Today, the Stonewall Democrats congratulated board member and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair, the Hon. Raymond Buckley, upon his election as President of the Association of State Democratic Chairs. With his election, Buckley also becomes a Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee and the highest-ranking openly-gay official within the national Democratic party. Elected with an overwhelming 72% of the vote, Buckley will serve as ASDC President for the next two years."The election of Raymond Buckley elevates another strong voice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans within the Democratic Party," said Jon Hoadley, Executive Director of the Stonewall Democrats. "Democrats from across our country elected Raymond because he will work tirelessly to strengthen state Democratic parties, the backbone of grassroots politics. Because Stonewall Democrats has always believed in grassroots politics, we believe in President Buckley's leadership. President Buckley has been an driving force behind increasing support for issues of equality among state Democratic parties and his election as President will only enhance that record."
With his election as President of the ASDC, Buckley also becomes a Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The five Vice Chairs of the DNC greatly influence party policy and direction. Each Vice Chair ranks only second to the Democratic National Committee Chair. As the first openly-gay Vice Chair of a political party, Buckley becomes the highest ranking openly-gay party officer in national history.
"Stonewall Democrats has proven a great resource to our state parties," said Raymond Buckley. "I'm thankful for their early and enthusiastic support for my candidacy in this competitive race. I'm looking forward to deepening the partnerships between state parties and LGBT Democrats as we move towards additional Democratic victories over the next two years."
The Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC) is the national body of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of state Democratic parties in 56 state and territories. The ASDC influences the priorities and policy of both the national and state Democratic parties. Buckley is the first openly-gay president of the organization, after previously serving as its vice president for six years.
The election of Raymond Buckley follows on the heels of the announcement that Andrew Tobias would continue serving as Treasurer of the DNC. Mr. Tobias was recently honored by a coalition of LGBT organizations for his outstanding service at the Democratic National Committee.
Raymond Buckley is currently the only openly-gay chair of a state Democratic party. As Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party Buckley was a familiar face with Democratic presidential candidates as they campaigned in the New Hampshire Democratic Party primary. In his role as New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair, Buckley is also a Member of the Democratic National Committee where he has been elected both Chair of the Eastern Region Caucus and a Member of the DNC Executive Committee.
Buckley has served on the Board of Directors for National Stonewall Democrats for the past eight years. Prior to his election as New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Buckley served for 18 years in the New Hampshire legislature. Under his chairmanship in New Hampshire, Buckley has led his state party to record level of Democratic gains on the local, state and federal level. At the same time, Buckley also moved the New Hampshire Democratic Party to become on of the most aggressive advocates for issues of equality, including the freedom to marry. That strategy has helped New Hampshire demonstrate how the combination of smart politics and pro-equality policy can lead Democrats to victory.
The Association of State Democratic Chairs was an influential partner in the DNC's "50 State Strategy" program. The ASDC worked closely with Stonewall Democrats and its "Pride in the Party" program in 2008. That program increased the participation of LGBT Democrats within state parties, including a record increase in LGBT Democrats elected to party office and as delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
The officers elected today for the Association for State Democratic Chairs were Raymond Buckley (President), Cordeilia Lewis-Burks of Indiana (Secretary) and Teresa Krusor of Kansas (Treasurer). Four Vice-Presidents of the ASDC were elected by region. They were Karen Thurman of Florida (Southern), Deb Kozikowski of Massachusetts (Eastern), Dan Parker of Indiana (Midwestern), and Meredith Wood Smith of Oregon (Western).
National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democrats regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - and to improve the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats.
