About Your Central Committee
The Monterey County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) is the elected body representing registered Democrats in Monterey County; it serves as the local presence of the California Democratic Party. The MCDCC holds monthly meetings every fourth Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. (Except in December) All are preceded by social time with snacks and beverages beginning at 6:00 P.M.
Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome. The meeting location alternates between the Seaside Center for Change (1238 Fremont Blvd, Seaside 93955), and the Salinas Center for Change (931 ½ East Market Street, Salinas 93905). (NOTE: Until further notice, meetings will be held remotely using Zoom. To obtain the link, please email MDCC.)
Karen Araujo, Chair
c/o Box 442, Salinas CA 93902
Email: Karen Araujo (Subject line “MoCo Democrats:…”)
Phone (Center for Change, Seaside): 831-333-0101
Phone (Center for Change, Salinas): 831-402-9106
Executive Board
Karen Araujo, Chair
Gary Karnes, AD 29 – Vice Chair
Amit Pandya, AD 30 – Vice Chair
Joseph Aliotti, Executive Secretary
Caspian Forsyth, Financial Officer
Pris Walton, Development Officer
MCDCC Members
MoCo Board of Sup. District 1 – Patricia Rubio Coyt, Martha Campbell Lopez, Kilder Fuentes
MoCo Board of Sup. District 2 – Regina Gage, Maria Luisa Alejo, Anthony Rocha, Kathryn Ramirez
MoCo Board of Sup. District 3 – David Kong, Timothy Miguel, Ernesto Gonzalez
MoCo Board of Sup. District 4 – Alicia Gaines, Herbert Cortez, Wes White, Jonathan Wizard, Alexis Arrazola
MoCo Board of Sup. District 5 – Elena Loomis, Gary Karnes, Alan Haffa, Joseph Aliotti, George Riley, Timothy Barrett, Esther Malkin
Club Representatives:
Democratic Women of Monterey County:
Kate Daniels
Nicole Hollingsworth, Alternate
Salinas Valley Democratic Club:
Victor Caravez
Jose Covarrubias, Alternate
Lisa Berkley
David Burnett, Alternate
Progressive Democrats of America:
Karen Araujo
Robert W. Coble, Alternate
Seaside Democrats:
Ian Oglesby
Jesse Perez, Alternate
Assembly District 30 Representative to the CA Democratic Party: Dominic Dursa
Ex-Officio Members: Mark Stone, 29th Assembly District; Robert Rivas, 30th Assembly District; Anna Caballero, 12th Senate District; John Laird, 17th Senate District; and Jimmy Panetta, 20th Congressional District. Associate member: Jesus Valenzuela, Communications Liaison
Sub-Committees:
Finance – Caspian Forsyth, Chair
Credentials – Karen Araujo, Chair
Campaign – Gary Karnes, Chair
Development – Pris Walton, Chair
Issues – Alan Haffa, Chair
Facilities – Gary Karnes, Chair
Policies and Procedures – Joseph Aliotti, Chair
Communications – Jesus Valenzuela, Chair
What Is A Central Committee?
County Central Committees are the local governing bodies of the Democratic Party in each county. They are chartered by the State Democratic Party. Central Committees raise funds, plan election activities, and may open campaign headquarters. The Monterey County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) promotes the values expressed in the California Democratic Party’s Platform and helps to elect to local office individuals sharing those values and registered in the Democratic Party . In addition, the MCDCC charters local Democratic Clubs promoting the Party Platform, holding meetings taking place regularly, and with a minimum of 20 registered Democrats as dues paying members. Representatives to the MCDCC are elected every four years. Representation on the MCDCC is based on the number of registered Democrats voting within each County Supervisorial District and members must live in the Supervisorial District which they represent. Partisan-level Democratic nominees or Democratic Elected Officials who live in the county are also members. See our Bylaws or the CA Democratic Party’s Bylaws for full details.
