by DSA Political Consultant John Wainio
Political Action Committee Organized
Special thanks to these DSA members who have volunteered to serve as members of the 2021 DSA Political Action Committee: Aaron Montan, Bryan Bentley, Jake Klepach, Mark Bryan, Dave Schaller, Jonathan Tippin, Tony O’Boyle, Pat McEvoy, Marlon McCurdy, and Robert Miller.
The DSA Political Action Committee interviews candidates seeking an endorsement from the DSA and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on all candidate endorsements, ballot measure positions, and PAC donations and expenditures.
The PAC will be giving special attention to the Sheriffs race in 2022. Other races of interest include the upcoming Special Election to replace Assemblymember Shirley Weber, who has been appointed as California Secretary of State, and the races for County Board of Supervisor and District Attorney in 2022.
Sacramento Watch
The DSA worked with other large law enforcement agencies throughout the state to successfully block several ill-conceived bills last fall. Not surprisingly, many of those bad ideas are back this year – and the DSA is reaching out to legislators and forming coalitions to fight these bills again.
While many of the current proposals masquerade as reforms, they actually include provisions that seek to undermine respect for law enforcement and cripple our ability to maintain the peace.
Sacramento Politicians have introduced bills that would effectively defund our local police departments here in San Diego County. The bills would increase lawsuits against our cities, including instances where officers do not use any force or make any arrests. There is research and literature on common-sense actions the state can adopt to meaningfully improve community policing, but increasing lawsuits against our cities is not in any of the recommendations.
The DSA will continue working to maintain and enhance high standards of recruitment, training, professionalism, transparency, and accountability within our profession. We must keep up the fight for common-sense reforms and oppose dangerous legislation that will make California more unsafe.