Notes From The Chair
Reflecting on the 2021 Kentucky Democratic Party State Convention, I am awestruck by how, over a year in the making, our staff and volunteers came together to do what to many seemed impossible. An all virtual state convention was something clearly not in the plans when planning began for the 2020 state convention. However, when COVID hit, the decision was made to postpone the in-person convention to begin planning an all virtual convention.
What came was one of the most inclusive conventions in the history of our party, where the party used its resources to meet you where you are, not the other way around. To be sure, there were pain points and lessons learned, but we also learned that there is an energy to our party, even now, that gives me great hope for the future.
This weekend we began by hearing from Gov. Andy Beshear on how Kentucky not only weathered the storm of COVID, but came out in better shape than many of our surrounding states in both health outcomes and economic recovery. The story of Kentucky’s ability to hold its own in economic development, with industries locating to all parts of the Commonwealth, is proof that under this Governor, Democrats are delivering transformative results.
The convention then held a moment of silence for the over 7,000 Kentuckians lost the COVID-19 and for all those we have lost since our last convening.
After a report from the Credentials committee and the election of a permanent convention chair, the convention ratified the elections of both the chair and vice chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party.
As both Rep. Cantrell and myself spoke during the convention, it is an honor to serve our party and even though this moment is difficult, we have great hope for our party and faith in each and everyone of you to come together and work together to reclaim Kentucky from the destructive policies and politics of the Republican party. We are forever grateful for this opportunity and especially thank Gov. Beshear, Lt. Governor Coleman, the State Central Executive Committee, and all Democrats for this honor.
Next the convention considered eighteen (18) changes to our Bylaws. Those changes, dating back to March of 2017-June 2021, may be found here. All changes were accepted by the Convention on a unanimous voice vote.
The convention then considered an issue that has been talked about for over a decade, the selling of the KDP Headquarters.
To be certain, when the headquarters opened in 1974 it was a state of the art building with the ability to meet the needs of politics at that time. However, over the years, the building has suffered many issues and the cost to repair, estimated at over 2.5 million dollars only pales in comparison to the over 3 million dollars to rebuild on the same site.
The building's articles of incorporation require a vote of two (2) consecutive state conventions to begin the process of selling the building, with an additional vote of the building corporation, which is a separate entity.
After debate, the following motion was made, seconded, and passed in the affirmative: “A motion to sell the Kentucky Democratic Party Headquarters”.
While the sale of the building is not imminent, we will do our due diligence in locating potential new locations for our headquarters and will work collaboratively to ensure any potential new site meets the needs of our staff and party.
The convention then heard from candidates for the nine (9) At-Large seats on the SCEC. In the morning, SCEC representatives from the district level were elected during the District Conventions.
Stepping up at this time to take on the role of helping to shepherd our party into the future is not easy and everybody who ran deserves our gratitude. Regardless of the outcome, involvement from all Democrats is essential to moving our party forward to better days.
- LaToya Drake, At-Large
- Roy Harrison, At-Large
- Josh Mers, At-Large
- Jeff Noble, At-Large
- Cody Pruitt, At-Large
- Rachel Roberts, At-Large
- John Stovall, At-Large
- Dorsey Ridley, At-Large
- Colleen Younger, At-Large
- Daniel Hurt, CD 1
- Jeff Taylor, CD 1
- Crystal Chappell, CD 1
- Susanna French, CD 1
- Brenna Caudill, CD 1
- Collin Morris, CD 2
- Dean Schamore, CD 2
- Patti Minter, CD 2
- Jeanie Smith, CD 2
- James Line, CD 2
- Robert Kahne, CD 3
- Corrie Shull, CD 3
- Queenie Averette, CD 3
- Pamela Stevenson, CD 3
- Mera Corlett, CD 3
- Col Owens, CD 4
- Marcus Woodward, CD 4
- Danielle Bell, CD 4
- Connie Grubbs, CD 4
- Ellen Cartmell, CD 4
- Ralph Hoskins, CD 5
- Johnny Ray Turner, CD 5
- Ashley Adkins, CD 5
- Laura White-Brown, CD 5
- Ariana Velasquez, CD 5
- Trent Garrison, CD 6
- Clint Morris, CD 6
- Brenda McClanahan, CD 6
- Brenda Monarrez, CD 6
- Rebecca Blankenship, CD 6
The new SCEC will meet over the summer to begin training including, but not limited to: Robert’s Rules of Order and SCEC Roles and Responsibilities, and will hear from KDP staff on their roles and responsibilities, and hear an update from the counties. Members will also choose committees to serve on at this time.
I will end where I began with thanks to our amazing staff, volunteers, and everyone who made this weekend a success. We are more than a building in Frankfort; we are citizens representing all 120 counties who understand the stakes and will not give up.
Be proud to be a part of a party that believes in fighting for working class and middle class families, believes in standing with our Unions - not declaring war on them, believes in science, believes truth is not relative, and is pro-life enough to care about maternal health, the health and well-being of every child from the cradle to the grave, and to wear a mask to protect not only themselves, but their loved ones, family, and friends.
We have fought hard to move America towards a more perfect union. We are not there yet, but the Republican party would keep us far from that mission that is the responsibility of every citizen in this nation. Where they would keep America from moving forward, we believe the greatness of America is in our people being treated equally, with liberty and justice for all.
That is, in part, what it means to be a Kentucky Democrat. Let’s get back to work!
Colmon Elridge
Kentucky Democratic Party Chair