For Immediate Release: November 22, 2022
In the wake of New York State’s midterm elections results, a coalition of chairs from the greater Hudson Valley region is issuing a letter calling on the New York State Democratic Party and longtime State Chair Jay Jacobs to undertake a series of four common sense reforms to increase small-d democratic operations, provide robust supports to county committees, expand and diversify the voices involved in decision making, and strengthen our Party’s infrastructure ahead of our next election cycle.
This year, the Hudson Valley emerged as a battleground region with a broad mix of results, ranging from unequivocal successes in Ulster and Westchester counties to disappointing outcomes for statewide candidates in several counties as well as the loss of state legislative and Congressional seats previously held by Democrats.
Two letters were circulated in the past week: one calling for Chair Jacobs to immediately step down from his role and another from county chairs praising his leadership and offering their continued support. The members of the greater Hudson Valley coalition have declined to sign onto either letter.
In many respects, the Hudson Valley is a representative microcosm of New York as a whole. Bringing together its diverse experiences and shared goals, this regional coalition seeks to move the Party forward with practicable next steps.
The letter outlines improvements in four major areas, proposing that Chair Jacobs and the State Party:
- Engage the NYSDC’s Executive Committee to fully enact its mission as an active, collaborative decision-making body
- Execute a planning process that solicits and incorporates input from a broad range of stakeholders
- Develop an internal communications infrastructure that enables and facilitates committee communications and organizing at all levels of membership
- Empower State Committee members to serve as informed representatives of the official organization of our State Party
The members of the NYS Democratic Party are a committed and talented group of individuals. By taking the lessons of this moment and providing opportunities for greater communication and unity, the Party can emerge stronger and more effective, facilitating the growth of county committees in our reddest areas, building a bench for future campaigns, and delivering our future candidates to victory up and down the ballot.
The letter asks “that Executive Committee Chairwoman Christine Quinn and Chairman Jay Jacobs convene a meeting of the NYSDC Executive Committee before the end of the year, to present, discuss, and adopt a plan to implement these reforms. Enacting these changes will also serve to provide a space for us to review additional proposals to reform our party’s operations.”
The letter is signed by Sam Hodge (Columbia County), Michael Dupree & Julie Shiroishi (Dutchess County), Lori Torgersen (Greene County), Zak Constantine (Orange County), Stephen Papas (Putnam County), John Gromada (Rockland County), Anne Hart (Sullivan County), Kelleigh McKenzie (Ulster County), and Suzanne Berger (Westchester County).
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“We have a real opportunity to implement meaningful changes to make our Party stronger. Columbia County, like many other upstate Democratic committees, needs the support of a robust and savvy State Party. We need to invest in our counties to win.” —Sam Hodge, Columbia County Chair
“November’s results were a clarion call for a systemic change in how the NYS Democratic committee operates vis-a-vis its county organizations. Our proposals will benefit not just the Greater Hudson Valley, but will help us build stronger coalitions across the state.” —Michael Dupree, Dutchess County Chair
“I look forward to working collaboratively and expeditiously with our State Committee partners to implement these critical organizational improvements so that we are poised for resounding success in the next election season and beyond.” —Lori Torgersen, Greene County Chair
“We cannot scapegoat our way out of a frustrating election cycle or make excuses about how we got here. The way to move forward is by reimagining our State Democratic Party’s mission, and creating a culture of innovation, inclusion, and collaboration. I’m proud to join my fellow Greater Hudson Valley Democratic Party Chairs in calling for these meaningful reforms.”
—Zak Constantine, Orange County Chair
“Putnam County stands with our fellow Hudson Valley counties and looks forward to being included in the future planning process with the variety of stakeholders to make positive change for our Party.”
—Stephen Papas, Putnam County Chair
“It’s clear there is work to be done. We hope that the collaborative effort it will take to make these changes will also help unify our diverse party, making it stronger than ever.” —John Gromada, Rockland County Chair
“I’m glad that the Greater Hudson Valley Chairs have chosen to work toward positive structural changes that will strengthen our Party.” —Anne Hart, Sullivan County Chair
“There is much work to be done, and plenty of dedicated Democratic committee members ready to step up and do that work together. These first steps toward reform will foster the kind of collaborative, bottom-up organizing our party needs to be ready for 2024.” —Kelleigh McKenzie, Ulster County Chair
“After every election, it is our job, as County Chairs, to reflect on what went right and what we could have done better. I’m so pleased to join with my fellow Greater Hudson Valley chairs in focusing on that in a real way rather than public finger-pointing or cheerleading.” —Suzanne Berger, Westchester County Chair
“I am grateful for the partnership of my greater Hudson Valley colleagues and optimistic that the State Party will adopt these needed reforms to better deliver our Party’s message and create a stronger and more equitable and resilient New York for all.” —Julie Shiroishi, NYS Party Vice Chair (Dutchess County)
Contact:
Kelleigh McKenzie, chair@ulstercountydemocrats.com, 845-518-7352
Suzanne Berger, Suzanne.wcdcchair@gmail.com, 917-882-7436
Zak Constantine, info@ocnydemocrats.org, 845-772-1931
Michael Dupree, dutchessdemocrats@gmail.com, 914-489-2910
John Gromada, johngromada@mac.com, 845-323-9896
Anne Hart, chair@scnydc.org, 845-866-1484
Sam Hodge, srhodge@gmail.com, 816-210-3067
Stephen Papas, stephenmpapas@gmail.com, 845-379-0464
Julie Shiroishi, julie.shiroishi@gmail.com, 347-678-6424
Lori Torgersen, chair@greenecountydemocrats.com, 518-755-2498