Biden Steps Back

It was a bombshell, but it was not unanticipated: President Biden withdrew from the 2024 race for president of the United States on Saturday, July 20, 2024… and, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.

In his letter to the Nation, Biden stated, correctly, that,

“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years.

“Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

“I believe today what I always have believed : that there is nothing America can’t do—when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”

Kamala Harris Steps Up!

Kamala Harris responded, “With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.

“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country… His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office.

“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination… I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.”

Endorsements and Funding!

Endorsements Continue to Pile Up!

From Democrats: According to the Washington Post on July 23, 260 Congressional Democrats and Governors have endorsed Harris’s nomination. Go here to see the full list of endorsements.

From Unions: The AFL-CIO (12 million+ workers); the American Federation of Teachers (1.7 million members); the Service Employees International (2 million+ members); the United Steelworkers, North America (1.2 million members); the United Food Workers (1.3 million members); the Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME – 1.3 million members).

From Organizations: the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Latino Victory Fund, the Asian American and Pacific Islander Victory Fund, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (Pramila Jayapal, Ilhan Omar, Barbara Lee, Jamal Bowman, Shelia Jackson Lee, Rashida Tlaib, Ro Khanna, Bernie Sanders).

From Delegates: Harris has secured the support of more that 2,400 state delegates – more than those needed to win the nomination.

Funding Continues to Pile Up Too!

As Heather Cox Richardson reports in her most recent, “Letters from an American,” (to read her newsletter, go here: “Money continues to roll in. Since Biden’s announcement, Harris and the Democrats have raised about $250 million in donations and pledges. More than 888,000 were from small-dollar donors. Volunteers are also joining the Harris campaign, which said that more than 28,000 people have signed up to work…”

LGBTQ+ June 15

The Mariposa Democratic Club (MDC) showed its support of the local LGBTQ+ at the Mariposa Pride event at the Grove House on June 15. There was a great turnout.

For those who want to know, the complete title is LGBTQIA2S+, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and trans, queer and questioning, intersex, asexual or agender, and two-spirit. This plus-sign signifies additional identity terms. Just FYI.

We were there. We saw old friends, made new friends, and had a great time! Heard some heart-warming stories about coming out. Heard some heart-wrenching stories about coming out. Heard some hilarious stories about coming out – especially in the world of animals.

And the DJ Dance Party was a blast! Some of us danced our asses off!

It was a great time! We thank Pride Mariposa for putting this afternoon and evening of celebration together!

And, we’re proud to support and welcome all races, all religions, all countries of origin, all genders, and all sexual orientations.

WE STAND WITH YOU!

EveryWoman’s March, June 24!

Acknowledging the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade, Ann Hart organized the EveryWoman’s Freedom March on June 24, and Mariposa Democrats showed their support.

Ann Hart said that the march is, “for our sisters,” who can no longer access their reproductive rights. “I believe — like our sisters in the past who fought for women’s equal rights — that birth control and abortion are not criminal. The crime is injecting the government into our healthcare, forcing a woman to go through with a pregnancy” regardless if a crime was committed, regardless of her health, regardless of her age, regardless of her choice, and regardless of her future.

Marchers gathered at the Mariposa County courthouse and at 1:00pm marched from the Mariposa County courthouse to the county jailhouse! As Ann has said, “the metaphor speaks for itself!” More information about the march can be found in Ann’s opinion piece in the June 20 edition of the Mariposa Gazette. Here’s a link.

Ann handed out handmade medallions supporting the march. The marchers carried handmade signs and were proud to march from the courthouse to the jailhouse!

As the march proceeded down the Main Street and up to the jailhouse, residents and tourists honked and waved in support. Only one bad incident: a pickup drove by, honked, and someone leaned out the passenger side with a raised middle finger and shouted, “Your mothers made the wrong fucking decision!” We marched on and held up our signs, knowing we are right. And shouted back, “But they made their decision!”

The Presidential Debates, June 27!

On June 27, President Biden and former president Trump will debate at 6:00PM on CNN. In support of Biden, the Mariposa County Democratic Central Committee in conjunction with the MDC will hold a Debate Watch Party at Steve and Rosemarie Smallcombe’s home.

The debate starts at 6PM, but come early to have appetizers, beer, wine, or ice tea before the start. It’s a fundraiser to support our fall get-out-the-vote efforts, so bring $25 to contribute. If you need directions or more information, contact Kim Monson, president of the MDC, at kimellen13@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

MCUSD Elections… The Board Votes YES!

Finally, at the June 13, 2024, meeting of the Mariposa County Unified School District board, after months of presentations and reviews and public comment, the Board of Trustees voted to approve electing trustees on a district basis as opposed to county-wide.

The vote was 3 to 2. Voting yes were Board President Kiser and Board Members Morse and Collins. Voting no were members Hill and Harper. 

Mariposa County will now elect trustees in compliance with the guidelines and requirements of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), passed in 2001. Go here to learn more about the CVRA.

This was a major victory for democracy and for fair representation in Mariposa County.

Many thanks to Mariposa Democratic Club members Kim Monson, president, and Lisa Edelheit, and to Barbara Cone for their persistent work and vocal support of this critically important issue.The Mariposa Gazette reported on the long road getting to this vote in the June 20 edition of the paper. You can find that here.

The MCUSD provides additional information about this issue on the MCUSD website. Go here.

A map of districts in Mariposa County based on the 2020 census can be found here.

Again, many many thanks to Kim, Lisa, and Barbara and to everyone else who supported this effort!