Mandelman Re-Elected Harvey Milk Club President

Rafael Mandelman
Photo courtesy RafaelMandelman.com

By Hope Johnson

January 28, 2009

The politically progressive Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club re-elected incumbent president Rafael Mandelman to a second term during its monthly membership meeting held last night at the Women’s Building in the Mission. Although the race was considered by many club members to be highly competitive, Mandelman won handily, winning nearly 85% of the vote over his opponent, Shona Gochenaur.

Rafael Mandelman is also a commissioner on the San Francisco Board of Appeals and a member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. Shona Gochenaur is the executive director of Axis of Love, a medical marijuana activist group, and will continue to serve as the Milk Club’s Cannabis Caucus Chair.

Milk’s 2009 officer election was well attended, drawing a crowd of about 250 that included local elected officials and political activists. Long-time member Enrique Asis observed it was one of the biggest turnouts for officer elections he could recall.

Among the early arrivers were Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Aaron Peskin, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, former State Senator Carole Migden, and former independent congressional candidate Cindy Sheehan. Jim Meko and Debra Walker, recently declared candidates for District 6 supervisor, were also early arrivers.

Late comers included Judge Gerardo Sandoval, Community College Board members John Rizzo and Chris Jackson, and former School Board President Mark Sanchez,. Lastly, and arriving with only four minutes remaining to vote, were newly elected School Board President Kim-Shree Maufus and School Board member Jane Kim. Among the many other attendees of note were Alix Rosenthal, Michael Goldstein, Julian Davis, Andy Blue, Rick Hauptman, Marc Salomon, Micah Jamal Allen, Robert Haaland, Jane Morrison, and Tim Durning, who generously handed out delicious salt water taffy.

Although most of the candidates ran unopposed, club members anticipated a controversial election, prompting some to create a “Change Slate 2009.” Campaign meetings, e-mails, and phone banking during the past week were the main topic of conversation as voting began. However, the election portion of the meeting went smoothly. The speakers and voters were respectful of all the candidates. One unexpected controversial issue turned out to be the creation of a Veterans Caucus. During announcement of the new caucus, a fairly heated debate broke out between Morningstar Vancil and John Calderra over proper meeting notice.

Election ballots were counted over onion rings, burgers, and friendly conversation at NY Buffalo Wings on Valencia Street. The Change Slate 2009 candidates swept the vote with one exception. The closest contest occurred between the two candidates for treasurer, recent college community board candidate Bruce Wolfe and attorney David Waggoner. Wolfe won by only 19 votes, and was the sole deviation from candidates suggested by the Change Slate.

The Harvey Milk LGBT Club was founded in 1976 as the San Francisco Gay Democratic Club. In 1978, the club changed its name to honor assassinated Supervisor Harvey Milk. Known for its support of progressive issues and its influence in the San Francisco political community, membership is diverse and includes heterosexuals as well as non-democrats.

Newly-elected officers for 2009 are:

President: Rafael Mandelman

Vice President Internal Affairs: Donna Linden

Vice President External Affairs: Hale Thompson

Vice President Political Affairs: Bobbi Lopez

Eboard Internal: Michael Lee

Eboard Political: Kimberly Alvarenga

Eboard Events and Fundraising: Catherine Cusic

Eboard Organizing: Kirby Ramstad

Eboard Outreach: Margot Reed and Patricia West

Recorder: Stephany Ashley

Correspondent: Paul Hogarth

Treasurer: Bruce Wolfe

Hope Johnson

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