Sonoma County Democratic Party

In response to misleading mailers that Sonoma County voters have received regarding Democratic candidates for local office, the Sonoma County Democratic Party reminded voters on Wednesday that Rue Furch is the only candidate endorsed by the Sonoma County Democratic Party for the 5th District Supervisor seat. They further explained that any literature sanctioned by the Sonoma County Democratic Party to influence this race will bear the Party’s logo and cite Rue Furch as the endorsed candidate.

“In the final days of the campaign season, opportunities for confusion abound,” said Stephen Gale, Chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Party. “Voters should be aware that due to her breadth of experience and commitment to progressive values, Rue Furch is the one and only choice of the Sonoma County Democratic Party in the 5th District Supervisor race. The commercial slate card many voters received in the mail this week lists another candidate as the Democratic Choice. We want to make sure this deceptive mail piece does not confuse voters in the last few days before the election.”

Contact: Stephen Gale, Chair
Sonoma County Democratic Party
(707) 537-9348

Cites concern for energy independence, climate protection and traffic management

Santa Rosa, CA – The Sonoma County Democratic Party has joined a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations and endorsed Measure Q, the SMART Passenger Train and Bicycle/Pedestrian Pathway measure, which will go before voters in November. In light of the debate over energy policy and dependence on fossil fuels at the national level, the Sonoma County Democratic Party was enthusiastic in lending its support to a measure projected to reduce the need for 1.5 million gallons of gasoline annually.

Frustrations with traffic congestion along the Highway 101 corridor were also a factor in the endorsement decision. The Party lauded the train and pathway’s potential to remove more than 1.4 million car trips from Highway 101 each year. Members of the Sonoma County Democratic Party viewed the SMART train as a convenient, environmentally friendly transportation option and were excited about the prospect of a bicycle and pedestrian pathway to further promote healthier transportation choices for Sonoma and Marin residents.

“It is rare to find such diverse groups as Sonoma County Conservation Action and the Sonoma County Alliance supporting the same measure in a hotly contested election year,” said Stephen Gale, Chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Party. “But with gas prices spiking around $5 per gallon and climate change moving toward the point-of-no-return, the common sense of creating an environmentally responsible, second corridor of travel in the North Bay is impossible to ignore. The Sonoma County Democratic Party has long supported the SMART Train Proposal because it is so important to the common good of both Sonoma and Marin. We are proud to add our voice to the expanding community of supporters.”

The Sonoma County Democratic Party is joined by at least 35 other organizations in their support for Measure Q. Endorsers include virtually all of the elected officials in Sonoma County and hundreds of businesses, organizations and individuals. “The campaign polling shows widespread support for Measure Q which predicts that this campaign is winnable,” said Steve Rabinowitsh, co-chair of the campaign’s Sonoma County Committee. The North Bay Transportation Alliance, a coalition of environmental, business, labor, transit advocates and citizens is leading the pro-Q effort. For more information about the campaign or to get involved, go to:

www.smarttrain2008.org