Who We Are

PDN is a state-wide network of experienced grassroots organizers volunteering to identify, vet and support progressive ADEM candidates that are committed to eliminating the influence of corporations and special interests that infect Democratic politics with an agenda that does not prioritize the needs of real people. Local volunteers are armed with national campaign infrastructure and proprietary technology to ensure that progressive voters in each district are engaged with the information they need to vote for progressive delegate candidates.

Progressive activists in the California Democratic Party face two challenges in delegate elections. First, many candidates use the term ‘progressive’ to get elected but then do not adhere to those values in their votes. Second, progressive candidates often join ‘unity’ slates in good faith with other Democrats and power them to victory only to be sidelined as their slate colleagues collaborate with elected officials that put corporate interests ahead of real people. Both of these patterns drain strength from the progressive movement and essentially steal Party delegate votes that could have been centering progressive values. PDN is a solution to these challenges.

In the most recent presidential primary, the results showed that progressive activists can win any district in the state if they are organized and provided with some basic infrastructure. Funding for PDN is mostly from individual progressive activists across the state. We have also received financial and/or logistical support from trusted progressive organizations; Roots Action and Our Revolution. We do not accept corporate contributions. We understand that corporate Democrats, elected officials, and special interests will vastly outspend us but money does not equal votes. Superior organizing and a connection to the grassroots is how we win.

PDN is operated through a consensus model of organizing led by the following volunteers working with local assistance (listed in alphabetical order by last name, affiliations provided for identification only and do not imply endorsement):

James Albert, California Democratic Party Central Committee Member

Vinnie Bacon, Alameda County Democratic Party

Karen Bernal, CDP Progressive Caucus Chair Emeritus, AD 7

Katie Chan, CDP Progressive Caucus Secretary, CDP Delegate, Vice President of Feel the Bern Democratic Club, Los Angeles County, AD49

Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, CDP Progressive Caucus SoCal ViceChair, CDP Executive Board Member AD65

Emma Jenson, CDP Progressive Caucus Parliamentarian, Our Revolution OC, AD 73

Nathan Kempe, CDP Executive Board Member AD 58 

Bill Lackemacher, former CDP Delegate, RootsAction.org, AD 7

Helene Rouvier, CDP Progressive Caucus NorCal ViceChair, CDP Delegate, AD 2

Amar Shergill, CDP Progressive Caucus Chair, CDP Executive Board Member, AD 9

Alfred Twu, CDP Delegate, Sunrise Movement, AD 15