Local Democratic Party leaders expressed optimism this week for the party’s future and discussed plans for increased community participation.
Knoxville Democrats are looking forward to city and county elections that are coming up this year, according to Jim Gray, chair of the Knox County Democratic Party.
“This is a good year to be rebuilding because there isn’t much going on,” so the party can prepare for the coming elections, Gray said.
The party is recovering from Sen. John Kerry’s loss to George W. Bush in the presidential elections last year.
“Bush was just too popular,” Gray said.
He said that despite the loss, the party accomplished much during the elections.
The Knox County Democratic Party raised more than $100,000 for Kerry’s campaign, he said. It also raised another $100,000 for other candidates and garnered more than 10,000 out of 20,000 newly reregistered voters in the county.
“What we did last year was unprecedented,” Gray said.
Democrats at The University of Tennessee agree.
“I think that though (Kerry) didn’t succeed in the presidential race, he really stepped forward and put the message out,” Margaret Valvo, president of the College Democrats, said.
College Democrats participated in publicity events, sponsored debates, canvassed Knoxville, sold T-shirts and registered more than 500 voters in their show of support for Kerry, Valvo said.
In time for Student Government Association elections at the end of March, Valvo said the College Democrats are hoping to again sponsor a debate between the candidates.
Currently, the College Democrats are focusing on community work, Valvo said. By getting involved in the community, she said, “hopefully we can get people’s attention more.”
The College Democrats will participate in the Andrea Walks for Tennessee’s Children campaign March 17-18, Valvo said. The campaign is designed to raise money for child advocacy organizations who help victims of child abuse, she said.
Currently the party is preparing for the Senate race for the spot Sen. Bill Frist will vacate, she said.
Frist, Tennessee’s senior senator, is not seeking re-election in 2006, leaving a vacancy that Democrats are actively pursuing.
Local Democrats expressed support for Democratic Rep. Harold Ford Jr., 9th District, in seeking the position.
“He’s certainly like a real Democrat,” Gray said, countering arguments that Ford is too conservative for the Democratic Party. “The most important race for us is the Senator’s race.”
Democrats at The University of Tennessee agree.
“I really expect him to make it,” Valvo said. “I’m really positive about the elections.”
Gray said he was confident of the party’s success in impending gubernatorial elections.
“I can’t see a serious contender to the governor,” he said, citing Governor Bredesen’s success in raising funds from prominent donators who typically vote Republican.
