In blue P.G. where conservatives dominate the conversation, progressives find their voice.

One of Pacific Grove’s latest entertainment hot spots, Pop and Hiss, was abuzz on Thursday, Aug. 22, with upwards of 70 people noshing on charcuterie and sipping drinks from the bar. They weren’t there to hear a popular DJ or musician, they were there in part to watch the Democratic National Convention on a large screen. The other part: To formally launch a new political group, Pacific Grove Progressives.

“The energy in this room has been sky high,” said P.G. Progressives President Colleen Ingram, shortly after the loud cheers died down in the room in response to Kamala Harris’ speech. “We’re really proud you were here with us to witness this together.”

Voters skew Democratic in P.G. – in the 2020 presidential election, 76 percent voted for President Joe Biden compared to 21 percent for Donald Trump – and yet it’s conservative voices at P.G. City Council meetings and online that have dominated local decisions. One example: A majority of residents voted in 2022 in favor of allowing a single retail cannabis store and yet no store is on the horizon due to opposition.

“We can have nice things” is P.G. Progressives’ tagline, a response to recent decisions by the council that have rankled many residents, including acting to remove the popular existing restaurant parklets with sidewalk dining and blocking a proposed skatepark. It’s also a reaction to residents who regularly protest change. Case in point: Pop and Hiss faced resistance from a small number of people who didn’t want a new music venue, before successfully obtaining permits.

The group is also a direct reaction to those who have consistently disrupted meetings of the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force for more than two years, or promoted anti-transgender, anti-Pride and other extreme conservative views on local social media groups.

“We began as a small group of introverted activists,” Ingram said, prompting laughter. “[Witnessing] the worst of political practices occurring nationally happening right here in our little community” encouraged them to formally organize.

As one example, she said there are calls to reinstate the Feast of Lanterns, which was ended after pressure from those contending it was cultural appropriation and racist.

P.G. Progressives received status as a nonprofit, and registered with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which gives them the ability to raise money for candidates, advertise and make endorsements. Ingram says they will be canvassing precincts for Pacific Grove candidates, as well as volunteering with the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee to promote other endorsed candidates. (They are also recognized as a club by the Democratic Central Committee.)

The group is currently mulling endorsements in the three-person race for mayor; for City Council, with six candidates for two seats; and the race for the P.G. Unified School District board. A survey sent to the candidates includes several questions that range from establishing a code of conduct for elected officials, to addressing climate change and protection of the DEI Task Force.