DNC California Superdelegates

HuffPost's OffTheBus members produced these superdelegate profiles as part of its Superdelegate Investigation. You can find all profiles here.

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Steven Alari
Long Beach, CA

Basic Bio
* Member of California State Employees Association, http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/nw/?postId=529&pageTitle=Increase+in+health+insurance+prices+in+California+can+affect+rest+of+country
* Alari was executive vice president of the California State Employees Association, which represents 140,000 state employees and retirees in 2002, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/04/18/BU16464.DTL

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* DNC member from Long Beach, CA, http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/dnc0203/caprim0203.html
* Alari endorsed Howard Dean for DNC chair in 2005, http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/2/4/113452/8253
* Alari has examined the increase in health care costs, providing details given about rising premiums in California HMOs. [California State Employees Assn. Steven ALARI - cites health care costs.] http://openweb.tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/2002-4/2002-04-21-ABC-12.html
* He was a candidate for Board of Trustees of the Long Beach Community College District in 1994, http://www.lbcc.edu/boardweb/Minutes/minutes_1993-94/Minutes-1_94.DOC
* He was candidate for CalPERS Board in 2002, http://www.unit2bb.org/discus-bin/discus/board-auth.cgi?file=/1/540.html

Personal Political Interests And Issues
* Was executive vice president of the California State Employees Association, SEIU Local 1000 in 2003, http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/dnc0203/caprim0203.html
* Participated in DNC 2005 Hispanic Summit on Working groups Session (Moderator Team), http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=4577&cha=10
* "When we elected [Howard] Dean we knew we were getting a leader who would be good at organizing the base and getting the message out to the American people, and that's what he is doing," Alari said. "He's our guy." http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_6866.shtml

Previous Campaign Work
* Howard Dean for DNC Chair

This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.

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Jeremy Bernard
California

Political interests and issues
* LGBT: ""I've gotten a sense from my friends -- and I feel this way too -- that we're tired of being ATM machines. They come and take our money and leave California and they don't really pay attention to what we think or believe. In Boston [during the Democratic Convention in 2004], we were good soldiers because Bush is so bad. But it's the last time. We're not going to swallow our pride like that ever again. In 1992 [during Clinton's inauguration], we were part of a new, exciting world. To think that 12 years later we have moved backwards -- it's horrifying. And the fact that most people didn't think about it [gay visibility] and no one noticed at the Democratic convention -- that's the saddest part." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karen-ocamb/change-what-change-the_b_81650.html

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Former Clinton appointee -- served as a treasurer on Bill's inaugural committee http://www.observer.com/term/27598

Pledged Status
* "Obama's Gay Gold Mine" http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/obamas-gay-gold-mine/18247/?page=1

Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Fundraising consultant to Obama campaign
* Hosted DreamWorks event at which David Geffen publicly disavowed the Clintons http://www.observer.com/term/27598

Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
* Partner assists with Obama fundraising efforts

Previous Campaign Work
* Donor to numerous Democratic campaigns (Gephardt '00, Dean '04)

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Rachel Binah
Chair emeritus of the Environmental Caucus, California Democratic Party
California

Basic Bio

* is retired former innkeeper and reknown caterer living on the Mendocino Coast.
* Is 65, and has attended every Democratic Convention since 1988.

Political interests and issues
* Binah was, and remains, active in environmental causes, especially those related to offshore drilling off Northern California, which she has long opposed.
* Was profiled in a 1988 New York Times article that highlighted her voter registration drives and activism.
* Binah was personally contacted by Chelsea Clinton, who impressed Binah with her knowledge about Binah's environmental causes and also assured her of Hillary Clinton's commitment to Alzheimer's research, the disease that killed Binah's father.

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Binah became involved in Democratic politics over 30 years ago, as part of her effort to fight offshore drilling near her beloved coast.
* Chair emeritus of the Environmental Caucus, California Democratic Party.
* Binah was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, from California, in 2000 and 2004.
* Is a member of the California DNC

Pledged Status
* Binah has publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton, but says this will not determine her vote at the Convention. "I take this responsibility very seriously. I want to do it right," she told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. "We don't want to tear the party apart...We want to be united enough to win the general election."

Contributions to Candidates
* Donated $1,000 to Bill Richardson in 2007.

Previous Campaign Work
* Environmental Caucus, California Democratic Party
* Delegate for the State of California, Democratic National Convention 2000 & 2004.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEED8103AF93BA25753C1A96E948260
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-superdel9feb09,0,4207348.story?page=2
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/primaries/2008_superdelegates.html
http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_8205027?nclick_check=1
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080217/NEWS/802170387/1033/NEWS01

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Mary Ellen Early
Sherman Oaks, California

Basic Bio
* A resident of Sherman Oaks, California for over 25 years, is employed in the Information Systems Department of Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, where she works as a Clinical Information Systems Specialist.
* Received her BA in Psychology from UCLA, where she currently participates in the Governmental Affairs Advocacy Program, lobbying elected officials on issues of importance to the University of California in general, and UCLA specifically. In 1995, the State Senate appointed Early to the California Board of Psychology, to serve as a public member, where she recently completed her second term. http://www.nativeamericancaucus.com/officers.shtml

Political interests and issues
* Lobbies for the University of California, and UCLA specifically;
* Within the Democratic Party, she serves on caucuses representing the interests of:
o Women
o Irish Americans
o Native Americans
o Western Statesucus officers page - http://www.nativeamericancaucus.com/officers.shtml

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Represented California as a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) since 1988,
* Member, Western States Caucus,
* Executive Board, DNC Women's Caucus.
* Attended every Democratic National Convention since 1984.
* Served as a super delegate at each convention since 1992.
* In 2000, was appointed by the Gore Campaign to convene the Vice President's nominating caucus in the 24th Congressional District (Brad Sherman's district at the time).
* Active member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board
* Assembly District Chair from 1986 to 1988
* Regional Director from 1988 to 1991
* Served on the Party's Resolutions Committee since 1993
* Co-editor of the California DNC Press Democrat, a quarterly newsletter published for the California Democratic Party
* Member of the Women's Caucus
* Vice-Chair of the Irish American Caucus
* Parliamentarian for the Native American Caucus
* Active in the Los Angeles Democratic Party since 1985
* Chair of the Speaker's Bureau
* Member of several local Democratic clubs
* Worked on numerous political campaigns
* Past recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award, presented by the Action Democrats of the San Fernando Valley
* Honored by the 29th Congressional District (now 30th CD) Democratic Club with the President's award, for her service to the Democratic Party, in 2001 http://www.nativeamericancaucus.com/officers.shtml

Pledged Status
* Pledged to Barack Obama, sometime between early January and February 17, 2008. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080217-9999-1n17delegate.html

Previous Campaign Work
* In 2000, was appointed by the Gore Campaign to convene the Vice President's nominating caucus in the 24th Congressional District (Brad Sherman's district at the time). http://www.nativeamericancaucus.com/officers.shtml

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Hon. Maria Echaveste
California and Washington, D.C.

wikipedia

Basic Bio
* Maria was born in Texas, one of seven children born to Mexican immigrants who later moved the family to California.
* She received a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Stanford University.
* She received a J.D. from UC Berkeley.
* She began her law career specializing in corporate litigation.
* She is married to Chris Edley whom she met during her tenure at the White House.

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* She left the Dept. of Labor to become Director of Public liaison at the White House from February 1997 to May 1998 developing communication, legislative and public outreach strategies.
* From 1998 to 2001, she served as both Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff to President Clinton.

Personal Political Interests and Issues
* After leaving the White House, Echaveste co-founded the Nueva Vista Group which is a strategic and policy consulting group that works with nonprofit organizations, associations and corporations on issues such as immigration, health care, telecommunications, labor and finance.
* She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of People for the American Way, the Children's Law Center of Wash. D.C. and Care.
* She is a Lecturer in Residence at Boalt Hall Law School at UC Berkeley.
* From 1993 to 1997 Echaveste served as the administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Dept. of Labor where she was responsible for the management and policy direction of programs related to a variety of Federal laws.

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Edward Espinoza
California

Basic bio
* Edward Espinoza is a political and public relations consultant based in Southern California and Washington, DC. http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/02/uniform_term_li.html
* He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/53B/830
* He is on the staff at Bonner and Associates, a DC lobbying firm. http://www.linkedin.com/in/edespinoza http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/product-compint-0000284453-page.html
* Mr. Espinoza is also a Managing Associate at Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates a DC PR firm. http://www.linkedin.com/in/edespinoza

Involvement with the Democratic Party
* He has served as a field deputy to California Senator Gloria Romero.
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/02/uniform_term_li.html
* Edward is currently serving in his fourth year on the DNC.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8673.html
* He has supported campaigns in Florida, Oregon and South Dakota.
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/02/uniform_term_li.html
* He served on the staff of the Clinton-Gore campaign

Involvement in the 2008 Campaign
* Edward Espinoza was a Bill Richardson supporter initially, and he served as Nevada Caucus Director, for Richardson. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/53B/830
* He also served as a field director for Bill Richardson.http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8673.html

Prominent state individuals he has worked for
* Served as staff to the re-elections of Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer,
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/02/uniform_term_li.html

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Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker
Vice Chair, California Democratic Party
California

Basic bio
* Information in this section comes from The California Democratic Party.
* Born in Mexico City, Naturalized 1990
* Graduate of Cypress College

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Vice Chair California Democratic Party

Personal Political interests and issues.
* Information in this section comes from The Cup with Love Project.
* Named mentor of the year by California Young Democrats
* Gallardo-Rooker serves as a Director for The Cup with Love Project.

Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
* Information in this section comes from News10.net.
* California Democratic Party vice-chair and superdelegate Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker committed her vote to Obama about eight months ago and says her vote will stay the same even though Hillary Clinton won the state's primary election. She says superdelegates are not intended to thwart the will of voters -- in fact, just the opposite. "And I think the grass roots are speaking louder and louder all the time, and the voters and I think ... we'll do the will of the people at the end of the day," she said.

Contributions to Candidates
* None Found.

Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
* Found no family history

Previous Campaign Work
* Found no history

Connections to Politicians, Leaders On State Level
* Found no history.

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Eric Garcetti
Los Angeles, California

Information in this profile comes from the LA City Council's website.

Basic Bio
* Eric Garcetti is a fourth generation Angeleno born at Good Samaritan Hospital.
* He studied urban planning and political science at Columbia University where he received a B.A. and M.A. in International Studies. He studied as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and the London School of Economics
* He is a photographer, jazz pianist and composer.

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* He won a hotly contested race for the Los Angeles City Council, becoming one of the youngest to be elected to that body.
* He represents the 13th district running from Hollywood to Downtown and across the Los Angeles River.
* Unanimously elected as Council President in both 2005 and in 2007 he chairs focused meetings that start on time and get the people's business done in an open and effective fashion...according to Garcetti.
* He chairs the Rules and Elections Committee.
* He also serves an Vice-Chair of the Energy and the Environment Committees and sits on the Housing, Community and economic committees.
* He is also Vice-Chair of the Ad Hoc River Committee and the Ad Hoc Homeless Committee.
* Garcetti's work has won him dozens of awards including the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award for Americans under forty. The Los Angeles Times writes that Garcetti is "smart" and "imaginative" and offers the city "refreshing idealism."

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Kamil Hasan
Appointed Member-At-Large of national Democratic Party in 2006, California

Basic Bio
* Born in Badaun in Uttar Pradesh, India
* Bachelors in Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University and taught there before leaving for MIT for Masters in the late 1960s. Received Doctorate in engineering from the University of California in 1973 and has taught in both India and the United States.
* Founded the Silicon Valley-based Hitek Venture Partners
* Married to Talat Hasan, the daughter of India's former education minister Nurul Hasan. Talat Hasan is the chairperson and CEO of Sensys Instruments, a company founded in 1996 to market products for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The couple has a family foundation in the US and the Nurul Hasan Education Foundation in India.
* Recipient of a John F. Lincoln Foundation award for outstanding achievement in engineering design.
* Currently lives in Saratoga, California

Political interests and issues
* Hasan hopes that involvement in the Democratic party will eventually lead to increased appointments of Indian Americans in policymaking.
* Own appointment, Hasan said, could not have come at a better time. "This is perfect timing. India-US relations are improving, the Indian community has the intellectual power to guide the American government and it has more influence in decision-making."

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Appointed Member-At-Large of national Democratic Party in early 2006.
* Other than articles regarding appointment to the DNC and mentions in Clinton fund-raising, most of Hasan's press and visibility seems to be incharitable endeavors (e.g., endowment of chair in Indian Classical Music as UC Santa Cruz in 2000 and a 2006 involvement to endow a chair at UC Santa Cruz for a Hindu/Urdu language program.)

Pledged Status
* Although numerous blogs and websites list Hasan as pledged to Clinton, the Mercury News on 2/17/08 reported that Hasan had not committed to either delegate, but said that he will "absolutely consider" voting for Hillary Clinton at the August convention.

Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Hosted a high-end fundraising fundraising event in February for Hillary Clinton at his home in Saratoga, California. The audience was Indo-Americans.

Contributions
* Donations to Hillary Clinton by Kamil Hasan $4,600
* Donations to Barak Obama by Kamil Hasan $2,300
* Donations to Hillary Clinton by Talat Hasan $4,600
* Donations to Hillary Clinton by Saima Hasan (daughter) $1,000 http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/mapApp.do
* Between 2003-2007 donated $9,300 to the campaigns of six democratic congressional contestants

This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please send an email to campaigntrail@huffingtonpost.com with "superdelegate profile" in the subject line. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project.

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Inola Henry
California

Basic Bio
* Lives in Los Angeles, California
* Is approximately 61 years of age
* Background in Education, Training, and Library http://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/dnc2004/delegates/ca.htm
* Married to Charles Leroy Henry, physics teacher http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/ca/la/vote/henry_b/paper2.html
* 1982 John Anson Ford Volunteer Awardee, dedicated to promoting positive race and human relations http://humanrelations.co.la.ca.us/about/index.htm
* Member, Board of Directors, Community Outreach, United Teachers Los Angeles
* 2005 elected to the UTLA House of Representatives http://www.unitedteachers.com/MediaCenter/UT1-15.pdf
* Member LAUDS Student Program http://www.ci.la.ca.us/hra/oldminutes/hraminutes23232042_08112005.pdf
* Chairperson of Political Action Committee of United Teachers of Los Angeles [UTLA]
* Student to Student Interaction Program of Los Angeles Unified School District
* Service on the California Teachers Association State Council of Education
* Service on the California Teachers Association State Council of Education
* Recipient of California Teachers Association Teacher in Politics award http://web.cgu.edu/oralhistory/womens_educational_politics.htm#HENRYInola

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* 2007 Resolutions Committee Officer http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2562
Henry and the resolutions committee sent impeachment of Bush and Cheney to the floor at the 2007 California Democratic Convention, where the resolution was adopted unanimously http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/07/shirley-maclaine-i-belie_n_71542.html

Personal Political Interests and Issues
* Authored and submitted resolution to the California U.S. Senators and Members of Congress urging them to fully support legislation that would stop the diminution of the retirement and medical benefits of retired steelworkers http://sccdcc.mn.sabren.com/mt-static/archives/2803CDP_resolutions.html
* Supports the New Indian Gaming Agreements 2008 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/07/shirley-maclaine-i-belie_n_71542.html
* Founding member of The Watts Community Summer Festival, working toward economic and social development of the Watts Community http://www.wattsfestival.org/History.htm
* 1982 John Anson Ford Volunteer Award, dedicated to promoting positive race and human relations in an increasingly complex and multicultural county [Los Angeles County] http://natassembly.org/members/index.php?org-id=2
* Supporter of the National Association to End the War in Iraq http://natassembly.org/members/index.php?org-id=2

Involvement in 2008 Election - Campaign Appearances, Statements
* Undecided http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=388x2585

Contributions to Candidates
* 2007, $150, Democratic National Committee http://www.electiontrack.com/lookup.php?committee=1018392

Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
* Brother, Bob Henry, California Deputy Attorney General since 1974 and was "Deputy of the Year" in 1992
* Supporter of the Reauthorization of the 1965 Voting Rights Act http://www.nmdemocrats.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/731348
* Supporter of recognizing Claudette Colvin, the 15-year-old who was the true mother of the civil rights movement
* Supporter of freeing the Jena Six http://creativeyouth.net/gulagschoolsgetboost.html
* Concerned about of label "poor" in terms of the standards to which schools are subject http://notebook.lausd.net/pls/ptl/docs/PAGE/CA_LAUSD/FLDR_ORGANIZATIONS/COMMITTEE_MAIN/COMMITTEE_SSHHS/COMMITTEE_SSHHS_AGENDA/MINUTES%20.PDF
* 2005 Supporter of Resolution in Honor of Shirley Chisholm http://www.donnabrazile.com/viewBlog.cfm?id=41
* Husband worked for the federal government in Washington, D.C. on a hush-hush project during the Second World War http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/ca/la/vote/henry_b/paper2.html
* Uncle, George I. Henry, active in the civil rights movement http://blog.cadem.org/chairman/2007/07/index.html

Previous Campaign Work
Delegate to 2000 and 2004 conventions http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/henry.html#0G700SI7

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Alice Huffman
California

Basic Bio
* Huffman has a distinguished career in public advocacy. Since 1999, she has been president of the California State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest civil rights organization.
* In 2002, Huffman was elected to the NAACP's National Board of Directors were she currently serves as Region I Board Member.
* Huffman has previously served as associate executive director for politics for the California Teachers Association and state president of the Black American Political Association of California. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=5187
* Past experience includes serving as an appointee in Governor Jerry Brown's administration where she was Chief Deputy Director of the State Parks and Recreation Department and was promoted to his Cabinet as the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, a cabinet level position.
* Also served as the Associate Executive Director for Politics for the California Teachers Association and State President of the Black American Political Association of California.
* Founder and President/CEO of A.C. Public Affairs, Inc., a public affairs firm that specializes in public and grass roots advocacy.
* Serves as the President for the California State Conference of the NAACP, Sacramento Branch NAACP and NAACP National Board of Directors.
* Currently, Huffman serves on the board for Capitol Focus, as well as serving on T-CAP, which is a consumer advisory panel to SBC/Pacific Bell.
* In addition, Huffman serves as a commissioner on the "Commission for One California," that was designed to serve as a forum for diversity and understanding headed by Lieutenant Governor Bustamante of California.
* Has recently been appointed to Speaker Wesson's Commission Police Conduct.
* Graduate of the University of California Berkeley with honors in Social/Cultural Anthropology
* Advance studies at University of Pennsylvania, University of California Davis, and University of Southern California
* Believes learning is a life long process.
* Has received the August 2002 Visionary Award from the California Black Chamber.
* Was inducted into the Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee's (LAAAWPAC) Political Hall of Fame in April 2002 for her outstanding achievements as a social activist in the minority community.
* Huffman is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororities.
* She has been listed in Who's Who International, Who's Who Professional, and Who's Who of Politics for the past 20 years.
* The Los Angeles Times called her one of the most powerful people in California.
* The California Journal listed her as one of the top 50 individuals who had the greatest impact on California over the last 25 years and her local African American Newspaper, The Sacramento Observer, annually includes her in its 100 most influential citizens. http://www.mpi-indiana.org/insites/InSitesAugust05.htm

Political interests and issues
* Black rights, gay rights. http://www.sacunion.com/pages/columns/articles/4816/
* Indian gambling. The president of the California NAACP has been paid more than $40,000 in consulting fees - and the organization itself has received $60,000 - from a coalition of Indian tribes at the same time the civil rights group has endorsed four ballot measures pushed by its tribal benefactors.
* The payments to Huffman, who has served as president of the state conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People since 1999, continue a three-year pattern in which Huffman's political firm has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by special interest groups.
* Those same interests, including tobacco and pharmaceutical companies, have also donated tens of thousands of dollars directly to the state NAACP while receiving the organization's backing.
* It is commonplace for political campaigns to hire consultants for outreach to various constituencies and ethnic groups. But Huffman's dual role as a paid political strategist and president of a respected civil rights organization has raised questions about whether the group's endorsement can be bought. http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/644064.html

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Huffman served as the co-chair for the Democratic National Committee Site-Selection Committee for the 2004 Democratic Convention.
* Has also been a member of the Rules Committee for the California Democratic Party and the DNC. http://www.mpi-indiana.org/insites/InSitesAugust05.htm

Pledged Status
* 1/14/2008 - California NAACP President Alice Huffman Endorses Clinton. Huffman Supports Clinton as "staunch advocate for rights of all Americans." LOS ANGELES, CA - The Clinton campaign today announced the endorsement of Alice Huffman, President of the California State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP.) The endorsement comes on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's birthday. Senator Clinton delivered a speech in honor of the national holiday today at an SEIU celebration in New York City. "Over the years, Hillary Clinton has earned my respect as a staunch advocate for the rights of people invisible to our nation's government, including women, minorities, children, and seniors," said Huffman. "Hillary shares my commitment to children, and has been a lifelong advocate for improving childhood education and health care. As President, I feel strongly that Hillary will create an atmosphere in this country that accepts and promotes the rights of all Americans."
* The campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) recycled a nine-month-old endorsement from an NAACP leader earlier this week when the discussion about race in the Democratic primary reached a fever pitch and a new poll indicated that black voters were sharply breaking for Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.). http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/17/hillary-recycled-old-naac_n_81946.htm

Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Super Delegate, Hillary Clinton endorser and contributor.

Contributions to Candidates
* $2,300 to Hillary Clinton for President on 6/13/07
* $2,300 to Hillary Clinton for President on 12/28/07 http://www.campaignmoney.com/finance.asp?type=in&cycle=08&criteria=huffman

Previous Campaign Work and Experience
* 2004 DNC Convention Site Committee Co-chair.
* Challenged California Proposition 73 (Campaign contribution limits). http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F2/955/1312/
* Preschool California campaign. http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F2/955/1312/
* California Indian Gaming propositions. http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/644064.html
* (2006) The tobacco industry, opposing the Proposition 86 cigarette tax, paid Sacramento consultant Alice Huffman $160,000. Huffman heads the California NAACP -- and the venerable civil rights organization is opposing the $2.60-per-pack tax on the Nov. 7 ballot. http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/3518/9/
* The San Diego Union-Tribune last week reported that since hiring former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr. for about $350,000 and state NAACP Conference President Alice Huffman's consulting company for about $225,000, the drug industry has won endorsements of Proposition 78 (effectively killing Proposition 79 prescription drug discounts for consumers) from the state conference and at least nine NAACP branches, including those for Oakland, Hayward/South Alameda County, San Mateo, San Francisco and San Jose/Silicon Valley. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20051103/ai_n15819363
* Unsuccessfully ran for the California State Assembly District 9 seat in 1998. http://www.calvoter.org/voter/elections/archive/98primary/caljournal/ad01-ad20.html

State Connections
* Even while holding her office with the California NAACP--a supposed non-partisan organization--Huffman was an appointee of Democrat Gov. Gray Davis, an employee of then-Democrat Speaker of the Assembly Herb Wesson, and co-chair for the Democratic National Convention. http://www.sacunion.com/pages/columns/articles/4816/
* Public-affairs consultant Huffman, a former California Teachers Association lobbyist, also boasts an impressive list of supporters -- San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr., former Attorney General John Van de Kamp and former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (1998). http://www.calvoter.org/voter/elections/archive/98primary/caljournal/ad01-ad20.html
* (Willie) Brown quietly consolidated his position as the most powerful black politician in California. One of his vehicles was the Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC), the successor to the Watts-riot-era Negro Political Action Association of California (NPAAC), founded by Augustus Hawkins. Brown put Alice Huffman, a former legislative aide of Maxine Waters, in charge of BAPAC.
* Huffman was also the chief lobbyist for the California Teachers Association, one of Brown's most crucial campaign contributors. There was grumbling in the ranks at the CTA that Huffman's loyalties were divided, but it suited Brown's purposes perfectly to tie the two organizations together. http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft0m3nb07q&chunk.id=0&doc.view=print

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Aleita Huguenin
California

Basic Bio
* Lives in Rancho Murietta, CA, Sacramento County (from ABC News10 http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=39198)
* Chair DNC- Western States Caucus
* Active in California Democratic Party politics for decades (from ABC News10 same link)
* One of 71 superdelegates from California (from ABC News10 -- same link)
* Retired Government Relations Manager, California Teachers Association (1983 to 2007) (from LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/4/105/606)
* Went to San Francisco State (from LinkedIn -- same link)

Political interests and issues
* Pushed hard to allow independents to vote in the Democratic primary in order to bring new voters into the fold. (River Valley Times Mar 18 http://www.rivervalleytimes.com/story8.shtml)
* On the board of Campaign to Defeat 209 -- 209 was a California ballot initiative voted on in November, 1996 (vote was no) to eliminate most affirmative action programs for women and minorities run by state or local governments (from http://www.ajdj.com/noccri/labor.html)
* At the labor caucus of the California Democratic Party meeting in November 2007, she talked about yet another attempt to put teens at risk -- for the third time, opponents of a safe choice for teens are attempting to qualify an initiative to require parental consent for abortions (from California Progress Report website http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/11/_bayne_on_the_c.html)

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Chair DNC- Western States Caucus April 2006 - present (from LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/4/105/606)
* Co-chair in 2007 of the California Democratic Party Finance Committee (from Ca Dem Party website http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.2687585/k.A5D5/Finance_Committee.htm)
* Instrumental in selecting Nevada, which held a caucus, as one of the first four primaries and bringing the convention to Denver in August. (from River Valley Times Mar 18: http://www.rivervalleytimes.com/story8.shtml)
* Huguenin attended her first convention in 1976 and was first elected as a Carter delegate for Contra Costa County in 1980. (River Valley Times Mar 18 -- same link)

Pledged Status
* On Mar 5, was reported as saying she plans to follow California's popular vote by supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton at the convention (reported Mar 5 ABC News 10 http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=39198)
* On Mar 18, was reported as saying she doesn't discount that the shift in momentum has been leaning toward Sen. Obama following California's vote on Super Tuesday. (River Valley Times Mar 18 http://www.rivervalleytimes.com/story8.shtml)

Involvement in the 2008 Election
* Was photographed talking to Obama just before he entered the presidential race

Contributions to Candidates
* $2,400 total to Hillary Clinton updated Q1/2008
* $1,281 total to Howard Dean updated Q1/2004 http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=Huguenin&fname=aleita&search=Search)
* $2,500 to EMILY'S LIST on 06/04/04 -- Supporting pro-choice Democratic women running for congress and governor http://www.city-data.com/elec/elec-RANCHO-MURIETA-CA.html
* $2,500 to campaign of California Assembly candidate Heidi Von Szeliski 76th district (SanDiego) (lost) http://patrickfinucane.com/Money.php?First=Heidi&Last=Von%20Szeliski&Name=Aleita%20Huguenin&Limit=50

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles Manatt
Venice, California

Basic bio
* Charles (Chuck) Manatt, 71, was born in an Iowa farming community. He was graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1958. After a year at the University of Iowa Law School, Manatt joined the Army. After 6 months on active duty, which was to be followed by an 8-year reserve commitment, he resumed law studies at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., where he was on the law review. (Manatt served as chairman of George Washington University's board of trustees from 2001-2007 and is still on the board.)
* He and his wife, Kathleen Manatt, moved to Los Angeles in 1962 after he completed law studies.
* Though Manatt is listed as a DNC member from California, he lives in Washington, D.C., where he is an attorney and lobbyist; his DNC membership and superdelegate status stem from his past chairmanship of the national party in 1981-1985.
* Manatt is a partner in the 400-attorney law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, which he co-founded in Los Angeles. The firm has offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento and other cities in addition to Washington. The firm is politically well-connected to both major parties: Manatt was Democratic party chairman, and the head of the firm's Los Angeles lobbying group, George Kieffer, is an ally of California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
* Manatt also was a banker. He founded First Los Angeles Bank in 1973 and sold it to an Italian bank in 1984. During those years he was president of the California Bankers Association and a member of the national council of the American Bankers Association.
* "I have one other lifelong involvement - farming in Iowa," says Manatt. He bought an Iowa hog farm in 1968 and has supervised its operations since then as a "personal" pastime in which his children have no involvement, he says. ((Source: Off the Bus interview with Charles Manatt, Feb. 20, 2008.))

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Manatt says he's been involved in Democratic politics for nearly 50 years. "I started in western Iowa, walking a precinct," he says. He was the president of Young Democrats at Iowa State University. He was the 1960 Kennedy-Johnson campaign's college national chairman. In 1964 he was Southern California chairman of Young Californians for Johnson-Humphrey. Later he became a DNC member for California; chairman of the party's National Finance Council; chairman of the party's Western States Conference; California state Democratic Party chairman and later the party's Southern California chairman.
* In 1981, Manatt ran for and was elected DNC chairman. The Democrats had just lost the White House and the Senate, and the party was struggling financially to match the success of the RNC under Bill Brock. Manatt says he "started" the concept of superdelegates. (See interview.) He served until 1985, succeeded by Paul Kirk. Manatt has been a superdelegate (he winces at the term, preferring "unpledged delegate") since 1989, when party chairman Ron Brown added former national chairs to the superdelegate list. Manatt's biography is available at his law firm's website, http://www.manatt.com/Attorneys.aspx?id=1398&full=446.

Political interests and issues
* As a young lawyer in California, Manatt recalls, he was a "part-time helper" in John Tunney's successful 1970 campaign for the U.S. Senate. (Tunney was defeated after one term, and joined Manatt's law firm as a partner.) .
* Manatt has been known as more of a nuts-and-bolts, finance-oriented party organizer than as an advocate of political "causes." As DNC chair he brought the party closer to business interests by creating the 300-member Democratic Business Council.

Involvement in 2008 election-campaign appearances, statements
* Although strongly identified with the Clintons, Manatt gave early help for 2008 to former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner. In March 2006, Manatt told the New York Sun that he was doing fundraising for the PAC that was to fund Warner's pre-candidacy travels. Manatt praised Warner, who'd had an early-career job in Washington as a deputy to Manatt when he was doing finance work for the DNC. Manatt's loyalties were torn. "I have great devotion, you understand, to the Clintons," he said. "At this juncture, it doesn't have to be an either-or. In a year, you have the chance to make your choices."
http://www.nysun.com/article/27278. Warner relieved Manatt of having to choose; the Virginian dropped out of the race.
* Supedelegate Manatt has endorsed Hillary Clinton.

Contributions to candidates
* Manatt, who had donated $600 to Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign fund in 2004 and 2005, in March 2007 gave her a maxing-out donation of $2,300 for the 2008 primaries. Later donations, listed in the Federal Elections Commission database through Aug. 29, 2007, have brought his total donations to Hillary Clinton for President to $5,100. http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/ (But isn't there a $4,600 overall limit -- $2,300 for the primaries and $2,300 for the general?)
* Manatt also gave $1,000 to Sen. Chris Dodd's presidential campaign; Dodd was one of Manatt's successors as DNC chair.
* Since 1997, FEC records show, Manatt has been a prolific donor to federal candidates and the DNC, giving a total of $74,225. He has given to scores of incumbents and challengers in Senate and House races. Not forgetting his Iowa roots - nor his farm interests in that state - he gave $6,000 between 1999 and 2007 to Rep. Leonard Boswell, an Iowa Democrat. Manatt donated $1,000 to Al Gore's 2000 campaign and $2000 to John Kerry's campaign in 2004. In 2001 he gave $500 to Bill Clinton's post-White House entity, The Jefferson Committee. No.

Previous campaign work
* Manatt was a co-chair of the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1992 (law partner Mickey Kantor was campaign manager, later President Clinton's trade representative and Commerce secretary). Clinton nominated Manatt as ambassador to the Dominican Republic in 1999. The Senate confirmed him. He served from 1999-2001

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hon. Carole Migden
California State Senator
San Francisco, California

Bio
* Born: August 14, 1948
* Originally From: New York City
* Represents the 3rd District in California (Eastern part of San Francisco, Marin County, Sonoma County)
* Elected to State Senate in 2004
* In February 2004, she married Cristina Arguedas, a criminal defense attorney and her partner since 1985, in a ceremony at San Francisco City Hall officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. That marriage was later annulled by the California Supreme Court. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_Migden
* After moving to San Francisco, she became involved in community service and activism. Her service to the San Francisco community dates back to at least 1980.
* During the 80s, she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Rainbow Deaf Society, Recognition of Distinction and Merit, along with recognition of outstanding leadership as President, from the Harvey Milk Lesbian/Gay Democratic Club, an Appreciation for Support of Probation and Juvenile Facilities by the Chief Probation Officers of California and a recognition of her commitment and dedication to the San Francisco Bay Area Community by the Hadassah Myrtle Wreath Award Concern. http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com/
* Sen. Migden has been named one of California's Power Elite of Women Elected Officials and "Rookie of the Year" in 1998 by California Journal.
* She received "Legislator of the Year" honors in 1999 from the California School Employees Association and in 2001 from the California National Organization for Women (NOW), as well as leadership awards from prominent environmental and civil rights organizations.
* She continues to receive high honors in California Journal's annual rankings, including "Quick Study" in 2002 http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com
* Carole Migden is a longtime member of, and current super-delegate to, the Democratic National Committee. She also served as chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party for eight years.
http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com
* Sen. Migden had many substantial accomplishments, including new laws requiring cosmetics companies to disclose to the state cancer-causing agents in their products; a measure to increase the state's focus on vocational education in our schools, and a bill to provide mental health assessments for young people in California's juvenile justice system, among many others.
* Sen. Migden also secured over $30 million for wildlife, transportation and education programs in San Francisco and Marin and led the effort to bring the headquarters for the new Stem Cell Research headquarters to San Francisco. http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com
* Prior to being elected to the Senate, Carole Migden served as Chairwoman of the California Board of Equalization (BOE)
* The nation's only publicly elected tax commission
* Represented San Francisco's 13th District in the California State Assembly
* For five years served as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com
* During her tenure at the BOE Senator Migden worked to modernize the state's outdated tax system and manage taxpayers' money responsibly. http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Mulholland
California Democratic Party's "senior advisor and long time chief spokesperson" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mulholland)
Chico, California

Basic Bio
* Lives in Chico, CA http://dogpile.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=34&qf=Bob&qn=Mulholland&qs=CA
* Graduate of Chico State University http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_University,_Chico
* Is an avowed world traveler http://www.pbs.org/newshour/convention96/regions/west/california_delegation.html

Political interests and issues What causes have they been associated with?
* A Vietnam veteran, Mulholland served with the 101st Airborne and was wounded in the Tet Offensive.
* Is a Vietnam veteran who is still active in Vietnam issues. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/convention96/regions/west/california_delegation.html

Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Has been active within the Democratic Party in excess of 30 years.
* Since 1991, his job has been working for the Democratic Party. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/convention96/regions/west/california_delegation.html
* Has managed a number of successful California campaigns and participating in presidential races.
* Has appeared as a commentator on various TV shows, including "48 Hours," "The Today Show" "Larry King" and "Crossfire."
* Known to the public primarily for blocking a 2007 censureresolution against California Senator Dianne Feinstein for her vote to support the nomination of Judge Michael Mulkasey as United States Attorney General without a vote. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mulholland
* Most press references to Mulholland are less than kind:
o " ... the cancerous infestation upon the California Democratic Party that is Bob Mulholland" http://calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4440
o "There is a foul stench in California politics. It is likely from a Democratic Party operative known as Bob "Baghdad Bob" Mulholland." http://www.staggeron.org/kalifornia.html
o "He's the Yosemite Sam of the Dems, eager to shoot first and aim later." https://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/926tnpbr.asp

Pledged Status
* Uncommitted http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/11/MN17VH62V.DTL

Involvement in the 2008 Election
* As a superdelegate, has given some interviews, but has never revealed a leaning in any direction.

Connections to Politicians, Leaders on State Level
* Was a senior adviser to Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides' campaign for governor http://capitolweekly.net/author.php?xid=106

This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation

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