Alameda County Dems seek to remove Raj Salwan for supporting Lily Mei, violating its bylaws

Sheriff Greg Ahern’s turbo-charged fundraising report

Fremont Councilmember Raj Salwan

—TRIAL OF THE CENTURY, PART 2—Last October, the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee sanctioned Fremont Mayor Lily Mei for previous anti-LGBT votes and barred her from receiving consideration for its endorsement. Now, the local party apparatus is seeking to remove one of its own members for endorsing and providing financial backing for Mei in this year’s 10th State Senate District campaign.

Alameda County Democrats in south county have charged Fremont Councilmember Raj Salwan for violating the central committee’s recently approved bylaw that prohibits members from endorsing candidates that have disparaged the LGBT community. The central committee’s members overwhelmingly found Mei’s past actions constituted a violation of the new bylaw. Only two voters opposed the charges against Mei—Assemblymember Bill Quirk and, through a proxy, Rep. Ro Khanna.

In an interview on Tuesday, Salwan said he intends to fight the charges. If he is sanctioned or removed from the central committee, Salwan said he will file a complaint with the California Democratic Party. Salwan is an elected member of the central committee representing the 25th Assembly District (soon to be the 24th District due to redistricting.)

“This is not good for the party,” he said, and will exacerbate a growing schism between progressive Alameda County Democrats in Oakland and Berkeley, and left-of-center and moderate Democrats in south county. Salwan also believes following Mei and himself, the central committee may go after Khanna next. Khanna strongly backs Mei.

IN THIS ISSUE: What to expect from tonight’s ALCO Dems meeting | How did we get here? | Campaign Finance Spotlight: ALCO Sheriff | New college board member | A’s to go BCDC | Datebook |