SIMI VALLEY : Activists Form Democratic Club

Democratic activists have founded the first Democratic Club in Simi Valley in a decade, saying they are making inroads into what is often considered a Republican stronghold.

“There has been a rebirth of the Democratic Party nationally,” said Jim Dantona, a political consultant who was selected to be president of the club. “We’re just a small part of that here.”

The organization, which boasts an opening membership of about 75 people, has named itself the RFK Democratic Club, after the late presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.

Dantona said some of the interest in founding the new club was sparked by the Bill Clinton-Al Gore presidential campaign. He said one of the group’s first goals will be to open a Democratic headquarters in Simi Valley to support the party’s candidates.

Dantona estimated that Republicans still hold a 55% to 45% voter registration edge in Simi Valley, but local GOP leaders believe their party’s lead is even larger.

Along with Dantona, the officers in the new club include Jeanne Hopson, vice president; Tim Lofton, treasurer; Paula Allen, secretary, and Lillian Holverson, a county Democratic Central Committee representative.