Sam Bregman
Every two years, Democrats in New Mexico hold county conventions, elect new chairs and vice chairs in each county and elect members to the state central committee, which will elect a new state chair. All county conventions are complete, and now we move forward to electing a new state chair.
Never before have the stakes been so high; never before have we needed new leadership, new direction and vision for our state party.
Chairman Gonzales wrote a recent article discussing his visits around the state and finding people “energized, active… ready to fight the fight… to the GOP.” He’s right. They are energized and angry about the failure in leadership from the state Democratic Party.
The current chair has been in charge since September 2009 and has presided over one of the most catastrophic defeats our party has witnessed in 80 years. They bungled election 2010, failed to present a Democratic message to voters, ignored and refused to give resources to outlying areas around the state, and now say “we had no control – it was a bad year for Democrats.” Not acceptable.
As I make visits around the state, Democrats are angry about the lack of response to Susana Martinez; they are angry about the lack of support for elected Democrats and the fact no Democratic agenda exists; and, most of all, they are angry because they know it doesn’t have to be this way, and there is a choice.
We face strong challenges to Democratic core values from the most aggressive Republican governor in a generation. The current chairman keeps repeating that he “is ready to take the fight to the GOP.” What is he talking about? He failed miserably last year and has failed to respond, stand up and fight Susana Martinez over the last six months. She is stronger than ever!
Coming back much stronger
It is time to elect a new leader who can recruit, train and elect Democrats from the bottom to the top. It is time for a rapid response team now to respond to Republican and media attacks and ensure our message is heard. It is time to hold five regional state conventions, seek input from elected officials and party activists and develop our American dream agenda for Democratic candidates in 2012.
As I have mentioned before, the choice is between the past and the future, defeat and victory. Our future is bright: We can rebuild and renew our party, but only if we make the right choice.
Laid-back approaches and a refusal to share resources with all areas of the state are unacceptable and show a lack of leadership and respect for all New Mexicans.
I ask that you support my vision, look to my past accomplishments and trust that my leadership will stand up and speak out for Democrats, ensuring victory in 2012. That’s the job, and with all that is at stake for our state and country, it’s time we hire the right person who can do the job.
We’re coming back much stronger in 2012!
Bregman is a candidate for chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.