The next executive director of the Lucas County Democratic
Party faces many challenges, the least of which, perhaps,
are a resurgent local and an entrenched national Republican
Party. The local Dems, seen by many as a Party that has lost
its way, must first win the battle for its own soul.
Who Will Lead?
The Dems’ central committee will meet soon and is likely
choose either former legislator Michael Ashford or attorney
Keith Mitchell as their next leader.
Ashford seems to have the early advantage, having solidified
support in approximately 100 of 192 possible precincts. He
has also assembled a powerful coalition of elected
officials, private sector leaders, union officials and grass
roots volunteers to secure control of another 30-40
precincts, enough to provide him with the margin of victory
over Mitchell.
Ashford has also held several political offices, ran
numerous campaigns and been a prolific fundraiser (for
himself and others) both in Toledo and Columbus. Ashford’s
ability to manage campaigns, identify other campaign
leaders, recruit volunteers and engineer effective ground
strategies gives him experiences that Mitchell doesn’t have.
Yet, success at the polls in November will require more than
even these valuable experiences.
The Strategy:
Building a team that can win locally and contribute to the
success of candidates on the state and national levels can
only happen after something else, more fundamental, occurs.
“You win by [first] cultivating the right culture,” so the
leadership experts allege. If true, then major internal
changes will have to occur.
The local Democratic Party is wont to make endorsements and
personnel decisions that emerge from petty feuds, jealousies
and personal fealty rather than choices that are based on
qualifications. Playing the political game in this manner
has created a toxic atmosphere characterized by dysfunction
and ineffectiveness.
Several volunteers have disengaged and many elected
Democrats merely use the Party only to obtain an
endorsement, choosing to run campaigns on their own and not
contribute to the aspirations of other candidates. “That’s
how bad it is,” a longtime volunteer decried. “I look
around at fundraisers and no other Democratic candidates or
other elected officials are there to support them.” Right
now, it is every person for themselves with no common
language or unified messaging.
While most of those I spoke with indicate that they can work
with either Ashford or Mitchell, the challenge for the next
leader is clear. Local issues such as economic development,
jobs, safe neighborhoods, public education, taking care of
first responders and support for the Affordable Care Act are
all important.
Equally important are the critical activities of volunteer
recruitment, bringing in young people, attracting talent,
establishing new and more effective committees and
fundraising.
However, one thing is
vital. Prior to any of that, the Dems must first change the
culture by creating a vision, “re-establishing our identity
- what we stand for or are known for, so that people to
start to believe again in the core values of the local
Democratic Party and become engaged.”
And, finally, if the Party
is to move forward effectively, decisions can no longer be
made by a select few or top down, but outcomes, rather,
should be made from the bottom up and ensure that all have
input.
As former NFL coach Mike
Smith once said, “Team beats talent when talent isn’t Team.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
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