Candidate for
Member, Democratic Party County Central Committee; County of San Diego; Assembly District 77

NOMINATION LETTER FOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

(SELECTED AS ONE OF FIVE FINALISTS)

I would like to nominate: Leon Thompson

I nominate Leon Thompson as Volunteer of the Year. No one has put in more time, effort and energy into mobilizing support for Democratic candidates and building the Party in San Diego's East County than Leon.

As Chair of the Assembly District 77 Democratic Committee, Leon has infused the organization with enthusiasm and activism. He also took the lead in founding East County United (ECU), a political action committee that now serves as an umbrella organization for Democratic and progressive groups throughout East County.

As Chair and co-founder of ECU, patterned after North County Unity, Leon has energized Democrats and progressives in East County. In its first two months, ECU has raised nearly $3,500 and held a successful Mardi Gras Meet the Candidates fundraiser over the objections of naysayers who said it couldn't be done. ECU is now hosting a half dozen Congressional candidate forums throughout the 52nd Congressional District to showcase five Democrats running against Duncan Hunter. The PAC has signed up volunteers to host house parties for Democratic candidates and is networking with unions, Democratic Clubs, MoveOn, PDA, DFA and other groups to build an army of precinct walkers for this traditionally "red" area. Though initially founded as nonpartisan, ECU is in the process of applying to form a chartered Democratic club covering the entire 52nd Congressional District, 77th and 78th Assembly Districts, and 36th State Senate District. ECU is also developing an "American Values Voting Guide" to counter the Christian Coalition's "Family Values Voting Guide" which is very influential in this area dominated by religious conservatives.

Leon is also Chair of the San Diego Democratic Party's candidate recruitment committee, concentrating on finding Democrats to run for offices in East County, which has long been ignored by the State and County parties. In addition, he chairs candidate recruitment committees for the 77th AD Democratic Committee, East County United, and San Diego For Democracy, local chapter of Democracy for America (DFA).

Under his leadership, these committees have recruited a herd of strong progressive Democratic candidates to take on Duncan Hunter, spreading out to cover the vast geographic spread of this district, which encompasses parts of San Diego and Poway as well as all of East County to the Imperial County line on the east and to Riverside County's line in the north. He also recruited AFL-CIO labor leader and former teacher of the year Mark Hanson to run against right-winger Dennis Hollingsworth for the 36th State Senate district seat. Last time, Hollingsworth's token Democratic opponent didn't even bother to run a campaign, leaving the state for several weeks before the election!

Leon also convinced Chris Larkin, who had a strong showing last election, to run again for the 77th Assembly District seat, which is now open due to term limits. He even volunteered to serve as campaign manager for Chris! He is also consulting with the teacher's union to finalize a progressive slate of candidates to run against the right-wing dominated Grossmont Union High School Board--with a real chance of taking back control of our schools. In addition, he's working hard to recruit candidates for other boards, council seats and mayoral positions which are currently filled 100% by Republicans in East County. Leon has really gone the extra mile to find terrific candidates + and has made more headway than anyone in the past toward his goal of leaving no seat unchallenged. His efforts have been profiled in the East County Californian newspaper, raising visibility for Democrats throughout the region.

In addition, he is a member of San Diego For Democracy's steering committee and is heading up a sponsorship drive for Democracy Fest, the national conference being held at SDSU this summer featuring Howard Dean and other prominent Democratic speakers. This convention will put San Diego on the map as a center for progressive democratic activism nationwide.

Although a resident of Santee, Leon has walked precincts and helped get out the vote for Democratic candidates all over San Diego County, including Donna Frye and others. He also helped get out the vote to defeat Schwarzenegger's ballot propositions. is also a devoted peace activist who traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the Sept. 24 peace march, along with nearly half a million other loyal Americans. Leon has also been instrumental in organizing rallies to highlight progressive causes as well as the tarnished records of Republican officeholders.

A delegate to the state convention, Leon is now running for the County Democratic Central Committee. He believes in rebuilding the Democratic party from the ground up to reflect a philosophy that supports ordinary citizens over corporations and the wealthy. His populist message resonates with working-class voters in East County, who are fed up with elected officials that don't represent the needs of their constituents. Under his leadership, Democrats for the first time have a real chance of winning some victories in East County + and turning our community "blue."

Nominated by : Miriam Raftery Secretary, East County United Secretary, Assembly District 77 Committee Candidate, San Diego Central Committee Member, San Diego For Democracy Steering Committee

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