California Donor Table Brings Groups Together
to Invest in Communities of Color in Key Races
OAKLAND,
Calif., May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Battleground California has become
California's only independent
expenditure coalition aimed at winning eight competitive
congressional races that will securely position Democrats to take
back the House from two more years of Republican control. Chaired
by California Donor Table (CDT) and joined by Courage California,
Communities for a New California, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of
California VOTES, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Inland
Empire United, CHIRLA Action Fund, Way to Win, the Working Families
Party, and Movement Voter Project, the SuperPAC will invest
$15 million targeting races where
Latino, AAPI, and Black voters will be the margin of difference
towards a Democratic-controlled Congress.
In a year when voter apathy is high, Trump is activating his
base toward extreme white nationalism, and voters are saturated
with misinformation – these races will take coordinated resources
and action to win. Unlike many Democratic PACs spending millions of
dollars on advertising, Battleground California will employ local community-based
organizations to manage field operations, direct voter mobilization
and turnout, produce culturally competent messaging in several
languages, and develop unique local programming.
Contrary to other battleground states, California lacks a long-term funding apparatus
for progressive groups to coordinate efforts in critical
congressional races. Battleground California is designed to be a multi-cycle
partnership, providing critical infrastructure for California's political future in federal
elections.
"People of color make up the majority of California's population, but despite that,
millions of dollars get spent persuading white voters," said
Michael Gomez Daly, Political Strategist of CDT. "We have an
opportunity and responsibility to increase voter turnout and
establish a democracy that supports and cares for people of all
backgrounds and experiences – especially those most affected by
policies impacting reproductive rights, climate change, workers'
rights, healthcare, and education."
With the rise of polarization and gerrymandering, due in part to
the 2013 Shelby County Supreme Court decision, decades of progress
in racial justice have eroded the number of contested districts in
each state. Due to the integrity of California's fair redistricting process and
the size of its population, the state holds the country's largest
number of competitive districts.
As a result of changing demographics and investments in voter
engagement in historically underrepresented communities,
once-conservative strongholds like San
Diego, Orange County,
Inland Empire, and Central Valley are becoming increasingly
progressive. CDT has a long and successful track record funding
organizations engaging people of color to vote for Democratic
candidates. Their long-term investments have transformed
political leadership in regions, turning red counties purple, and
purple counties blue.
Battleground California will
focus on winning races in CA-3 (Northern
California), CA-13 and CA-22 (Central Valley), CA-27
(North Los Angeles), CA-40, CA-45
and CA-47 (Orange County), and
CA-41 (Inland Empire), while monitoring races in CA-9 and
CA-49.
About the California Donor Table
California Donor
Table is the oldest donor network in the country that invests in
political power and civic engagement across all tax statuses —
including 501c3s, 501c4s, and PACs — while centering racial equity
and justice. Since their founding in 2006, they've distributed
$55 million to ensure communities of
color are centered in government and continue to build power for
the long term. Their investments have rebalanced governing power in
California at regional, state, and
federal levels to advance a people-centered democracy. Their work
expands opportunities for elected leaders, voting practices, and
political advocacy to embody the values and needs of communities of
color.
Press Contact:
Alexis
Meisels, Change Consulting, Alexis@change-llc.com
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SOURCE California Donor Table