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Health & Fitness

BLOG: Chaz Bono Endorses Heidi Shink for Democratic Central Committee

It's good that everyone's talking about Torie/Betsy, but let's also talk about all the other great candidates down the ticket.

Torie. Betsy. Torie. Betsy. Those two names have been spoken (yelled) by more people in the area than any others in recent months. It seems everywhere you go, that’s what everyone’s talking (yelling) about. While I agree with California Democratic Party Vice-Chair Eric Bauman that on election day, “We’ll see the mess that redistricting and the top-two primary has made,” I also believe that there’s a silver lining in all of this. The Assembly race has got people really plugged into politics. And any time people get fired up and ready to phone bank, fundraise, and plain old talk (yell) about our political system, Democracy wins.

So now that we’re talking, let’s broaden the discussion to how redistricting has also changed the landscape of other important races down the ticket. When you open your ballot, right under “Barack Obama” you’ll see the list of nominees for “Party Central Committee.” While not as sexy as, say, running for Assembly, this important Committee plays a crucial role in educating and encouraging full voter participation, while working in tandem with local clubs, and the state and national Party to support and spread its values. In the 50th Assembly District, there are 7 seats available, and in years past, those seats went to the incumbents, virtually uncontested.

But redistricting has changed all that! Because the district has expanded, there are now more incumbents than there are open seats, which means that voters will have to make a choice based on something greater than the fact that the isomeone has been there before. Once again, Democracy, with a capital “D,” wins. By opening up the vote to talented and qualified fresh new faces, we grow the Party’s platform – which is exactly what the Central Committee is designed to do.

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Which brings me to my headline. Chaz Bono has officially endorsed Heidi Shink for Central Committee, one of the fresh, new, qualified faces to hit the political scene. Said Chaz, “Heidi has the knowledge, passion, and experience to be a very effective member of the Committee.” Heidi is a community leader and political activist with more than twenty years advocating for Women, LGBT, environmental, and union rights. Full disclosure (if you missed the by-line), Heidi happens to be me.

As a Human Services Commissioner for the City of West Hollywood, I am dedicated to Universal Health Care, HIV/AIDS, and Senior Citizen's issues. My work as a Board member for the National Council of Jewish Women allows me to focus on women & children, Israel, and the underprivileged. As Co-Chair of Outreach for the Stonewall Democrats and as a Board member for the national Victory Fund's Campaign Board, I work daily for LGBT rights. As a long time member of Democratic Clubs, I have fought for labor, teachers, nurses, and a host of progressive causes throughout the years.

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Along with Chaz Bono, I have the endorsements of the Beverly Hills/West Hollywood and Santa Monica Democratic Clubs, the Stonewall Democrats, West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang, West Hollywood Council Persons John Duran and John D’Amico, State Assembly candidate Torie Osborn, N.O.W. Hollywood Chapter President Lindsey Horvath, as well as caring citizens throughout the 50th.

In addition to my political life, I’ve had an eclectic career in the entertainment industry. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from New York University, I landed a record deal with my band, Ceremony. After a decade performing for audiences around the world, I became a Senior Producer at the E! Entertainment Network, then launched Cher.com, which, during my tenure, became one of the most profitable celebrity e-commerce sites on the web. In 2006, I turned my talents to writing, and co-authored the critically acclaimed health book, 3 Minutes to a Pain-Free Life (Simon & Schuster). My latest publication is the non-fiction wine book, Wineocology (Globe Pequot Press), on the shelves Fall 2012.

Whether you THINK SHINK on Election Day, choose Torie over Betsy or Betsy over Torie (or perhaps Richard Bloom over both), I hope that the discussion (yelling) surrounding this race has made you passionate about politics! It’s our privilege and responsibility as Americas to get our boots to the booth. So please vote on June 5th!

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