After 5 years, I'm stepping down
as Multnomah County Democratic Party Chair.
I couldn't be more proud, or more humbled by this opportunity the PCPs of MultCo Dems have given me. I thank all of you for your support and efforts over the past 5 years. We are winners, and that tradition will continue.
Like so many folks, I came to the Democratic Party full of energy about big picture issues. When I saw the Bush administration demolish the economy, and launch into what were to become our two longest wars, I was ready to be a player in the battle against the Neocons. But in taking on the local ground game, and then local leadership, it became crystal clear to me that the best fight was the local fight... Not only is it the most winnable, but it also sets the course for the future, while still beating the GOP. Many of you remember Howard Dean's 50 State Strategy - well, the Multnomah County 130 precinct strategy works pretty darn well too.
We win because the Multnomah Democratic effort is driven by a vast team of folks - YOU, who all give in whatever way you can and contribute to Democratic success - among the top performers in the nation. This is not hyperbole - only 7 states are "thoroughly Democratic," i.e., the entire state Executive branch, both US Senators, and the State houses are all Democratic. Of those 7 states, Oregon has the narrowest margin between Democratic and GOP voter registration, yet our consistently "light blue" state is colored a deep indigo the day after the election.
We win because in the last 11 elections in the last 5 years (yes, really - 11 elections!), we work our proverbial butts off. You have gone to 100's of events, knocked on 1000's of doors, and have even dropped over a 1/4 of a million slate cards. Multnomah County has put it over the top for Senator Jeff Merkley, Gov. John Kitzhaber, BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian and SoS Kate Brown. Multnomah County turf is in 18 State House Districts and 11 State Senate Districts. All but 2 of these are Democratic. Yes, I'll say it; Oregon is blue because Multnomah works so hard to stay definitively blue.
We win because you KNOW that spending your $15 locally is a heckova lot more effective than shipping it off to DC. (C'mon, it's my last email, you KNOW I have to plug the Party - You really do get the best bang for the buck right here at home! - Contribute! )
We win because we know that resting on our progressive laurels is never good enough. We know that every campaign season will require the renewed energy, and that Democracy itself must be diligently and constantly nurtured. With that in mind, I can tell you that while another name will be attached to the bottom of our email blasts, I will still be in the middle of the fight.
I sincerely hope that you will be too.
Warmest regards,
KC
Carla (KC) Hanson