When the DNC selects a new Chair next month, I will proudly cast my vote for Jaime Harrison. Yesterday I explained why in a post on Medium: Jaime will rebuild our Party organization from the grassroots up, he'll galvanize the grassroots to resist Donald Trump's Republican agenda, and he'll fight to preserve and reinvigorate our democracy.
The Chair We Need
The Democratic Party is still relevant. There are many reasons we are in the situation we’re in and our challenges started long before the 2016 Presidential election. We, as democrats, have a tremendous opportunity for a strong comeback if we are willing to focus on the fundamentals of messaging, organizing, recruitment, voter protection, training, and overall Party building.
I admire those that have stepped up to run for DNC Chair. I have nothing negative to say about anyone’s campaign or candidacy. As some continue to move through the grievance process and look for the light at the end of the tunnel, I am focused on how positive our future can be and I am confident that the next leader of the DNC should be
Jaime Harrison.
Putting aside our kinship as South Carolinians, former colleagues, and close friends I know that Jaime has the blend of experience, vision, and depth of understanding on how the DNC should operate more effectively. If we are to speak out, stand up, and put forth ideas to move our country forward for the generation yet born, we need a leader like Jaime.
If we are to gain political seats at every level of government, prepare a bench of talented leaders to run for office, serve as campaign operatives and in party leadership positions we need a DNC Chair that has the ability to lead our organization from such a concept to a reality. And, we need a Chair who can hold the Trump Administration and Republican controlled Congress accountable. Jaime has the energy, passion and capability to do this on the public stage as well as in the trenches.
As the former SC State Director for Hillary Clinton, I can attest to the fact that Jaime displayed fairness throughout the primary process and he never put our relationship before that process and several former members of the SC Sanders Campaign have confirmed this. As a colleague working for Congressman Jim Clyburn, I witnessed Jaime’s growth as a legislative aide, trusted advisor, floor director, and “go to” person for the Congressman, other Members, and stakeholders alike.
As the next DNC Chair, we can have full trust and confidence that Jaime will lead a DNC that supports State Parties from precinct reorganization to supporting the election of Democrats in every region of our country. Knowing what the difficult and often thankless job of State Party Chair of a Red state encompasses gives Jaime a keen insight on the challenges and opportunities that our next DNC Chair must understand, embrace, and address head on.
Jaime’s experience is developing creative ways to build a bench — like the creation of the
James E. Clyburn Political Fellowship program; his empowerment of grassroots democrats to act on issues they care about through the
“SC Democrats Care” program, the creation of nine caucuses, and the establishment of an annual issues conference; the development of an innovative social media video program,
“Chair Chats”, are all examples of his track record. These accomplishments are more impressive when we consider they were undertaken while he has served as a volunteer state chairman and despite the frustration, hurdles, and internal opposition faced by virtually all state party leaders, especially in Red states.
As a new DNC member, a former field organizer under Howard Dean’s 50 State Strategy, and a veteran political operative, we must overcome the illusion of empty talking points, name ID, and endorsements. We must demand substance when we hear from the candidates running to be our next DNC Chair. We need to be asking, “What will you accomplish in your first 100 days? Will your organization chart and operations plan reflect meaningful change or a reshuffling of the deck? Are you, the leader of the Democratic Party, focused on making headway or headlines?
I have no doubt that Jaime will be a remarkable DNC Chair. Not because of our friendship, but because of his relentless focus and determination to make us competitive, win, and act on the true needs of state parties. He can hit the ground running on all cylinders, connect with activist and donors alike, and articulate a message we can support.
We must focus on doing the common things exceedingly well, on bringing coalitions together, and on doing the sometimes tedious tasks that are required to energize the Democratic Party to compete in every election, in every state, in every cycle, all the time.
Will Rogers famously said, “I’m not part of any organized political party; I’m a Democrat”. I submit that in this era, I want to be part of an inclusive, disciplined, and visionary political party. That is the Democratic Party we can become and Jaime Harrison is the person that will lead us there.
