Cobb County Democrat & State Senator Doug Stoner announces bid for Chair of the GA Democratic Party

"It is critical to connect Democrats around the State. Just as we've seen in the Georgia Legislature the priority of metro and rural citizens may not be the same. So it is with Democrats. It will be incumbent on our party's next leader to build consensus to ensure our success. I believe I have demonstrated that I can successfully build and lead that effort"Former State Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna) in a press release a few days ago, who announced his intentions to seek the Chairmanship for the Georgia Democratic Party.

Prior to his service in the Georgia State Senate, Sen. Stoner served one term in the Georgia House of
Representatives during 2002-2004. In 2004, Sen. Stoner was elected to the State Senate, and he was
overwhelmingly re-elected by his constituents in 2006, 2008 and 2010. During his service, Sen. Stoner has received numerous awards including: the Outstanding Legislator Leadership award from the American Cancer Society (2003 and 2004), the Outstanding Leadership award  from the Georgia Alliance for Tobacco Prevention (2005), the Local Distinguished Service Award from  the American Public Transportation Association (2004), the Georgia Association of Emergency Medical  Services Star of Life, Legislative Award (2007 and 2008), the Georgia Association of Educators  Legislator of the Year (2005), the Cobb County Association of Educators Cheryl C. Rice Friend of  Education Award (2005), Legislative awards from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia  and the Georgia Municipal Association (2009 and 2010), the Georgia Conservation Voters  Environmental Leadership Award (2006, 2008, and 2010), and the Outstanding Legislator Award from  the Georgia Council on Aging (2010).

Stoner joins former State Sen. Mary Squires, current DPG Vice Chairman of County Parties RJ Hadley & Keyantwon Stephens of Athens, Ga.

Two other names that continues to receive attention are Former Gubernatorial candidate & House Minority Leader DuBose Porter of Dublin & Tharon Johnson, who led campaigns for John Barrow & John Lewis.

DPG Chairman's Job Now Open to All, Regardless of Race or Gender

In a letter sent out to Georgia Democrats, Interim Chairwoman Nikema Williams have decided to open the DPG election to any democrat, not just for white males only.

Says Williams in the letter,

As you are aware, I have been in regular contact with our local party leadership as well as national party leaders to help navigate our upcoming special election for party chair. After extensive consultation, I have decided to open this election to any Democrat who chooses to run for the position.

I believe that an open election is more consistent with our fundamental belief of full participation in the political process.

Our state charter and bylaws were created to implement this very process, at a time when women and people of color had been systematically excluded from full participation.  It is that open process that I want to honor.

Our Counsel agrees and has advised me that the provisions of our charter and bylaws that address racial and gender composition of party officers can be interpreted as a goal that is intelligible when all offices are open for election, but do not explicitly apply in a special election for a single position.

I will be directing our Charter and By-Laws Committee to draft appropriate amendments that will clarify the goals of inclusion and establish uniform procedures for filling vacancies in any office at state, county, congressional district, or other level.

Therefore, the Special Election for Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2013. The deadline for declarations of candidacy as outlined in the June 20th election notice will be extended until Wednesday, July 31, 2013. This will provide an opportunity for any Democrat to participate fully in our process.

Can Calvin Smyre Save the Democratic Party of Georgia?

I think Smyre should run in 2015 for Party Chairman to right the Democratic Ship...ASAP!!

In sports, many teams have gone back to the past with re-threats to revitalize their sagging programs or franchises..look at Kansas State where Bill Snyder is once again (2nd time around) working his magic a K-State, remember when Dan Reeves came to coach the Falcons and led them to the '98 Super Bowl, or Bill Parcells leading the woeful Patriots to the 1996 Super Bowl or Howard Schnellenberger who re-built a struggling Miami Hurricanes program to dominance, or Buck Showalter who has led the Baltimore Orioles to the 2012 baseball playoffs after years away from the game. All have one thing in common: All are re-threads, veterans of their craft who rebuilt or re-energized teams who suffered for years.

It's the same situation the Democratic Party of Georgia is now facing. The old guard was ushered out for newbies like Mike Berlon (not so new) Nikema Williams, Miguel Camacho, RJ Hadley, etc, etc. Well so far how has that worked out? I say its time for democrats to go back to the past & bring in someone with experience on the state level & deep connections nationally. Calvin Smyre, the Muscogee County Pol is just what the party needs.

Calvin Smyre & Tom Buck in State Legislature

The Georgia Democratic Party has been in a free fall over the last decade, resulting in losses at the statewide level which has no Democratic Officeholders & massive losses at the legislative levels due to retirements & party switching of moderate & conservative democrats from rural, conservative leaning areas & suburbs dating back to 2002.

In 2011, party activist & state committee members elected a slate of new democrats to rebuild the party from the bottom up.. from Mike Berlon, chairman to Miguel Camacho to Vice-Chair of Candidate Recruitment.

So far, the results have been the same. Continued infighting among democrats within the party to resignations,  to finger pointing among the Pro and Anti Mike Berlon factions has done nothing but weakened the already fragile party here in the Peach State. And it appears that it will not get any better anytime soon.

There maybe one person who could right the ship & get the the State Party back on its feet......State Representative Calvin Smyre of Columbus, a 40 year veteran of Georgia Politics who was elected in 1974.

Smyre was appointed by then Gov-Roy Barnes as chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party back in 2001 & he served in that position until 2003. But that was when the Democratic Party was in much..MUCH better shape. Smyre knowledge of the state & experience is what the party needs more than ever.

State Reps. Bill McKinney & Calvin Smyre 1980

No one knows how long Smyre will continue to serve in the legislature given hoe far the democrats have fallen in a span of 10 years, but one job I think he would terrific at is chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party. Smyre connections, not only statewide, but nationally & in Washington D.C. would be a huge asset in helping get the party on the right track. In 1976 he served as a advisor to the Carter/Mondale Campaign, serve as senior advisor to the campaigns of Joe Frank Harris & Zell Miller & was twice named as National Legislator of the Year. He currently serves on the Democratic Party of Georgia Executive Committee, State Committee, & has been a delegate to 9 Democratic National Conventions.

Smyre with Roy Barnes

What the party needs now more than ever is stability, leadership & direction & State Rep. Calvin Smyre brings those to the table, as well as respect from his colleagues & a winning attitude. Having worked for both governor Joe Frank Harris & Zell Miller, Smyre has a good idea what it will take for democrats to become competitive again in Georgia, as well as recruit STRONG democratic candidates statewide, something that is sorely lacking at the DPG & in both the House & Senate Democratic Caucuses. But would Smyre want to take on such a job if asked? Who knows? But with elections coming up in 2015 for DPG officers, if things doesn't improve from now 'til 2015, it maybe time to clean house once again at DPG.