News

Upcoming caucuses help shape Dems' future

by Michele D.  Maniscalco
Thursday Mar 23, 2017

Since the inauguration of the new president barely two months ago, the heads of many residents Massachusetts, of the city of Boston and of the South End have been spinning in disbelief. Many are angry and shocked at executive orders, legislative proposals, nominees and plans for the future that they see as hostile to civil rights, immigrants, the environment, and the financially vulnerable, but feel that with a Republican majority in Congress, there is a trajectory that will be difficult to stop.

Blue voters will have an opportunity to plan the future of their party in the upcoming Democratic Party caucuses taking place in the neighborhood and throughout the state from now through April 2. Although Ward 3's caucus took place on February 25, registered Democrats in Wards 4, 8 and 9 still have a chance to run for delegate to the state Democratic Convention, which will take place on Saturday, June 3 at the DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, where the party charts its course. Neighbors who are not ready to commit to running for delegate but who are interested in hearing from elected officials and some of this fall's candidates for city council and the state legislature can attend the caucuses as observers.

Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman Gus Bickford said recently, "Our caucuses are a great opportunity to strengthen our Party's organization and to welcome new participants who are interested in getting involved in our Party. Delegates will be voting on our party platform in Worcester, and we want to make sure that every Democrat has a voice in this process. This is a time for all of us to come together and speak to our shared Democratic values."

The Ward 8 Democratic Committee will hold its caucus on Saturday, March 25 at 11:00 AM at the Boston Police Department District B-2 station, 2400 Washington Street. Any registered Democratic voter can register to run for one of the 15 delegate and 4 alternate spots. Ward 8 Democratic Committee chairperson Joy DePina said via e-mail that elected officials usually attend the annual caucus to meet attendees. Asked to explain how involvement in the caucus commented, "Municipal engagement is the closest you can get to affecting every day challenges."

Following Ward 8 is the Ward 4 Democratic Committee caucus to be held promptly at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 29 at the South End Branch Library, 685 Tremont Street. According to Ward 4 Democratic Committee chairperson Andrea Olmstead, registration to run as a delegate closes at 6:15 PM sharp and there are 16 delegate posts, 8 for men and 8 for women, as well as 4 alternate posts to be filled. State representative Chynah Tyler (D-7th Suffolk), is scheduled to speak, and representatives Byron Rushing (D-9th Suffolk), Jay Livingstone (D-8th Suffolk) and Will Brownsberger (D-2nd Suffolk and Middlesex) plan to appear at the caucus as well.

Once the voting is over, attendees will have a chance to meet and greet hopefuls for the City Council District 2 and District 7 races, both of which represent the South End. Deeqo Jibril, candidate for Tito Jackson's District 7 City Council seat and Corey Dinopoulos, who is running to succeed Bill LInehan as city councilor for District 2, also plan to attend. Olmstead added that the Ward 4 Democratic Committee meets every third Tuesday at 6:00 at the South End Library and all Ward 4 residents are welcome to attend.

Ward 9 Democratic Committee Secretary/Clerk Richard Shibley reported that the Ward 9 Democrats will hold their caucus on Saturday, April 1 at 11:00 AM at the South End Community Health Center, 1601 Washington Street, in the WIC conference room on the second floor. Registration for the 9 male and 9 female delegate slots plus four alternates closes at 11:15 AM, at which time the caucus convenes.

Shibley, who served as Deputy Secretary of State from 1987-1995, explained that the state conventions in odd numbered years such as 2017 are issue-oriented, and there is less competition for delegate seats in those years. "I hope that people will be motivated," he said. Shibley feels that the caucus offers voters a chance at increased empowerment. "The thing that's nice about a neighborhood caucus is that it's accessible," he observed in a telephone interview. "Sometimes people feel like they can't make a difference. At your ward caucus, you can make a difference. If you don't like what's going on in Washington, the most effective thing to do is organize. It might not have immediate effect, but you will have a lasting effect."

For more information on the Democratic State Committee and its caucuses, visit www.massdems.org.