At a Special Endorsement meeting, the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club voted not to endorse in the primary race for the 54th Assembly District because both candidates have been such active supporters and friends of the Club.
The Club followed the by-laws to the letter: Lambda’s Political Action Committee sent questionnaires to both candidates. The candidates who responded with a complete questionnaire were then invited to be interviewed by the PAC committee.
Based on the answers on the questionnaires and performance during the interviews, the committee brought forward a recommendation of NO ENDORSEMENT for the 54th District because both candidates are highly respected friends of the organization.
The PAC Committee is composed of three past Lambda presidents who shared the impressive history of support and advocacy that both candidates have provided. The recommendation was then brought to the membership meeting and affirmed.
Seventh District Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga has been honored twice by the LAMBDA Democratic Club; at the 1994 Human rights Awards Banquet for her efforts in supporting the domestic partnership registration and for efforts to work with the Long Beach Police Department to properly document hate crimes against the LBGT community. She was honored again in 2002 service award for advocating on behalf of LBGT youth for her investment of time and energy in the “Day of Silence” which helped it grow from 50 to 300 participants in just 2 years.
Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal has been a long-time member of the Club and was honored by Lambda past President Robert Hildebrand at the last Human Rights Awards Banquet. She has participated in the Gay Pride Parade since the beginning and worked with PFLAG and other groups to promote and ensure school safety for LGBT students during her seven years on the LBUSD School Board. She was honored for this work at the 1995 Lambda Awards Banquet.
Whoever wins the primary will face the Republican nominee in November’s general election. Newly elected Lambda President Stephanie Loftin encouraged members to volunteer time and donate to the candidate of their choice, and celebrate: “No matter who prevails on June 3rd election, Lambda will have a dedicated and wonderful candidate to support in November.”
The Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club started in the seventies and became a powerful force in response to the Briggs Initiative, an anti-gay initiative intended to bar gay and lesbian teachers from the classroom. The club has grown as a political voice, and soon after its inception received the award for the largest growing club in California. Over the years, the club’s work in campaigns made its endorsement a sought-after asset as a proponent of human and civil rights for all minorities and an advocate for progressive issues.