This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/sf/ for current information.
San Francisco, San Mateo County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Wendy Aragon

Candidate for
Member, Democratic Party County Central Committee; County of San Francisco; State Assembly District 19

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

I'm a proud resident of the Richmond District (District 1). It's not just where I live, it's my community. As a long time community organizer and a neighborhood leader, who has the experience when it comes to bringing people together and advocating for diverse communities, I plan to bring that experience to the DCCC so that I can help make what it does better known within our communities. I want San Francisco Democrats to be able to feel connected to our Party, not perpetuate the misconception that those who serve on the DCCC are just a bunch of political insiders who don't care about their needs or opinions. Proving that the DCCC actually plays a valuable role in the decisions that affects our day to day lives on a local, state and national level. That will make our party stronger and in turn will make our communities stronger. It comes full circle.

If elected, I will have the ability and responsibility to vote on resolutions, and to endorse local, state, and national candidates as well as propositions and bonds that aim to help San Franciscans. Those endorsements are what go out to voters before election day to help people better navigate the ballot. The DCCC also is responsible for registering more Democrats which gives voters a feeling of investment in the political process. The DCCC is also in charge of overseeing our City's many chartered Democratic clubs which encourages more active grassroots participation in democracy.

That's not just a campaign promise, it's something that I've already proven by currently serving on the following organizations:

  • The Richmond District Democratic Club: Vice President April 2012 to Present, Board Member at Large April 2011-April 2012
  • Girl Scouts of Northern California, San Francisco Service Unit Administrative Board: Recording Secretary, Currently developing a program that will connect older Girl Scouts with their elected officials and women in political leadership through volunteering and mentoring.

Over the years, I've also been a volunteer and paid organizer on several local, state, and national campaigns and organizations including:

  • Howard Dean for America: Seattle Neighborhood Precinct Captain, Washington State Caucus Organizer
  • The Courage Campaign: Founded San Francisco West Side Equality Team, *United San Francisco Equality Team Leader, City and County of San Francisco Deputy Field Organizer
  • Organizing for America: CA Congressional District 8 Community Organizer, Vote 2010 San Francisco Field Organizer
  • John Avalos for Mayor: Volunteer Precinct Captain Trainer, Fundraising Volunteer

I was raised in a blue-collar Mexican-American family. My father is a retired auto worker with a 10th grade education and my mother is a retired phone company employee with less than a year of community college. My grandparents worked in construction, in the canneries, and on the railroad lines and none of them had secondary education. It's their sacrifice and hard work that made it possible for my sisters and I to pursue higher education and do great things. Honoring them is what motivates me to stand up for the rights of labor, women, people of color and different sexual orientations, immigrants, and advocate for equity in housing, education, and socio-economics.

I've lived in San Francisco for almost two decades. I've been a student, a renter, and a business owner. And during my time here, I've seen a lot of changes politically and economically. I've been involved with grassroots organizing for many years and have witnessed some pretty amazing things come out of these small movements. As a community organizer, I feel that one of the most powerful things that I can do is to teach others how to take measurable actions and organize in their communities.

I've stayed behind the scenes for a long time. Now I'm ready to do more to advance Democrats in our community and I hope you'll join me.

Next Page: Political Philosophy

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
June 2012 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 14, 2012 15:50
Smart Voter   <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://ca.lwv.org