Until recently, the DPG was the only State Democratic Party in the nation to have a daily canvassing program that [...]]]> The Democratic Party of Georgia is proud to announce record fundraising from their door-to-door canvassing program. Through May, door donations have increased over 30% from 2011 with a record-breaking canvassing year expected.

Until recently, the DPG was the only State Democratic Party in the nation to have a daily canvassing program that contacted citizens at their home. Due to Georgia’s success, the program has been replicated in Tennessee, California and other states across the country.

“In the age of Super PAC’s, the only way for Democrats to stay competitive with the GOP while holding onto our core values is to make sure that constituents are funding their candidates’ campaigns,” explained canvass director Michael Smith. ”This way our elected officials answer to voters, not special interests.”

The robust fundraising totals also include the totals from the newest field office in Savannah, where door-to-door canvassing has been conducted since earlier this year under field director Andrea Conrad.

“Michael and Andrea have done a superb job,” said Chairman Mike Berlon. “Their drive and persistence have made this program a runaway success.”

“Marriage equality is an important human rights issue. Love is not partisan. Everyone should have the opportunity to engage in a relationship that [...]]]> Georgia–   Mike Berlon, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, issues the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s view that couples who are in loving, committed relationships should be allowed to marry.

“Marriage equality is an important human rights issue. Love is not partisan. Everyone should have the opportunity to engage in a relationship that works for him or her regardless of sexual orientation.“It’s no secret that the President has gone through some serious soul-searching on this. I am sure he has received input from many sources who deserve this support, including people in long-term relationships who have never had the security or certainty that comes with knowing the person you love will be protected if something happens to them.  I am also sure that he has heard from many of our brave young men and women who serve in our armed forces, and for whom he fought so hard to end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, as well as others from around the country.

“For many people, this is a difficult issue and opinions are strong on both sides.

“As an individual who has a family member that is in such a relationship, I’ve seen first-hand the obstacles and hurdles that have to be endured just to make the relationship work. It makes me very proud to see that the President recognizes the roadblocks to these relationships and is willing to advocate for equal rights for everyone. It’s courageous and it’s right.

“The Democratic Party of Georgia strongly stands with the LGBT community, the President and his administration, and with all Georgians who believe that we should treat others the way we’d want to be treated. That is not a democratic principle. It’s about human dignity.

“It’s simply wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, from marrying.”

The results listed below represent 72 loyal Democrats that are committed to sending President Barack Obama back to the White House in November.

“Being a delegate at a national convention is an honor,” said [...]]]> The Democratic Party of Georgia has certified the election results from the District-Level Delegate elections held on Saturday across the state.

The results listed below represent 72 loyal Democrats that are committed to sending President Barack Obama back to the White House in November.

“Being a delegate at a national convention is an honor,” said DPG Chairman Mike Berlon. “It costs a significant amount of time to take on this task, and we’re grateful for the loyal Georgia citizens who were candidates for this historic event.”

The voting took place in 13 different locations across the state simultaneously. The election locations were determined based on the 13 congressional districts used in the 2010 elections.

Two additional elections are planned to fill out the remaining spots for September’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. On May 12, an election will be held to elect fourteen “Public Leaders and Elected Officials” or PLEO’s; on May 19, an election will be held to choose 24 at-large and nine alternates.

President Jimmy Carter holds a voting position as well, in deference to his former position as the nation’s Commander-in-Chief.

Dist 1

Miguel Camacho – Savannah
Laverne Gaskins – Valdosta
Joseph Segui – Waynesville
Audrey Stewart – St. Simons
Al Williams – Midway

Dist 2

Vivian Bishop – Columbus
Constance Burkes – Albany
Winfred Dukes – Albany
Lynmore James – Montezuma
Kattie Kendrick – Fort Valley

Dist 3

Delia Crouch – Newnan
Markgetta Jackson-Langford – Fayetteville
Kevin Madden – Peachtree City
Arnold Martin – Fayetteville
Marion Ray – Jonesboro
Morris Steward – Newnan

Dist 4

Thomas Brown – Atlanta
Barbara Campbell – Lithonia
Tobias Campbell – Decatur
Camille Davis-Williams – Lithonia
Melva Hicks – Scottdale
John Washburn – Avondale Estates
Vincent Williams – Decatur

Dist 5

Andrea Boone – Atlanta
Terrinne Briggs – Atlanta
Emma Darnell – Atlanta
Justin Giboney – Atlanta
Mo Ivory – Atlanta
C.T. Martin – Atlanta
Reese McCranie – Atlanta

Dist 6

Joshua Altman – Canton
David Gowdy – Alpharetta
John Morgan – Marietta
Celestine Mosley – Roswell
Florence Shelton-Clark – Johns Creek

Dist 7

Steffini Bethea – Snellville
Robert Byars – Peachtree Corners
Ilene Johnson – Lilburn
Austin Thompson – Duluth
Cheryl Williams – Duluth
George Williams – Duluth

Dist 8

Paul Bronson – Macon
Sarah Hunt – Macon
Fenika Miller – Warner Robins
Mary Neville – Lizella
DuBose Porter – Dublin

Dist 9

John Anthony – Dalton
Oliver Cobb – Dalton
Joan Huddleston – Blue Ridge
Venda Young – Cumming

Dist 10

James Dustin Baker – Athens
Lowell Greenbaum – Augusta
Jana Hill – Clayton
Janice Mathis – Bogart
Jerry Swain – Martinez

Dist 11

Derrick Brown – Kennesaw
Michelle Cooper Kelly – Marietta
Ashley Lee – Rome
Nathan McNeal – Kennesaw
Tania Phillips – Acworth

Dist 12

Diane Brack Evans – Avera
John Brewer – Ailey
Tawana Garrett – Savannah
Quentin T. Howell – Milledgeville
L.C. Myles, Jr. – Hephzibah

Dist 13

Gail Davenport – Jonesboro
Donzella James – College Park
Maurice Madden – Hampton
Alisha Morgan – Austell
Melissa Prescott – Fayetteville
Wilbur Purvis – Douglasville
Kevin Thomas – Jonesboro

Full text below:

A letter printed in Sunday’s Statesboro Herald (“My thumbnail history of the American left from 1919-2012”) stated a number of inaccuracies about the Democratic Party- a party that I have been elected to represent as Chairman in the great state of Georgia.

I would like to give [...]]]>

Full text below:

A letter printed in Sunday’s Statesboro Herald (“My thumbnail history of the American left from 1919-2012”) stated a number of inaccuracies about the Democratic Party- a party that I have been elected to represent as Chairman in the great state of Georgia.

I would like to give another viewpoint of the “History of the American left”, one that is grounded in reality and based in fact and logic, not wild exaggerations or unnecessary hyperbole. Our accomplishments do not need embellishment, as they stand tall on their own.

The Democratic Party is one of the oldest political parties in the world. We stand for the values of justice, fairness and equality. We are for honest leadership and open government.

We believe that innovative leadership creates jobs and that investments in education pay off. We believe in an economy that works for everyone.

We value responsibility and smart, practical policies that benefit all–not just the most fortunate folks. We know that when we promote opportunities for all people, it lifts everyone to the top.

The “History of the American left” is incomplete unless it mentions our biggest accomplishments- Social Security and Medicare for our elderly and infirm, an end to child labor that was persistent in the early 1900’s, and winning the fight so that women and minorities can cast their vote as easily as men do.

When African-Americans were prevented from voting, a Democratic President signed the Civil Rights Act.

When a crazed dictator took over Europe, a Democratic President stopped him. When a crazed terrorist brought down the Twin Towers, a Democratic President brought him to justice.

Even now, we are the foot soldiers defending against the GOP war on women.

We created the 40-hour workweek so that parents could spend time with their kids, a mandatory minimum wage so that workers could be paid a fair wage for a decent day’s work, and a guaranteed student loan program so that students could go to college.

The GI Bill? We did that. First man on the moon? We did that too. The HOPE scholarship? That’s us.

In just the past four years, we’ve prevented insurance companies from denying your claim due to a pre-existing condition. We have placed two female justices on the Supreme Court, eliminated “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” in the military, and withdrawn over 100,000 troops from Iraq.

The author’s history lesson in Sunday’s Statesboro Herald was a work of fiction, crafted by fear and  woefully distant from the facts.

Any true history of the Democratic Party must include the valiant fight for justice and equality that we have worked so hard towards- and still strive for- every single day.

“We’re very happy that Dr. Lowery will join Governor Richardson,” said DPG Chairman Mike Berlon. “This is traditionally our largest and most prestigious event and [...]]]> Georgia – The Democratic Party of Georgia has added the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery as a speaker to their annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner with keynote speaker Governor Bill Richardson.

“We’re very happy that Dr. Lowery will join Governor Richardson,” said DPG Chairman Mike Berlon. “This is traditionally our largest and most prestigious event and this year’s schedule of speakers will be the best one we’ve ever had.”

The 2012 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner is scheduled on Saturday, April 28^th at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. It has become a ‘who’s who’ of Georgia Democratic politics with previous attendees representing the highest pillars of federal and state leadership.

Tickets are $200 per person and may be purchased here.

“The Republican Party is showing little regard for women’s issues. Just today, RNC Chair Reince Priebus said, ‘if the Democrats said we had a war on caterpillars, and every mainstream [...]]]> Georgia – Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Mike Berlon released the following statement in response to today’s remarks by RNC Chair Reince Priebus:

“The Republican Party is showing little regard for women’s issues. Just today, RNC Chair Reince Priebus said, ‘if the Democrats said we had a war on caterpillars, and every mainstream media outlet talked about the fact that Republicans have a war on caterpillars, then we’d have problems with caterpillars,’

“In Georgia, a Republican Representative compared women giving birth to his experiences in delivering cows and pigs, and Democratic State Senators were compelled to walk out of the Senate in protest of these damaging policies to women’s health.

“Republicans have been fighting tirelessly to implement policies that are antiquated on women’s health.  Their leading candidate, Mitt Romney, supports the Blunt-Rubio amendment that would give any employer the ability to deny their employees coverage for health care services like contraception based on the employer’s own beliefs.

“Women are aware of these attempts to undermine their health care, and Republicans don’t like the attention. Instead of having a serious debate on these issues, they mock them by comparing women to barnyard animals or insects.

“Chairman Priebus may try and borrow the Romney campaign’s Etch A Sketch to erase the past few months of GOP attacks on women, but women have a clear message for Republicans: they will remember in November.”

We’re 50th out of 50 states. Dead last.

This is no mistake. After a decade of Republican rule in the State Capitol, ethics laws have been gutted and unelected corporate government has taken hold- a government run by [...]]]> A new report on the ethics situation in all fifty states has shocking results for Georgia residents.

We’re 50^th out of 50 states. Dead last.

This is no mistake. After a decade of Republican rule in the State Capitol, ethics laws have been gutted and unelected corporate government has taken hold- a government run by high-powered lobbyists and special interests that do not have Georgia’s best interest at heart.

The full report can be found here.

For sponsorship opportunities, email Tim@GeorgiaDemocrat.org

Come out and watch the Primary returns with other great Georgia Dems!

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE:
Senator Steve Henson • Senator Vincent Fort • Senator Jason Carter
Rep. Billy Mitchell • Rep. Sheila Jones • Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2012 from 6:30-8:30PM
Democratic [...]]]>

LET’S START CAMPAIGN SEASON OFF WITH A BLAST!

Come out and watch the Primary returns with other great Georgia Dems!

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE:
Senator Steve Henson • Senator Vincent Fort • Senator Jason Carter
Rep. Billy Mitchell • Rep. Sheila Jones • Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2012 from 6:30-8:30PM
Democratic Party of Georgia
763 Trabert Avenue NW • Suite A
Atlanta, GA 30318

$25 to attend and the funds raised will go to
support our state-wide voter registration program.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS CLICK HERE.
Every $25 (or more) donation via web will be included on the guest list for this exclusive event!

HOST COMMITTEE (in formation):
DPG Latino Caucus
DPG LGBT Caucus
Cobb County Democrats
Dekalb County Democrats
Fulton County Democrats
Gwinnett County Democrats
Jane Bradshaw
Ken Britt
Sheriff Thomas Brown
Doug Busk
T.J. Copeland
Ronnie Mabra
Red Clay Democrats
Emily Schunior
Rep. Keisha Waites
Nikema Williams Small & Leslie Small
Representative Billy Mitchell
Paul Horning