Op-Ed: Back to Basics

by: Mary Campbell, DNC Organizer

Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 09:58:14 AM EDT

That is the idea the NJ Democratic State Committee and the Democratic
National Committee are striving to accomplish; working from the
grassroots up to establish a sense of unity among the Democratic
Party. As part of the DNC 50 State Partnership program, my colleague
and I have been able to truly engage ourselves into the local and
grassroots level of New Jersey politics.

After working closely on the Flemington council special elections and
the two specials in Ocean County -- South Toms River and Lavallette --
it is apparent that there is a strong sense of party for the Democrats
in these typically Republican towns. After winning two council seats
and falling only a few votes short in a mayor's race where Democrats
are outnumbered almost 6 to 1, the sense of accomplishment and passion
to fight against Republican control has grown immensely.

Picking up council seats in Flemington and South Toms River proved to
the Republicans that voters are ready for a change. Voters want to be
heard. They expect their local officials to be responsive and find
solutions for the needs of the communities; to help the people. This
is what the newly elected council members are working to accomplish.

With help from Democracy for America (DFA), College Democrats from across
the State and local and county volunteers the Democratic Party has
been able to make big strides in small areas.

One exceptional volunteer and devoted Democrat, Rosi Efthim, from the
Hunterdon County DFA did not only help in the Flemington Special
Elections but traveled across the state to be an important volunteer
in South Toms River (Ocean County). Without people like Rosi or the
other DFA members that have been beyond supportive of the 50 State
Partnership Program and building Democracy at the grassroots level,
none of this would be possible.

Our next project is a Township Committee special election in Morris
Township where we are working with the dedicated team of Morris County
Democrats to elect Jeff Grayzel. The Republicans have all five seats
on the township committee, but Jeff has been fighting hard for the
past four years, gaining inroads. His tenacity paid off when he won on
Election Day this year. However, his election was then challenged and
ruled to be a tie. Now we face the task of "re-electing" Jeff Grayzel
on May 1.

Because this is a larger race than the past elections, we will need
your help. We need at least 35 to 40 volunteers for weekend walks and
calls, as well as 100 volunteers for Election Day. Please come out and
support Democrats from across the state! As Bill Clinton once said
"There is nothing wrong in American that can not be cured by what is
right in America." It is the little strides we take as Democrats that
create Democracy.

Mary Campbell is a regional field organizer for the New Jersey
Democratic State Committee and a liaison to the DNC's State
Partnership Program.