Ventura, CA - Elected delegates to the California Democratic Party
cast their votes Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Regional
Pre-Endorsement Conference, held at the IBEW Hall in Ventura, CA, in
support of Tim Allison, Congressional Candidate for House of
Representatives in California District 24. In a staggering 89%
favorable vote, Allison secured the California Democratic Party’s
official recommendation for endorsement.  Allison’s democratic
opponents, Marie Panec and Shawn Stern, received 6% and 0% of the vote
respectively.

This official support from the California Democratic party casts
Allison as lead contender in the Democratic primary election June 8th
2010, and a serious threat to 23 year incumbent Elton Gallegly in the
November 2nd general election.

Regional Director Cory Black noted, “The endorsement of the California
Democratic party is the single most important endorsement any Democrat
can receive.  This endorsement provides legitimacy and significant
advantages for a candidate who can surpass the difficult 70% threshold
required for the endorsement to be placed on the consent calendar at
the State Democratic Convention.  Tim Allison’s 89% support puts him
in an incredibly strong position to run away with the nomination in
June and then move on to the task of replacing Elton Gallegly this
fall.”

Ventura Democratic Central Committee Chair Brian Leshon stated, “The
time has come to retire Elton Gallegly.  Over and over he has failed
us in both job performance and constituent service.  We have gotten
very little in return for the 23 years we have allowed him to be our
Congressman.  The constituents of this district deserve better.  This
year they will have a strong alternative in Tim Allison.  He has a
proven record of accomplishment and is a great candidate.  His focus
on creating jobs, jumpstarting the economy and improving education is
exactly what we need from our elected leaders right now.”

Daraka Larimore Hall, chair of the Santa Barbara County Democratic
party, stated “Tim Allison has been a community leader for many years
and his overwhelming support by CA Democratic Party delegates comes as
no surprise to me.  Tim Allison is the kind of leader we need to send
to Washington.  He is a small businessman, environmentalist, and a
family man with a child in our public schools.  He represents the
opposite of what is wrong in Washington, D.C. these days.  Gallegly is
part of the party of “no” that is creating a logjam and is holding up
real reform.   People in our area need jobs, an affordable college
education and the assurance that they won’t be kicked off their
healthcare plan when they need the coverage the most.  Instead of
being part of the problem, Tim Allison will be part of the solution.
We need his leadership in Washington.”

Allison acknowledged that this endorsement opens up his lead in the
primary, and said, “I take the endorsement of the Democratic Party
seriously. I am humbled and honored to have received it, and will work
hard to represent the Party and its ideals. Today, throughout the
nation, Democrats are striving to bring jobs back into our
communities, get the economy moving and improve education.  In the
coming months, I will meet every voter I possibly can, listen to their
concerns, and personally ask for their vote in the June 8th primary.”