ADEM: The unknown caucuses that control California Politics Eddy Yeretnov The quest for political power does not end with the general election. Throughout the electoral term, there are moments when citizens and activists alike can influence the policy makers’ decisions. One such moment is during the California Democratic Party’s Assembly District Election Meeting (ADEM). To achieve meaningful changes, we must spread awareness of this crucial step in the political process. Just a few thousand voters could decide some critical issues like the possibility of tuition-free public college in California. Older students have the unique opportunity to exert a profound influence in these elections.
Why ADEM? In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, was elected governor of California with 48% of the vote. In 2018 Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, was elected with 62%. This change shows how California has a completely different political environment than just 15-20 years ago. This is primarily due to the state’s demographic shifts. As a result of this shift, Democrats control a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature and every statewide elected office. As the California Republican Party continues to platform far-right candidates, moderate voters continue to fuel the Democrat’s edge in districts that traditionally voted Republican. This all results in a straightforward conclusion: the Democratic Party controls state politics. As that conclusion sets in, the question becomes: who controls the Democratic Party? The answer isn’t simple. The party is controlled by the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC). This is a committee of delegates that vote on the policies and candidates the party will support. The DSCC is large (2800-3200 members), and there are three distinct groups represented roughly in equal proportion.
Eddy Yeretnov
14 HIGHLANDER OPINION
