Speaker #1 : Melissa Ochoa ******* Topic: Know Your Rights
Speaker Info: Melissa Ochoa is currently our California Democratic Party (CDP) Region 11 Director. She has obtained a Political Science degree from the University of La Verne, and a Paralegal Studies A.A. from Victor Valley College. She was also the Vice President of the Progressives of Victor Valley College, hosting various events such as a Voter Registration Drive. Melissa is also an outspoken advocate for immigrant justice, working for and volunteering with organizations such as the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice and CHIRLA (IE Branch).  She has worked for I.E. United as a Lead Canvasser during their ‘Ready Rep’ campaign, and ‘Know Your Rights’.

Speaker #2: Alexis Claiborne

Running For: U.S. House of Representatives, CD-23

Election Date: June 2, 2026

Summary of Candidacy: Hello Mountain Bear Democratic Club! My name is Alexis Claiborne, and I am running for the U.S. House of Representatives in district 23 for this upcoming election. The primary is on June 2, 2026 and the general election is on November 3, 2026. I am the only democratic candidate that currently holds elected position. I ran in 2022 for the Wrightwood Community Services District Board of Directors and currently serve as the youngest Board President we have ever had. I come from the non-profit sector and have dedicated my career to serving my community and providing direct services to those in need. I currently serve as the Community Education and Outreach Supervisor for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties. When I realized I could only do so much with my advocacy in the community, I decided to run for this office to provide our communities with better representation and to fight for everyone, not just the wealthy few. Our campaign started canvasing almost a full year before the primary to connect with the voters and the community members and find out what matters most to CD 23. While I am far from the typical politician, I am ready to be the change we need in this district to bring working class representation and leadership to DC. In all aspects of my life and career, I lead with compassion, empathy and accountability. All three of which, I believe are severely lacking in DC. In office, I plan to expand workers rights, bring high paying jobs to our district by introducing renewable energy legislation and training programs, overturn Citizens United to get big money out of politics, increase funding for education, and work towards a single-payer healthcare system with access for all. 

Links: alexis@claiborneforcongress.com; (661) 964-7421, 
http://www.claiborneforcongress.com, Social Media: @ClaiborneforCongress

In the past as I met people up here on the Mountain and the conversation trailed into politics…. at first I always got “I don’t do politics”. Over time it transitioned to people whispering and looking around before speaking and telling me they agreed with me…definitely closet democrats.  

Well, this week I witnessed change. When I walked into the food bank (Operation Provider, Rimforrest) the three ladies at the front desk were excited to see me. They exclaimed they were Democrats and how the food bank program is in dire straits…not only was their grant cut and demand is growing but now the food donations have gone from 4 flats to 1.  (I wish one of these newspapers up here would do an article on this, not only to show consequences of the vote but also help them get donations). By the way, as I was leaving the conversation moved to Gaven Newsom, might I say…. clearly they were BIG fans.

So today it happened again.  As I walked into the Senior lunch my Dad said “It’s extra crowded today” and then the woman next to us exclaimed “It’s because the prices are going up!”. Me….poking the bear to see her reaction I said “Well this is what we voted for!” only for her to reply “I didn’t” and continue on with how upset she is with what is going on (Yes, I gave her our club card.). After entry I joined a random table with one seat left….trying to feel the room I sat quietly, sizing up the click I was dealing with.  Carefully I asked political entry questions poking the bear again to see the reaction. Can you believe it….as the conversation went on they were mostly ALL democrats and one unhappy Republican.  They openly discussed they were not happy with what was going on.  Actually crazy but true, one of the guys who whispered to me of his dissent of the regime two months ago, also at the table, at one point stood up, raised his voice and blurted out his outrage about the injustice of immigrants going into concentration camps.

Well…. I have to say the blue ripple is turning into a wave and soon we will be surfing the tsunami.

Holiday 🙂

This is the fight of our time. They’re not just after votes—they’re after the rules of the game itself. California will fight fire with fire and make sure every voter’s voice counts.

We have a whole tab on this website devoted to PROP 50:

Click here: https://mountainbearsdemocrats.org/prop-50/

● First time phone banking, email MountainBearDemSecretary@gmail.com to get started.

● Postcards, email MountainBearDemSecretary@gmail.com to sign up.

Shout out to Spade & Spatula for allowing us a table at the Pride Brunch. Please help support businesses that care about the community.

Check out FB video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1688463891866855

Address: 27214 CA-189 Ste. G, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352

My kid cousins went to the town creek and found rocks spelling out TRUMP.  They took it upon themselves to fix it!  Love this!

Shout out to all of you out there fighting for our Democracy!

Be loud and proud. Wear your club shirts, flaunt your club buttons and fly your flags!  Be proud of your patriotism and passion for democracy. Below is Alan Heller modeling his new hat he just had made with MBDC on it!  The trend setter!

A broad coalition of liberal groups and individuals met on Labor Day Monday in the middle of the day to rally against what is termed “The Oligarchy” – government largely run by billionaires and corporations who it is believed do not have the middle and lower classes in mind when they make decisions that affect the entire country.

Over 35 people congregated at the corner of Lake and Lake Gregory Drives to chant and display signs in support of a more equitable government, wishing people a “Happy Labor Day” and reminding them that we celebrate Labor Day as a result of Union activism. Pleas for a living wage for workers were among the wishes expressed.

“Show me what Democracy looks like!” - “This is what Democracy looks like!” ran one call-and-response. Many of those driving by honked and waved in support.

The group was ad hoc and organized loosely via social media. Among others, members of the Mountain Bears Democratic Club and People United for Mountain Autonomy (PUMA) were in attendance. 

Megan M