The California Democratic Party’s Organizing Department is excited to highlight the stories of our staff members who are passionate about making a difference throughout our state. From leading our organizing efforts to connecting with local community leaders, our organizing team is working in every corner of California to ensure we continue to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. 

Jae Masino, Youth Vote Manager

My name is Jae Masino and I graduated from the University of San Francisco with my BA in politics and legal studies. Today, I am the Youth Vote Manager with the California Democratic Party! In August 2022, I joined CADEM to engage and activate young voters across California. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to lead college rallies and events to advocate for Yes on 1, work with students on college campuses to recruit volunteers, and be part of the growing Forever Organizing team!

As a proud Democrat, my passion for organizing and activism started at an early age. Growing up with lesbian parents, I’ve experienced direct discrimination, isolation, and exclusion. From other parents not allowing their children to interact with me to watching people walk off elevators to avoid being around my parents, I found consolation in the local elected officials who were fighting for equal rights within my own community and across the nation. Their acceptance of my family and I gave me a sense of safety, acceptance, and drove my passion to organize to fight for my family and those who are often overlooked. 

That’s why at CADEM, I am proud of the work we do to stand for women, the LGBTQ+ community and young people. I look forward to continuing to build a strong youth vote program to prepare Democrats for 2024 and beyond. 

Nick Vanausdoll, Organizing Data Manager

Hello Democrats - My name is Nick Vanausdoll and I am the Organizing Data Manager for the California Democratic Party. I am based out of the Inland Empire and have been part of the CADEM organizing team since October 2021.  

I didn’t have a traditional path into politics. As a matter of fact, I graduated from Chapman University where I received my Bachelor’ Degree in accounting. However, as time progressed, I found myself with a new and (much) louder voice which led me to get involved in my first congressional campaign in Orange County. As a result of this campaign, we were able to flip the seat from red to blue in 2018. 

Since then, I have become a dedicated activist - exercising my right to uplift democratic values and address inequities to ensure that we build a kinder society that elevates the voices of those who are marginalized while holding those in power accountable. I believe that organizing is an important tool because it's a means of giving communities hope. While many of us continue to do the work to undo the political and societal trauma induced during the pandemic, I am proud to be part of a kind-hearted team that focuses on building a positive change in our communities. 

London Taylor, Coalitions Manager

Hi Democrats - I’ve probably reached out to you before but if we haven’t met already, I’d like to formally introduce myself! My name is London Taylor. Since June 2022, I’ve been the Coalitions Manager, working across the state of California, connecting with organizations and activists to discuss the important work to get Democrats elected. 

A little fun fact about me, I am a Sacramento native. However, 7 years ago, I moved to Los Angeles to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as a Union Organizer where I executed strategic campaigns that were monumental in gaining historic wins for working people. In 2018, I moved on to work with the American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees (AFSCME). As the Legislative and Political Organizer I became involved in politics by working on statewide ballot initiatives (Yes on Prop 15, Yes on Prop 16, No on Prop 22) and state legislative campaigns, where I organized labor and community partners to phone bank and text bank voters all across the state. I was instrumental in securing broad coalition support for AFSCME local 3299’s top legislative priority, AB 237 which worked to secure healthcare for striking workers in 2021. I believe that building strong diverse coalitions and mobilizing communities of color is the key for maintaining a democratic majority. 

As one of the most effective ways to empower voters, organizing allows us to provide training and access to underrepresented communities to get involved. At CADEM, we know that the fight to protect voting rights, LGBTQIA communities and ensure we take action on climate change starts now. I hope you’ll join me as we work to activate voters across California. 

Voters in Shasta County Under Threat

Today, access to voting in Shasta County is being threatened. The Board of Supervisors canceled its contract with Dominion Voting systems, leaving the county without a method to conduct elections. Under false accusations, extremist right wing Republicans are claiming that the company’s machines switched votes from Trump to Biden during the 2020 presidential election. As part of the effort to make voting harder, Republicans are recommending hand counting election ballots instead. 

Democrats, the work towards ensuring that we protect our democratic values starts today.  

Read more. 

Get Involved

Madera Community Hospital Closed its Door

In December 2022, Madera Community Hospital closed its doors, leaving local residents without access to health care services and impacting nursing students who are required to complete their clinical course work. To combat this crisis, California state Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria is working around the clock to ensure that the hospital reopens. Introducing AB 4-12, the legislation will provide emergency funding to hospitals that are at risk of closing or already closed. The bill will be decided on by September 2023 in the state legislature. 

Read more.

California Nurses Association labor picket at Cedars Marina Del Rey

CADEM joined the California Nurses Association at Cedar - Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital to protest management's demand the nurses waive their bargaining rights over policies on education benefits, paid time off, leave of absence and holidays. 

Madera Community College Celebrates Cesar Chavez Day

The California Democratic Party joined Madera Community College for their first Cesar Chavez Day Celebration. As part of the event, Dolores Huerta was honored for her ongoing work in advocating for the working poor, women and children. 

CADEM Joins Labor Leaders and Dem Party of OC to Celebrate Cesar Chavez

The California Democratic Party joined labor leaders Gloria Alvarado and Florice Hoffman with the Democratic Party of Orange County, and Teresa Romero, President of UFW to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez. 

The California Democratic Party is a volunteer based organization! Our community activists work with our organizing team to get out the vote and drive our Democratic process. The work to reach voters take community leaders throughout the Golden State who remain committed year-round. CADEM is thrilled to highlight our local volunteers who continue to pave the way for the rest of the state. 

Ana Karen Estrada, CADEM Community Leader

Hello Democrats! My name is Ana Karen Estrada and I am thrilled to be highlighted in this month’s Forever Organizing newsletter. As a proud Democrat, I share my story knowing that there are many other young people of color who can relate to me.

Born and raised in San Fernando Valley to working class Latino parents, my family and I experienced many social and economical barriers. As the oldest of four kids, I strived to be a role model for my siblings while my parents worked to provide better outcomes for our family. The overwhelming challenges were not uncommon within the working class Latino community, yet it was through these obstacles that I became inspired to get involved.

As a young Latina, I joined other students across California to stand up against the political attack on minorities, including people of color, women, and working-class families. While right-wing extremists used violent rhetoric to target people who looked like me, I worked to organize and get Democrats elected. And while Republicans continue to distract us from the real work, Democrats continue to uplift young voters to take action against climate change, fight for reproductive freedom, and ensure that we empower marginalized communities to vote and propel us forward.

As the saying goes, “be the change that you wish to see”.  That’s why I am committing myself to continue to do the work by initiating more student democratic clubs on college campuses. My hope is to make voting easier for young people, activate the youth to get involved, increase civic engagement, and create a pathway towards leadership. In addition, I hope to draw focus on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all people, regardless of gender or color and socioeconomic status, to share their stories and experiences so they, too, can be the change they want to see. The more we create spaces where we belong, the more we can elect Democrats who will create progressive change for all.

CADEM is forever organizing around the issues that matter most. To build on our progress, we must do so on a year-round basis and at every possible opportunity. There is no greater opportunity to harness the power of Democrats than at our statewide Convention.

Join us in May in Los Angeles to continue our organizing work!

Paid for by the California Democratic Party | www.cadem.org Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

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Sacramento, CA 95811
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