I'll limit this to some political biography & organizing, focused on issues & legislative advocacy; those determine the candidates I support.  Being totally honest, not falsely-modest:

    Overall: Skills & experience unique among C.C. candidates, important to DPOC, supporting re-election to a 3rd term (after 4 yrs as an Alternate) include: Unequalled expertise in DPOC's "Rule-of-Law" (multi-source procedural law) and in grassroots advocacy on Calif. & national legislation.

    Democratic Party of Orange Co. Central Cmte ("DPOC" "C.C."):  Valuable hard-working C.C. Elected 2012-20, Alternate 2009-12.  DPOC’s Parliamentarian 2015-20 (for some periods Acting Parliamentarian). Executive Committee Member, 2017-20 (C.C.-Mbr-elected); Alternate 2013-16 (C.C.-Mbr-elected). Standing Committees 2009-20: Bylaws/Rules, Resolutions, Legislative.  Meetings rarely missed.  Respected editor/draftsman.  Experienced “institutional memory.”  C.C. re-election well-earned.

    Calif. Democratic Party ("CDP"): Delegate 2008-19 (appointed by DPOC C.C.).  ADEM-elected Delegate 2008-11.  Progressive, Environmental, Veterans & Seniors Caucuses member 2008-20.

    Parliamentary law teacher 2014-20 as V.P., Robert's Rules Study Club (formerly O.C. Parliamentarians Ass'n); plus unexcelled grounding in DPOC/CDP Bylaws/Rules, Election Code & caselaw (DPOC’s “Rule-of-Law” is all those)  Purpose: Efficient democratic action at meetings; protect rights of individuals (to be heard, etc.) and the body (majority to decide, etc.).

    Laguna Woods Democratic Club ("LWDC"): Legislative Action Committee Chair 2005-20 (and same position for a 2d big 400-mbr progressive club in Laguna Woods, "Concerned Citizens"): I research, prioritize, advise Board, draft, and present actions (petitions, letters, postcards) on key issues: E.g. on impeachment, $$-in-politics, gerrymandering, election protection, voter suppression, voting rights, healthcare, gun safety, immigration, climate change, peace, income inequality, entitlements, tax giveaways, $$-bail, many more.  7 meetings, 2-4 issues/month, for 15 years: About 450 total actions.  Impeachment talks: to Dem clubs & other progressive groups, on history, Founders’ writings, prior impeachments' precedent, current politics. World-class expertise on impeachment, frankly.  Unsurpassed as “legislative nerd”?

    Raised as NYC liberal Dem; at ages 11 and 15 raised money for Adlai Stevenson. 1960: Press/publicity work for Adlai at National Student Mock Democratic Convention.

    1968-71: Co-founder, officer, director, Council of NY Law Associates (pro bono services); Chaired its Civil Liberties/Civil Rights section. Co-founded Wall St. Moratorium (anti-Vietnam War lawyers, bankers). Organized, led research team widely credited with defeating Nixon’s Supreme Ct. nominee G. Harrold Carswell. Delegate, researcher, speech writer for John V. Lindsay for Democratic Presidential nomination. Consultant, NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund (helped brief landmark Supreme Ct. case Furman v. Georgia, stopping death penalty for years).

    1972-73: Senior Environmental Att'y, Nat'l Health & Environmantal Law Project at UCLA Law School. Nationwide support of legal services lawyers litigating poor clients’ environm'l issues. Helped then-Councilman Tom Bradley end L.A.’s partnership in Four Corners coal power plant.

    1975-78: Executive Director, Public Counsel (public interest law office "test-case" litigation): Conceived, briefed, argued & won landmark Calif. Supreme Ct. Wheeler case ending discriminatory peremptory juror challenges. Taught constitutional litigation clinic; many other test cases, included ending L.A. Sheriff bugging att'y-client meetings, and involuntary servitude by involuntarily-committed mental patients.

    1980-83: Facilitator, End Hunger Event;  chaired writers of End Hunger Televent.

    1984-2005: Leader, member, L.A./O.C. RESULTS chapters (the leading advocacy group for the world’s  poorest people; many amazing successes lobbying Congress).

    2006-20: South O.C. Coordinator, Calif. Clean Money Campaign, Move-to-Amend (U.S. Constitution to overrule Citizens United doctrines), Represent.Us (to pass the American Anti-Corruption Act). Member, Progressive Democrats of America, Democracy for America, Money-Out, Voters-In, Need-to-Impeach.

    I'll "shorthand" this:

    I support most issue positions of Sens. Bernie S, Eliz. Warren, Barbara Boxer, Cory Booker on mass incarceration, Patrick Leahy re reviving Voting Rts Act vs. voter-suppression, Sherrod Brown re workers' rts, Sheldon Whitehouse on climate change & carbon fee/100%-refundable dividend & DISCLOSE Act re $$-in-campaigns, Murphy-Blumenthal-DiFi on gun safety/background check/assault weapons ban, Tom Udall re For-the-People Act (identical to HR1, huge democracy-protection anti-corruption bill), Klobuchar re election security & re-districting reform vs. gerrymandering, and Green New Deal co-sponsors.

    I also support most issue positions of Robert Reich, Lawrence Lessig, Bill Moyers, Robert Scheer, Rachel Maddow & Lawrence O'Donnell;  Calif. Clean Money Campaign, Move-to-Amend, Need-to-Impeach, CDP's Progressive Caucus, and Money-Out/Voters-In;  and re Impeachment & all cases in SCotUS, Prof. Larry Tribe (my fmr co-law-clerk at Calif. Supreme Ct.) and Neal Katyal.

Statement of Candidacy 

As a bilingual teacher for over 35 years, the witnessing of the devastating effects of socio-economic injustice and racial disparity in destabilizing marginalized families, communities, and democracy itself, has led me to active involvement in various capacities including:

Current O.C. Democratic Party Central Committee Delegate 

Delegate, 2016 Democratic National Convention    

Steering Committees: 

    •  DFA - O.C.

    •  HealthCare For All

    •  Campaign For A Healthy California - O.C. 

O.C. Interfaith Coalition for the Environment

FOCD Immigration Detainee Visitation Program (currently in Adelanto)

Progressive Democrats of America - O.C.

My principal objectives are:

• To ensure the election of a Democratic President 

• To elect progressive State and Federal legislators in order to ensure legislative support for progressive Democratic agenda including the following: 

a. The protection and expansion of Social Security, Medicare and other critical safety nets
b. Infrastructure jobs bills
c. Support for the growth in alternative green-energy jobs and programs, and
d. The funding of critical research and development in order to increase our competitiveness in the World economy 

To protect the rights and family stability of immigrants and to help preserve the right of migrants and refugees to seek refuge and/or apply for asylum within our borders

To ensure adequate funding and progressive advancements for public education, including increased affordability in access to higher education. 

• To stimulate growth in business and save lives through the enactment of a State universal healthcare system with     premiums based on a progressive, income-based tax schedule 

• To vigorously promote both executive and legislative pursuit of achieving a carbon-neutral, sustainable-energy economy as soon as is humanly possible, while also ensuring the protection of our environment through re-enactment and strong enforcement of needed EPA regulations - starting with remediating the numerous ecological devastations occurring in marginalized communities of color,  communities which are far more likely to bear the blunt of environmental degradation and the ecological destructions of climate change. 

In both a commitment to the Democratic Party Platform and also the unwavering belief that the moral compass of a just  nation must ensure that all may thrive - not just survive - and have a place at the table, I would be honored for your vote.

Marleen Gillespie 

Jane Stoever is a professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, where she directs the Domestic Violence Clinic and the Initiative to End Family Violence and teaches Family Law and Legal Ethics. She also co-chairs the Orange County Domestic Violence Death Review Team. Her research concerns legal and societal responses to domestic violence, and her scholarship includes numerous law review articles and op-eds and the new book The Politicization of Safety. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center. She lives in Irvine with her spouse and their three children.

I’m a small-business owner, attorney, working mother, E-Board representative and delegate to the state Democratic Party, and Chair of Irvine’s Community Service’s Commission. On Central Committee, I will champion progressive values like 100% renewable energy, strong public schools, women’s rights, solving homelessness and the housing crisis, and an economy that supports the middle class.

We must protect our Democratic gains from 2018 (keep Katie Porter, Harley Rouda, and Cottie Petrie-Norris in office) and elect more Democrats to local office. It’s our time to lead Orange County into the future, addressing climate change, exposing abuses of power, putting people first, and getting money out of politics. After hard-fought gains in 2018, we must press forward and refuse to go back to living behind “the Orange Curtain.”

I’m a life-long advocate for women’s rights and social justice. As a Commissioner, I’ve led on progressive issues and gotten things done. Under my leadership, Irvine added 2,500 new childcare seats, fully funded after-school programs, and protected our open spaces. I have fought for Orange County’s kids and families, stood up for our civil rights, and won.

Hi I'm Jill Nelke a current member of the Central Committee in the 74th Assembly District.  I am a mother of 4 children, who was active in the P.T.A. and National Charity League. I've decided to run again for Central Committee because I can't imagine not being an integral part of making a difference, promoting values and policy which benefit everyone not just a few. 

I've been very actively involved in and support several Democratic Clubs, Candidate Campaigns, Get Out The Vote, and fundraising for Planned Parenthood.  These are all the areas of endeavor that I wish and hope with your support to continue.

The issues I am most passionate about is that Healthcare is a right for everyone and that women have the right to make their own reproductive health decisions.  All members of society should be viewed as equal and there should be no discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race or religion.

I am a Professor at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and Cal State University, Los Angeles, two of the most underfund campuses within the CSU system. I hold a doctorate degree in International Business, however; after five years of working for corporations, I could not care less to work for corporations and make six figure salary. Ironically, I decided to enter into education industry, and educate my students on the corporate corruption. I am the Chair of California Faculty Association (union) Political Action Committee (PAC) of CSUDH Chapter. I am humbly asking for your vote for my candidacy to Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) Central Committee. I am currently an alternate member of DPOC Central Committee for Professor Jane Stover from UCI. I am committed to helping improve our party, so it is responsive to the needs of the people who make up the most vulnerable amongst us in society. Our brothers and sisters; seniors, immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ community deserve our unprecedented support and for our party to truly fight for them. We are in a place and time in our country where we can transform America. When we stand together, we win. Thank you for your consideration and I will be honored to have your vote and represent your needs in DPOC Central Committee. 

Who is Iyad Afalqa?

I am a game changer. I’m a college professor at California States University- Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). I specialize in Health Care Management, Policy and Strategic Management. I am also serving my first term as the Co-President of CSUDH Chapter of the California Faculty Association (CFA). CFA is the exclusive collective bargaining representative (Union) for the 23 campuses of California State University faculty, including tenure-track faculty, Lecturers, Librarians, counselors and coaches.  

As a lifelong Progressive Democrat, I served within the ranks of our Democratic Party in WI, NV and CA in different capacity; 2016 DNC elected Delegate, 2016 U.S. Presential Campaign Healthcare Advisor; 4^th-term CADEM E-Board; Delegate; Chair of a Statewide Caucus; Affirmative Action Committee. Currently I’m the President of California Democratic Council (representing 500+ Clubs statewide).

On DPOC level, I’m serving a 4th term alternate Central Committee member with PERFECT attendance, although it’s NOT required for alternates; Legislative Committee member; former member of Resolutions Committee. When I was Chair of Democrats of Greater Irvine in 2016, Irvine turned BLUE for the first time in 40+years. I also doubled the paid membership by recruitment and retention and made the club number one in finance and organizational structure and reform. I lead the change to make the board an operating board where in the past was falling on the shoulder of a paid board member, which weakened the club dynamic and growth. By working with the board to become more involved and active, that promoted more productivity and efficiency

Given our challenging political climate, DPOC needs someone like myself who is experienced, passionate and committed to protect our BLUE WAVE and take DPOC to the next level. I strongly believe that we need a bolder leadership culture in our party at the local, state and national level so we can defeat Trump NOT to advance for a second term. I am seeking your support and VOTE, because we need a strong voice for: More investment in grassroots organizing so we protect pro-choice, Immigration Reform, Health Care Reform, Workers Rights, Marriage Equality and upholding our Democratic values of diversity and inclusion. I am seeking to continue my political involvement with DPOC. If elected, I hope to accomplish three goals: First, to make investment in public infrastructure a higher priority for Democrats. Second, to continue the path towards increasing the diversity in the party to reflect the demographics of our Golden State. Third, to foster greater discussion and develop a strategic plan how as Democrats to gain the majority on city councils, school boards, state and national level offices.

Again, I will be honored to earn you trust, support and YOUR Vote. Now is the time for leadership strong enough to represent *You, the People* VOTE BOLDLY!

Democratically Yours,

Iyad Afalqa

 My official involvement with the Calif Democratic parted starred in 1987 with the Jessie Jackson campaign and I have never stopped working with them. I have worked on every campaign, supporting the Democrats that we're running with my work and my money.

You could classify my as ny FDR Democrat. As a Central Committee member I will work tirelessly for the volnerable within our society and to make sure I resist all efforts to go to war. 

You could call me an FDR Democrat 

Education:  Attended both Fairleigh Dickenson University for Business studies as well as NYU for studies in Writing and English.  I hold Realtor licenses in both New Jersey and California.

Political Experience: East-coast politics 1990s-2000s. Municipal Committee member 10+ years, appointed then elected and served as Vice-Chair then Chair.

Moved to California and joined California Democratic Party calling for Obama. In 2016, elected National Delegate for Sanders and attended the Philadelphia convention. In 2017, ran for ADEMS and  elected to Delegate/EBoard. During that tenure took on the position of VP Membership of the CDC to which I currently proudly serve as Membership Chair. 

The first campaign I volunteered for was the 1988, Michael Dukakis, bid for POTUS. The first march I went on was The Million Mom March, on Mother's Day, 2000. The march was in response to the Columbine School mascare. I was the mom of a then two year old and brokenhearted thinking about those children and their families. I did not know then that gun violence would strike my family directly. I spent the next 11 years raising my now two sons and volunteering in their PTA's, becoming President for three years. On Wednesday October 12, 2011, my sister Laura Webb, was murdered in the Seal Beach/ Salon Meritage mass shooting, my mom Hattie Stretz was the sole survivor. Nine people shot in two minutes. Eight dead. Many of those dead were friends of mine. From 2011 through 2016 I traveled the state, and sometimes the country, sharing my voice against Gun Violence and the Death Penalty. The thing I have always believed, and now knew on a personal level, was you weren't going to "heal me" by taking the life of someone else. After the November 2016 election I went all in. Since that very black day, November 8, 2016, I have spent thousands of hours volunteering for causes and candidates that share my progressive values. 

I am a lifelong Liberal. I believe in equality and equity for all people. I believe in the stewardship of our planet and that Climate Change is both real and the greatest threat facing humanity. I believe healthcare is a human right. I believe in a woman's right to choose. I support Planned Parenthood. I believe in reforming our criminal justice system and that the Death Penalty should be abolished. I am against "for profit detention" and disgusted with the treatment of those currently in prisons and detaination centers of immigrants and refugees. I believe that both America and the Democratic Party are imperfect, but both the best choices we have, and with hard work both can live up to their ideals. 

After college, I worked at a couple of brokerage firms in New York, California and Arizona, a small business store in California, and a municipal government and state-run university in Arizona.  Afterward, I took film classes at a community college in Arizona, had internships for three feature films and a couple of years ago filmed a short documentary.  I have also volunteered for film festivals and have worked as a poll worker when we have elections.

I believe in a government that should look after the needs of people who need assistance and not leave such people on their own as the Republican Party likes to do.  I support economic policies that bring jobs to our communities and fair trade policies that do not result in outsourcing our jobs.  I support health care that expands the Affordable Care Act that allows people to keep their private insurance plans but also allows a public option for those who cannot afford to pay for it.  I also think climate change is a threat and that both the U.S. and the rest of the world need to take steps to completely stop greenhouse gases by 2050.  We should have a foreign policy that does not alienate our allies and that we need to not buddy up to our enemies like Russia.  Locally, we need to impose reasonable restrictions on sober-living homes and not allow bad actors in this business that preys on addicts who need help.  We also need to fight for reasonable noise levels at John Wayne Airport and close down the nuclear dump at San Onofre that is a catastrophe waiting to happen.

Originally hailing from the Garden State, I received my B.A. in Political Science from Syracuse University. While at Syracuse University, I served as Student Body President, representing over 14,000 undergraduates in matters regarding university policy, academic affairs, and overall student welfare. Today, I work as the Public Affairs Representative for the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee (C/CCC), where I advocate for the creation of quality construction jobs, good wages, and the protection of our working-class. As a proud union member, I am passionate about building healthy sustainable communities, fighting for equality and protecting workers’ rights to create a more equitable society. When elected, I will continue to advocate for the development of more affordable and attainable housing and the promotion of honest and transparent government leadership.