Last November, opportunity and preparedness met, and two months later I took the reins to become the chair of the Democratic party in the second largest county in our state.
You can do it, too.
This was not an old guard/new guard switch. This was a dramatic shift in leadership styles and party building.
It's been three and 1/2 months since the election, so I figure it's time to share what went on, where we are, and where we are heading.
More after the flip.
My background is familiar: Dean supporter in '04.
Our (DFA) organization saw many places where we could improve the communication, organization and functionality of the party.
And for two years, some of us drew up plans, some of us tried to work from the inside and some of us didn't.
We saw the need for three things:
- Organized precincts with committees to assist elected and appointed Precinct Committee Officers with voter ID, registration, and putting a local face on the Democratic Party.
- Communication infrastructure that extends to the block and neighborhood level for not only party events, mobilization and action items, but also for responding to hit pieces and editorials. This also includes external communications.
- Build the farm team and infrastructure of leaders in non-partisan and other elections, so we have a continually renewing flow of leaders.
These plans are shored up with ambitions of hiring a county coordinator to work in conjunction with the elected rank and file to do these activities.
I spent time trying to convince the (now past) chair of these plans.
The response was positive but less than enthusiastic.
I was patted on my head and told that if I could raise the money, it would be okay.
But I had no authority or standing to raise the money, and the plans were placed on ice. I also had to work and care for my young family (three kids before 30, rather odd in these here parts). Plus, the core power of the party had eroded from the grassroots and consolidated around not just the executive board, but specifically around the chair and the head of the elections committee. Think of it as a sun just as it collapses upon itself to go supernova.
A very dense group of select individuals controlling much of the party. This made it difficult for donors to give to the party, as it was not certain the plan would be put into place.
Then, by, what I can call only grace alone, my wonderfully talented spouse was offered a position where the salary was based on union contracts, though an exempt position, it is rich in benefits, regular increases and a good office environment.
I placed a few calls, and threw my hat into the ring. My platform was what you see above and my strategy was simple: run FOR the future of the party, not against the chair. The (now past) chair had done many years of work for the party, and was and is still liked by many. I also had no personal axe to grind.
With the plans tucked under my arm, I went forth to talk with each and every single member of our central committee. I direct mailed 2 pieces and presented the plan.
There was a group of supporters that helped track the votes I needed, mitigated the costs of some of the mailers and were a good support network keeping me on track with my calls.
We even employed an aggressive GOTV to attend the reorganization meeting.
What happened?
Well, come the day of the reorganization of our county party, we had an 80 percent eligible voter turn out, plus a large number of spectators to watch.
I had my vote count at just borderline 50 percent of the central committee that we expected to show up, but that was less than the 80 percent that did, so, in my calculations, it could easily go to a second ballot.
When the first ballot was announced, there was an audible gasp from those assembled, I had won with 60 percent of the vote. That was with three total candidates.
On review of the election, a second ballot would have yielded nearly 80 percent support.
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So, what have we done? We've taken the party, and exploded it, much like the next stage of the supernova. We're organizing our data, communicating as best as we can with all people involved and working on building our party, its culture, and its presence within our humble county's borders.
I promised you that you can do the same, and give your party back to the people.
Do what is right for your county, pay attention, craft a vision that challenges people and then work like hell to help them get there.