Steve Achelpohl's Convention Welcome Letter
Jun 22, 08:41 AM CST
The following was given to every delegate to the State Convention.
June 20, 2008
Fellow Democrats:
It is my honor to welcome you to the Nebraska Democratic Party’s 2008 State Convention.
Together, we have accomplished much since we last met in 2006. The landslide re-election of Senator Ben Nelson as well as many other great Democrats across Nebraska helped send a message that our Party is alive and growing in our state. We gained seats in the Legislature, and our Senators have proudly taken our Party’s message with them to the Capitol. Then, in spring of last year, our momentum continued to build with Mayor Chris Beutler’s victory in Lincoln.
We did not stop there; 2008 has already been a productive year for our Party. The Presidential Caucus in February not only put Nebraska Democrats squarely in the national spotlight – right where they belong – but it also got more Democrats involved in more counties than we have seen in recent memory. It was the dedication of local activists that made the Caucus such a success, and it renewed my belief that we can accomplish anything when we energize and empower people like you.
As further proof of our momentum, the delegates to this year’s State Convention were elected by a record number of county conventions: 77. This is more than twice the number of conventions held in 2004. I firmly believe that this, coupled with our remarkable success in May’s Primary Election, shows that Democrats are engaged, motivated, and ready to lead in all corners of Nebraska.
I have decided not to run for re-election. The Nebraska Democratic Party will have a new State Chair for the first time in seven years. I want to thank each and every one of you – whether you have been here with me from the beginning or you just got involved more recently – for the work you have done for our Party and our state. Though my role will certainly change, my dedication to our cause will not. I look forward to continuing to work with you to grow the Democratic Party in Nebraska.
Again, welcome to the State Convention, and thank you for joining us and being a part of this historic event. I hope you leave here more informed, more inspired, and more engaged than when you arrived – because though we have come a long way, there is much left to do.
Thanks for everything,
Steven E. Achelpohl
State Chair, 2001-2008
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