Here’s the text from Kimberly Ellis note to supporters; denial is not just a river in Egypt here. Nice slap at the CRC who worked so hard to review everything:
After Saturday’s Compliance Review Commission hearing, we come to the moment where we collectively decide what’s next. We must ask ourselves if we allow this inherently biased process – one conducted and coordinated by only Bauman voters – to stand as the final procedural word on this race.
The real tragedy is not the outcome of the Commission’s decision but the further eroding of confidence in the integrity of our State Party of so many activists who have already felt let down. There was a moment when both sides could have come together and moved forward unified in our commitment to fairness, justice and transparency. Instead, countless hours and wasted effort were poured into a process that was tainted from the start.
While I, perhaps more than anyone, want immediate closure, I also understand my tremendous responsibility to the thousands of delegates and supporters who are counting on us to see this through to its final conclusion. No doubt, this is not the easier path, but often times the righteous one is not. To turn away now would be a betrayal to my own sense of integrity and ethics.
So yes, our campaign will do our due diligence and file an appeal within the 12 days provided for in the proceedings. And no doubt, given its composition, the Compliance Review Commission will respond to our appeal proclaiming a most predictable outcome.
But beyond all that, my belief that the time to redefine what it means to be a Democrat has never seemed more important as it does now. As with AB 398, the Cap and Trade extension bill, and SB 249, the Disclose Act, all have been victims of the worst kind of insider politicking. I call on Eric to join me and the thousands of delegates and activists who have demonstrated their personal commitment to working for the passage of SB 562, and put to good use his relationships with the legislature – something he so often spoke about while on the campaign trail.
What happens next rests on a lot of shoulders because this progressive movement to redefine what it means to be a Democrat is not going away…because we are not going away. We’re going to organize for progressive policies and around candidates who share our vision and be vocal against those who don’t. We all agree that Democrats need to come together; the question is what are we truly fighting for? No more same old, same old. We must have the courage of our convictions for a bigger, better, bolder vision for California – and the rest of our nation. Change is created when we persist and I’m in this for the long haul. I hope you are as well.
July 22, 2017
Audit Confirms Eric C. Bauman Elected Chair of California Democratic Party The California Democratic Party’s Compliance Review Commission today confirmed that Eric C. Bauman was duly and fairly elected CDP Chair at the May 2017 State Convention. The declaration by the Commission of six members appointed by former Chair John Burton came after the Commission completed an exhaustive audit of the eligibility of each voter and every ballot cast, testimony by Democratic delegates, and more than 40,000 related pieces of information.
The audit found that both Bauman and Kimberly Ellis had votes that were invalidated, while Lenore Albert Sheridan gained one vote. The final vote tally confirmed by the CRC was: •1,467 for Chair Eric C. Bauman •1,410 for Kimberly Ellis •8 for Lenore Albert Sheridan
Chair Eric C. Bauman said:
“On behalf of all California Democrats, thank you to the members of the Compliance Review Commission for performing your duties under the CDP bylaws with the utmost diligence, independence, and integrity. You upheld the trust our members and our bylaws put in you as the authority to decide challenges to elections and other matters. Our Party is grateful for, and stronger for, your service.
“When I accepted the gavel as Chair in May of this year, I promised to work with our officers to empower the grassroots of our party, to strengthen the majorities in the Legislature needed to achieve truly progressive policy, and to position Democrats to recapture Congress.
“I’m proud to report we are moving forward on these efforts. We’ve broadened our perspective with a new-shared governance structure where every officer has a voice in CDP planning and decision-making. We are reaching out to our grassroots in every part of our state and embracing our activists’ bold vision for California as a Blue Beacon of hope for the nation.
“With the election results now final, I invite Kimberly Ellis to join me in uniting our Party for the victories that matter most – starting with beating the attempted recall of State Senator Josh Newman and continuing with taking back the House in November 2018.”
Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker, First Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party added:
“The CRC audit was the most inclusive and exhaustive effort I’ve seen in all my years of being a state party officer. It is now past time to put this misguided, costly and divisive challenge behind us. In his first two months on the job, Chair Bauman has worked to empower grassroots Democrats and set the stage for a more progressive California. I’m eager to continue that work with him now that the fair and open CRC process has confirmed his election as Chair.”