 |
Democratic Party of Orange County’s Central Committee Member Kicks-Off Campaign for Congress With Powerful Ad, “For All” Along with Far-Reaching Roster of Endorsements |
|
LOS ANGELES, CA–Today, 26-year-old union organizer and national youth movement leader Perry Meade announced his campaign for Congress in California’s 40th District, taking on Republican incumbent Young Kim in a bid to flip the final GOP-held congressional seat in Orange County. Born and raised in the district, Meade is a proud labor organizer with UNITE HERE Local 11, the youngest member of the Democratic Party of Orange County’s Central Committee, and a founding force behind March for Our Lives. He enters the race with a powerful surge of grassroots momentum, including the backing of a diverse coalition of local and state leaders. Meade’s campaign has already secured endorsements from Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, State Senator Catherine Blakespear, State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, and State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, along with more than 20 local elected officials, including mayors, city councilmembers, school board members, and college trustees throughout the district and greater Orange County. A full list of endorsements can be found below. “It’s time for a new generation of leaders,” said Meade. “I’m running for Congress to build an Affordable Future for All, where housing, healthcare, education, and a livable wage are not dreams, but guarantees. This campaign is about strengthening the middle class and putting working people and young voters back at the center of the Democratic Party.” As the Democratic Party faces eroding trust among young voters and working-class communities, Meade’s candidacy offers what many say the party has been missing: lived experience, movement-building roots, and a clear progressive vision that meets the urgency of this political moment. ENDORSEMENTS State Elected Leaders
Local Elected Leaders
Democratic Party Leaders
*Titles for Identification Purposes Only. California’s 40th Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. Young Kim, is widely seen as one of the top flippable seats in 2026. With rising costs, a housing crisis, and Republican obstruction on the rise, Meade’s campaign is shaping up to be a defining contest for the future of Orange County, and the country. For more information, visit www.perrymeade.com. Editor’s Note: Meade’s campaign said Meade did not respond to our Q&A with a deadline of June 30 — and publication date of July 14 — because they had not formally announced Meade’s campaign even though Meade himself announced his campaign at the Rep. Eric Swalwell Town Hall in front of all those attending the event. Additionally, Meade is a member of Unite Here 11 but no longer employed by that Union’s PAC and he doesn’t represent any other Union organization. The campaign did say they do not have support from former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg’s “Leaders We Deserve” movement that is looking to replace experienced Democrats with …. no better way to say this…kids. We are not including a video of an ad promoting Meade’s campaign (they can buy an ad). The first person on the video is long time Democratic candidate Andy Thornburn whom Meade is likely getting significant early money from. While Meade can say he is the only candidate who was born and raised in the District, Joe Kerr has lived in the district for decades and Esther Kim Varet moved to Coto de Caza (after two short term rentals in other parts of South County) from Los Angeles. While my residence is in Irvine and I’m represented by Dave Min in Congress; my business is in Tustin in CA-40 and has been since Meade was 15, so Congressional representation in this district is important to me. The average age of a voter in CA40 is 59. |
Ada Briceno has confirmed she did not endorse Meade and has asked his campaign to remove her name from hisendorsement list. She remains friendly with Meade but listing her was a mistake on his campaign’s part.
“Kids” – An interesting term.
This is your blog, and as of today, the 1st Amendment remains in effect. However, it’s disheartening to me that you spent time parsing every mistake this candidate has made, concluding with an ageist comment. As someone who – all his life – has been told to “wait his turn” for various reasons, it’s extremely disheartening that anyone is being discounted because of their age.
The “kids” came out for Trump in 2024 so that demographic paid more attenton to Charlie Kirk than David Hogg; you’re confusing “waiting” with “patience.” This particular candidate lacks the necessary experience to serve a district in Congress where he is less than half the age of those he hopes to represent. As I run a communications consultancy, I can call bullshit on a delay in a public announcement of his candidacy when he already did so in a public forum. And basic mistakes of putting a County supervisor as a state official instead of a local one and adding a former party chair as an endorser when he had not is lazy. I would wholeheartedly support his run for city council or school board. Assembly or county BoS. Not Congress. And as for supporting young candidates for office, ask Connor Traut about my help to his campaigns over the years. I’d support him for Congress over Meade any day.
so what is your objection to the profile on Meade?
Is this for real? This sounds like (dating myself) one of those Lenny Bruce put-ons.
I get that anyone over 25 (Meade is 26) has the right to run for Congress. But….this is serious business. This is not a game.
As someone who lives in the district. I am not inclined to support someone who lives at home. That is just me.
Meade needs to build some street cred. Actually do something significant that he can point to as proof of being an effective leader.
That so many seasoned and experienced electeds and prominent Dems are supporting him is quizzical at best. And is more of a statement about their judgement given the positions they hold or held.
I would hope that when the time comes that Meade has actually done something significant. He would run again.
If I were Young Kim. He would be one of my dream candidates. No name ID. He will need hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) just to introduce himself to the voters. No experience. Lives with his parents. Those hit pieces practically write themselves. Guaranteeing her another term. Given her fundraising. She will be more than able to help other GOP Representatives in vulnerable districts. And yet again a lost opportunity for Dems.
IMO, Dem leaders and leadership seemed determined to squander what should be a landslide shift in the House.
The median demographic voter in this district is a 50 something white individual.
Who really believes a moderate R or Independent voter is going to hand that much responsibility to someone who has never even paid rent? Let alone a mortgage.
It is a rhetorical question.
how ageist of you Ken. I’m told Perry works for Unite Here 11 and not their PAC so at least he’s working. But I have to re-evalaute putting my high school accomplishments on my LinkedIn profile now. I led a voter registration drive for a mayoral candidate while in high school where I was student association president (he won). Does Yearbook count? Varsity Club? The football and basketball teams? We won league in both sports. What do you think?
Dan, you make my point in a weird way.
AOC won her race at 29 in a district where Dems have an over 50 point advantage. IN a very progressive district.
CA40 is a R+5 district. This is not close to being a progressive district. And would barely be considered a Dem district.
In order for a Dem to win. That candidate will have to pull some “R” votes (~5 percent). And a significant number of independents (>50%).
Given those factors. I find it unlikely those demographics I mention above will support someone as young and inexperienced as Meade. Assuming Meade is the nominee.
the “speaker” teargassed cops on Jan 6; he’s guilty of treason