Illinois State News

Vol. 2, No. 3--April 13, 2005

On Tuesday April 5, Illinois held its 2005 consolidated election, with two grassroots Democratic organizations having huge victories. The West Deerfield Township Democratic Organization elected all four of its candidates for Township Trustee while the Moraine Township Democratic Organization elected six out of seven of its candidates for township office.

Following a candidate-training seminar organized by the Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats, the two township organizations decided to field Democratic slates in the township elections.

For West Deerfield Township this decision was not without controversy. "When we first started discussing the possibility of holding a caucus to nominate candidates, there were a few people who told us to be very cautious, that it would be impossible to win in West Deerfield Township," said Susie Krasnow, Chairperson for the West Deerfield Township Democratic Organization.

In his acceptance speech at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee DNC Chairman Howard Dean stated, "If we want to win nationally, we have to win locally. Election by election... State by state... Precinct by precinct... Door by door... Vote by vote...We're going to take this country back for the people who built it."

Andrew Chusid, Chairperson of the Tenth Dems Grassroots Committee elaborated on Howard Dean's statement by noting that "Trying to maintain a Precinct Committee Person Structure when you only activate it every two or even four years is not enough. If we as Democrats are serious about winning elections we need to make sure that EVERY race is contested. It will allow us to keep up-to-date on which people are still willing/able to serve and make sure that they are receiving the support they need to be effective captains."

In working toward taking back our country, it is PDA's desire to see Congressional District level Democratic organizations spring up nationwide to nurture the grassroots of the Democratic Party. As demonstrated by grassroots Democratic organization in Illinois recently, we can win if only we have the courage to stand.

Clint Raulsten

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