Jon Katz

This is a deeply challenging moment for our nation as an openly fascist president re-takes control after we worked so hard four years ago to defeat him. And, this is also a challenging time for our own region, as so many of our friends and neighbors have lost so much to the wildfires that have plagued LA County this year. Through these twin challenges, I am inspired to serve for another two year term as delegate to ensure that our Democratic Party and our elected representation reflects the needs of our district.

As AD51 delegates, we will endorse in open seats for Governor, State Senate, and many other competitive races. It is easy for candidates to talk like a progressive. It’s much harder to demonstrate a track record of progressive ACTION. Which of the candidates seeking our endorsement understand how climate inaction directly resulted in the thousands of lost homes we saw in the Palisades and Altadena this year? Which candidates will stand up to the corporations who believe the government exists in order to help them make more profit, and hold them accountable for their actions which have enabled fascism and led to the devastating fires in our region? Now is the time to not just “resist” but OPPOSE these corrosive forces in our society. As Dr. King taught us, we must not let recent political setbacks cause us to give into the “tranquilizing drug of gradualism.”

I have served as a Democratic delegate from Santa Monica for more than twelve years. I have also served as the President of the Santa Monica Democratic Club for eight years. I am not interested in seeking public elected office; my service to my community is through political action and the betterment of our community by electing progressive leaders to all offices that represent our region.

This is why I am running for delegate and why I am teaming up with my friends on the Progressive Slate. With this group, we will together demand that California remains a beacon of progressive leadership against the fascist regime and do right by our neighbors who have lost everything.