LAKEPORT >> Despite a string of recent primary losses that have thrown cold water on the fire, many in Lake County are still feeling the Bern.
About 100 people filled a small campaign headquarters in downtown Lakeport Friday evening for the grand opening of the Bernie Sanders For President campaign office, the only presidential candidate campaign headquarters currently in the county.
The mood in the house-turned-headquarters at 302 Armstrong St. was upbeat and the crowd was a diverse mix of cultures from millennials and octogenarians to Native Americans, Latinos, Vietnam Veterans and members of the LGBT community.
Almost all of them were strangers several weeks ago who have come together to support Sanders.
Most of the crowd that came in and out of the headquarters during the event were over 50. It was so noticeable that three young supporters seated on a couch in a side room were the center of attention for part of the evening, answering a barrage of questions and engaging in serious political conversation.
“I’m here to represent Lake County Millennials for Bernie and to be more active and involved in the political process,” said Kyle Maitland, 22, of Lakeport, who is convinced Sanders still has a shot at the Democratic National Convention this July in Philadelphia.
All three said this is the first time they’ve gotten involved in a political campaign.
None of the three — nor anyone interviewed at the event — believe that Hillary Clinton has a lock on the nomination and none would say what they will do if Clinton gets the nomination.
“I think right now we’re all Bernie or bust,” said Natalie Higley, 23, of Lakeport. She hopes to become a Sanders delegate for the convention.
None of those interviewed had a favorable opinion of rival candidate Clinton.
“War should always be the last option and Hillary is a war hawk,” said event organizer Tim Williams of Clearlake. “She has constantly thrown (President Barack) Obama under the bus on foreign policy.”
The Millennials (generally defined as people between the ages of 18 and 34) urged their fellow youth to get on board the Bernie Bus.
“Young people need to become more involved because I think this election will have an impact on people our ages beyond November,” said Onninin Pelzel, 20, of Kelseyville.
Soft drinks, beer and a table full of appetizers, many vegetarian, greeted the guests along with Williams, who explained why he is a Sanders supporter and campaign volunteer: “Bernie is the only honest politician running.”
He added, “Our nation has been demanding change for a long time and has not got it, Bernie has been saying the same thing for 40 years and the nation has finally caught up with him.”
Sitting on a plush sofa in a campaign headquarters that feels more like a cozy home, Robert Dominguez, 71, of Clearlake, talked about why he’s a fervent supporter of Sanders.
“America in not the land of the free anymore,” he said. “It’s all crazy. I just don’t know anymore.”
Dominguez, a member of the Navajo Nation and a Vietnam Veteran, said he became a liberal after experiencing the horrors of war in Southeast Asia.”I voted for McGovern (in 1972),” he boasted. His wife, a member of the Mohawk Nation, also supports Sanders.
He also talked about why he believes Sanders will be good for Navajos and all Native Americans.
“We have been treated like crap for 200 years. Part of (Sanders’) platform is helping Native Americans,” Dominguez said. “Too many treaties have been broken; there is too much poverty on the reservations. If the white man didn’t assimilate us, he killed us.”
About Friday night’s gathering, Dominguez said, “These are people who know history, who know politics and current events.”
Added Higley, “We’ve learned all this stuff by researching online.”
Several Sanders supporters explained why they believe he would make a good president for Lake County.
Barry Melton of Clearlake proclaims himself to be an “avid” Sanders supporter and although he said all of Sanders’ policies would help locally, he did single out two issues: free college tuition and health coverage for all.
“The economic disparity in Lake County is what Bernie is talking about,” Melton said.
Campaign organizer Williams was more blunt. “Lake County is the poorest county in the state and we don’t get our fair share of (federal) benefits,” he said. “We’re also the unhealthiest county in the state. Rural health care sucks in this country.”
The campaign signed up at least 20 volunteers Friday. In addition to doing office work, volunteers are needed for phone banks, passing out campaign literature and posting signs. Office hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thursdays when it’s open until 8 p.m., according to Williams.
California’s primary election is June 7 and the voter registration deadline is May 23. People can register online and registration forms are available at the Sanders headquarters.
As of Jan. 5, there were 49,309 eligible voters in Lake County of which 32,531 were registered to vote. Registration by party was 12,495 Democrats (38.4 percent), 8,552 Republicans (26.3 percent), 1,391 American Independents (4.2 percent) and 445 Greens (1.3 percent), according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.
