December 04, 2014 

By Kenneth D. Miller 

Assistant Managing Editor  

 

Despite record low voter turnout that swept throughout the Southland and state and doomed the hope of Democrats in Congress and United States Senate,

 

the California Legislative Black Caucus(CLBC) swore in its largest number in its history this week.  

 

According to the Secretary of the State voter statistics, cast ballots have strongly dipped since the 2012 presidential election in the democratic stronghold.

 

On the heels of its worst voter turnout in Southern California 2013 where just 16 percent of 1.8 million registered voters cast ballots,

 

only 42 percent or 7,507,173 of 17,803,823 weighed in in 2014. During the presidential election of ’12, 72 percent of the registered voters cast ballots. 

 

However, in the face of those trends the CLBC strengthened its record with the local elections of Autumn Burke and Mike Gipson in the assembly. 

 

This week marked a watershed moment in California politics when newcomers Burke and Gipson took the oath along with incumbents Reginald Jones Sawyer and Chris Holden

 

in the assembly and Holly Mitchell in the senate. 

 

Thus increasing their Caucus to eleven members up from nine just two years ago. A special election will take place on December 9 to replace retired Senator 

 

Rod Wright could bump it to a record 12. 

 

“This is an exciting time for the California Legislative Black Caucus and for the State of California in general, said Assembly member Reginald Jones Sawyer. 

 

“While we are approaching historic achievements as a state there is still much work to be done and a lot of issues which affect our community. 

 

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the CLBC in addressing and bringing about realistic changes in the disparity of jobs, resources, the legal 

 

system and economic empowerment that plague communities of color at an almost epidemic rate. 

 

Having a larger number of members who come from our community and who understand these issues only strengthens our voice and makes our ability to influence change that  

 

much stronger.”  

 

“Today, we expand our caucus to the largest number in our nearly 50 year history including representation in never-before-held seats in Northern California,” said Senator Mitchell. 

 

“California has long been a state known for its diversity and inclusiveness and these election results make good on that promise,” said Assistant Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, and  

 

CLBC political director. “They show that despite demographic challenges, black candidates continue to win in all parts of the state. It also shows that good candidates trump race.” 

 

The members include: 

 

Reginald Jones Sawyer–Assembly District 59; Kevin McCarty – Assembly District 7; Jim Cooper– Assembly District 9;Tony Thurmond – Assembly District 15; 

 

Autumn Burke – Assembly District 62; Mike Gipson – Assembly District 64; Sebastian Ridley-Thomas Assembly District ; Chris Holden Assembly District 41; 

 

Cheryl Brown Assembly District 47; Shirley Weber Assembly District 79; Holly J. Mitchell Senate District 26;  

 

Through policy initiatives in education and black enterprise, the CLBC intend to create new opportunities for excellence and success for California African American residents of all ages. 

 

Among the focus items on their agenda are understanding education and growth for African American children and youth in California. 

 

The CLBC has established concrete education goals and made supporting a culture of excellence and success for African American residents of all ages. 

 

Additionally, CLBC members are constantly reminded of Black history and contributions to the state’s progress through our labor and entrepreneurism.   

 

Citing the ability to work and earn a living as a fundamental exercise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness it aims to implement policies to reflect that. 

 

Moreover, the organization plans to increase the number of Black contractors doing business with the State of California, reduce Black Unemployment rates by addressing the challenges 

 

in the small business community and protect and preserve home ownership. 

 

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