Building a dynamic and fruitful Democratic party in Hall and Forsyth County is a challenging task. Being “Left on Lanier” feels like being on an island, sometimes.
A competitive party has to start from the grassroots- we have to find qualified candidates to run for the Clerk of Court, or the County Commission, or Coroner, or whatever, and then build from that base.
In this cycle, Hall County has NO democratic challengers in these races. Not a single one. Statewide, we have so few (D) candidates that is it is mathematically impossible to re-take the State House this election cycle.
While we must support our rare Dem candidates, we must look to grow this party in our counties over the next two years, so as to be more competitive in 2010.
Some practical steps that you can take to do this beneath the fold…
1- Attend a local Democratic Party meeting in July or August. We have to meet other Democrats in the area in order to foster a sense of community. The Hall County site is here; Forsyth County is here.
2- You must commit time, or money, or both to help those candidates currently in the hunt this November. Those candidates are Chris Strickland (for State House in South Hall) and Jon Flack (County Commission in Forsyth). Contact their websites, sign up for the mailing list, get acquainted with the candidates, and donate cash or time. Either is acceptable, both are needed.
3- Through November, we should focus on helping these candidates. After November, it is time to recruit active people that are compelled to our cause. Great people can be found within the ranks of our local non-profits, government and educational institutions.
4- Concentrate on the 2010 cycle, and recruit candidates for the first step into candidacy- places like the County Commission, School Boards, and City Councils are places for a new candidate to cut their teeth on an election and win without a ton of money.
5- Politics is a year-round sport. You must commit your time on an ongoing basis AFTER the election. Look at step one again. If you meet other similar people with a passion for change, you’ll find it FUN to interact as a progressive citizen- not a chore.
These are the steps. If you are committed to change, these are practical things that you can do, RIGHT now, to change these counties blue (or purple).
Again, our local candidates are Chris Strickland and Jon Flack.
