This article was originally published in Partisan issue no. 26, printed September 2008.
For the first time in this new millennium, there are more than 100 people serving on the Peace an Freedom Party State Central Committee.
ALAMEDA. Fourteen people were elected to the State Central Committee from Alameda County in June, and another has been appointed.
Vigorously active as usual, Alameda activists are working out of a joint Nader-Gonzalez and Marsha Feinland for State Senate office at 1951 University Avenue, Berkeley 94704 until the November election.
After an appearance by Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez at the Grandlake
Theater in Oakland on September 30, they are expected to return as part of their Northern California tour in late October. Check the www.peaceandfreedom.org website for further developments.
CONTRA COSTA. Eight people, a record, were elected to the State Central Committee from Contra Costa in June for the 2008-2010 term.
Bill Callison, 7th District, and Gene Ruyle, 10th District, are running for Congress in parts of Contra Costa County.
FRESNO. Three people were elected to the State Central Committee from Fresno County in June, but the County Central Committee is growing.
For the first time in memory, Fresno has a campaign office for the presidential campaign, at 1470 N. Van Ness Avenue, Fresno 93728. It will stay open through the November election.
LOS ANGELES. With the most voters in the state, LA also elected the most members of the State Central Committee, 31. Another has already been appointed.
The Los Angeles Peace and Freedom Party office, at 2617 Hauser Boulevard, Los Angeles 93728, is doubling as the Nader-Gonzalez campaign office until the November 4 election.
Lucilla Esguerra is still California's youngest 2008 candidate for State Assembly (48th AD), though her 19th birthday was in August.
MADERA. Though only one member was elected to the State Central Committee in June, Madera County activists work with the Fresno group, and are looking forward to a Nader-Gonzalez visit to the Fresno area in late October.
MARIN. Electoral reform activist Bob Richard has been appointed as interim County Chair in Marin County.
MERCED. Audrey Alorro has been appointed as interim County Chair of the Merced County Peace and Freedom Party.
RIVERSIDE. Though only two candidates were elected to the State Central Committee in June, another has been appointed.
The first PFP presidential campaign visit to Riverside since 1980 was on September 27, with Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez attending a vigil against an attack on Iran.
SACRAMENTO. With 18 people elected to the State Central Committee in June, Sacramento has a very active group. They hosted the August state convention. Until the election, they will operate out of a Nader-Gonzalez campaign office at 1501 21st Street, Sacramento 95816.
Sacramento County has the most PFP candidates for office, 3 for Congress and 2 for Assembly.
SAN BERNARDINO. Bob Maschi of Rancho Cucamonga has been appointed as interim County Chair.
SAN DIEGO. Miriam Clark of Encinitas has been appointed as interim County Chair. There are now two appointed members of the State Central Committee from San Diego County.
SAN FRANCISCO. A total of 14 State Central Committee members were elected here in June.
In the 12th Congressional District Nathalie Hrizi is running a very active campaign for Congress in the 12th District, and the Peace and Freedom Party is endorsing and helping Cindy Sheehan's independent campaign for Congress in the 8th District.
SAN MATEO. Pat Gray has been appointed as interim County Chair of the San Mateo County Peace and Freedom Party.
SANTA CLARA. Two were elected to the State Central Committee from Santa Clara County in June.
SANTA CRUZ. Seven were elected to the State Central Committee in June, and a Nader visit on September 29 should enliven the campaign..
SONOMA. Just one from Sonoma was elected to the SCC in June. Nader may visit in late October.
TUOLUMNE. Shelly McFarland has been appointed as interim County Chair in Tuolumne County.
TULARE. Lynne McGivern of Visalia has been appointed as interim County Chair of the Tulare County Peace and Freedom Party.