Dan,
On my last day as your County Chair, I want to share my thoughts and gratitude with you as I step down after six years.
It’s been a privilege to share this time with all of you. Together, we have accomplished so much to move what was once one of the most reactionary counties in our nation into the light of our Democratic values – inclusion, equity, social justice, and good governance.
As an immigrant to this country fleeing war, I have found common cause with all of you in the communities that reside under this big, bold, and boisterous tent called the Democratic Party.
As Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi once said, “American Democracy is majestic, but it is fragile.” It has been one of the biggest honors of my life to have stood with you in the expansion and the defense of our Democracy.
I think about the battles we fought and the progress we have made together-
- Electing excellent candidates at every level of government to lead us through challenges—from solving homelessness and expanding affordable housing to improving coastal protections, creating more good-paying jobs, defending reproductive rights, and so much more;
- Amplifying the voices of marginalized people – worker rights, bodily autonomy for women, justice for immigrants and people of color;
- Expanding access to support and resources for endorsed candidates, building a more representative, grassroots leadership team with more women and people of color in positions of influence, and investing in the next generation of leaders;
- We stood for everyone’s right to love who they will and marry who they choose, and we supported trans rights;
- We took the voter registration lead, flipped Congressional seats, gained a majority on the Board of Supervisors, and fought extremists at every turn.
We did all this together. We became a feisty and formidable Democratic Party of Orange County. We punched above our weight and gave it all we had.
For all of these reasons, I give thanks. I thank my fellow officers – Treasurer Florice Hoffman, Vice Chairs Lauren Johnson-Norris, Gloria Alvarado, Libby Frolichman, José Trinidad Castañeda, and Secretary Luis Aleman. I want to thank our Parliamentarian Alan Fenning and Acting Secretary Lisa Fenning for their work in keeping the mechanics of the Party running on the up-and-up as well as Clubs Director Michael Sall.
I also thank the committee co-chairs, the Democratic Club members, activists, and volunteers who put muscle, sweat, and sacrifice into reaching out to voters on the phone, in the street, and at the doors. The state party under Chair Rusty Hicks and Executive Director Yvette Martinez have always been there for Orange County and we are grateful for their support. I was fortunate to serve three terms; all of us who served during that time made this Party stronger. Thank you for serving with me.
I am also thankful for our dedicated, innovative, patriotic staff and their commitment to our endorsed candidates. They formed the backbone of our strategy and were always thinking of ways to get more Democrats elected. Thank you all so much.
As our country faces unprecedented threats to our democracy, Orange County will remain a battleground for the soul of our nation. While the challenges before us are significant, I believe that when people join together, we have the power to do extraordinary things.
On Monday night, the Central Committee will elect new leaders, and I have every faith in their ability to lead us through the challenges ahead. I look forward to seeing the story of our Democratic Party of Orange County continue to unfold as we prepare for the next cycle and all the elections to come.
As I continue to serve on the Central Committee and as a member of the Democratic National Committee, I look forward to working with each of you, and I encourage you to keep in touch. You can reach me at Ada@adabriceno.com.
I have learned so much from all of you, and there are no words to express my gratitude.
Orange County Democrats canvass in Yuma, Arizona last November.
In unity,
Ada Briceño |
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