Fellow Democrats,

On March 25, the Clayton County Democrats met for our off-year caucus.  The meeting was a chance to elect leadership for the upcoming year and designate precinct and standing committee members.  Those in attendance compiled a list of members in the various precincts throughout Clayton County.  Over the next few weeks, we will be contacting those people nominated to serve.  While there are some specific duties of the Precinct Committee, it is our hope that these individuals will serve as the core of the CCD as we proceed through off-year and 2018 elections.  

We discussed standing committees and collected names of volunteers interested in serving on them.  The standing committees are Candidate Recruitment, Communications, Fundraising, and Party Building.  It is my hopes to add Events as well.  The members of these committees will direct the actions of the CCD for the next year.  Serving on these committees is the easiest and most direct way for our members to help create a vibrant Democratic presence in Clayton County and make sure that the issues that affect and interest them are represented.

The Caucus also elected leaders for the upcoming year.
Jennifer Garms and John Kite will serve as Co-Secretary
Charlene Moser will (tentatively) serve as Treasurer
Gina Dahlstrom as Vice Chair
Brian Bruening, as Chair.

We want to extend our thanks to Roger Thomas for serving as Chair for the last few years.  We hope that he will continue to be an active member of the CCD and lend his valuable experience to this group.

Our first meeting of the next term will be on Tuesday, April 25 at 7pm at Keystone AEA in Elkader.  I encourage everyone interested in getting involved to attend, including all Precinct & Standing Committee members.  At that meeting we will discuss standing committees as well as the goals for the entire year.  The Clayton County Democrats is your party: its strength and purpose comes from the participation of its membership.  Now is the time for you to step up and move our party forward!

On a final note, next Tuesday April 4, the Central Community School District will be voting for a bond to repair and improve the Central Community School buildings.  Strong support of education has long been a vital plank of the Democratic party’s platform.  After all the stress the state legislature has placed on schools in Iowa this year, let’s send a message the leadership in Des Moines that education is still a top priority in Clayton County.  Do your civic duty and vote in support of education on Tuesday April 4.

Brian Bruening

Chair

Clayton County Democrats