Dear Members, Friends, and Allies,
We are living through a moment that demands moral clarity and political courage. Across the globe and at home, innocent lives are being lost in escalating conflicts in the Middle East and with ICE. We are witnessing a war-hungry executive branch disregard Congress, sidestep democratic process, and violate international laws from Iran to Venezuela. These decisions are being made without the consent of the people, while communities everywhere are left to suffer and grapple with the consequences.
Many of us feel anger. Many feel grief. Many feel powerless. But we are NOT powerless. We must not fight each other and contribute to chaos. Now is the time to lock in. We may be far from Washington (or Mar-a-Lago) but our voices are powerful at the ballot box and in our organizing. If elected officials believe they can take voters for granted, it is our responsibility to prove them wrong. We must show no mercy at the ballot box. We must demand a government that works for the People not the military industrial complex.
These tensions were deeply felt at the 2026 CADEM Endorsing Convention in San Francisco, which I attended as a delegate. Several major statewide races Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Insurance Commissioner resulted in No Consensus, with no candidate reaching the 60% threshold required for endorsement. With crowded fields, this outcome was not entirely surprising and has happened before like the 2018 endorsing convention. More concerning, however, was an attempt to remove critical language from our Party platform including commitments to eliminating poverty, protecting reproductive freedom, and defending environmental protections. An alarm was sounded by delegates such as Susie Shannon and Larry Gross. Delegates organized quickly and a ‘Vote No’ campaign quickly circulated around the delegates. And because of that pressure, the language was restored before the final vote.
That did not happen by accident. It happened because grassroots Democrats refused to stay silent. To me, this moment revealed a growing disconnect between Party leadership and the grassroots. It is also a reminder that representation at every level including within our own Party must be fought for and NOT unilaterally decided among those only loyal to a few instead of the many. If we want a Democratic Party that truly represents working families, we cannot sit on the sidelines.
What does that mean for us? I wish I could say we are in safe hands but we are not, not yet. That means it’s all hands on deck. Local Democratic clubs are not symbolic spaces. They are organizing hubs. They are accountability structures. They are where political power is built from the ground up. But we are stretched thin. Most clubs, including ours, operate entirely on volunteer power. We do not have paid staff. Our ability to organize, advocate, and mobilize depends entirely on member engagement.
People power is our only power. If you’ve been wondering how to make a difference, start here! (incoming call to action)
1. Get Involved with the Club: Attend meetings regularly. Invite a friend. Show up consistently.
2. Join a Committee. We are looking for members interested in: Communications (Newsletter & Social Media), Fundraising and Community Events, Political Committee work focused on legislation and endorsements
3️. Organize With Us. The more active members we have, the more voter outreach, issue advocacy, and accountability work we can accomplish. GOTV never ends.
Reach out to me or any Board member to plug in!
I know this moment feels daunting. It feels exhausting. It feels uncomfortable. But that discomfort is often the signal that change is near. Change is not convenient. It is not tidy. It is not easy. It requires commitment. It requires organization. It requires compassion. And it EVERYONE to get into the game NOW! We cannot wait for someone else to save our democracy or our Party.
When we commit. organize with purpose, and hold power accountable, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. We can bring light to these dark times.
With gratitude and determination,
Jeanna Harris
President
P.S. Click HERE for the full list of CADEM 2026 Primary Endorsements