March 2026 Club Newsletter
What’s In This Month’s Newsletter
Upcoming March Meeting: On Sunday March 15 the Palos Verdes Democrats will present 3 outstanding speakers, author Sasha Abramsky speaking about his new book American Carnage: How Trump, Musk and DOGE Butchered the U.S. Government, California Gubinatorial candidate Katie Porter, and USC Professor and author Steve Posner… read more
President’s Report: It was an honor to represent the Palos Verdes Democrats and the 66th Assembly District as a delegate to the California Democratic Party Endorsement Convention in San Francisco from February 19–22, 2026..…read more
February Meeting Report: The Palos Verdes Democrats was honored to host Antonio Villaraigosa, a candidate for governor, and Dr. Paul D'Anieri, a political science professor at UC Riverside and expert on Ukraine.… read more
2026 Endorsing Convention Report: CADEM delegates met in San Francisco for our 2026 Endorsing Convention. With an open seat for Governor and some other statewide offices…read more
From the Activism Chair: No more money for DHS. Too many Americans and people legally in the country have been beaten, detained, shot and murdered..… read more
Call to Action: Take action to protect democracy. Check out these activism opportunities… read more
South Bay Democrats on Nextdoor: Looking for a safe space to share information and ideas? Join the new South Bay Democrats group on Nextdoor…read more
LACDP February Meeting Recap: LACDP meeting was held on Tuesday, February 10. It took place at the usual location — UTLA headquarters on Wilshire. … read more
AltaSea Tour: In our January club meeting, the Palos Verdes Democrats hosted Terry Tamminen, who is the President/CEO of the non-profit “blue economy” hub AltaSea, based in the Port of Los Angeles…read more
Color Me a Democrat: … See this month’s cartoon
Membership Reminder: Our membership year runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. If your membership is not current, consider joining us. Your membership dues help us inform our members, promote activism, and support candidates! Not sure about your membership status? Click here to find out.
March Meeting
March 15, 2026 @ 2:30 pm
Peninsula Center Library Community Room
By Louis Vandenberg
On Sunday March 15 the Palos Verdes Democrats will present acclaimed author Sasha Abramsky speaking about his new book American Carnage: How Trump, Musk and DOGE Butchered the U.S. Government. This is a sweeping examination and indictment of the political, institutional, economic and democratic wreckage that Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the Heritage Foundation perpetrated on America with a bludgeon called “DOGE.” Masquerading as “efficiency,” the real purpose of DOGE was to fulfil the Heritage Foundation plans to massively reshape the country under a “unitary executive,” with major impacts and consequences, from education, to the economy, to medicine, to everything – but especially people.
Already the elimination of USAID has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, with 14 million more by 2030. Sasha Abramsky is one of the most respected progressive journalists and political analysts writing today. A regular contributor to The Nation, Abramsky has also written extensively for publications including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone. American Carnage is the first book-length reckoning with the consequences of Donald Trump’s war on the so-called "deep state," told through the experiences of eleven fired federal workers as their lives are thrown into chaos.
Next, Katie Porter, the leading Democratic candidate for Governor of California will join us.
Katie Porter brings a distinguished record of public service, scholarship, and advocacy on behalf of working families. She served as the U.S. Representative for Orange County from 2019 to 2025, first representing California’s 45th District and later the 47th after redistricting. Elected during the 2018 Democratic wave that reshaped Orange County politics, Porter quickly gained national recognition for her sharp questioning of corporate executives and government officials—often using her well-known whiteboard to clearly explain complex financial issues. She also served as Deputy Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Steve Posner is a professor at the University of Southern California, with graduate degrees from Harvard and USC. He is the creator of Democracy & the News, a resource designed to help keep his students informed and engaged as voters. He is the author of multiple books, including Israel Undercover: Secret Warfare and Hidden Diplomacy in the Middle East (Syracuse University Press), Billy Graham & Me (Simon & Schuster), and Spiritual Delights & Delusions (Wiley).
President’s Report
By Tim Dixon
The Party of Resolve
It was an honor to represent the Palos Verdes Democrats and the 66th Assembly District as a delegate to the California Democratic Party Endorsement Convention in San Francisco from February 19–22, 2026.
Over three days, organizers, activists, and elected leaders from across California gathered with one shared understanding: this election cycle is not routine — it is pivotal.
We heard from and voted on endorsements for Democratic candidates running for statewide office, including a strong and competitive field for Governor.
I am proud to report two key endorsements:
State Senate: Sion Roy earned the party’s endorsement with a decisive 67% of the vote.
U.S. Congress: Our own Congressman, Ted Lieu, was endorsed for reelection.
In my role as Vice Chair of the CADEM Finance Committee, I worked with colleagues to ensure we are building the financial strength necessary to compete — and win — in the midterms. Campaigns are not won in the final weeks. They are won through disciplined preparation, early organizing, and sustained investment. We are preparing now because the stakes demand it.
Financial strength is the foundation, but our message is the structure we build upon it. Across the country, families are under pressure. Housing costs remain high. Insurance premiums are rising. Healthcare and prescription drugs strain household budgets. Even when economic indicators shift, working families measure the economy by what they feel at the kitchen table.
If we are going to meet this moment, our message must be sharp and relentless. Voters want to know:
Will I be able to afford my life?
Will my retirement be protected?
Will my healthcare remain accessible?
Will my constitutional rights be upheld?
Our answer must be unequivocal. We are the party that:
Protects Social Security and Medicare.
Fights to lower prescription drug and healthcare costs.
Defends civil liberties and constitutional safeguards.
Stands with working families — not corporate power.
We cannot simply be a shield; we must be the sword that fights for the progress and security that everyday Americans deserve.
This necessity was underscored this past Tuesday. Returning home to watch the State of the Union address on February 24th was a sobering experience. We witnessed a display of rhetoric and misinformation rarely seen in the history of our republic.
The President’s speech was a tapestry of falsehoods. He claimed credit for a “booming” economy while ignoring the strain of his own tariffs on working families. Specifically, he touted a “turnaround for the ages” using distorted figures:
The Economy and Inflation: He claimed inflation is “plummeting,” yet families are still seeing grocery prices rise by 2% and medical care by over 3%.
Gas Prices: He boasted about seeing gas at $1.85 a gallon in Iowa, a complete fabrication; the actual price at the time was nearly a dollar higher.
Healthcare Deception: He claimed to have brought prescription drug costs to the lowest in the world, citing “300% to 600%” drops that are mathematically impossible and ignore the reality that millions are currently losing coverage under his administration’s policies.
The vitriol directed at our party was unprecedented. Trump used the podium to call Democrats “crazy” and “lunatics,” and repeatedly claimed that Democrats are “destroying our country.” These are attacks never before seen in a State of the Union address, designed to divide rather than lead.
Perhaps most chilling were the omissions:
Ignoring the Victims: The President refused to acknowledge the Epstein victims present in the chamber. This silence was deafening, especially following news that the DOJ withheld files allegedly implicating him with a 13-year-old victim.
ICE and Domestic Chaos: He remained silent on the chaos in our streets and the killing of Americans caused by his aggressive deployment of ICE.
Trump’s use of fear and division is a calculated tactic used by authoritarians throughout history to consolidate power. By labeling half the country as “enemies,” he seeks to dehumanize dissent and justify extremism. History warns us that when a leader replaces national unity with targeted resentment, they are following a specific playbook designed to dismantle the checks and balances of a free society.
Watching that speech was difficult, but it reaffirmed why we do what we do. We are the last line of defense against a wannabe dictator. We must remain focused, energized, and united to win these midterms and provide the check and balance our democracy desperately requires.
The Work Is Urgent — And It Starts Now. This is not a cycle where we can afford complacency. Margins are thin. Turnout will decide everything. Every conversation, every volunteer shift, every contribution moves the outcome. So, I am asking every member to step forward:
Show up. Join us at the “No Kings” Rally in Torrance on March 28th and stand visibly for democratic principles.
Volunteer. Phone banking and canvassing remain the most effective tools to cut through noise and reach voters directly.
Invest. Contributions to our club, the party, and our endorsed candidates fuel the organizing that wins close races.
We cannot wait for perfect conditions. We cannot wait for someone else to carry the weight. The responsibility belongs to all of us.
If we organize with discipline, speak with clarity, and act with courage, we will not only defend our democratic institutions — we will strengthen them. We will protect economic security for working families. We will restore balance and accountability where it is needed most.
History does not ask whether we were comfortable. It asks whether we showed up. Let us be the generation that showed up. Let us be the majority that stood firm. Let us meet this moment — together — with unmistakable resolve.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the Palos Verdes Democrats and to the fight ahead.
February Meeting Report
By Zoom AI
Villaraigosa's Governor Campaign Platform
Antonio Villaraigosa, a candidate for governor, spoke to the Palos Verdes Democrats about his record and platform. He highlighted his experience as Speaker of the California State Assembly and Mayor of Los Angeles, emphasizing his work on affordable housing, public safety, education, and environmental issues. Villaraigosa addressed concerns about immigration, healthcare, and the high cost of living in California. He promised to take on Donald Trump and fight for working families, while also fixing potholes and improving government services. The audience asked questions about tax protests, winning back middle-of-the-road voters, and healthcare access for undocumented immigrants. Villaraigosa emphasized his commitment to expanding healthcare coverage and addressing the affordability crisis in California.
Environmental and Election Strategy
Antonio discussed his environmental policy approach, emphasizing the need for an "all of the above" strategy while acknowledging his strong record on climate change initiatives. He addressed concerns about federalizing elections, committing to build a national coalition to stop such efforts and defend democracy. Regarding the gubernatorial race, Antonio expressed confidence that a Democrat and a Republican would face off in the general election, despite current polls showing multiple Republican candidates.
Ukraine's War: Origins and Stalemate
Dr. Paul D'Anieri, a political science professor at UC Riverside, discussed the origins and current state of the war in Ukraine. He explained that Russia's refusal to accept Ukraine's independence dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, with Russian leaders consistently seeking to reclaim Ukraine. D'Anieri highlighted that despite Russia's incremental territorial gains in the Donbass region, the war has become a costly stalemate, with both sides enduring significant losses. He noted that peace negotiations are currently far apart, with Ukraine willing to compromise on territory but resistant to Russian demands for neutrality and military limitations. D'Anieri also shared his observations from a recent visit to Kyiv, emphasizing the resilience of Ukrainians despite harsh conditions, and suggested that the U.S. role in the conflict remains ambiguous due to divided political views.
Ukraine's Role in U.S. Foreign Policy
Paul discussed the significance of Ukraine in U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing its role in shaping international politics and the potential for a new era of border changes if Ukraine is defeated by Russia. He highlighted the importance of Ukraine for the U.S., noting its relevance as a "canary in the coal mine" for issues like corruption and sovereignty. Paul also addressed Ukraine's challenges with recruitment and internal corruption, while emphasizing the need for new institutions to combat these issues. He concluded by discussing Russian strategies of distraction and misinformation, as well as reliable news sources for following the conflict.
Ukraine Conflict and Global Security
The discussion focused on the Ukrainian conflict and its implications for global security. Paul explained that the war could have ended earlier if the U.S. had provided more support to Ukraine, highlighting the issue of incrementalism in American strategy. He also discussed the potential impact of the conflict on Vladimir Putin's leadership and the importance of deterrence in preventing a Russian invasion of Western Europe. The conversation touched on Ukraine's technological advancements and its potential to teach NATO new strategies, particularly in drone warfare. Paul also provided insights into the failure of the Minsk Accords, attributing it to the agreement's inability to address the underlying issues and Ukraine's growing national unity.
2026 Endorsing Convention Report
By Connie Sullivan
CADEM delegates met in San Francisco for our 2026 Endorsing Convention. With an open seat for Governor and some other statewide offices, this convention was more exciting than most. Every delegate was expected to vote for statewide offices and some were able to vote in legislative and/or congressional endorsing caucuses as well. We were busy!
The sold-out dinner on Saturday evening honored Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi as she serves out her last term in Congress. There was a lot of love in that room as diners viewed a retrospective of her career and heard from appreciative admirers including Senator Adam Schiff who introduced Speaker Pelosi.
The main item of business conducted at this convention, aside from endorsements, was to pass the party's platform. There were a number of contentious issues that still needed ironing out right up until late Saturday, but in the end delegates were presented with a platform that all interested parties had agreed upon.
The Sunday general session floor packet, including election results and the platform can be found here: https://cdpconvention.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FINAL-2026-February-Convention-Floor-Report-Packet-.pdf
All endorsement results can be found here: https://cadem.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Final-RATIFIED-2026-Primary-Election-Consent-Calendar.pdf
SD 24 - Dr. Sion Roy received the California Democrat Endorsement
AD 66 - No Endorsement
From the Activism Chair
By Caryl Schwartz, Activism Chair
No more money for DHS. Too many Americans and people legally in the country have been beaten, detained, shot and murdered. Last week it was revealed that on March 15, 2025 in Texas ICE murdered a 23-year-old American citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez. There were multiple shots through the driver’s side window. Makes me wonder how many other people may have been executed by ICE when there were no cellphones documenting the incident.
The enormous increase in taxpayer’s money allocated in OBBB for DHS is in reality funding a white supremacist employment program for masked, untrained agents to kidnap people. The abductions financially benefit the security industry, private prisons and detention centers. I find it obscene that our tax dollars are being utilized like this while defunding SNAP, Medical, and Medicare. It is critical to call your Senators and ask friends and family to call: demand not another dime for DHS without guardrails and require they follow the law and utilize judicial warrants.
Good News: Some Republicans in the Senate joined Democrats to VOTE NO on the SAVE Act. The SAVE Act didn’t enhance election integrity; it was a voter suppression bill that will make it more difficult for qualified Americans to vote. While the SAVE Act is currently stalled in the Senate, the House of Representatives has introduced a more diabolical version the SAVE America Act, and supporters of the legislation are seemingly intent on ramming it through Congress at all costs.
OTHER NEWS:
The Department of Homeland Security signed a $1 billion blanket purchase agreement allowing DHS agencies, including ICE and CBP, to buy Palantir software without competitive bidding. The deal expands Palantir’s role in immigration surveillance, targeting, and enforcement. Palantir is helping build the infrastructure of a growing surveillance state with no real guardrails. Immigrants are the test run, and once the system is normalized, it will expand to everyone. (Wired)
FCC, DOJ, FBI are being weaponized. Most recently FCC Chair Brendan Carr confirmed the agency is investigating ABC’s The View over alleged equal-time violations after Democratic candidates appeared on the show. The FCC threatened CBS with the same over Colbert’s interview with Texas Democratic Congressional candidate James Talarico. The segment was removed by CBS and Colbert aired it on You Tube. The Federal regulators are using licensing authority to intimidate free speech.
Threats against judges and officials continue to rise as Trump and his allies repeatedly single out courts and prosecutors. Targeting institutions by name fuels intimidation and weakens judicial independence and the rule of law.
Trump held the first meeting of his self-created Board of Peace and vows $10 billion from U.S. for it without oversight, expanding executive authority and sidelining diplomatic channels. He cited no funding sources, Congressional authorization, or legal framework. He also claimed 7 billion in pledges from 40 countries for Gaza and suggested the body would operate above and oversee the United Nations. (NBC News)
Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance and recently pardoned by Trump, attended a Trump family crypto conference at Mar-a-Lago hosted by World Liberty Financial, marking his first U.S. appearance since serving a federal sentence.
Zhao, a felon whose company paid a record $4.3 billion penalty for money laundering, now has direct access to the president, his family, and senior officials. (WSJ)
Trump pardoned former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez. Our tax dollars paid for the transfer from a high security prison to a luxury New York Hotel. He was convicted for importing more than 400 tons of cocaine into US. The hypocrisy of a convicted drug trafficker receiving a pardon, protection preferential treatment while immigrants with no criminal records are abducted sent to detention and face deportation. (ProPublica).
Call to Action
Take Action to Protect Democracy
By Caryl Schwartz
LOCAL ELECTIONS MATTER:
Current Right-Wing Mayor George Chen will be running against City Councilmember Sharon Kalani
Aurelio Mattucci MAGA City Council Member is running for City Treasurer, no Democrat is running.
Democrats politically active in Torrance recommend supporting Sharon Kalani for Mayor and suggest supporting Griffiths toprevent a MAGA nightmare in the city.
City Clerk and Councilmembers for Districts 1, 3, 5
Betty Lieu has filed to run for District 5
Scheduled Special Elections for 2026:
TX Congressional District 18. Democrat Chris Menefee won the 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 Feb. 17,2026, when early voting starts in the March primary in the newly gerrymandered 18th district. https://christianmenefee.com/
Georgia Congressional District 14 for seat vacated by Margarie 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 votes the runoff election is April 7th. Early voting begins Monday, February 16th. To donate or volunteer:
https://www.shawnforgeorgia.com
New Jersey’s Congressional District 11
Analilia Mejia is the Democratic candidate.
To donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/analiliafornj
Phone banking: https://www.mobilize.us/analiliafornj/
Ohio Senate special election to fill 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 for filling the reminder of Marco Rubio’s term on November 3, 2026. The primary is 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.
https://www.chrisforjustice.com/
Phone banking https://www.mobilize.us/jewishdems/event/908670/
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/
James Talarico for Texas Senate https://jamestalarico.com/
Sherrod Brown for Ohio Senate https://www.sherrodbrown.com/
Chris Pappas for New Hampshire Senate https://chrispappas.org/
Mary Pelota 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 limited to Maine, Iowa, Minnesota. Michigan, Texas. We need to flip a minimum of five Senate seats. Goal for House of Representatives is at least 25 seats. To end our accelerating slide into autocracy 2026 demands we become more effective at reining Trump-Miller-Vance agenda. 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 ITEMS:
Sunday, March 8th Women’s March from Redondo Beach to Manhattan Beach pier along the Strand. 11:00 am -12:30 PM
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblesouthbayla/event/909452/
Saturday March 28th NO Kings Rallies
March from El Prado Park to Torrance City Hall 9:00-10:00 am
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblesouthbayla/event/901076/
Torrance City Hall Rally & Protest 10:30 am- 12:30pm
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/901077/
No Kings LA City Hall 200 Spring Street 2:00 PM -5:30 PM
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/900835/
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
Phone Bank for Analilia Mejia, New Jersey Congressional District 11: https://www.mobilize.us/analiliafornj/
Phone Bank for Chris Taylor Wisconsin State Supreme Court Judge
https://www.mobilize.us/jewishdems/event/908670/
Call your Senators:
VOTE NO on SAVE ACT
VOTE NO to additional DHS funding
For additional activism options and opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at pvcaryl@verizon.net or 310-897-0219.
Thank you,
Caryl Schwartz
Activism Chair
South Bay Democrats on Nextdoor
By Casey Crowe
Looking for a safe space to share information and ideas? Join the new South Bay Democrats group on Nextdoor. If you’re already on Nextdoor, simply search for the group.
LACDP February Meeting Recap
By Jon Munoz
LACDP meeting was held on Tuesday, February 10. It took place at the usual location — UTLA headquarters on Wilshire. A number of speeches addressed the CADEM conference and stressed the need for party unity. Other speeches centered on February as Black History Month and the need to honor, not rewrite, Black history.
As in past months, focus was placed on the off-cycle City Council races in both Lancaster and Whittier. The Whittier race is seen as a key opportunity to flip the council blue, while both races are viewed as opportunities to align election dates with the rest of the state. The Endorsement Committee approved all endorsements for both the Whittier and Lancaster races.
On the labor front, labor actions for Kaiser Permanente National were announced. The due dates for all charter clubs were reconfirmed as March 1. After a hiatus due to prioritizing Prop A campaign efforts, the STAND Committee has been regrouped as the VOTE Committee, with monthly meetings beginning in February.
A number of candidates running for office spoke to the LACDP about their candidacy and races:
• State Senator Ben Allen, running for Insurance Commissioner
• Lieutenant Governor Elena Kounalakis, running for State Treasurer
• Heidi Feldstein-Soto, running for re-election as LA County Attorney
• Hugo Soto-Martinez, running for re-election to LA City Council (District 13)
The next LACDP meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 10.
AltaSea Tour
By Reggie Jue
In our January club meeting, the Palos Verdes Democrats hosted Terry Tamminen, who is the President/CEO of the non-profit “blue economy” hub AltaSea, based in the Port of Los Angeles. The Guardian UK ranked Terry #1 in their world-encompassing list of the “Top 50 People Who can Save Planet Earth.”
Terry highlighted AltaSea’s mission to promote the blue economy through education, workforce training, and research, including efforts in regenerative aquaculture, ocean carbon dioxide removal, and decarbonizing ports using hydrogen energy.
As part of his outreach, Terry has offered a tour of the facility for our members. The tour is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 @ 1 - 3 pm.
Please note: We are limiting attendance to current members. To check your membership status or to renew, please go to
Color Me a Democrat
By Fraser Perkins
