The work of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission has brought the Democratic Party “incredibly close” to super majorities in both the State Assembly and Senate, the chair of the San Diego County Party told Escondido Democrats at their meeting October 1. County Party Chair Jess Durfee said Democrats are within one or two seats of [...]

A new poll published in the Los Angeles Times Sept. 5 shows President Obama has a commanding lead over potential Republican rivals among California voters. In hypothetical matchups, Obama beats Texas Governor Rick Perry by 24 points and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney by 19 points. Support for Obama among women, independents and Latinos remained [...]

American University professor Allan Lichtman has a system of 13 ‘Keys to the White House’ that have correctly predicted the outcome of the last seven presidential elections (since 1984). Democrats will be relieved to learn that President Obama wins on nine of the 13 keys, considerably more than the minimum of seven needed to tip [...]

California’s redistricting effort achieved another milestone August 15, when the commission approved final maps for new assembly, senate, congressional and board of equalization districts. The districts reflect boundaries covered in earlier posts, so there are no surprises for Escondidans. 8/31 UPDATE: A group of Republican leaders has filed a referendum to challenge the new congressional [...]

There seems to be a glitch in the otherwise smooth process of preparing new maps for California’s federal and state districts. The Citizens Redistricting Commission decided Saturday to skip a step in their process, and will not issue a second set of draft maps “in order to produce the best district maps possible.” The second [...]

Two weeks and counting until the California Redistricting Commission releases its first maps of new Congressional and State districts on Friday, June 10. 2010 census data provides clear indications that North County districts will be redrawn, as local areas have too many people to meet population targets. One scenario that has bee making the rounds [...]

No matter how you look at it, the results in New York’s 26th Congressional District are remarkable. The district gave 26 per cent of its votes to a Democrat in 2010, and 47 percent to a different Democrat in 2011. Wow! Now the challenge is to learn what we can from that amazing turnaround. Was [...]

President Obama launched his 2012 re-election campaign April 4 by filing papers with the Federal Elections Commission, sending an email to supporters, and posting a video on YouTube. Read coverage in The New York Times. Read coverage in the Washington Post. Read coverage in Politico.com. Sign up with the campaign at www.barackobama.com.