By Carolyn Schuk

 

Last week, three of the four Democratic candidates for the state Assembly District 22 -- Dominic Caserta, Paul Fong and Anna Song -- came to Santa Clara to lobby for the endorsement of the Santa Clara County Democratic Club at the group's monthly dinner meeting. With two of the three candidates Santa Clara residents, the race holds unusual interest for the City.

 

While the candidates got to make their case personally to the large and active grass roots political club, in the end no one went home with the coveted endorsement.

 

With support evenly divided between Caserta and Fong, no endorsement motion could muster the needed two-thirds majority. The "no endorsement" result followed an exhausting series of motions and countermotions, and discussions of Roberts Rules and the club's bylaws. This led one with wit to repeat Will Rogers' legendary quip, "I don't belong to any organized party – I'm a Democrat."

 

With seven minutes to speak – the evening was shared with candidates seeking endorsement in other local races – there wasn't much candidates could add to their already published positions and credentials. However, it was an opportunity to get up close and personal.

 

An energetic and engaging speaker, Caserta started off by declining the microphone, "I'm a teacher so I don't need a microphone." The high school civics and economics teacher, and two-term Santa Clara City Council member pointed to his record in office and in political activism, hitting the big concerns of SCCDC members – universal health care, green power and job creation through alternative energy growth.

 

"We need someone in Sacramento who can get something done," Caserta said, touching on a subject close to his heart. "If the governor gets his way he's going to take $2,700 away from every classroom."

 

Caserta has been endorsed by local public safety unions, the California Nurses Association, the Teamsters, Santa Clara County Supervisor Pete McHugh, former San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery and a long list of former and current area mayors and city council members, including most of Santa Clara's City Council.

 

De Anza Community College District Trustee and political science professor Paul Fong's speaking talent may not rival Caserta's, but with a long history of local activism -- he founded Asian Americans for Community Involvement – and an endorsement roster that's a virtual who's who of Bay Area politics, he's a formidable opponent.

 

Fong's supporters include current office holder Sally Lieber, Congresswomen Anna Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren, State Senators Carole Migden and Joe Simitian, Congressman Mike Honda and Former State Senator John Vasconcellos. He also enjoys wide support from educators and has received the endorsement of Santa Clara Council Member Jamie McLeod.

 

In his remarks, Fong said that he would support two bills currently pending in the legislature -- AB 32 rolling back the state's greenhouse gas emissions, and SB 840 for statewide single payer health care. Vetoed last year by Governor Schwarzenegger, SB 840 has been reintroduced by its sponsor, State Senator Shiela Kuehl.

 

Another issue Fong feels strongly about is same sex marriage. "My first bill would be to support gay marriages. It's a civil rights issue and I have always fought for people's civil rights."

 

Two term Santa Clara County Board of Education member Anna Song,  finishing her second term, brings to the race a background in social work, domestic violence intervention and fair housing enforcement.

 

Referring to her own experiences as an immigrant and naturalized citizen, Song said that working at the state level would allow her to "continue to be a voice for the voiceless." Song was the only candidate that provided complete copies for the entire audience of her answers to the Club's questionnaire.

 

Cupertino mayor Kris Wang, whose website says she's still in the running but whose campaign has been non-existent, didn't participate.