Two NPI boardmembers elected to King County Democratic leadership
This morning, the King County Democratic Central Committee held its biannual reorganization meeting, which traditionally takes place after the conclusion of an election in an even-numbered year. A reorganization meeting is basically a gathering at which precinct committee officers approve new bylaws, choose the leadership of the organization for a term of two years, and conduct other business (such as considering resolutions).
As longtime readers know, I've liveblogged reorganization meetings before, but I had too much to do at this one to offer blow-by-blow coverage.
Like running for office.
I decided a few weeks ago to seek a leadership position in the county party because I don't want my activism to be limited only to what I can do through NPI. With the exception of supporting or opposing ballot measures, NPI doesn't do electioneering. We're a strategy center and an idea factory, not a political party. We don't field candidates for office, or support candidates.
But, as progressives were painfully reminded a few weeks ago, elections have consequences. We can't move forward if we can't move legislation. And we can't move legislation if Democrats are in the minority.
Not all of our readers might agree that trying to build a better Democratic Party is a good use of time, treasure, and talent. But I believe it is. I think it makes more sense than trying to create a new political party.
I know from experience how hard it is to create something out of nothing — it's the story of this organization, which began with zero resources.
The Democratic Party can and should be a bottom-up force for progressive change.
Admittedly, the Democratic Party is not yet as democratic as it should be. Many Americans equivocate the Democratic Party with the current crop of Democratic officeholders in our nation's capital — including President Obama, who is sometimes referred to as the leader of the party, by virtue of his office. But the real leaders of the party are the hundreds of thousands of Democratic precinct committee officers and precinct captains across this country. They deserve a party leadership that is accountable to them and the Democratic voters they represent.
What needs to happen for the Democratic Party to become more democratic is this: The movement must become the establishment, while remaining the movement. I know that sounds confusing, so I'll put it another way: We have to crash the gate (as Markos Moulitsas and Jerome Armstrong said) and displace the establishment without becoming corrupted ourselves. We have to remain true to what we stand for, no matter what. Power entails responsibility.
I believe everyone who was elected this morning is committed to building a democratic Democratic Party. I am proud to be serving as King County's new Second Vice Chair alongside fellow NPI boardmember Steve Zemke, who has succeeded Suzie Sheary as the next chair, and the many other talented and enthusiastic officers who were elected or reelected.
For the record, here are the people who were elected or reelected to govern the King County Democrats through 2011 and 2012:
Megan, Chris, and I are all younger than thirty-six, while Chad, Omaha, Javier, and Jeff are all younger than forty five. Only Steve and Ann are older than forty five. Collectively, I'm guessing that we are one of the youngest leadership teams in the history of the King County Democrats.
What everybody who was elected this morning has in common — along with folks like Ivan Weiss, Sarajane Siegfreidt, and Dean Fournier, who are also part of the executive board by appointment — is a desire to make King County even more progressive, and to help our fellow county organizations become more successful, so we can keep our state moving forwards instead of sliding backwards.
I'm looking forward to the next two years. I think we're capable of accomplishing some great things together. You can certainly expect to see more full disclosure notices stuck at the top of my posts over the next two years.
ONE MORE THING: I want to commend Gael Tarleton and Rob Dolin (who are also on our board) for their words of wisdom this morning. Gael spoke in her capacity as Seattle Port Commissioner, and Rob Dolin spoke as a candidate for State Party Secretary (and also later in support of my candidacy for 2nd Vice Chair). And finally, one of our staff, Daniel Warwick (who belongs to the 48th District Democrats) also came this morning and volunteered to register and check-in PCOs; his efforts were much appreciated.
As longtime readers know, I've liveblogged reorganization meetings before, but I had too much to do at this one to offer blow-by-blow coverage.
Like running for office.
I decided a few weeks ago to seek a leadership position in the county party because I don't want my activism to be limited only to what I can do through NPI. With the exception of supporting or opposing ballot measures, NPI doesn't do electioneering. We're a strategy center and an idea factory, not a political party. We don't field candidates for office, or support candidates.
But, as progressives were painfully reminded a few weeks ago, elections have consequences. We can't move forward if we can't move legislation. And we can't move legislation if Democrats are in the minority.
Not all of our readers might agree that trying to build a better Democratic Party is a good use of time, treasure, and talent. But I believe it is. I think it makes more sense than trying to create a new political party.
I know from experience how hard it is to create something out of nothing — it's the story of this organization, which began with zero resources.
The Democratic Party can and should be a bottom-up force for progressive change.
Admittedly, the Democratic Party is not yet as democratic as it should be. Many Americans equivocate the Democratic Party with the current crop of Democratic officeholders in our nation's capital — including President Obama, who is sometimes referred to as the leader of the party, by virtue of his office. But the real leaders of the party are the hundreds of thousands of Democratic precinct committee officers and precinct captains across this country. They deserve a party leadership that is accountable to them and the Democratic voters they represent.
What needs to happen for the Democratic Party to become more democratic is this: The movement must become the establishment, while remaining the movement. I know that sounds confusing, so I'll put it another way: We have to crash the gate (as Markos Moulitsas and Jerome Armstrong said) and displace the establishment without becoming corrupted ourselves. We have to remain true to what we stand for, no matter what. Power entails responsibility.
I believe everyone who was elected this morning is committed to building a democratic Democratic Party. I am proud to be serving as King County's new Second Vice Chair alongside fellow NPI boardmember Steve Zemke, who has succeeded Suzie Sheary as the next chair, and the many other talented and enthusiastic officers who were elected or reelected.
For the record, here are the people who were elected or reelected to govern the King County Democrats through 2011 and 2012:
- Chair: Steve Zemke
- 1st Vice Chair: Megan Gustafson
- 2nd Vice Chair: Andrew Villeneuve
- 3rd Vice Chair: Chad Lupkes
- 4th Vice Chair: Omaha Sternberg
- Secretary: Chris Maryatt
- Treasurer: Jeff Upthegrove
- State Committeeman: Javier Valdez
- State Committewoman: Ann Martin
Megan, Chris, and I are all younger than thirty-six, while Chad, Omaha, Javier, and Jeff are all younger than forty five. Only Steve and Ann are older than forty five. Collectively, I'm guessing that we are one of the youngest leadership teams in the history of the King County Democrats.
What everybody who was elected this morning has in common — along with folks like Ivan Weiss, Sarajane Siegfreidt, and Dean Fournier, who are also part of the executive board by appointment — is a desire to make King County even more progressive, and to help our fellow county organizations become more successful, so we can keep our state moving forwards instead of sliding backwards.
I'm looking forward to the next two years. I think we're capable of accomplishing some great things together. You can certainly expect to see more full disclosure notices stuck at the top of my posts over the next two years.
ONE MORE THING: I want to commend Gael Tarleton and Rob Dolin (who are also on our board) for their words of wisdom this morning. Gael spoke in her capacity as Seattle Port Commissioner, and Rob Dolin spoke as a candidate for State Party Secretary (and also later in support of my candidacy for 2nd Vice Chair). And finally, one of our staff, Daniel Warwick (who belongs to the 48th District Democrats) also came this morning and volunteered to register and check-in PCOs; his efforts were much appreciated.
# Posted by Andrew : 12:30 PM
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