The following is written by MCDP Chair David Henry for the Monroe County Democrats.
Friend,
“A week is a long time in politics,” so it is said. I can’t tell you how many times I rewrote the “Progress” last month, hence the delay. And there is not much more I can add to the news cycle that hasn’t been said. We condemn all political violence. We laud President Biden for putting country first. And your MCDP Board endorsed Kamala Harris for President.
But, as we get to work in these 91 days before the election, I meditate on how two things can be true at the same time in politics and public life. And it is why we need good decision makers in the seats to help guide us. Consider:
• An instigator of political violence can also be a victim of it.
• A Black Woman can be both nominated for President but another shot in her own home by the police she called for help. Say her name. Sonya Massey.
• A public servant and law-abiding sheriff can both enforce Monroe County’s policy and our majority will, but be sued by the Indiana Attorney General. We stand with Sheriff Marte’.
• A local entrepreneur and recent Republican can be a charitable and friendly person but also make a mistake filing for office. Duty requires calling it out, mistake or otherwise.
Two things can be true at the same time. And while many boil down politics to zero-sum social media posts, I believe Democratic voters and all voters have more depth to their thinking that just a “like” or a “comment.” Public policy is hard work. Parties are essential. Words have meaning. Integrity and laws matter.
If a week is a long time in politics, the next 12 weeks will seem like an year. And the past 8 years of Trumpism seem an era. And what era will we enter next?
For the Taylor Swifties out there, thanks to JD Vance we are entering the Childless Cat Lady Revenge Era, and I am here for them. Vice President Harris has answered back with Midwest Minnesota Nice - a running mate with deep experience in Congress and in state government - Governor Tim Walz.
If that is the first decision of the Kamala Era, we are off to a bright blue future.
For all of us, I hope we can start to put this era behind us - the era of Trumpism that got me, and so many, off the bench in 2016 and to work for nearly a decade now. It has been, as our future Vice President Walz has coined - weird! But to do that, you have to lean in - it is now or never.
There are so many ways for you to lean in. You can get to work for our local slate, for the party itself, and for McCormick-Goodin, Destiny Wells, Valerie McCray and Tim Peck too. I’ll drop the links below.
See you on the trail!
DGH
State and National Convention Update
The slate is set! As the deadlines for ballot vacancy have closed, and State Convention has come to a conclusion, we have our slate for 2024.
I’d like to thank the largest delegation south of I-70 - Your Monroe County Democrats - in voting at convention.
It was an honor to lead our local delegation with tremendous help from John Zody, Sydney Zulich and Regina Moore. We affirmed our nominee and next Lieutenant Governor, Terry Goodin. We are sending up Destiny Wells to take on Todd Rokita in the most competitive AG race in the nation. And they join Jennifer McCormick for Governor, Valerie McCray for Senate, and Tim Peck for the IN-9th.
I thank Bloomington native Beth White for stepping up to run for AG in a tight but above-board race.
And I am thrilled that of the nine candidates for National Delegate in the 9th District, six were from Monroe County. And Monroe County will have four National Delegates - Mayor Kerry Thomson, Clerk Nicole Bolden, Bloomington Councilmember Sydney Zulich, and local IU Student Emma Shriberg representing our state, district, and our community in Chicago in August!
Comings and Goings
• Ellie Cordell joins MCDP as our new volunteer coordinator. Ellie is a mom, born and raised in Bloomington and comes to us from having worked with Vote Save America. Welcome Ellie!
• Indiana Dems 9th District Intern - MCDP will host the regional intern supporting the 9th District’s campaign work in Bloomington at MCDP HQ. Your party contributions and our support of our District help return resources to Bloomington. I look forward to introducing them in the next Progress.
I could use a few more hands on deck this fall. We need a webmaster/IT person, and some good precinct committee persons to help support and hold accountable the party as we work toward a goal of 80% turnout.
Is that you? Let’s talk at chair@monroedems.org
It’s Harris-Walz for 2024! What’s Next for MoCo?
We all feel the tide turning, and the Blue Wave is roaring in. This moment feels like 2008. I know many Bloomingtonians are tuning in to the affinity group events being held by, or on behalf of Harris-Walz (I tuned into the “White Dudes for Harris” last week myself).
I’ve touched base this week with the now-Harris-Walz regional coordinator for Indiana, who was President Biden’s coordinator up until last month. Like 2020, we know Indiana isn’t on the battleground radar, but we are in unprecedented times!
Virtual phone banks, coordinated campaigning, bundling donations and buying swag and signs right from Team Harris-Walz are the easy steps we hope you are taking, and we can take together soon.
Team Harris is working on a Zoom call for us to gather up our locals who are eager to get to work for Harris-Walz.
But the best way you can GOTV for Harris-Walz is to also coordinate and carry for our whole slate - we need Dems up-and-down the ballot winning statewide, statehouse, Congress and local races too. Many hands will make light work for our whole team. Contact Sydney@monroedems.org for coordinated campaign work or volunteer@monroedems.org.
Stay tuned for our Team Harris call out, and follow ups post DNC in Chicago next week. Things are moving very fast!
And signs? Heck, they haven’t even formally announced Governor Walz yet today!
We are working on a distribution plan with the Indiana 9th District Dems. We are on it!
VOLUNTEER!
Want to get to work? Let’s get our Dems elected! Click the links below and sign up!
• Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President
• Jennifer McCormick/Terry Goodin for Indiana
• Destiny Wells for Attorney General
• Valerie McCray for US Senate
Or contact MCDP Volunteer Coordinator Ellie Cordell to get connected!
Really Important Dates!
Mark these upcoming dates to get back to work for the General Election. More to come via our website at monroedems.org:
• Precinct Committeeperson Training:
◦ Tuesday August 13, 2024 - 6PM-8PM - MCDP HQ 115 E 2nd St.
◦ Sunday August 25, 2024 - 6PM-8PM - MCDP HQ 115 E 2nd St.
◦ (Park on street or Seminary Square side of World Food Market). Sam Ujdak and Sydney Zulich will begin the MCDP Training and Outreach Plan for our Precinct Committee. All PCPs will be required to complete training before access to VAN is granted. I have set a goal of 80% voter turnout in each precinct for the fall. PCPs will be asked to meaningfully contribute to that goal - or organize their neighbors to help build your precinct committee. Some are so close, others need help and the team is ready.
• Bloomington Pridefest (September 15, 2024) and Monroe County Fall Festival (September 13-15, 2024): MCDP will table with our statewide, federal and local candidates
• Fifth Annual Judge Viola Taliaferro Dinner: Tentative for October 4, 2024, we will gather the party faithful to celebrate our community, honor the service of local Democrats, and fire up early voting right into November
• Election Night Watch Party: November 5, 2024 - Location TBD - Join local and statehouse candidates as we watch returns and cheer on Democratic victories up and down ballot.
