at the convention, saying that it was the largest group ever.
"The hallways were just jammed with young people," he said.
Don Bunce can be reached at
dbunce@theorion.com
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