The Mojave Desert Democratic Club started in 1969 and was certified by the Central Committee in 1970. The club was formed by a group of activists who had been helping Nancy Smith, a five-term county supervisor, with her campaign for state senate. She didn’t win the race, but the dedicated group of activists helped her get about 3,000 votes. The activists then decided to take their interest in politics a step further, and they formed the club. Two current club members, Beverly Lowry and Eddie U. Garcia, were among the activists that founded the club.

The club started out with about 30-40 members who would meet above the old Jackson Federal Bank building on Main Street. Over the years, the club met at various restaurants, and eventually settled on Quigley’s Restaurant at the Lenwood outlets.

From the 1970s until present, the club has supported Democratic candidates for governor, president, state legislature and local offices. Over the years, the club has put on some large fundraisers, like one for State Sen. Walter Stiern that drew about 400 attendees.

In 2008, members of the club helped promote Barack Obama for president. In addition to the election of Obama, that election also resulted in two club members being elected to the Barstow City Council: Joe Gomez as Mayor and Willie Hailey as a Council Member.




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