Ly Wins EG South Sac Dem Endorsement, Chaires Points to Club 's Leadership Endorsements

April 8, 214 | By a vote of 126 to 83, Steve Ly won the endorsement of the Elk Grove-South County Democratic Club endorsement tonight for...

April 8, 214 |

By a vote of 126 to 83, Steve Ly won the endorsement of the Elk Grove-South County Democratic Club endorsement tonight for the District 4 seat of the Elk Grove City Council.

Ly, a trustee of the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) earned the endorsement over his Democratic rival, Elk Grove Planning Commissioner Nancy Chaires. Ly and Chaires are two of four candidates seeking the seat currently occupied by Bob Trigg.

Held at the Elk Grove Library, the monthly meeting more closely resembled a mini-political convention with various factions working the room. Among local elected officials to attend and cast votes were Cosumnes Community Services District Director Rod Brewer and California Assembly Members Roger Dickinson and Dr. Richard Pan.

Ly, who was at a EGUSD board meeting and unable to attend the entire proceedings but did manage to come to the meeting briefly to vote, said in a statement after learning of the victory he was honored to receive the club's endorsement and that the meeting's "energy and tremendous turnout is thrilling for the City of Elk Grove."

"The goal of my campaign is to bring communities together so we can work toward creating jobs and helping families feel more invested in their city," Ly said. "I plan on capturing this momentum moving forward and inspiring more people to be engaged in their city."

Club members Dan Schmitt(l) and Dmitri Smith tally ballots
while Ly campaign staffer Mai Vang Yang observes. 
In recent months club membership has swelled as various candidates in this and earlier club endorsement elections for the California State Senate and Assembly have been said to encourage supporters to pay dues and join so they could take part in the endorsement process. According to the club's by-laws, due pay members who have been enrolled for at least one month, can cast ballots in endorsement votes.

Although exact numbers were not available, it was estimated that there were about 50 due-paying members at the end of 2013. As of tonight, membership had grown to 325.

"Sandi Russell, myself and many other longtime members of the Elk Grove-South County Democratic Club are working to amend the bylaws of the club relative to our endorsement process. The ideas include revising the number of meetings a member is required to attend in order to be eligible to vote," club treasurer Nancy Fox said. "The goal is to ensure that only active members who reflect the true culture of the Elk Grove-South County Democratic Club and who are truly concerned with the well being of our community speak for the club."

While not winning the endorsement, Chaires noted she has the support of three of the four members of club's Executive Governing Board including Vice President Dan Schmitt, Treasurer Nancy Fox and Secretary Dmitri Smith as well as many other longtime, active members of the club.

"I'm invigorated by the strong level of support shown tonight by a significant number of members of the club who are actually Elk Grove voters, the ones that will have a say in November," Chaires said.

By the time the final vote tally was announced, only a handful of club members and campaign supporters were in attendance to hear the results. Among them was longtime Elk Grove resident, former EGUSD Trustee and self-described died-in-the-wool liberal Democrat, Olga Batey, who openly expressed frustration with the process.

"We've got to change the way we let people vote," Batey said. "I am very upset."









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48 comments

Anonymous said...

Looks like the Elk Grove County South Dem Club is going to change their by-laws to favor their executive board's interest. If civil engagement is about getting people involve, regardless of race, color, background, and interest, what is the executive board and so called long time members upset about? These statements are very discriminating and reflects the "true culture" of the Elk Grove South Den Club's ethics, transparency, and integrity.

Anonymous said...

let me tally the score:

EGN Straw Vote results, Steve Ly 176 - Nancy 17

(link:http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/04/ly-wins-eg-south-sac-dem-endorsement.html)

Elk Grove County South Dem Club, Steve Ly 126, Nancy 83

Look like that is 0-2 record for Nancy

Anonymous said...

If this was a senior class election, then by all means, let the most popular candidate win.

However, this is a serious, local government position that will be voting on issues at the core of our city...we don't want the popular candidate, we NEED the most informed, intelligent and engaged representative available. Just ask Ly just about any question about the connector road and you get a blank stare; ask him about the SOI; another blank stare; ask him about the rural area concerns; another blank stare. I'm sure Ly is great at parties; but we need someone who has been following the issues and can debate their reasonableness and worthiness.

Anonymous said...

200 votes total...there's that many people on my block. Those votes mean zip! Not only that, he'll probably change his mind anyway before election time and go some other direction. Just playing the system for his amusement........

Geez, you mean Ly took time out to attend a meeting that he had pledged to support & serve and missed the biggie. Soooo sad!

Sorry Ly said...

Stack the vote with people who can't vote in Elk Grove. Shallow victory here!

And one more thing: OLGA BATEY ROCKS!!

Anonymous said...

"Stack the vote", you can count that they will be stacking the vote again in November.

"These votes mean zip", who really cares about an endorsement from the local Elk Grove County South Dem Club anyways?

"let the most popular candidate win",at least we can agree on that statement.

John Rambo said...

Yeah the numbers don't mean squat, even in November when Steve beats Nancy by a landslide. Guess Nancy fans didn't get a passing grade in statistics.

Rambo has a Chaires ready next to him in the loser dugout.

First Blood Part II

Anonymous said...

I'm appalled that those people are allowed a voice and a vote. What is becoming of our South Democratic Club! Don't they realize this is a club for the elites only! Its a shame and disappointment that we did not change the by laws earlier. We need to move fast and make necessary changes before those people ruin our club even more! We need to secure the future of our club. We need to ensure that only people with the right bill gets admission and endorsement!

Elk Grove Republican said...

I love this!!

Concerned Citizen said...

Who allowed the Asians in the building? We need to call an emergency board meeting! Rules need to be changed. This is an urgent matter. Ms. Batey - you have every right to be upset! How dare people join the club and increase the number of members from 50 to over 300!!! That is ridiculous. Please... do something... anything...

Chaires My Candidate said...

Ms. Chaires has the support of the club officers. She should have gotten the endorsement!!! Why vote when three of the club leaders already support her. People... follow your leaders!!!!!

Jerry Maguire said...

Where does Steven Ly stand on:

Suburban sprawl

Uncontrolled development

High density housing projects for very low and low income households versus inclusionary development.

$100 million soccer stadium

Water scream amusement park right next to single family housing development.

Campaign financing reform.

He might win because of the high % of Asians in District 4.

I don't want to see the sheep vote based on ethnicity.

I want the sheep to get educated as to the massive problems facing Elk Grove.

The city wants to raise sales taxes to repair roads, yet it has millions to spend on hair brained projects?

Wait until the Pension and Unfunded Health Insurance liability hits Elk Grove.

Overpaid employees

Retirement plans that are the richest in the region

Future Stockton in the making?

Mo said...

While we're at it, would we like to institute a literacy test and proof of citizenship as requirements to vote? Sounds familiar...

Anonymous said...

SMH....Its a shame that so many people were allowed to join and support the South Dem Club. With 275 new members; revenues increased by $4125.00.

Anonymous said...

I for one will never forget, nor will I allow others to forget, that Mr. Ly broke his promise to Elk Grove citizens when he ran for his current EGUSD Board position. He said he would serve his full term. He lied. He is not keeping his promise. The EGUSD Board will have to appoint someone to fill his position for the remainder of his term. That person will hold a position that they were not elected to by the people, much like Singh-Allen and Rambo.

Mr. Ly is gaming the system to fulfill his personal ambitions. He is not concerned about the citizens of Elk Grove. There is no honest or integrity to Mr. Ly, but there is certainly transparency.

Luke Skywalker said...

Nancy Fox, Sandi Russell, Olga Batey, and the rest of the longtime members of the Elk Grove-South County Democratic Club, please don't stop at changing the by-law in relations to the endorsement process only!!! You have much more work to do. Make sure you change the screening process to allow people to become members. Even if allowed to become members, make sure that you set standards on who can vote. Unless you start making all these changes, the future of the club cannot be certain!!! May the force be with you.

Pablo said...

"Luke Skywalker, I am your Father" Pablo

Anonymous said...

Steve Ly is the "floatie" in the Democrat punchbowl. His greed and ambition will result in our loss of a seat. Nice job, Steve... The Republicans owe you big.
The Capital Campaigns crew of Davis, Ly and Dickinson, as well as their bedmates (Conley, Ford, Garcia and Rodriguez) have proven they are looking out for themselves - not the citizens.
Well played, Ly but if they can't vote in November, it means ZIP.

Rocky said...

don't choke on your lattes while making new videos

Anonymous said...

Chaires - I'm with you all the way!!!! How dare those people claim they live in elk grove! We know they are just living in other people's garages. They are uneducated and illiterate. Come November, they will not know how to go to the polls to vote.

Anonymous said...

Nancy -- girl, I got your back. Come rain or hail, we women must stick together.

Wait Your Turn said...

Does Steve not know how to wait in line for his turn? He needs to stay where he is permitted to be. Who gave him the authority to think, care, react, and be concern about the elk grove citizens. He has only been permitted to take action for children not the city of elk grove. MR. STEVE LY, PLEASE GET BACK IN LINE!

Jughead said...

The sarcasm is getting pretty thick, thick as one of those yummy milkshakes!

Anonymous said...

How dare we allow the core value of inclusion in this Democratic club? Who are we?! Democrats?! Diversity?!

RWR said...

Democrats killing Democrats. Don't you just love it! All you young guns go after dear old Olga Batey. Glad y'all don't follow The Eleventh Commandment!

Anonymous said...

My only interaction with Mr. Ly was at a poltical event when he ran for the school board. I asked him how he stood on Prop 30 (temp sales tax increase for schools) and Prop 32 (union contribution). He looked at me and asked ne to explain what those two proposition were for. I stood there and actually thought he was kidding. When it became apparent he was not kidding and did not know either prop; I told him he wasn't ready to run for a school office and wished him well. I left that event thinking to myself that guy is just trying to get on the "gravy train". And I believe I am correct. I am at a loss to explain his huge popularity; because I honestly believe he doesn't have a clue about EG issues or concerns. If you run for the school board and didn't knwo what Prop 30 is/was; you are not ready to represent me or my kids! Mr Ly..if you are serious about "representing EG" then you have a huge learning curve ahead. I don't expect candidates to know everything (far from it) but I do expect a certain level of civic engagement (how many council meetings have you attended??); I did not see you at the SOI meeting in Novemeber? I can say I rarely see you at any city sponsored meeting. Let me ask...are you in it for the gravy or are you in it for the long haul? Your recent history says you are not good at the "long haul" so you have a lot of convincing to do Mr. Ly.

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:11
Don't be hasty... I believe Mr. Ly attended a city council meeting in January of 2013...
If I have my dates correct, that would have been just after he took oath for Trustee of EGUSD and it would have been the meeting where he endorsed Nancy Chaires for District 4 City Council. Hmmm...Yes, yes, I am certain it was the meeting where he took 3 minutes to fully endorse Nancy Chaires for District 4.
Hmm... I guess that was just about 16 months ago? Time flies (as does commitment, I suppose).

Shrimp Boy said...

It's fun watching this circular firing squad in action! Last person standing, please turn out the lights.

Anonymous said...

It amazes me how much both Chaires and Ly knows!!! Sadly only one side is firing cheap shots while the other remains quiet!!!!

Anonymous said...

All them Asians look alike, hope you spoke to the right Steve Ly. Otherwise, hope you are speaking the truth. But then again, why would it matter because Nancy will win this election anyway.... Right??? I'm not too sure anymore either....

Anonymous said...

Cheap shots or inconvenient truth?
The only winners here are right-leaning candidates. Wait... both of these candidates lean left. *poof* (mind blown).

Anonymous said...

Yes, Steve did stand up and say that of the people that had applied for the appointment to the CD-4 seat Nancy was the best one.

Problem is she/Pablo couldn't close the deal. The damage that was done has hurt her chance to win an election and obviously a vast majority of the Dem club believe so as well.

Anonymous said...

Dickinson (leader of the Capitol Campaigns crew) blew the deal by shooting his mouth off at Davis' victory party. Davis couldn't close the deal with the council, as a result. Ly's overzealous greed is the only thing that has changed since the failed appointment. Of the two, Nancy is remains the best qualified - even moreso now than when Ly first endorsed her. But, as many surmised, this fight will only benefit the Right. Keep on fighting, Steve... You better hope you win or your career here is DONE.
No, unfortunately,

Anonymous said...

Basically, you are a racist. To be a member of the Elk Grove Dem club, or any other Dem club, you must be registered to vote. That means you are a citizen. I am sure all members are literate, but that is not a requirement to be a citizen.

Thomas A. Anderson said...

Anon 14:34 you are leaving out a crucial piece of information. The fault really lies with the mayor who is in his ever-calculating and limp-wristed style caved to Hume's "last minute" pitch for Trigg. Ever scared of even his own shadow, the mayor threw Chaires under the bus for his own parochial interests. He is a weak and impotent mayor. I hope Ly understands just the deal he made with the mayor.

Anonymous said...

Steve Ly and his friends gamed the rules - plain and simple. The club had rules that were permissive enough for him to take advantage of by bringing citizens in from outside of Elk Grove. Did he win the endorsement? Yes. (Hate the game, not the player)
But, what matters is not some silly endorsement or some silly EGN straw poll but votes in the box in November.
In the end, character will be the determining factor. Ly's greed and manipulation will be his downfall. (and all of you Capitol Campaigns clowns will lose some of your luster for siding with him).

Anonymous said...

You do not have to be a registered voter to join the Dem Club.

The ballot box was "stuffed" with people who signed up to be Dem Club members by the dozens at last month's meeting. What a crowd! A person had to be a member by last month to vote this month.

Bet we don't see those "members" ever again.

All is fair in love and war said...

Sounds to me like both candidates played the same game if the votes were 83 to 126 and membership was only at 50 at the end of Devember 2013. Equal opportunity for Chaires and Ly. Looks like one beat the other at their own game and like children, screaming and crying. All is fair in love and war. Thank goodness I'm a proud republican!!!

Anonymous said...

Active members who reflect the true culture of the city of Elk Grove..... Interesting statement but so true. Reality check is needed - the true culture of the city of Elk Grove will be revealed during the November election not by a few members of the south Democratic club. Active members never reflect the true community and in due time, we shall witness the "true" culture of the city of Elk Grove. Reminds me of "Hunger games".

Bus Driver said...

If anyone care to check the records of the members who voted for Nancy. The records will reflect that she also game the system in the past few months by enrolling members from as far as Manteca and Lodi. She would be a fool not to encourage enrollment in EG South Dem Club. Of course this information would not come to light because after all 4 members of the executive board is endorsing her.

Dog Spot said...

If Nancy was able to close the deal when she had her opportunity then we wouldn't have this scenario today. By failing to secure a seat last January, her supporters have lost confidence in her being able to win in 2014.

Pablo FAILED

Anonymous said...

Only three of the four officers endorsed Chaires. President Matsumoto did not.

Anonymous said...

I have to ask, because I haven't been able to figure it out even after reading it so many times:

What or who is this 'Pablo' in reference to?

Anonymous said...

Pablo is Nancy's nickname

Sweet & Sour said...

in reference to registering,voting once, and stuffing the ballot box, is that not the name of the game? To bring out voters and get people to engage in their local government process? As a neutral on-looker, I can clearly see the Nancy supporters are quite upset, as these comments reflect their concerns. They have every right to be concern because you can bet Mr. Ly will be stuffing the ballot box once again in November.

Good luck to both candidates

Anonymous said...

Whence and why the 'Pablo' moniker. Is it used pejoratively or in a friendly manner?

It seems like a very inside 'nickname'. I thought it was someone else associated with Chaires.

Anonymous said...

This was not a win for Ly, this was a win for Twinkle Eyes Davis!

I bet Gary stopped by Nugget and picked up a cold six pack to celebrate and Stevie Wonder joined the party later on.

Cheers to you Mr. Mayor!

Anonymous said...

Pablo is Nancy's husband. He's a muckity-muck at the capital and thinks he knows all politically. Many think he's the reason for her recent setbacks and downfall for not getting the council seat when Davis was elected mayor. Poor advice from someone too closely connected to the candidate.

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