I am going public with something I have told some of my closets friends privately—I am running for Lincoln County Democratic Party Committeeman this April.

I have many issues with the state and local parties. I think there is an attitude of victimhood. Our meetings are often nothing more than bitch sessions about Gov. Rounds, Sen. Thune, and President Bush. We don’t run our organizations like efficient and effective non-profit businesses.

I’m not sure I can change all these issues. But I do know that if I don’t participate in some meaningful way, I can’t do anything about them at all.

So, I’m running for Lincoln County Democratic Party Committee man so I can be a member of the state Democratic Party Central Committee.

I also realize I carry some baggage with me. I quit the party for a while in 2005. I had my problems with Jack Billion, now the chair of the state party, when I worked for his campaign. I speak my mind and not all Democrats like it when I do.

But I think I would bring some important attributes to the position. I have considerable political experience with local, state, and national campaigns. I think I understand that unless the Party raises money, its candidates cannot win. I have lived in Lincoln County for ten years—that makes me an old-timer in some ways, a new comer in others. I understand what makes Lincoln County attractive—and I understand that the county is facing tremendous changes. I think I have a feel for the people and issues of Lincoln County and can help articulate them to the state party.

I also think all the positions for the county party should be contested this April. Lincoln County is now the third largest county in South Dakota. We should be more of a player in state party politics and policies. Thus, this coming election is important to the future of our local party as well as our state party.

I would encourage my fellow Lincoln County Democrats to consider running for a position in the local party this April—Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Committeeman, and Committeewoman. Heck, run against me for committeeman. Run because you want the job. Run to keep me from getting it. Run because you think you can do a good job. But run for it or run for some other office this spring.

It’s time to do things differently. It’s time for all Democrats in Lincoln County to get more involved. It’s time that we begin to exercise our new found power in ways that benefit our county, our party, and our state.

The nice thing about this election is that I’m not going to ask you for any money. You only have to do two things to support me:

1. Tell your fellow Lincoln County Democrats that you will support me for committeeman and ask them to support me.
   
2. Show up and vote at the April meeting in Canton when we elect officers.

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