Democratic Party of Georgia

Democratic Party of Georgia
Chairman	Mike Berlon
Senate leader	Steve Henson
House leader	Stacey Abrams
Headquarters	1100 Spring Street, NW Suite 408 Atlanta, GA 30309
Ideology	Center-left Liberalism
National affiliation	Democratic Party
Official colors	Blue (unofficial)
Seats in the Upper House	20 / 56
Seats in the Lower House	63 / 180
Website
www.georgiademocrat.org
Politics of the United States Political parties Elections

The Democratic Party of Georgia is one of the two major political parties in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is affiliated with the United States Democratic Party.

Leadership

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, seven individuals -- state Democratic Party First Vice Chair Nikema Williams, Page Gleason, Dan Halpern, State Senator Lester Jackson, state AFL-CIO President Richard Ray, Sally Rosser and former state Democratic Party Chairman David Worley-- represent Georgia on the Democratic National Committee. In 2008, Georgia had 100 votes at the Democratic National Convention, with 82 votes going to then Senator Obama and 18 going to then Senator Clinton. Georgia is to received 124 votes at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, which will take place in neighboring North Carolina.

State Representative Stacey Abrams serves as the Minority Leader, with State Representative Brian Thomas serving as the Democratic Caucus Chairman in the Georgia House of Representatives. State Senator Steve Henson serves as the Minority Leader, with State Senator Doug Stoner serving as the Democratic Caucus Chairman in the Georgia Senate. ^[1][2]

History

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.

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.^[3] 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.^[4], with some predicting a runoff election^[5] However, on election day, Republicans won every statewide office.^[6]

Party officers

Officers of the Democratic Party of Georgia are elected by the state Democratic committee at a January meeting following each regular gubernatorial election.^[7] 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: Russell Edwards

Current Democratic officeholders

The Democratic Party of Georgia controls none of the thirteen state constitutional offices. Five Democrats represent Georgia in the state's congressional delegation.

Federal

• U.S. House of Representatives
  • Sanford Bishop, 2nd District
  • Hank Johnson, 4th District
  • John Lewis, 5th District
  • John Barrow, 12th District
  • David Scott, 13th District

See also

• Political party strength in Georgia (U.S. state)

References

1. ^ WTVM-TV House Democrats elect Abrams minority leader
2. ^ WABE-FM State Senate Democrats Elect Leaders
3. ^ WSB-TV Tom Murphy Biography
4. ^ Real Clear Politics: Georgia Governor - Deal vs. Barnes
5. ^ WSB Radio Georgia Governor: Runoff Likely
6. ^ WXIA-TV Republicans Sweep Statewide Races
7. ^ "Charter of the Democratic Party of Georgia". Democratic Party of Georgia. http://georgiademocrat.org/files/Charter-AmendedthroughDec.2009.doc_0.pdf. 

External links

Party Website: Democratic Party of Georgia