Opposing view: Democrats work hard to stay united

The California Democratic Party endorsed Sen. Kevin de Leon because of his substantial achievements on climate change, gun control and immigration, including our sanctuary state law. Let’s be clear: Our dedicated and hardworking activists cast an affirmative vote for a candidate. The only rejection is of President Donald Trump’s corrupt and compromised regime.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is a formidable leader, enjoying national respect and prestige over four terms in the U.S. Senate. The media are trying hard to push the tired Democrats-divided storyline because of our endorsement. This sensationalized oversimplification sells newspapers, but it doesn’t paint a real picture.

Here’s the reality. We have worked hard to stay united, including my call for candidates to not even seek the endorsement. California Democrats are united in leading the resistance to Trump. We are united in our commitment to defeating Trump’s stooges in Congress, winning our third consecutive sweep of statewide races and a supermajority in our legislature. We are united to fight for progress on immigration, climate change, affordable housing and other key issues.

We will work our hearts out for our candidates, starting with those running against Trump enablers in Congress. We will work hard to energize millennials, rural voters and people of color to support our entire ticket, starting with de Leon and gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom.

The media are stuck in their, preTrump mindset of left versus right and red versus blue. But voters see Trump’s collusion with Russia. They see his flagrant corruption. They are revolted by the dangerous forces he has unleashed, particularly the justification of kidnapping children and locking them in cages. When they see what’s happening to our country, their first concern isn’t right versus left. It’s right versus wrong. And those voters will be well served by Kevin de Leon as their champion in the Senate. Just as they have been well served by Dianne Feinstein.

Eric C. Bauman is the chair of the California Democratic Party.