Senator Florez plans major outreach to California’s 58 counties, red and blue

Reflecting its commitment to advancing progressive policies by turning out the vote to elect Democrats from counties – red and blue – throughout the state, the California Democratic Party this week named a Central Valley legislator to lead that coordinated effort.

CDP chairman Senator Art Torres (Ret.) has named State Senator Dean Florez, D-Shafter, as chair of the Party’s “58-County Strategy” to develop a strong, active and long-term Democratic base in every county in the state.

Florez – who was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1998 by defeating the Republican incumbent in a relatively conservative, rural community – knows what it takes to run a successful campaign in a competitive district. His unparalleled work ethic is also well-known to Torres, for whom Florez worked in the State Senate in the late 1980s.

“I look forward to putting Dean’s contagious energy to work solidifying the base of the Democratic Party in California,” said Torres. “Voters are more tuned in to the tough issues we face as a state and a nation than they have been in many years, and we need to give them the tools and opportunity to translate those strong feelings into effective action.”

The California Democratic Party has long provided many services to the state’s 58 counties and plans to further expand the services it offers to support long-term growth of the Party and pump up voter turn-out.

Florez looks forward to meeting with Democratic Central Committees in each of the state’s 58 counties over the course of the next year. His mission will be to serve as a liaison between the CDP and the Central Committees, sharing with counties the type of support that is available to them, and listening, to bring back fresh perspectives and ideas that could be applied in other regions. Florez also hopes to help the CDP in its efforts to recruit 5,000 Neighborhood Leaders who will each commit to speaking with 25 neighbors before the November election.

“We are at a turning point in history, and voters are rightfully excited,” Florez said. “We owe it to our state – to our kids, to the future – to harness that energy in a united movement for change. I am honored by this opportunity and look forward to once again fighting alongside Senator Torres and California’s counties for the ideals that make this state and nation great.”

Among the support services available to County Democratic Central Committees through the CDP are training through the Campaign Skills Academy, up-to-date voter and volunteer databases, regional organizers, online advocacy, candidate training and voter registration drives.

Senator Florez currently serves as chair of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee; Senate Select Committee on Gender Discrimination and Title IX Implementation; Senate Select Committee on Air Quality; and Senate Select Committee on Food-Borne Illness. A past student body president and graduate of UCLA with an MBA from Harvard, Florez is often mentioned as a top candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2010. He lives in the Central Valley with his wife, Elsa, and two children.
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