The Berkeley Democratic Club is the oldest and largest Democratic Club in Alameda County.
We have over 500 members, including most elected officials representing Berkeley.
BDC Endorsements for November, 2018 Election
State Assembly District 15 Endorsement
Berkeley City Council
Rashi Kesarwani District 1
Ben Gould District 4
Rigel Robinson District 7
Lori Droste District 8
Berkeley City Auditor
Berkeley School Board
Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board
David Buchanan
Alameda County Assessor
Save The Date
Chats At Spats
Emeryville Mayor John Bauters
Saturday, October 6 at Spats
1974 Shattuck, 2 blocks north of downtown BART
Our Mission
Support Democrats
Promote and support the Democratic Party by inspiring greater participation in the democratic process
Provide Leadership
Develop new leaders and bring forward positions that are consistent with Democratic Party values
Quality of Life
Work to improve the quality of life of the people of Berkeley, Alameda County, California, and the United States
Fight for our Platform
Fight for better health care, increased social services, equality for all people, and other tenets of the Democratic Party platform
Endorsements
Register Voters
Fundraise
2016 Platform
As the oldest and largest Democratic Club in Alameda County, the Berkeley Democratic Club stands for these principles:
- Government is a force for good, providing a safety net for the most vulnerable and under-served in our society and bringing balance and fairness to the market economy.
- Access to health care, a decent standard of living, a clean and safe environment and access to quality education from early childhood to college are fundamental.
- Diversity and inclusion in the political process lead to better outcomes.
- Public policy should be crafted based on sound research and best practices, with social and economic justice as our guide.
- Government should be ethically and fiscally responsible.
These priorities ought to be fought for at every level — local, state, federal and global. We believe the Democratic Party offers the best vehicle to advance our principles, and the Berkeley Democratic Club also support the principles behind the adopted platforms of the state and national Democratic Party.
Housing Affordability
- Build new residential housing at both market-rate and below-market rate so that our workforce, families, children and seniors at all income levels have an opportunity to live in Berkeley
- Continue to require developers to build or contribute a fee toward meeting affordability goals
- Maintain rent stabilization for the primary benefit of low-income individuals and households and minimize costs for small property owners
- Encourage in-law units that increase the housing stock and help seniors age in place
Social and Economic Justice
- Raise the local minimum wage to $15 at or sooner than the state of California’s implementation timeline of 2022, with input from low-wage workers, small business owners, nonprofit leaders and other stakeholders
- Attract living-wage green and clean energy job opportunities for Berkeley residents, especially those without a college degree
- Actively consider the equity implications of policy decisions, including allocation of public safety, social services and economic development resources in historically under-served areas
- Encourage broad participation in Berkeley’s commissions from people of all racial, social-economic, religious and political backgrounds
Community Health and Safety
- Target funding for social services and addiction recovery to nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated record of sound management and outcomes
- Practice compassion toward the homeless and those with mental illnesses while keeping our commercial districts safe and welcoming
- Nurture positive relationships between police and the neighborhoods they serve
- Maintain or increase the size of the police force and give police additional tools and equipment
Environmental Stewardship
- Hold the City Council and staff accountable for meeting the Measure G (2006) mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050
- Preserve parks and open space, actively consider environmental justice in land use decisions, encourage urban gardens and expand recreational space and opportunities for active lifestyles
Transportation and Mobility
- Fund a multi-modal transportation system that facilitates walking, biking and use of public transit
- Increase transit options for seniors and people with disabilities to access groceries, healthcare, recreation and other essential activities
- Produce an action plan to addresses deferred maintenance of the city’s streets, parks and public facilities
Budget and Taxes
- Maintain current taxation rates and service levels to ensure needs are met at a cost taxpayers can bear
- Practice shared accountability that includes increased individual contributions to pensions from newly-hired city employees, starting with non-public safety employees
- Advocate for statewide reform of Proposition 13 to ensure commercial property owners pay their fair share
Education
- Continue the 20/20 vision and partnership between BUSD, UC and City of Berkeley to address disparities in our schools
- Acknowledge the pivotal role of supplemental funding for Berkeley schools while pressing state legislators to increase funding statewide
- Advocate for increased support for K-16 education
Political Reform
- Defend the current contribution limit and rules for financing campaigns, while declining to endorse the use of general fund money for public financing
- Explore some form of term limits, potentially limiting council members to three four-year terms or two four-year terms with the possibility of returning to office later
- Establish a redistricting commission that takes the power to redraw council districts out of the hands of current incumbents