NDP Chair Jane Kleeb worked closely with Ken Martin — president of the Association of State Democratic Committees and chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party — and all of the state chairs to ensure the Democratic candidates are fully committed to the state parties.
“State parties are the backbone to federal, state and local campaigns. For too long we have been under-funded and ignored,” Kleeb said. “We know our power to win elections and build the party year round. I am excited all of our Presidential candidates recognize state parties are partners at the table.”
The ASDC pledge was passed unanimously in Santa Fe, New Mexico this past June by ASDC members – made up of the Chairs and Vice Chairs from all 57 State Parties and unanimously endorsed by the ASDED – the Association of State Party Democratic Executive Directors. It has been shared with all candidates for the Democratic Presidential nomination.
As of the conclusion of the summer DNC meeting in San Francisco, 21 Democratic Presidential Candidates have signed the ASDC Pledge:
“It is critical that we build a sustainable Democratic Party infrastructure that will remain beyond the 2020 election cycle” said Raymond Buckley, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair “The 57 state party strategy helps us elect Democrats throughout the country who will be vitally important in building support for the next Democratic President’s agenda.”
“It’s not enough just to win the Presidency,” said Trav Robertson, Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, “If we are going to turn states like mine from red-to-blue, we need to have a party that is committed to winning in every part of the country and that’s what this historic partnership between our next President and the ASDC does.”
The Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC) is the only national party organization focused exclusively on the current and future needs of State Democratic Parties, assisting them to fulfill their vital role. The ASDC’s mission is to help build strong State Democratic Parties in order to elect Democrats at all levels of office.
To accomplish this goal, the ASDC focuses on building strong, stable, and sustainable infrastructure for all 57 State Parties. It acts as a service organization dedicated to supporting and educating its members, building strong relationships with and among State Parties, and using training to equip our members with the tools and skills they need to succeed.
Located within the Democratic National Committee, the ASDC represents state party interests at the DNC, as well as within the wider Democratic and progressive ecosystem. The Association engages in this critical work to ensure that State Parties have the tools and resources they need to elect those who share our values, will make a difference in our communities, and will improve peoples’ lives.
