A Look Back on an Impressive 2009


  • fourwaters, TBRC Vice Chair

    Although we had no state-wide elections in 2009, Take Back Red California (TBRC) was still hard at work. Just look at what we did in the “off year”...


    In March, TBRC sponsored and co-hosted a northern California training for delegates going to the State Democratic Party Convention. The training was well-attended and helped convention-goers prepare so that they got the most out the convention weekend.


    The April 2009 Democratic State Convention was very exciting. Newly elected CDP Chair John Burton reiterated his commitment to invest in rural counties, and TBRC’s own Hilary Crosby capped off a tremendously successful Grassroots Dinner by announcing that she had just been elected as the new State Party Controller.

    The ’09 Red to Blue Grassroots dinner's honored keynote speaker Governor Howard Dean as the keynote speaker. Gov. Dean personally handed out Ron Platt Courage Awards to each of the awardees: Francine Busby, Dr. Bill Durston, Lt. Col. Charlie Brown, Congressman Jerry McNerny, and Russ Warner.

    In June, TBRC was able to bring a Democracy for America (DFA) Training to Redding. We’d like to thank TBRC members Martha Gamez and Kathy Klein for really taking the lead on the organization of this event; in addition, thanks to the members of the Shasta County Democratic Central Committee and Jeff Morris for their great assistance — as well as DFA (based in Vermont) for their commitment to provide resources to rural, conservative regions.

    Mid-year, TBRC Chair, four waters, was contracted by the new Democratic State Party administration, to help with grassroots outreach, and her work load increased. TBRC co-founder, Mayme Hubert graciously stepped up to become the interim Chair and four waters stepped back into the Vice Chair position.

    In September the California Democratic Party (CDP) Rural Caucus and TBRC co-hosted a Supervisor’s Roundtable focused on training aspiring and newly elected Democrats in conservative regions. Calaveras Supervisor Steve Wilensky and Rural Caucus Chair Jamie Beutler put the event together and are looking to do a follow up event this year.

    Finally on an overcast December morning, several members of TBRC joined many other groups, including the California Young Democrats, labor union activists, and the State Party for a truly enjoyable day-of-action voter registration drive, focused on the overlapping portion of CD3 and AD5. There was great camaraderie, and it was certainly a lot of fun.

    2009 was a very full year... and 2010 will be even bigger!

    four waters, Vice Chair

    home