GRASSROOTS AND PARTY ACTIVISTS BACK CONGRESSWOMAN HAHN FOR CA-44

Hahn Expands Network Base of Supporters and Ground Troops for Re-Election Campaign

SAN PEDRO, CA- Several key grassroots activists and Democratic Party leaders announced their endorsement today of Congresswoman Janice Hahn in her re-election campaign for the new 44thCongressional District.

“Times are tough, and Washington is stuck in absolute gridlock,” said Jimmie Woods Gray, past Chair of LA County Democratic Party, LA City Commissioner* and Member of the New Frontier Democratic Club. “We need representatives who are willing to roll their sleeves up, take charge, and stand up for what’s right, while at the same time building consensus so that we can pass legislation that creates good middle class jobs.”

“I worked day and night from February to July to ensure Congresswoman Janice Hahn won her recent Special Election,” said Robert Brandin, 1st Vice President of the San Pedro Democratic Club. “I helped establish and manage phone banks all across the Harbor Area.  I walked precincts for her because I knew she would stand up for ordinary people and fight for all members of our community. I happily endorse her for re-election, and I intend to get right back in it; reaching out to voters asking them to get involved and make it happen.”

“Janice is my candidate for the new 44th Congressional District,” said Michael Chernus, member LA County Democratic Party Central Committee*, and member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board*. “As a former labor leader, and party activist, I take my endorsements very seriously, and I only choose candidates who I know will be champions for labor and the working middle class, and that’s why she’s got my support.”

“I am proud to enthusiastically endorse Congresswoman Hahn,” said Tonia Reyes Uranga, Former Long Beach Councilwoman and member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board*. “She’s proven herself countless times to be a strong advocate for women and working families, and she’s not only a leader, but she’s someone that I know will fight for our community.”

“It is truly an honor to have the support of so many dedicated local Democratic Party leaders and grassroots activists,” said Congresswoman Hahn. “I plan to fight hard to win this race—and that means knocking on doors, making phone calls, and talking to residents about my plans to create more good jobs, grow our economy, ensure access to healthcare, fix our schools, and maintain a safe environment for our communities.”

Those endorsing Hahn today include:

  • Jimmie Woods Gray, past Chair of LA County Democratic Party, LA City Commissioner*, and Member of the New Frontier Democratic Club
  • David Greene, President of the San Pedro Democratic Club*
  • Robert Brandin, 1st Vice President of the San Pedro Democratic Club*
  • Dan Medina, President of the Mexican American Democratic Club*
  • Julian Burger, President of the Progressive Democratic Club*
  • Michael Chernus, member LA County Democratic Party Central Committee*, and member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board*
  • Sergio Carillo, Region 17, Director for the California Democratic Party*, and member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board*
  • Carmen O. Perez, Former Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee and Former Port Commissioner in Long Beach*
  • Alex Rooker, First Vice-Chair of the California Democratic Party
  • Ray Cordova, Chair of South County Labor*, and California Democratic Party Executive Board Member*
  • Cory Allen, – President of the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club*, and Los Angeles County Regional Director, California Young Democrats*
  • John W. Frierson, Board Member of the New Frontier Democratic Club and State Chair of the Athletic Commission*
  • Tonia Reyes Uranga, Former Long Beach Councilwoman and member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board*
  • Lena Gonzalez, Vice President of the Long Beach Democratic Club*, 44th District Resident
  • Becca Doten, Treasurer of the Women’s Caucus of the California Democratic Party*, and member of the Democratic National Committee
  • Jacob Haik, LACDP Co-Committee member & CA Democratic Party Delegate
  • Thomas O’Shaughnessy, Region 3 Vice Chair of Los Angeles County Democratic Party*
  • Joseph Pinon, Environmental Commissioner, City of Carson*
  • Carson City Treasurer Karen Avilla, board director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)*
  • Louis Dominguez, San Pedro Resident, Educator and Veteran
  • Suzanne Dominguez, Librarian and San Pedro Resident
  • Irene Mendoza, past President and board member of the Harbor Area Gang Alternatives Program (GAP)*, board member of the Grand Vision Foundation*
  • Ken Melendez, Co-Chair Port of Los Angeles Community Advisory Committee (PCAC)*
  • Joeann Valle, CEO of the Harbor City/Harbor Gateway Chamber of Commerce*
  • Esther Cepeda-Hatch, Commissioner, Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, City of Los Angeles*
  • Hector Cepeda, Longshoreman and Wilmington Community Leader
  • Alma and Ignacio Ortiz, Owner, Hojas Tea House in Wilmington
  • Ernie Lee, Executive Director, Korean Friendship Bell Preservation Committee*
  • Don Dear, Director, West Basin Municipal Water District*
  • Ethraim Mendoza, board member of National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Carson Chapter (NARFE)*
  • Alene Harris, Chairperson of Parks & Recreation Commissioner, Carson*, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • William Serrato, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Judy Burch, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Rosellen Trunnell, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Pat Hannah, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Raymond Green, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • William Roberson, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Janice Schaefer, Member of Progressive Democratic Club and Gardena Democratic Club
  • Frances Cottrell, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Edolia Austin, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Mary Wilson, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Albert Bolis, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Joseph Davis, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Arthur Macias, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Art Gerst, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Jim Brandt, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Richard Vaugh, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Kanji Sahara, Member of Progressive Democratic Club
  • Richard Schwartz, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • William Davis, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • Steve Vavalyay, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • Al Bolis, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • Raul Murga, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • Fred Credd, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • George Castro, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • Jim McGreevy, Member of Gardena Democratic Club
  • Wilbur Sato, Member of Gardena Democratic Club

In addition to today’s endorsements, Congresswoman Hahn has also won the bulk of endorsements from labor groups and local elected officials throughout the new 44th Congressional District.

Earlier this week Hahn secured endorsements from the City of Lynwood’s Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Morton, City Clerk Maria Quinonez, and current City Treasurer and Councilman-elect Salvador Alatorre.

Hahn has also won endorsements from South Gate City Councilmembers Gil Hurtado and Henry Gonzalez; Long Beach City Councilmembers Robert Garcia, Gerrie Schipske, and Tonia Reyes Uranga (Ret); Carson Mayor Jim Dear, Mayor Pro-Tem Julie Ruiz-Raber, Councilmember Elito Santarina, City Clerk Helen Kawagoe, and City Treasurer Karen Avilla; Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and City Councilmembers Ed Reyes, Richard Alarcon, and Jose Huizar.

Congresswoman Hahn’s long list of labor supporters has continued to grow and includes, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 105, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 18, Laborers (LiUNA) Local 300 and 802, Unite HERE, United Steel Workers (USW), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770, Operating Engineers Local 12, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1277, Transportation Communications Union (TCU), Iron Workers Local 433, Sailor’s Union of the Pacific (SUP), Seafarers International Union of North America (West Coast Region), UA Local 78 Plumbers, United Industrial Workers, Los Angeles Port Police Command Officers Association (LAPPCOA), Inlandboatmen’s Union SCR, and the International Organizations of Masters, Mates and Pilots.

*Titles for identification purposes only

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Congresswoman Hahn is the only incumbent member of Congress in the new 44th Congressional District.  She has been a resident of San Pedro for two decades, and raised her three children in the community.  The Congresswoman has represented the Harbor-Area and Watts communities for more than a dozen years, as a member of the Los Angeles City Council and an elected member of the Los Angeles Charter Commission. *

California’s new 44th Congressional District includes the communities of Watts, San Pedro, Wilmington, Carson, South Gate, Compton, Lynwood, parts of Long Beach, and Walnut Park. *