Large Contingent of Precinct Walkers Target Pocket Area for Cooper

April 20, 2014 |

In a primary election that has no controversial ballot initiatives and expected low turnout, every vote is going to matter.

That was the message conveyed by Elk Grove City Council Member and California Assembly Ninth District candidate Jim Cooper to over 50 precinct walkers yesterday morning who met at Sacramento's Garcia Bend Park. Their goal of the day was to work the highest voter turnout precinct's in the home turf of Cooper's biggest opponent, Sacramento City Council Member Darrell Fong.

Democrats Cooper, Fong and Sacramento City Unified School District Trustee and two Republicans are vying to become the top two finishers in the June primary so they can advance to the November general election. Cooper and Fong are viewed by many political handicappers as the two most likely candidates to advance.

Among the roughly 50 volunteer precinct walkers were members of  Laborers Local 185 and Teamsters Local 150, according to Cooper's campaign manager Skyler Wonnacott. One of the many volunteers and organizers of the day's walk was Doyle Radford, Business Manager of Laborers Local 185.

"Jim Cooper has always supported the working class man and woman," Radford said. "Truth be told, I wish we had more trusted servants like him. We need more public servants like Jim."

Addressing the volunteers, Cooper stressed the importance of reaching out for every possible vote.

"This is a low-ballot turnout election, so you could win by just a hundred votes." he said.

After hearing instructions on which precincts were being targeted in what is the campaign's eighth consecutive weekend walk, Cooper thanked the volunteers, noting the value of the labor movement.

"All of us here, have what we have because of the labor movement," he added. "Everyone here knows how important labor is."