AD55 United Delegates Commissioned in Landmark Ceremony Celebrating Grassroots Power
Fourteen elected delegates from Assembly District 55 begin their term with a united commitment to community-driven leadership and bold Democratic values.
Fourteen elected delegates from Assembly District 55 begin their term with a united commitment to community-driven leadership and bold Democratic values.
Culver City, CA — April 25, 2025 — The AD55 United slate of California Democratic Party Delegates was commissioned during a full-house ceremony on Sunday, April 25, marking a powerful moment of unity, purpose, and grassroots representation for Assembly District 55. The event took place at the historic Culver City Foshay Lodge.
Elected earlier this year through the California Democratic Party’s Assembly District Election Meetings (ADEMs), these 14 delegates will help shape the party’s platform, endorse candidates, and advocate for bold, inclusive Democratic policies at the state level. 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 celebration featured remarks from speakers, including:
Jeannine 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.
The AD55 United delegates are:
— Rosa Russell, Chair of Assembly District Delegation for the 55th District at the LACDP
“Thank you to all the newly minted delegates. It’s so critical—what you’re doing for us. To actually stand up and fight for what’s good in America, and especially what’s good locally. I want to especially congratulate our Culver City delegates Lindsay Carlson, Darrel Menthe, Kimberley Griffin, Pamela Greenstein, Carlos Valverde, and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin. I know you’re going to do a lot of great work for us.”
— Dan O’Brien, Mayor of Culver City
“Being on the front lines is such a great opportunity—especially when so many people say every day, ‘I don’t know what to do. I feel lost, I feel angry, I feel stuck.’ Isn’t it wonderful to be able to say: I get to be in those rooms, to speak up, and be a part of it.”
— Michelle Persoff, District Director for Assemblymember Isaac Bryan
“This day is about 14 delegates who came together with a can-do attitude and made it happen. We organized, showed up, and cheered each other on—and it was fun! That same spirit extended to the people who came out to vote for delegates. It's a great start. AD55 delegates care deeply about issues like the environment, women and girls, small business, DEIA, arts and entertainment, education, labor, and seniors. So many national priorities are local priorities for us too. Thank you for your support!.”
— Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, President, Heart of LA Democratic Club; CADEM Executive Board Member
“I said this would be a moment of grace and joy. Before we go to the Convention in Anaheim, we sit with each other in grace and joy. It’s lovely to see people here smiling. 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. How lucky are we to live in a country and be in a party that allows its members to participate in this way. I'm full of joy because we get to go to Convention together.”
— Darrel Menthe, President of Culver City Democrats United
Together, these fourteen delegates represent the dynamic, community-rooted voices of Assembly District 55 and will focus on grassroots empowerment within the California Democratic Party and beyond.
Assembly District 55 includes Baldwin Hills, Beverlywood, Century City, City Of Culver City, Crenshaw, Del Rey, Ladera Heights, Leimert Park, Mar Vista, Mid-City, Palms, Pico Robertson, South Robertson, View Park, West Adams, and Wilshire Vista / Heights.
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Elected earlier this year through the California Democratic Party’s Assembly District Election Meetings (ADEMs), these 14 delegates will help shape the party’s platform, endorse candidates, and advocate for bold, inclusive Democratic policies at the state level. 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 celebration featured remarks from speakers, including:
- Darrel Menthe, AD55 delegate and President of Culver City Democrats United, and Los Angeles County Democratic Party (“LACDP”) 2024 Democrat of the Year;
- Rosa Russell, Chair of Assembly District Delegation for the 55th District at the LACDP;
- Michelle Persoff, District Director for Assemblymember Isaac Bryan;
- Culver City Mayor Dan O’Brien, a strong advocate for local leadership and civic participation; and
- Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, President and co-founder of Heart of LA Democratic Club, AD55 delegate, and CADEM Executive Board Member.
Jeannine 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.
The AD55 United delegates are:
- Lindsay Carlson (co-founder of Heart of LA Democratic Club, Culver City School Board Member),
- 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),
- 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),
- Thuy Huynh (LA City & County Commissioner),
- Kevin Liao (Nonprofit Communications Consultant),
- Darrel Menthe (President, Culver City Democrats United, nonprofit exec),
- Cristian Tafoya (Sr. Project Coordinator, City Administrator),
- Connye Thomas (LA County Democratic Committee, West LA, and New Frontier Dem. Cmtes. West Adams Neighborhood Council),
- 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), and
- Allen Jay Zipper (Director of Community Engagement, LA City Council District 5; WGA member).
— Rosa Russell, Chair of Assembly District Delegation for the 55th District at the LACDP
“Thank you to all the newly minted delegates. It’s so critical—what you’re doing for us. To actually stand up and fight for what’s good in America, and especially what’s good locally. I want to especially congratulate our Culver City delegates Lindsay Carlson, Darrel Menthe, Kimberley Griffin, Pamela Greenstein, Carlos Valverde, and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin. I know you’re going to do a lot of great work for us.”
— Dan O’Brien, Mayor of Culver City
“Being on the front lines is such a great opportunity—especially when so many people say every day, ‘I don’t know what to do. I feel lost, I feel angry, I feel stuck.’ Isn’t it wonderful to be able to say: I get to be in those rooms, to speak up, and be a part of it.”
— Michelle Persoff, District Director for Assemblymember Isaac Bryan
“This day is about 14 delegates who came together with a can-do attitude and made it happen. We organized, showed up, and cheered each other on—and it was fun! That same spirit extended to the people who came out to vote for delegates. It's a great start. AD55 delegates care deeply about issues like the environment, women and girls, small business, DEIA, arts and entertainment, education, labor, and seniors. So many national priorities are local priorities for us too. Thank you for your support!.”
— Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, President, Heart of LA Democratic Club; CADEM Executive Board Member
“I said this would be a moment of grace and joy. Before we go to the Convention in Anaheim, we sit with each other in grace and joy. It’s lovely to see people here smiling. 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. How lucky are we to live in a country and be in a party that allows its members to participate in this way. I'm full of joy because we get to go to Convention together.”
— Darrel Menthe, President of Culver City Democrats United
Together, these fourteen delegates represent the dynamic, community-rooted voices of Assembly District 55 and will focus on grassroots empowerment within the California Democratic Party and beyond.
Assembly District 55 includes Baldwin Hills, Beverlywood, Century City, City Of Culver City, Crenshaw, Del Rey, Ladera Heights, Leimert Park, Mar Vista, Mid-City, Palms, Pico Robertson, South Robertson, View Park, West Adams, and Wilshire Vista / Heights.
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Photo: left to right:
Back row: Jay David Greenstein, Andrew DeBlock, Pamela Beth Greenstein, Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, Darrel Menthe, Kimberley Griffen, Kevin Liao, Rosa Russell, Dan O’Brien, Albert Vera.
Front Row: Michelle Persoff, Lindsay Carlson, Thuy Huynh, Cristian Tafoya, Ana Carrion
