Culver City figures lead AD55 United Delegate Slate

Elected earlier this year through the California Democratic Party’s Assembly District Election Meetings (ADEMs), fourteen delegates of AD55 United will represent Assembly District 55 in shaping the party’s platform, endorse candidates, and advocate for bold, inclusive Democratic policies at the state level.

Among the delegates are several figures active in the Culver City community including Culver City Unified District School Board Member Lindsay Carlson, Culver City Downtown Business Association Executive Director Darrel Menthe, Culver City Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee Carlos (Charlie) Valverde, and Heart of L.A. co-founder Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin. Assembly District 55 includes Culver City and many of its neighboring jurisdictions, including Crenshaw, Del Rey, Mar Vista, Mid-City, Palms, Pico Robertson, and West Adams.

"The powers that be did not select us — no one in Washington chose us; we chose to run ourselves to be delegates for our party," Menthe said, "How lucky are we to live in a country and be in a party that allows its members to participate in this way."

Each delegate received a Certificate of Recognition from the Office of Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and a commemorative Democratic Party pin — presented by Menthe on behalf of the delegation. Culver City Councilmember and former Mayor Albert Vera, a lifetime member of the Heart of LA Democratic Club and LACDP 2022 Democrat of the Year, was also in attendance.

Culver City Mayor Dan O'Brien also showed his appreciation for the AD55 United delegates and expressed his belief in the goals of the coalition.

"It’s so critical — what you’re doing for us," O'Brien said. "To actually stand up and fight for what’s good in America, and especially what’s good locally"

Wisnosky Stehlin, the top vote-getter in the election, will serve on the California Democratic Party Executive Board, representing AD55 on key decisions shaping party leadership, policy, and priorities.

“This day is about 14 delegates who came together with a can-do attitude and made it happen," Wisnosky Stehlin said. "AD55 delegates care deeply about issues like the environment, women and girls, small business, DEIA, arts and entertainment, education, labor, and seniors.”

The slate ran as a coalition of Democrats representing a wide range of experience, values, and policy priorities — and every member was elected. Each delegate brings unique passions — from education, the environment, small business, labor rights, the arts, public health, and equality, to advocacy for women and girls, and equity.

The AD55 United delegates are:

• Lindsay Carlson (co-founder of Heart of LA Democratic Club, Culver City School Board Member)
• Carlos (Charlie) Valverde (Teacher, Activities Director, Culver City Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee)
• Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin (Co-founder and President, Heart of LA Democratic Club; CADEM Executive Board Member; SAG-AFTRA Committee Member, nonprofit exec)
• Darrel Menthe (President, Culver City Democrats United, nonprofit exec)
• Pamela Beth Greenstein (Political Director, Culver City Federation of Teachers)
• Kimberley Griffin (Heart of LA Democratic Club, Culver City Sister Cities Committee, Black Women’s Democratic Club)
• Ana Carrion (President, Chicano Latino Immigrant Democratic Club of LA County)
• Andrew DeBlock (Senior Advisor to Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, City of Los Angeles)
• Jay David Greenstein (Democrats for Israel, LA)
• Thuy Huynh (LA City & County Commissioner)
• Kevin Liao (Nonprofit Communications Consultant)
• Cristian Tafoya (Sr. Project Coordinator, City Administrator),
• Connye Thomas (LA County Democratic Committee, West LA, and New Frontier Dem. Cmtes. West Adams Neighborhood Council)
• Allen Jay Zipper (Director of Community Engagement, LA City Council District 5; WGA member)

For more about the ongoing work of AD55United, visit AD55United.com