Team Utah Democrats

2012 will be a crucial Utah election year with a Gubernatorial race, U.S. Senate race, FOUR Congressional seats and numerous other important races. Add in new redistricted lines, seats to protect and seats to win and we have a serious but promising task.

In the spirit of openness and transparency, I wanted to share with you what has been created and prepared for the future of our Party.

Several weeks ago, in an unprecedented move and with the blessing of then-Chairman Holland, the entire slate of State Party Executive Committee Candidates met and put political competition aside to begin the transition immediately rather than be caught scrambling to get prepared after the party election in July.  At the meeting, we initiated the formation of five separate committees to research, discuss, and report on many aspects of the function of the State Party and how we might manage things in the future so that we will be more successful.  I have great appreciation and respect for all the state party candidates for their vision and willingness to put politics aside and get right to work.

The first four committees formed were specifically looking at the structure, messaging, financing and strategy of the Democratic Party.  The committees, led and filled by some of our most talented and knowledgeable Party faithfuls, worked hard to have final reports ready before the State Convention.

The Structure Committee was tasked with evaluating primarily the staffing needs of the State Party office to maximize the limited staff to fulfill the goal of the party—to elect more Democrats statewide. The committee is also considering the possibility of evaluating our structure outside of the office, could there be other offices, or paid staff outside of the Salt Lake City office?  What role will volunteers play within the structure and where will they be located?  Is there a better way to structure our Party organization that better serves our candidates, our delegates, and our Party loyalists?  These are examples of the questions the Structure Committee studied.  Committee Chair: Justin Miller

The Messaging Committee was evaluating our Party’s ability to quickly initiate, as well as respond to current events and breaking news by setting up a mechanism to get our word approved and out in the fastest and most efficient way possible.  It will look at ways we have been communicating internally, but also externally, and find ways to improve that communication so that our message will not get lost and we can be ahead of the Republicans in our messaging efforts.  The Messaging Committee will also begin the ongoing process of evaluating the content of our message.  What does our Party offer to the majority of Utahans, to independents, to moderate Republicans, and to Party enthusiasts that can effectively combat the ever increasingly extreme message coming from the Republicans in Utah. Committee Chair: Josh Ewing

The Finance Committee looked at how we can better structure our donor clubs and how we can get a broad-based monthly donors program.  In the past the Party has utilized a variety of donor club levels with various “perks” that each level gets.  The committee evaluated all the traditional fundraising events and look at how we might make them more profitable for the Party.  It will consider successful models from other states and other organizations.  Utilizing past chairs, past development directors and event planners, this committee was tasked to zero in on what worked and what didn’t so that we can raise more money for the programs that make Democrats successful. Committee Chair:  Lisa Johnson

The Strategy Committee will calendar all of our important election, Party, and ally events so we can adequately prepare and plan the next two years.  It will also look more in depth in some of the key roles the Party plays in the election cycle.  It will look at strategies and methods that worked over the last few elections cycles and what didn’t work.  What coordinated efforts were appreciated by candidates and campaign managers and what more or different things can be done?  Apart from the election strategy, this committee will look at tasks that must start much earlier, like finding candidates, training candidates, training managers, setting up programs and packets of information that will start the election process much earlier to prepare and be ready for anything that will come. Committee Chair: Lauren Littlefield

Shortly after these committees formed, one more was created.  Initially dubbed the 70/100 committee, it is a special project developed after the executive committee candidates felt that women were underrepresented as candidates for the state executive committee as well as candidates for for state, federal, and municipal offices. The 70/100 Committee will be dedicated to recruiting and electing 70 Democratic women across the state and raising $100,000 to support their efforts. As Democrats we pride ourselves on equality and the gender balance we strive for.  A committee of women within the Party are going to organize and raise funds to help find, recruit, and train candidates to strive for a more equitable representation within the Party and within our government.

This is a huge effort.  It involves the coordination and help of every one of us. But I believe that if we can come together as a party, work together rather than apart, keep a big tent with respect for each other—then we can accomplish great things.

This is an exciting and energizing time to be a Democrat in Utah, with the Republicans handing so many opportunities to return Utah to its true Democratic origins. We know we are on the right side of history, and I hope you will join us on July 16th at the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City for what is promising to be a momentous Party Convention!

Jim Dabakis – Chair
Salt Lake City, Utah