From the Activism Chair
February 2026
by Caryl Schwartz
It’s been a long, stressful year, and we need to lean on each other to stay focused on the prize. The prize is winning elections and gaining control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. We need elected officials with backbones to fight the current authoritarian regime.
On the streets of Minneapolis, we are witnessing a civil war perpetrated by masked and armed federal militia of ICE and CBP agents against citizens with cell phones and whistles. The people who participate in community response against Operation Metro Surge are truly heroes.
Two American citizens were murdered by federal agents. The administration wanted to normalize lethal force as a crackdown tactic. The public outcry has led to cosplaying Nazi “Little Soldier” Bovino being demoted and his government social media accounts closed. Sadistic “Ice Barbie” Kristi Noem needs to go next. It’s doubtful that bribe-accepting White House Border Czar Tom Homan will do things much differently. Spoiler alert: he was a contributor to Project 2025, Trump’s blueprint for his second term in office. It’s a change in the public face, but not the policies of mass deportations and family separations. The truth is, CBP does not belong in American cities.
We must do everything we can to ensure that the bloated DHS budget does not receive additional money. Senators must refuse to fund ICE unless and until there are binding, enforceable reforms that rein in abuses, establish real accountability, and protect basic human rights. Democrats need to stand firm in spite of another potential government shutdown. It’s going to be really hard; the OBBB granted DHS $305 billion, the majority of which bypasses appropriations. Republicans in Congress who have given this president a free pass need to honor their oath of office and stand up to the lawlessness of the current government.
The administration has repeatedly failed to comply with court orders. Judges are going to need to play hardball, like Judge Patrick Schiltz did this week by ordering Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons to appear in court.
Kleptocracy and oligarchy are the operating system in the current regime. Trump has no problem with his family pursuing foreign business deals that enrich him and his family by billions. Trump has successfully monetized his presidency, emboldened by the fact that there are no consequences. SCOTUS granted him immunity, and he dismantled government watchdog agencies.
Blatant lies and cruelty are the dogma of this administration. We have elections in 10 months; the only way to curtail Trump is to win. There is voter suppression and gerrymandering, and it will require a lot of voter outreach and financial support to flip the legislature blue.
Local Elections Matter: Torrance
General Municipal Election: June 2, 2026
Current right-wing Mayor George Chen will be running against City Councilmember Sharon Kalani. I plan on canvassing for Sharon Kalani and hope you will join me.
Councilmembers for Districts 1, 3, and 5
Betty Lieu has filed to run for District 5
City Clerk and City Treasurer
Aurelio Mattucci MAGA City Council Member is running for City Treasurer, no Democrat is running
Democrats politically active in Torrance suggest supporting Griffiths to prevent a MAGA nightmare in the city.
Scheduled Special Elections for 2026
Texas Congressional District 18
Democrat Chris Menefee won the runoff general election on January 31, 2026. The district has been without representation since March 2025, when Democrat Sylvester Turner died of cancer.
What’s really crazy is that a new race for the seat will open up on February 17, 2026, when early voting starts in the March primary in the newly gerrymandered 18th District. Christian Menefee for Congress
Georgia Congressional District 14
Seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene
Election: March 10, 2026
Currently, there are 21 candidates running: 19 Republicans and 1 Democrat, Shawn Harris. Shawn Harris is a retired Army Brigadier General. Georgia state law requires all candidates to run on one ballot. If no candidate wins 50% of the vote, the runoff election is April 7. Early voting begins Monday, February 16.
To donate or volunteer: https://www.shawnforgeorgia.com
New Jersey Congressional District 11
New Jersey's Congressional District 11 Democratic primary was won by Analilia Mejia. It is essential we we send a Democrat to Washington, we can not have another Republican elected to the House to be a rubber stamp for Trump's agenda. General Election is April 16, 2026. Please visit her website to volunteer &/ or donate for her victory @ analiliafornj.com.General election: April 16, 2026
Ohio Senate Special Election
To fill the seat vacated by JD Vance on November 3, 2026. Sherrod Brown is running, and I encourage club members to support him in any way they can.
https://www.sherrodbrown.com/
Florida Senate Special Election
To fill the remainder of Marco Rubio’s term on November 3, 2026
Primary: August 18, 2026
Wisconsin State Supreme Court Election
April 7, 2026
I hope you will join me to phone bank for Chris Taylor, Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge and former Democratic State Representative. Wisconsin Supreme Court: Continue the Fight for Democracy - Call with Swing Blue Alliance · Swing Blue Alliance
Please Support: Organizations Fighting Voter Suppression
Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/about-us/
Fair Fight: https://www.fairfight.com/
Democracy Forward: https://democracyforward.org/
Common Cause: https://www.commoncause.org
Other Organizations
Defending Our Neighbors: https://defendingourneighbors.org/
LA Regional Food Bank: https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/
Senate Campaigns to Support
Re-elect Jon Ossoff (Georgia): https://electjon.com/
Sherrod Brown for Ohio Senate: https://www.sherrodbrown.com/
Chris Pappas for New Hampshire Senate: https://chrispappas.org/
Mary Peltola for Alaska Senate: https://marypeltola.com/
Roy Cooper for North Carolina Senate: https://roycooper.com/
After Democratic primaries, the list will grow to include, but not be limited to, Maine, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas. We need to flip a minimum of five seats. The goal for the House of Representatives is at least 25 seats. Saving democracy is hard work and requires mobilization.
Immigrant Assistance
You can download a printable sheet that outlines what to do if ICE comes to the door here. These can also be ordered as “red cards”.
Here’s a sheet that explains how to identify ICE vehicles and what to do if you see them.
Here are more ways to help immigrants.
South Bay For All – Raising rental aid for immigrant neighbors and helping them run their businesses safely from home. Instagram | southbayforall@gmail.com
Gardena Guardians – Standing in solidarity with Gardena's immigrant community, providing resources and advocacy. Instagram
HILL – Supporting day laborers and immigrant families. Instagram | hillresponseteam@gmail.com
Harbor Area Peace Patrols – A collective of concerned Harbor residents patrolling neighborhoods to defend neighbors from ICE/DHS, sharing Know Your Rights information. Instagram
CHIRLA – A California leader advocating for immigrant rights since 1986, building a just society inclusive of immigrants. Website Please donate to our CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles) fundraiser. Money raised will help this highly-regarded non-profit to help inform immigrants of their legal rights. We have raised just over half of our $5,000 goal.
CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) – Mobilizing the faith community to stand with workers and families for dignity and justice. Website
Immigrant Defenders Law Center – A social justice law firm defending immigrant communities from injustices in the immigration system. Website
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Training advocates, shaping policy, and empowering immigrants through civic engagement and Know Your Rights tools. Website
Action Item
Common Cause is running phone banks to rein in ICE through voter outreach in Republican states.
Here's Indivisible's explainer about the issue and the constraints demanded
Here's an even deeper dive into the issue
Here's a short video tutorial on the Scale to Win platform we'll be using
And here's the Mobilize link to register
For additional activism options and opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at pvcaryl@verizon.net or 310-897-0219.
Please feel free to reach out to me for suggestions or questions on Activism.
Onward,
Caryl Schwartz
Palos Verdes Democrats Activism Chair
pvcaryl@verizon.net
310 897 0219