Democratic Party of Georgia
| Democratic Party of Georgia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chairman | Mike Berlon |
| Senate leader | Steve Henson |
| House leader | Stacey Abrams |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, GA |
| Ideology | American Liberalism Progressivism Center-left |
| National affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Colors | Blue |
| Seats in the Upper House |
18 / 56
|
| Seats in the Lower House |
60 / 180
|
| Website | |
| www.georgiademocrat.org | |
The Democratic Party of Georgia is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the state of Georgia. It is one of the two major political parties in the state.
Contents |
History [edit]
For over a century, the Democratic Party dominated Georgia state and local politics. From 1872 to 2002, the Democratic Party controlled the Governor's Mansion, both houses of the state legislature and most statewide offices.
The Civil Right Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 revolutionized Georgia society and politics, but change outside Atlanta proved slow. Black voters soon liberalized Georgia's Democratic Party. After the election of Maynard Holbrook Jackson, the first African-American mayor of Atlanta and Julian Bond to the Georgia House of Representatives, many white-supremacy democrats defected to the Georgia Republican Party.[1]
After switching to the Republican Party in 1998, Sonny Perdue went on to defeat Democrat Roy Barnes in the 2002 gubernatorial election. Perdue's unexpected victory marked the beginning of a decline for the Democratic Party of Georgia.
Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy, the longest serving Speaker in any state legislature, lost his bid for another term in the state House.[2] Four Democrats in the Georgia State Senate changed their political affiliation, handing the upper house to the GOP. And in 2004, the Democratic Party lost control of the Georgia House of Representatives, putting the party in the minority for the first time in Georgia history.
The Democratic Party of Georgia entered the 2010 elections with hopes that former Governor Roy Barnes could win back the Governor's Mansion. Polls showed a tight race between Barnes and Republican gubernatorial nominee Nathan Deal.,[3] with some predicting a runoff election[4] However, on election day, Republicans won every statewide office.[5]
Leadership [edit]
The Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia is Mike Berlon. Berlon is the former Chairman of the Gwinnett County Democratic Party and former President of the Georgia Association of Democratic County Chairs. Berlon was elected on January 29, 2011 to serve a four-year term by the party's state committee. He defeated former Labor Commissioner candidate and former Secretary of State candidate Darryl Hicks by a vote of 151-65.
In addition to Berlon, eight individuals—state Democratic Party First Vice Chair Nikema Williams, Former State House Rep. DuBose Porter, Wendy Davis, Dan Halpern, State Senator Lester Jackson, former state AFL-CIO President Richard Ray, Sally Rosser and former state Democratic Party Chairman David Worley—represent Georgia on the Democratic National Committee.
State Representative Stacey Abrams serves as the Minority Leader, Rep. Carolyn Hugley as the Caucus Whip, and State Representative Virgil Fludd as the Democratic Caucus Chairman in the Georgia House of Representatives.[6] State Senator Steve Henson serves as the Minority Leader, Senator Horacena Tate as the Caucus Chair, and Senator Vincent Fort serving as the Caucus Whip in the Georgia Senate.[7]
Stances [edit]
The Georgia Democrats believe in protecting and upholding the rights of all Americans and Georgians under the United States Constitution and Constitution of the State of Georgia.
They believe that every citizen has the right to quality and affordable healthcare. Those in need of care should not be deterred due to the cost.
Georgia Democrats believe that to ensure a successful future for the generations to come, education should be a priority. They support full funding of public schools and want to make sure that public funds are used only for public schools.
When it comes to the issue of national security, Georgia Democrats believe it is the government's responsibility to protect its citizens against terrorism both foreign and domestic. Securing and improving infrastructure is not only crucial to the state's security but the United States' national security.
Party officers [edit]
Officers of the Democratic Party of Georgia are elected by the state Democratic committee at a January meeting following each regular gubernatorial election.[8] Democratic Party of Georgia officers serve four-year terms, and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve as a Democratic Party of Georgia officer. Below are the current officers of the Democratic Party of Georgia:
- Chair: Former Gwinnett County Democratic Party chairman Mike Berlon
- First Vice-Chair: Nikema Williams
- Congressional District/County Liaison Vice Chair: R.J. Hadley
- Constituency Group Vice Chair: State Representative Pedro "Pete" Marin
- Candidate Recruitment Vice Chair: Miguel Camacho
- Secretary: Laverne Gaskins
- Treasurer: State Sen. Lester Jackson[9]
Current Democratic officeholders [edit]
Five Democrats represent Georgia in the United State House of Representatives. The Democrats do not hold either of the two United State Senate seats. The last democratic senator from Georgia was former Georgia Governor Zell Miller serving from 2000-2005.
Members of United States Congress
- U.S. House of Representatives
The Democratic Party of Georgia controls none of the fourteen state constitutional offices. The Democrats control 20 of the 56 senatorial seats and 63 of 180 state house seats. Two-year terms of office apply to both houses, and the entire membership of each body is elected at the same time in even-numbered years.
Georgia Presidential Vote, 1948-2008 [edit]
Since 1948, the Democrats have secured the state of Georgia 7 times, while the Republican party successfully secured Georgia 8 times. However, during the past 6 presidential elections, the Democrats won the state of Georgia only once, in 1992. Bill Clinton won 43.47% of the vote while incumbent President George H.W. Bush carried 42.88%, while losing his quest for a 2nd term.
Democratic National Committee [edit]
- Members
- Mike Berlon
- Wendy Davis
- Dan Halpern
- State Sen. Lester Jackson
- Richard Ray
- Sally Rosser
- DuBose Porter
- Nikema Williams
- David Worley[10]
In 2008, Georgia had 100 votes at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, with 82 votes going to then Senator Obama and 18 going to then Senator Clinton. Georgia received 124 votes at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
In 2013, Chairman Mike Berlon was elected as the Southern Chair to the Executive Committee of the DNC.[11]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Kutler, Stanley I. "Georgia." Dictionary of American History. 3. Vol. 3. New York , NY: Thomson Gale, 2003. 554-558. Print.
- ^ WSB-TV Tom Murphy Biography
- ^ Real Clear Politics: Georgia Governor - Deal vs. Barnes
- ^ WSB Radio Georgia Governor: Runoff Likely
- ^ WXIA-TV Republicans Sweep Statewide Races
- ^ http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/11/12/house-democrats-shake-up-their-leadership-team/
- ^ http://www.accessnorthgeorgia.com/detail.php?n=255374
- ^ "Charter of the Democratic Party of Georgia". Democratic Party of Georgia.
- ^ http://www.georgiademocrat.org/our-party/party-officers/
- ^ http://www.georgiademocrat.org/our-party/georgia-dnc-members/
- ^ http://www.georgiademocrat.org/2013/01/24/more-great-news-for-ga-democrats/
