Lori Saldaña Applauds President Obama’s Stand On Marriage Equality

May 9, 2012

Vows to Repeal DOMA In Conjunction With Feinstein and Boxer

Lori Saldaña, who co-authored California’s landmark Marriage Equality legislation, is thanking President Barack Obama for being the first U.S. President in history to voice support for marriage rights for LGBT Americans.

“Despite the setbacks for the LGBT community over the last few days, I believe this is a tipping point for marriage equality in the United States,” Lori says.

“For a sitting president to come forward after soul-searching and to acknowledge without reservation the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry is an important step forward.”

“I am very proud of President Obama,” says Lori. “I believe his support will encourage more people to reconsider their position on the right of all Americans to marry.”

Lori Saldaña signed onto Assemblyman Mark Leno‘s Marriage Equality legislation immediately after being sworn in as a freshman assemblymember in 2004. The Gender Neutral Marriage Act was the first legislation of its kind to be passed by a state legislature.

When then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill, Lori co-authored the second version of the legislation in 2007. She was the only straight legislator to vote for the bill in the five counties south of Los Angeles.

Now a congressional candidate in California’s 52nd Congressional District, Lori says upon her election to the U.S. Congress she will partner with Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law which allows states to discriminate against married same-sex couples.

“I will work with my colleagues in Congress to repeal federal statutes like DOMA which codify discrimination,” Lori says. “We pioneered marriage equality in California, and I will continue this work in Washington.”

For her work on LGBT equality issues, Lori received a 100% rating from Equality California and has been endorsed by LGBT elected officials Tom Ammiano, Mark Leno, Sheila Kuehl and LGBT civil rights leaders Nicole Murray-Ramirez and Joseph Rocha.

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, who signed the nation’s first civil union legislation into law, will be hosting a fundraiser for Lori Saldaña on May 22nd.

Single-Payer Healthcare Champion Endorses Lori Saldaña for Congress

May 4, 2012

“So long as Republicans continue hold fast to policies that are destroying America’s middle class, we need to send a powerful Progressive voice like Lori’s to Washington.”

Former State Senator Sheila Kuehl, a champion for single-payer healthcare coverage in California, has endorsed Lori Saldaña’s run for Congress.

Sheila and Lori were colleagues in the Legislature during California’s vigorous healthcare debate in 2006-2007, pre-dating the federal healthcare battle by several years.

Both lawmakers saw the need to revise the healthcare system to allow access to the largest number of uninsured Californians via a public option.

“Lori was an early and vocal supporter of my ‘Medicare For All’ single-payer healthcare legislation,” Kuehl says.

Medicare For All is considered a model for any efforts to provide a public option at the federal level. Lori is also endorsed by State Senator Mark Leno, who has continued Kuehl’s efforts to pass single-payer legislation in California.

Kuehl says, “I’ve endorsed Lori Saldana because in the state legislature she amassed an impressive record of important accomplishments, including legislation on energy efficiency, consumer protection and sensible gun control measures.”

“So long as Republicans continue hold fast to policies that are destroying America’s middle class, we need to send a powerful Progressive voice like Lori’s to Washington.”

“Lori was one of the Legislature’s most reliable allies for equality.”

Kuehl’s support adds to Lori’s growing list of endorsements by leading elected officials, including Congresswoman and former Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, State Treasurer John Chiang, State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, State Senator Mark Leno, and former San Diego City Councilmember Donna Frye.

Lori says she is honored by Sheila Kuehl’s endorsement.

“Sheila Kuehl is one of California’s most important progressive leaders,” says Lori. “Her support means a great deal to me.

The first openly-gay Californian elected to the state Legislature, Kuehl noted Lori had been active in Sacramento and within her district during her tenure in the Assembly as an advocate for the rights of LGBT Californians, and has continued to do so since leaving office.

“Lori was one of the Legislature’s most reliable allies for equality,” says Kuehl.

MoveOn Members Endorse Lori Saldaña

May 3, 2012

We’re very excited to announce MoveOn and its seven million progressive members nationwide have endorsed Lori Saldaña!

Here’s the e-mail the MoveOn team sent out to their members:

The results are in: MoveOn members in California’s new 52nd Congressional District voted overwhelmingly to endorse Lori Saldaña in the primary for the U.S. House.

Lori has been a tireless champion for the 99% — fighting to create green jobs, protect the environment, and guarantee equality for all Californians while in the Assembly — and her grassroots campaign is inspiring progressives across the district.

Mary Lou, a MoveOn member in San Diego, voted to endorse Saldaña because she’s “a strong advocate for equality, immigrants’ rights, and women.”

Kimberly says, “Lori is grassroots all the way, with door-to-door campaigning and support from all the Democratic clubs in San Diego County. She was a state legislator for six years and has always been about standing up for the people.”

On the other hand, many MoveOn members wrote of their concerns about Saldaña’s primary opponent, Scott Peters. Kayla, a MoveOn member in San Diego, ruled out Peters because he “has openly stated that he supports cutting vital social programs such as Social Security and Medicare.”

When Lori, who received 71% of all the votes cast in the six-candidate field, heard about the endorsement, she said:

I am grateful to have the support of MoveOn’s tens of thousands of members throughout San Diego who have expressed their faith in my progressive, grassroots campaign. This campaign is about more than an election in November. It’s about people working together to take back government for the middle class and supporting those who aspire to join the middle class. MoveOn’s endorsement will be a tremendous help in getting me to Washington and I look forward to working with MoveOn’s members in the months ahead.

Vote-by-mail ballots are arriving in mailboxes now. Voters may not know about Saldaña’s amazing record, or that Scott Peters thinks cutting the deficit is more important than protecting Social Security and Medicare, so we need to get the word out Lori Saldaña is the only choice for progressives.

Lori is running a true grassroots campaign — not one powered by big money — and she needs volunteers to help get the word out about her campaign.

If you or your family, friends or colleagues have time to volunteer or help out, contact Volunteer Coordinator Allan Acevedo at (619) 681-3769, or sign up to volunteer HERE.

National Organization for Women Endorses Lori Saldaña for Congress

May 2, 2012

NOW President Calls Lori “Fiercely Principled”

The nation’s largest women’s advocacy organization, the National Organization for Women (NOW) has announced its endorsement of Lori Saldaña in her run for Congress.

Calling her a “fiercely principled” candidate, NOW President Terry O’Neill points to Lori’s unwavering record on women’s issues.

“In the California Legislature, Lori Saldaña has been a champion for policies which advanced the issues NOW cares about, including economic justice, reproductive rights, and addressing the epidemic of violence against women,” says O’Neill.

“She is also fiercely principled in her stands,” she adds. “We endorsed Lori because we know she will stand for women in Congress.”

Lori Saldaña is the Democratic frontrunner to unseat extremist Republican Brian Bilbray in California’s 52nd Congressional District.

Growing List of Women’s Organizations

NOW adds to the growing list of women’s organizations supporting Lori Saldaña for Congress, including Emily’s List, Run Women Run, and the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club. The national NOW endorsement was made with the support of local and state chapters.

Lori is thrilled by NOW’s endorsement.

“I am honored to have NOW’s support, especially at such a crucial time for women,” Lori says. “I look forward to working to elect more women for national office who will push back against the extremist anti-woman agenda in Washington.”

Throughout her tenure in the Legislature, Lori was recognized as a champion of women’s issues by NARAL Pro-Choice California (100%), Planned Parenthood (100%) and California NOW (100%).

Karen Bass and Lori Saldaña

Lori was also part of an historic leadership team in the California Assembly which included Karen Bass as the first African-American Speaker in the nation’s history, Assemblywoman Noreen Evans as Assembly Budget Chair, and Lori as Speaker pro Tem.

Lori also served as the Chair of the bipartisan Legislative Women’s Caucus, where she worked on issues related to the trauma faced by women female service members serving in combat situations.

Lori Saldaña Endorses Bob Filner for Mayor of San Diego

May 1, 2012

Former State Assembly Pro Tem Lori Saldaña has announced her support for Bob Filner for Mayor of San Diego, the only Democratic candidate in the city’s mayoral race.

“After 20 years of Republican misrule at City Hall, it’s time for a change,” says Lori. “Bob Filner offers the best chance for a break from the past.”

“Bob and I have our differences, but this is not about personalities. It’s about what’s best for the people of San Diego. Bob is a much better choice than any of the other candidates. Bob has a far better record on behalf of working people and protecting the environment; and he’s not bought and paid for by the Downtown establishment which has run San Diego for a generation.”

Lori is the Democratic frontrunner in the race for the newly drawn 52nd Congressional  District.

Howard Dean to Host Fundraiser for Lori Saldaña

May 1, 2012

We’re excited to announce 2004 presidential candidate and former head of the Democratic National Committee, Gov. Howard Dean, will be in San Diego on May 22nd to host a fundraiser for Lori Saldaña.

Lori was named one of the Dean Dozen during her successful 2004 campaign for the California Assembly.

The Dean Dozen were a group of 12 progressive Democratic candidates endorsed by Dean’s Democracy for America organization, which also included Barack Obama in his successful 2004 bid for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois.

To RSVP, call (858) 381-2012 or e-mail contribute@lori4congress.com.

You can also purchase tickets for the event at Act Blue.

More information on the event and reception is available at this Howard Dean Event Flyer.

Lori is the in the front-runner in the race to unseat Brian Bilbray in the redrawn 52nd Congressional District.

Lori Earns Endorsement from Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

April 24, 2012

The Brady Campaign and its network of California chapters have announced their endorsement of Lori Saldaña in the 52nd Congressional District race.

While in the Assembly, Lori repeatedly proved her commitment to strong firearms laws and to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, earning a 100% voting record with the Brady Campaign.

In 2010, she showed particular leadership on public safety issues by authoring legislation to ban the carrying of openly-displayed handguns in public.

“Lori Saldaña saw the threat to law enforcement officers and to communities across California from people openly carrying their handguns in coffee shops, restaurants and other public places,” says Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “She stood up to the gun lobby and their dangerous vision of America.”

Lori also became the first California candidate to sign Brady’s Statement of Principle Against Arming Dangerous People. The statement was unveiled last week when 32 victims and survivors held a press conference on Capitol Hill urging Congress to take action to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people, and to reject U.S. Senate bills which the Brady Campaign has dubbed the “George Zimmerman Armed Vigilante Act.”

“She stood up to the gun lobby and their dangerous vision of America.” – Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

The Statement of Principle from the Brady Campaign reads:

I believe these people should not be able to buy, own or carry a gun anywhere in our nation:

  • Convicted felons
  • Convicted domestic abusers
  • Terrorists
  • People found to be dangerously mentally ill.

“We are thrilled to endorse Lori Saldaña and we think she’ll make a great Member of Congress,” says Dr. Dallas Stout, President of the California Brady Chapters. “In the state legislature, she was a real champion on our issue. She stood up for our communities and for the victims and survivors of gun violence.”

Lori’s opponent, Brian Bilbray, has repeatedly voted in lockstep with the NRA and has earned an “A” rating from the group. Last fall, over the strong objections of the California Police Chiefs Association, Bilbray co-sponsored and voted for HR 822, i.e. the “George Zimmerman Armed Vigilante Act.”

“Rep. Bilbray…should have listened to the police chiefs throughout his state.” – Dan Gross

If enacted, HR 822 would force states to allow thousands of dangerous people like Trayvon Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman, carry loaded, hidden handguns from Times Square to Topeka, and from Maine to California.

It would allow tens of thousands of concealed carry permit holders, including many with violent backgrounds, to take their weapons and their “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality anywhere they go. Currently, California does not allow anyone from other states to carry loaded, hidden firearms on California streets.

“Rep. Bilbray should be ashamed of himself for voting to nullify California’s strong gun laws and allow armed and dangerous people to carry guns in California communities,” says Dan Gross.

“He should have listened to the police chiefs throughout his state. Instead he chose to subscribe to the gun lobby’s dangerous and paranoid vision that you need to be armed to the teeth wherever you go.”

With the June 5th primary approaching, the time to volunteer time or resources to help Lori restore an honest and sane dialogue on firearms in the House of Representatives is critical.

Click on the Volunteer or Donate buttons on the upper-right hand side of the page if you can afford to do either, and tell your friends and family: Lori Saldaña represents the middle class, and will bring the concerns and priorities of working families back to the halls of power in Washington D.C.

Congresswoman and Former Assembly Speaker Karen Bass Backs Lori for Congress

April 23, 2012

“Lori is driven by her values. She is ready for Congress.”


Former California Assembly Speaker and a rising star in Congress, Karen Bass has thrown her support behind Lori Saldaña and her bid to unseat extremist Republican Brian Bilbray.

“The moment I met her, I knew she was a rebel. She bucked the system in her first election, and in the six years she served, that was how she governed,” says Congresswoman Bass. “Nobody in the Republican Caucus or the Democratic Caucus ever questioned what drove Lori.”

“Lori is driven by her values,” says Bass. “Not a lot of people in political life can make that claim.”

Those values have earned Lori high marks from a range of organizations, including the Sierra Club (100%), Congress of California Seniors (100%), Planned Parenthood (100%), California Consumer (97%), and the Children’s Advocacy Institute (95%).

“Lori and I stood side-by-side pushing back against the GOP extremists and special interests in Sacramento.” – Congresswoman Karen Bass

Karen Bass, the nation’s first African-American woman to lead a legislative body, appointed Lori as her pro Tem during her historic Speakership, and was in San Diego hosting a series fundraisers for Lori earlier this month.

Congresswoman Bass reflected on Lori’s ability to generate support for her as a woman Speaker in a largely male-dominated California Assembly, a feat which required careful negotiation, the long-term cultivation of relationships and skill as a diplomat.

“Lori is an organizer at heart and so am I,” says Bass. “We pulled a lot of votes together a lot of votes in a very short time. Having another organizer in Congress is absolutely critical.”

Bass and Saldaña served during a period in which Republicans, who were the minority in the Legislature, rehearsed their extremist national agenda.

“Lori and I stood side-by-side pushing back against the GOP extremists and special interests in Sacramento,” says Bass. “The Republican playbook is the same. Paul Ryan has vision of America inconsistent with this country’s values.”

“Lori is ready for Congress,” says Congresswoman Bass. “I need her at my side again in Washington to fight the good fight for working families.”

Bass noted California, and in particular the 52nd Congressional District, is in a strategic position for Democrats in Congress in their quest to recapture majority control of the House of Representatives. She also reflected that, out of 435 members of Congress, there are only about 76 women.

“Lori’s election will have national significance.”

With the June 5th primary approaching, the time to volunteer time or resources in order to enable Lori to join Congresswoman Karen Bass in the House of Representatives is crucial.

Click on the Volunteer or Donate buttons on the upper-right hand side of the page if you can afford to do either, and tell your friends and family: Lori Saldaña represents the middle class, and will bring the concerns and priorities of working families back to the halls of power in Washington D.C.

“Lori’s election will have national significance.”

New Poll Demonstrates Broad Support for Lori Saldaña

April 22, 2012

A new Survey USA poll shows Lori Saldaña has a higher favorability rating than Scott Peters among independent and moderate voters in the re-drawn 52nd Congressional District.

These numbers punch a hole in Peters’ argument he alone has enough support from moderates to beat incumbent Brian Bilbray in a general election face-off.

Not only does the new poll have Lori’s favorability ratings at 29 percent over Peters’ 22 percent, but it shows she has a stronger position with independent and moderate voters than Peters.

Among voters who identified their party affiliation as Independent, Lori garners 21 percent favorable ratings over Peters’ 18 percent. Among moderates, Lori is viewed favorably by 28 percent over Peters’ 21 percent. Significantly, Lori Saldaña also enjoys more support from gun owners than Scott Peters, with 30 percent over Peters’ 21 percent.

For more information on how you can help Lori’s campaign with neighborhood canvassing, phone banking, and other volunteer options, fill out this volunteer form (or click the button on the right) and someone from Team Saldaña will get back to you shortly!

Chelsea’s Law: Lori Supported Intent, but Abstained When Author Left Out Funding

April 21, 2012

It’s wrong to give victims of sexual predators false hope.

“While I have never lost a child, a member of my own family was a victim of sexual violence.”

“I have seen firsthand the long-term emotional and physical devastation brought by violent sexual predators,” says Lori Saldaña. “My heart goes out to the family of Chelsea.”

“The animal who did this to Chelsea King will rightfully spend the rest of his life in jail.”

“As I said on the floor of the Assembly, I strongly supported the direction Assemblyman Fletcher was taking with Chelsea’s Law, but the bill did not fund increased supervision of paroled sexual offenders – one of its key provisions.”

“I strongly support the bill’s intent. But, in good conscience, I couldn’t vote for the bill because it would have been wrong to give false hope to victims of these violent sexual predators.”

“I wished it had been a better bill because I believe victims deserve the best, most effective policy-making.”

“The animal who did this to Chelsea King will rightfully spend the rest of his life in jail.” – Lori Saldaña

“As recently as January of this year, the San Diego Union-Tribune and others were demanding the state find funding for increased supervision. To date, they have not, and the same loose supervision of paroled sexual offenders which allowed so much pain to be brought to Chelsea’s family is still the norm. This is unacceptable.”

Lori was joined by two of her female colleagues, Budget Chair Noreen Evans and Rules Chair Nancy Skinner in abstaining from the bill.

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