Bernie backers rage over Calif. Democratic Party chair race [View all]
Bernie backers rage over Calif. Democratic Party chair race
Audit underway after accusations of ballot stuffing, floor protests.
By Carla Marinucci 5/22/2017 10:27 PM EDT Updated 05/23/2017 08:32 AM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO — Supporters of the losing candidate in a bitterly disputed election to serve as chair of the California Democratic Party say they’ll begin a detailed audit of the votes on Tuesday.
The move comes after protests, allegations of ballot stuffing and bitter disputes after votes at a weekend party convention.
Longtime party operative Eric Bauman won the chairmanship of the California Democratic Party over the weekend — but his victory was marred by complaints of ballot-stuffing and floor protests. Backers of the Kimberly Ellis, a favorite of the “Berniecrat,” activist wing of the party — say efforts to scrutinize the votes will begin immediately.
Some Democratic insiders are already worried the dispute has potential to do long-term damage, creating a rift in the state party as it heads into crucial 2018 elections, where as many as nine GOP House seats could be at stake in California.
“This is our Tea Party moment,’’ said one leading Democratic strategist. “And it’s not going away.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/22/california-democrats-bernie-sanders-238701
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