Alabama Democratic Party

Art Richey, a BSC student from Russellville, serves as President of the Alabama College Dems and has been a part of the resurgent activity displayed by this group in 2007. He led a fundraising campaign earlier this year to pay for a delegation of fifteen members from various schools to attend the July meeting of the College Democrats of America in Columbia, SC. While these delegates had an opportunity to exchange ideas and strategies with young people from across the country, they were also courted by the likes of Senators Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Barack Obama.

Campus clubs often organize events and special functions at their respective schools to promote awareness or draw attention to a particular issue. On the sixth anniversary of 9/11, the College Dems of Auburn joined with the College Republicans to plant hundreds of U.S. flags on the lawn in front of Cater Hall in honor of the victims of those terrorist attacks. BSC’s College Dems recently hosted a booth at the school’s annual “Halloween on the Hilltop” party for area children. Alabama College Democrats also hold protests and send out press releases on issues that affect college students.

ADP staffers Jesse McDaniel and Tina Coggin have recently traveled to Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and Huntsville to encourage college students to get involved politically on their campuses and sign-up to volunteer with the party. Jesse attended a UA internship fair and talked with almost forty students about opportunities with the party and various campaigns next year (the Republicans were nowhere to be found).

If you know someone near college age, please encourage them to get involved with Democratic causes on campus. For more information on the Alabama College Democrats visit their website or call (256) 412-9826.

TURNHAM ON THE TRAIL:

As always, Chairman Joe Turnham has been on the road a lot lately; spreading the good word about the Democratic Party. He and other ADP staff recently hosted a pre-dinner reception for Alabama’s Probate Judges, Circuit Clerks, and Sheriff’s who were gathered at the Four Points Sheraton in Tuscaloosa for a training conference. Unlike the GOP, which was notably absent from the conference, Chairman Turnham believes it is important to recognize and value these local officials, 75% of which are elected as Democrats!

On Thursday, November 15 Joe is traveling to Lawrence County to address the Hatton High School Democrats and speak to the local party meeting tonight at the Jesse Owens Museum in Oakville. Lawrence County Democrats deserve recognition for holding their ground against Republican efforts in the area and promoting Democratic ideals at all levels of government.

To all those in the Montgomery viewing-area, please tune in to watch CBS 8-Talkback Live at 5:00 PM on Friday, November 16th. Chairman Joe Turnham will be on the program to discuss Democratic expectations for the coming year and the important races of 2008. There will also be a segment where callers can dial in and ask questions of the Chairman directly.

JEFFERSON-JACKSON DINNER:

With Veterans Day fresh on our minds, the ADP salutes our service men and women both past and present, and we look forward to decorated veteran and former presidential candidate General Wes Clark as the speaker for our fall Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. The event will be held on Friday, November 30th at the BJCC in Birmingham. Democrats are ready to retake the White House in 2008 and look for General Clark to play a prominent role in the next Democratic administration. PLEASE go ahead and make plans to join us for this event and help support your state party. You can reserve your tickets online at www.aladems.org/events/2007JJ or by calling the party office at (800) 995-3386.

HD 12 SPECIAL ELECTION:  

James Fields and the Democratic Party made a strong showing in Tuesday's House District 12 primary in Cullman County, with Fields receiving more votes than the top two Republican candidates combined. Fields won the primary without a runoff due to his consistent message and formidable grassroots network. He is not a man that is afraid to take strong positions on the issues and he firmly believes in the ideals of the Democratic Party.

Chairman Joe Turnham congratulated Fields on his victory and welcomed him as the Democratic nominee. "Fields' lifetime of accomplishment coupled with his values as a community leader and pastor have won him the respect of his peers and made him uniquely qualified to represent House District 12 in Montgomery. I am confident that over the next two months we will mount an aggressive and successful campaign to defend this Democratic seat and that James Fields will be an outstanding representative for all the people of his district."

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, November 15

Jimmy Pool for District Judge Reception
5:00 PM @ Montgomery Biscuits Club Car
Riverwalk Stadium, 200 Coosa St
DONATIONS ACCEPTED
For info call 334-262-2717

Stonewall Democrats
5:30 PM @ Los Amigos
3324 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham
PSC COMMISSIONER SUSAN PARKER TO SPEAK
For info email David Loper at loperdavidm@aol.com

Lawrence County Democrats
6:30 PM @ at Jesse Owens Museum
7019 County Road 203, Oakville
ADP CHAIRMAN JOE TURNHAM TO SPEAK
For more info call Jerome Thompson, 256-974-3007
Museum Website at www.jesseowensmuseum.org

Friday, November 16

Talkback Live on CBS 8 News
5:00 PM @ WAKA in Montgomery
ADP CHAIRMAN JOE TURNHAM INTERVIEW
Watch Joe live and call-in with questions

Saturday, November 17

Constitutional Convention Coalition Summit
9:00 AM @ Birmingham Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Rd, Birmingham
FREE Event; RSVP brantley@constitutionalreform.org

Sunday, November 18

Bullock County Voting League
5:00 PM @ Merritt Elementary School
701 Old Troy Road, Midway
For info contact Bob Turner, 334-313-2576

Monday, November 19

Montgomery County Democrats
5:30 PM @ AEA Building
422 Dexter Ave, Montgomery
STATE SENATOR PARKER GRIFFITH TO SPEAK
For info call Jimmy Pool, 334-262-2717

Birmingham-Area Progressive Democrats
7:00 PM @ Cafe Ciao
2031 Cahaba Road, Birmingham
ADP VICE-CHAIR NANCY WORLEY TO SPEAK
RSVP to jmartens01@aol.com

Tuesday, November 20
Birmingham Young Democrats
6:30 PM @ UAB Sterne Library
Henely Room on 2nd Floor
For info call 205-994-4012

Wednesday, November 28
Lee County Democrats
6:50 PM @ Elks Club
1944 Opelika Road, Auburn
STATE SENATOR VIVAN FIGURES TO SPEAK
For info email williamwalsh@charter.net

Thursday, November 29
Central Alabama Labor Federation
6:30 PM @ CWA Union Hall
Elected Officials and Democrats to honor Jim Swindle
For info email Kirk Patrick at patrickk@usa.redcross.org

Friday, November 30
Alabama Democratic Party
Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
5:30 PM @ BJCC-Sheraton
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK TO SPEAK
For info visit www.aladems.org or call 800-995-3386