ALABAMA - NANCY WORLEY

[from April 22 , 2013]
Had been serving as First Vice Chair.  Served as Alabama Secretary of State from 2003-07.  SOS bio:

Nancy Worley is a lifelong resident of Alabama, and a veteran educator of 25 years. Worley grew up on a family farm in New Hope (Madison Co.), Alabama and attended public school there. Each summer, from 1963 to 1970, she worked at the YMCA. Worley attended the University of Montevallo, where she received a B.A. degree with highest honors in 1973. She continued her education at Jacksonville State University, where she received her M.A. degree in 1975. She has completed courses at other universities in Alabama and abroad, including technology classes, after she received the TSPAT Scholarship Award. Worley taught school for 25 years in Decatur, Alabama, where she was active in numerous professional and civic organizations. In addition to teaching English and Latin, Worley sponsored cheerleaders, student clubs, and fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and American Heart Association. Worley taught part-time in the evenings for Northeast State Community College and John C. Calhoun Community College.

Worley was twice named Teacher of the Year, and was also a Teacher Hall of Fame nominee. The Alabama Jaycees honored Worley as Alabama's Outstanding Young Educator, and Good Housekeeping named her as one of the "100 Young Women of Promise." Worley was awarded the Alumnus of the Year honor at the University of Montevallo, and was recently given the Education Award by the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. She was named by The Decatur Daily as one of the "Twenty Leaders of Decatur," and has been listed in numerous national and international publications.

Worley was elected statewide and served two terms as President of the Alabama Education Association (1983-1984, 1995-1997), four terms on the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee, twice as State President of the Association of Classroom Teachers, and twice as State President of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She has been President of the Decatur Education Association, the Alabama Foreign Language Teachers Association, Opportunity Toastmistress Club, and the Alabama Classical Association.

ed. note:
Something of a split in April 2013.  Judge Mark Kennedy resigned as chair on April 22 and formed Alabama Democratic Majority.

ALASKA - MIKE WENSTRUP

[elected May 12, 2013]
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. he received a bachelor's degree and then a law degree from the University of Notre Dame.  After graduation he moved to Fairbanks Alaska in 2005.  He belongs to the Fairbanks Kiwanis club and the Fairbanks Elks club. When not working he enjoys spending time hiking, fishing and camping with his wife Annie and their dogs.

ed. note:
Wenstrup is a Fairbanks attorney who served as chairman of the Interior Democrats.

ARIZONA - ALEXIS TAMERON

[elected Jan. 26, 2015]
A native Arizonan, Alexis Tameron was born and raised in the mining town of Superior. She has worked in government, public policy and electoral politics for over a decade, serving in various management capacities at the congressional, state and local level. Most recently, Alexis served as the 2012 statewide Campaign Manager for Dr. Richard Carmona’s U.S. Senate race – an effort that captured more votes statewide than any other Democratic candidate in Arizona history. Alexis also worked for Harry Mitchell’s 2006 congressional campaign, an effort that resulted in the upset victory over six-term incumbent J.D. Hayworth.  She served as Congressman Mitchell’s first District Director before becoming his Chief of Staff in Washington. Alexis graduated from Arizona State University and attended the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University as a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow. She resides in Tempe and works as a public affairs professional for an Arizona-based technology company.

ARKANSAS - VINCE INSALACO

[elected Sept. 14, 2013]
Vincent Insalaco of North Little Rock has worked for Democratic candidates and causes for decades, and he served as the president for Young Democrats of Arkansas in the early 80’s. Insalaco worked on campaigns for local, state, and national office throughout the years and received the Ed Fry Democrat of the Year award this year for his many years of service to improve communities, mentor young Democrats, and elect strong leaders to office.

ed. Co-founder of Argenta Community Theater:

Vince continued his love of the arts, but also founded his own business, Family Entertainment, a chain of video stores which also offered video production services. Vince grew Family Entertainment from a single store to a chain with over 50 locations, and employed over 300 people before selling the company to a national corporation in 2002. The sale of Family Entertainment allowed Vince to devote time again to the arts, politics and community service.

He produced his first feature narrative movie, "War Eagle, Arkansas," which won critical acclaim at many film festivals. The movie was filmed entirely in Arkansas. He has also produced the documentary "Warrior Champions," a moving story about injured veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan who performed in the Para-Olympics in Beijing.

Vince also co-founded Butterfly Community Ministries, and has served on the Boards of Directors of many organizations, including the Little Rock Film Festival, CARTI, the THEA Foundation, the Historic Arkansas Museum, St. Vincent's Infirmary, and others. Sally and Vince were married for 32 years before she lost her brave battle with cancer in 2006. Vince and Sally have two children, Elizabeth and Vincent III, along with three beautiful granddaughters.

See also:
Jennifer Pyron.  "Man About Town: Vincent Insalaco Leaves Mark on Argenta."  Little Rock Soiree, Nov. 1, 2012.

CALIFORNIA - JOHN BURTON

[elected April 2009; re-elected at state convention April 12-14, 2013]
John Burton is widely considered one of the most effective and experienced legislative leaders in the State of California – if not the nation. He began his career as a Deputy Attorney General, served as the President of the Young Democrats, and won election to the County Central Committee. He then served as a State Assemblymember, President of the California Democratic Council, Chair of the California Democratic Party, U.S. Congressmember and as President pro Tem of the California State Senate. After being termed-out of the Legislature, he created a foundation which has raised millions of dollars to assist homeless and foster care children across California.

With a consistent 100% voting record throughout his career from environmental, labor, and human rights organizations, the California Journal wrote: "Burton is trying to do right by some of the least among us.... There’s a sense that he’s not wielding or exercising power for the sake of power itself; the things he’s trying to do have a real purpose behind them."

John Burton Wrote the Laws that Make California Better

-Established landmark farm mediation for farm workers and the UFW
-Achieved DNA testing to free the wrongly convicted and help identify guilty parties
-Secured prevailing wage rates for construction and building trades and restored the 8-hour day
-Guaranteed CalGrant college scholarships for every student with financial need
-Led the effort in the State Senate to pass the nation's first state law requiring automakers to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from cars (AB 1493 (Pavley)-2002)
-Increased aid for the elderly, blind and disabled
-Facilitated agreement to save Headwaters Forest Preserve and Farallones Marine Sanctuary; prohibited offshore oil drilling along the Point Reyes seashore
-Enacted historic levels of support for mental health and juvenile crime prevention programs
-Overhauled the state’s flawed child support collection system
-Increased affordable housing and helped fight homelessness with a $2.1 billion bond issue
-Set tough campaign contribution limits and increased public disclosure of contributions

and from Bioguide:
BURTON, John Lowell, (brother of Phillip Burton), a Representative from California; born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 15, 1932; graduated from Lincoln High School, San Francisco, Calif., 1950; A.B., San Francisco State College, San Francisco, Calif., 1954; LL.B., University of San Francisco Law School, San Francisco, Calif., 1960; United States Army, 1954-1956; admitted to the California bar, 1961; lawyer, private practice; member of the California state legislature, 1965-1974; chairman, California state Democratic Party, 1973-1974; delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-third Congress, by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative William S. Mailliard, and reelected to the four succeeding Congresses (June 4, 1974-January 3, 1983); was not a candidate for reelection to the Ninety-eighth Congress in 1982; resumed the practice of law; member of the California state senate, 1996-2004; is a resident of San Francisco, Calif.

COLORADO - RICK PALACIO

[elected March 5, 2011; re-elected early March 2013 and Feb. 28, 2015]
Rick is a 6th generation Coloradan who was born and raised in Pueblo. The son of a steel worker and homemaker, Rick's family's roots are in the southern part the state where both of his grandfathers were coal miners.

Before serving in his current role, Palacio worked in a variety of roles in Colorado and national politics. He was the Assistant to Colorado House Majority Leader Alice Madden. He served as the Regional Director of the Colorado Democratic Party’s Coordinate Campaign. In 2006 he sought the Democratic nomination for Clerk and Recorder in Pueblo, Colorado where he earned 49.9% of the Democratic vote - only two votes shy of becoming the party's nominee for the general election. Palacio then held multiple roles with U.S. Rep. John Salazar of Colorado's third Congressional District, including Legislative Assistant and later Deputy Communications Director. In 2008 he was hired as Deputy Director of Member Service in the office of the House Majority Leader, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, the second highest-ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rick was elected Chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party on March 5, 2011. He is the first Latino in Colorado to hold the office of chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, and when elected was only the second in the nation.

CONNECTICUT - DOMINIC BALLETTO

[felected Jan. 2015, started Feb. 1]
Nick Balletto was unanimously elected as the Connecticut Democratic Party Chair in January of 2015 after serving as State Party Vice Chair for four years under Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo. Prior to being elected Vice Chair in 2011, Balletto was an active member of the Democratic State Central Committee and his Democratic Town Committee.

Over the last 30 years, Nick has run campaigns, including fundraising and field operations at the national, state and local levels. He served as Chair of the New Haven Democratic Town Committee from 1996 to 2002 and as an alderman on the New Haven Board of Aldermen from 1988 to 1989. He has never lost his commitment to New Haven politics over the years, as he was an important part of the effort that organized the city in order to achieve significant majorities that helped elect and re-elect Governor Malloy in 2010 and 2014. As Vice Chair, Nick has represented Connecticut nationally on the Executive Committee of the Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC), as well serving as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention and twice served as Presidential Elector for Connecticut.

In addition to his political involvement, Nick is also an experienced tax accountant. In 1994, he opened his own tax, accounting and consulting firm – Balletto, Shariff & Associates. He has also served as a Connecticut State Marshall in New Haven County since 1996.

DELAWARE - JOHN D. DANIELLO

[elected in 2005, and reelected in mid-May 2009] and on May 10, 2013]
John D. Daniello has served and represented the best interests of his community and constituents for more than a quarter of a century.  Through years of arduous service, work experience, and schooling, Daniello has attained the position of party leader and Chair of the Delaware Democratic Party.
 
In 1956, Daniello received his bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Delaware, which has since spring boarded his political career and created a didactic foundation for his future success and communal involvement.
 
Beginning his career at the Delaware Department of Labor, Daniello served as executive secretary of the State Industrial Accident Board, holding responsibility for the enforcement of the state workmen’s compensation laws.  Most prominently, Daniello drafted, prepared, and implemented the state’s first minimum wage laws as chief of research and prevailing wages at the Delaware State Department. 
 
In 1964, Daniello served as a legislative official for New Castle County.  As Levy Court Commissioner, he directed an annual budget of twenty million dollars and established the first formal civil service system, requiring formal job descriptions and uniform pay scales for all government workers in the county.  As county councilman-at-large, Daniello chaired the Finance Committee and held responsibility for the implementation of revised zoning procedures.
 
From 1967 until 1973, Daniello worked at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Delaware, gaining vital experience in marketing, negotiations, and human resources while also developing a sound administrative background.  As the supervisor of the Medicaid program, he devised, established, and utilized the automated billing system to process all claims generated by this program.  As assistant personnel manager, he created a job and wage classification system and conducted all personnel training.
 
In the early 1980’s, Daniello served as the state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture while simultaneously taking professional seminars and courses in advanced management to further his understanding of administrative policy.
 
Over the years, John D. Daniello has served as Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development, executive director of the Mechanical Contractors Association, and as a management consultant for a large non-profit community center.

In 2005, members of the Delaware Democratic Party elected him chairman; however, since the beginning of his career, in 1961, Daniello has devoted much of his life to leading and representing the welfare of the people of Delaware.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - ANITA BONDS

[elected Nov. 2006; re-elected 2010]
Councilwoman Anita Bonds has spent her entire life as a grassroots organizer for the causes that matter most to D.C.: civil rights, social justice, worker’s rights and equality for women and the LGBT community. A proven coalition builder, her passion for people and the community is the driving force behind her career and the reason she is running.

Having grown up in the Benning Ridge neighborhood... of Ward 7, Anita is a current resident of Ward 5. She graduated from John Philip Sousa Jr. High School and was one of the few African American women to attend the University of California at Berkeley. Through her studies, she developed the passion for progressive politics and advancing the rights of every American that has been consistent throughout career.

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Anita returned home to Washington, D.C., married, and raised her three children in both the Bellevue community of Ward 8 and in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. In the city’s struggle for civil rights and equal justice, Anita worked with the Young Democrats of America, acted as Chair of the Women’s Political Caucus, and was a Statehood Compact Commissioner.

Her meticulous organizing and leadership skills led her to become a trusted advisor and cabinet member in the administrations of three former D.C. Mayors.

ed. note:
On Dec. 10, 2012 Bonds was selected by the DCDSC to fill the vacant at-large seat on the DC City Council; she was elected in the April 23, 2013 special election.

FLORIDA - ALLISON TANT

[elected Jan. 26, 2013]
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant Richard is a fighter for the values of Florida's middle class families and has been a leader in electing Democrats at every level across the state. She currently serves as the Chair of the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee and is a member of the National Democratic Rules Committee.

Allison's passion for standing up for those who cannot fight for themselves was driven by her personal experience addressing the needs of one of her children who, at the age of 3, was diagnosed with a disabling condition called "Williams Syndrome," and had to undergo open heart surgery. After taking herself out of the professional world, Allison was thrust into the world of advocacy for disabled children in Florida's schools, requiring better and appropriate education for students with all manner of exceptionalities after her disabled twin was denied an appropriate education in his school. Allison has succeeded in making many changes to the state's assessment of students with disabilities, the provision of speech, occupational, physical and behavioral therapeutic services, and has worked to develop post-secondary learning options for students with disabilities. Most recently, Allison spoke out to stop extremely harmful State Board of Education rulemaking, which would have discriminated against Florida students who do not speak English as a first language, as well as students with disabilities and those who are medicallyfragile and in special schools.

In addition to her advocacy, Allison has led statewide efforts to win Florida for President Obama and Democrats at every level of the ballot and has the qualifications to lead Florida Democrats in the fight against Rick Scott's extremism. Allison has served on President Obama's Victory Trustee Committee and was the chair of the North West FL Finance Council for the Obama re-election campaign for the 2012 election, where she raised over $330,000 from large and small contributions. In 2008, she organized and led the Tallahassee Women for Obama effort coordinating outreach and grassroots efforts building a strong base of support in the area for the President's election effort. Allison was on the host committee for President Obama's second national fundraiser upon his candidacy announcement and for all fundraisers thereafter in the Tallahassee area in 2008. In 2012, in addition to her tireless effort on the Obama campaign, Allison served on the state finance committee of volunteer fundraisers and organized and hosted fundraisers for Democratic nominees for congressional, legislative and local office.

Her commitment to bringing real reforms to Florida Democrats is best seen through her work as an investing founder in Project New Florida, the Florida valuesproject. Project New Florida provides valuable data, research and messagingguidance to Democratic candidates at every level of office so they have the key tools to succeed in their campaigns.

Allison also founded a scholarship program called KEYS (Keys to Exceptional Youth Success), raising $160,000 over the last six years, awarding 54 scholarships to students with disabilities, providing instructional supplies to 35 students, minimally endowed a scholarship at Tallahassee Community College for a student with disabilities, and launched with Tallahassee Community College an entirely new curricula and learning for students with cognitive disabilities. Allison is a member of the Foundation Board of Directors for Tallahassee Community College, is on the State Foundation Board for the Children's Home Society of Florida, is a previous chair of the North Central Division of the Children's Home Society, is a previous chair of the Exceptional Student Education Advisory Council for Leon County Schools, is on the District Advisory Council for Leon County Schools and is a member of Capital Women's Network.

A native Floridian, Allison was born in Jacksonville, graduated from FSU, and was an intern for Sen. Bob Graham. She has worked in the Florida Legislature and has been active in local Democratic politics across the state. Allison lives in Tallahassee with her husband, mother and family, and is also a proud new grandmother.

ed.note:
Elected in a tight 587-507 vote.

GEORGIA - DuBOSE PORTER

[elected Aug. 31, 2013]
DuBose Porter is the current Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia and served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1982 to 2011. He served as Speaker Pro Tem in the House from 1998 through 2004 and Minority Leader from 2005 to 2011.

DuBose Porter, born in Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia, is the son of Dr. Lester and Katherine D. Porter. From a young age, Porter was active in his community. He earned his Eagle Scout Badge in 1970. He was a co-President of his Senior high school class at Dublin High School, where he graduated in 1971. He attended Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, where he received a B.A. in English in 1975.

After college, Porter interned in Washington, D. C., for Georgia Senator Sam Nunn where he decided to go to law school so that he could one day become a public servant and help others just as he saw Sen. Nunn was able to do. He attended and graduated from Cumberland Law School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. After law school, Porter returned to his hometown and formed the law firm of Nelson & Porter. In 1982 he decided to run for the legislature and won.

DuBose has four sons, also Eagle Scouts, Stephen DuBose Porter, Jr., Guyton McCall Porter, and twins, Asa Shearouse Porter and Inman Lee Porter.

In 1987, Porter and Griffin Lovett purchased The Courier Herald, the daily newspaper in Dublin. Porter is Chairman of the Board of the publishing company and runs the business side of the company daily. In 1998, Porter and Lovett purchased The Soperton News, The Montgomery Monitor, and The Wheeler County Eagle. In 2002, they purchased The Johnson Journal, The Twiggs Times New Era and The Cochran Journal. In 2004, they purchased The Wilkinson County Post and in 2006 they purchased The Baldwin Bulletin. Porter is the business manager of these nine publications. Since 1987, Porter also has been a stockholder and member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Dudley.

In 1991 and 1992, he served as Administration Floor Leader in the House of Representatives to Governor Zell Miller. In January 2003, Porter was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives. Porter served on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Appropriations, Ethics, and Rules Committees. In January 2005, he was elected Leader of the Democratic Caucus of the House of Representatives.

Porter is a former Trustee for the Nature Conservancy of Georgia, former member of Board of Trustees and The Board of Advisors of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. He is the former President of the Georgia Press Association and of the Georgia Library Trustees Association and served as a member of Governor Miller’s Preservation 2000 Committee. He has served as Chairman of Education as well as Chairman of Higher Education.

He was a member of the 1985 class of Leadership Georgia. He is a member of the Dublin Rotary Club. He is also a member of the University of Georgia Secret Society, Gridiron.

HAWAI'I - STEPHANIE OHIGASHI

[elected May 25, 2014]
Stephanie Ohigashi is from the island of Maui and grew up in the household of former Maui Mayor Eddie Tam. Her first political experiences included dancing hula at rallies around the county in the 1950s and dancing for both the Statehood celebrations in 1959 and for John Kennedy when he campaigned for President on Maui in 1960. Ohigashi attended the University of Hawaii and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies with an emphasis in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii: West Oahu College.

Ohigashi has been a member of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i since 1983 and was elected to serve as Chairperson of the Maui County Democrats for two terms and was also elected to serve as State Vice –Chair for one term and served a total of four terms on the State Central Committee. She was elected as a National Delegate in 2004 and 2008.

Ohigashi is the manager of her husband’s family law practice, Lee Ohigashi, Attorney At Law. They have three adult sons and a daughter in law. Stephanie is active in the community serving as Chairperson for the Maui County Sister Cities Foundation, Director of the Maui Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the founder of the Historic Sandhills Neighborhood Association.

Her employment history includes her positions as Executive Director of Maui Family Reunion, Outreach Specialist with the Maui Family Support Services, Information Referral Specialist for the Maui County Office on Aging, Editor of Na Leo O Kupuna and currently is a part time Executive Assistant to Councilmember Mike Victorino.

IDAHO - BERT MARLEY

[elected Aug. 1, 2015 after Larry Kenck resigned due to health reasons]
EDUCATION
Master of Education, Utah State University, graduated 1995
Bachelor of Arts, Idaho State University, graduated 1973
Certificate of Crop and Soil Technology, Idaho State University Vocational Technical School, 1977

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
• Past member of the Region Six Substance Abuse Authority
• Twenty-plus years as a Boy Scouts of America leader. Wood Badge trained.
• Active in church, having served in several leadership positions, many involving supervisory and training roles
• McCammon Ditch Company Board of Directors
Board of Trustee member of the Idaho State Historical Society
Board of Director member of the Idaho Humanities Council
President of the Targhee Homeowners Association

GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Idaho House of Representatives, 1998-2001
• Committees included: State Affairs, Transportation, Education, Commerce and Human Resources, Joint Finance and Appropriations
• Served on the Information Technology Resource Management Council which assisted in state agency Y2K compliance and helped create the Access Idaho Web site
• Served on Public Employee Retirement advisory committee recommending improvements in state employee retirement benefits.

Idaho Senate, 2001-2006
• Committees include: Local Government and Taxation, Judiciary and Rules, Transportation and the Joint Finance and Appropriations, Education, Joint Legislative Oversight
Committee
• Vice-chair of the Idaho Technology in Learning Committee addressing technology in K-12 and higher education
• Served as Caucus Chair from 2001-2002

Statewide Campaigns
Candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2006
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, 2014

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS and AWARDS
• President of Marsh Valley Education Association, 1986-1987, 1987-1988 and 2003-2004
• Vice President of Marsh Valley Education Association, 1985-1986
• Served as a chief negotiator determining procedural agreements for Marsh Valley Education Association
• Member of the Idaho Education Association Board of Directors, 2002-2005 and 2006-2007
• Member of Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society
• Idaho Education Association Friend of Education award, 2004
• Outstanding Lay Leader Award from the Mountain Plains Adult Education Association
• Idaho Foreign Language Teacher of the Year, 2000
• Division A2 Cross Country Coach of the Year, 1995
• Statesman of the Year Award, Idaho State University Pi Sigma Alpha, 2004

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
IEA Director of Public Policy
2008-2013 Involved in and provided leadership in legislative lobbying, election campaigns, candidate recruitment, political training for members
IEA Uniserv Director
Region 4 Director, 2007-2008 Worked with members in the Magic Valley area to advocate for their working conditions and for the general improvement of education
Secondary Educator
Marsh Valley Middle School and High School, 1984-2007 • Served as chair of the Foreign Language and Social Studies Departments
• Developed and coordinated German American Partnership Program exchange starting in 1986
Farmer
McCammon, Idaho, 1990-present
• Own family farm and cow/calf operation
Self-Employed
Weed and Pest Control business, 1983-1987
• Managed and operated three weed and pest control trucks as a small business owner
• Oversaw budgeting, expenditures, marketing and advertising of business
• Hired and trained two to three employees per season
• Ensured compliance with governmental regulations
Sales and Research Representative
Dupont Agrichemical, 1979-1983
• Oversaw sales for Utah and southeast Idaho
• Collaborated with university personnel to further environmentally-friendly agrichemical research
• Worked with managers and field agents from various area fertilizer and chemical dealers
• Created and conducted several training and informational sessions per week in season for growers
Weed Control Supervisor
Bannock County, 1974-1979
• Developed and implemented county-wide noxious weed control program
• Supervised and trained spray crews
• Oversaw budgeting and equipment buys for department
• Served as president of the Idaho Weed Control Superintendents Association
• Appointed to Governor Evans’ Blue Ribbon Committee on weed control

ILLINOIS - MICHAEL J. MADIGAN

[since 1998]
Michael J. Madigan was elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 96th General Assembly on January 14, 2009. He has held that position since 1983, except for the period between 1994 and 1996. Representative Madigan was elected House Democratic Leader in 1981 and 1995. He served as House Majority Leader from 1977 through 1980.

His work in the legislature has been consistently marked with honors and distinctions from a wide range of civic, community, educational and business organization. The Chicago Sun-Times twice rated him as one of Illinois' "Ten Best Legislators". The respected Illinois Issues magazine cited him as one of the ten outstanding Illinoisans who made the greatest contribution to the state in the past decade.

Voters in the 22nd Representative District first elected him as their delegate to the 1970 Constitutional Convention and then as State Representative in November 1970. He has won reelection in every election since 1970.

A graduate of Loyola University Law School, Speaker Madigan practices law in Chicago.

Speaker Madigan was born April 19, 1942, in the southwest side district he now represents. A life-long resident of the City of Chicago, he graduated from St. Adrian Grammar School, St. Ignatius College Prep and the University of Notre Dame. Speaker Madigan and his wife, Shirley, are the parents of three daughters -- Lisa, Tiffany and Nicole; and a son -- Andrew.

INDIANA - JOHN C. ZODY

[elected March 16, 2013]
John Zody was elected to a four-year term as Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party on March 16, 2013. Prior to becoming Chair, John served as the Great Lakes & Mid-Atlantic Political Director on President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. In this role, he had political responsibilities in nine states including Indiana, Ohio and Virginia.

He began his involvement in Indiana politics while a student at Indiana University, interning for city, county, state and federal elected officials in Indiana and Washington, DC, and volunteering on a number of local and state political campaigns. In 1999, Zody joined the administration of Governor Frank O’Bannon and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kernan as a Program Manager at the Indiana Department of Commerce and then joined the staff of the Indiana Democratic Party as the Eighth District Regional Field Director for the 2000 O’Bannon-Kernan re-election campaign. Following the campaign, John served as Deputy Communications and Planning Director in the Governor’s Office, writing speeches and researching talking points for O’Bannon. Following Governor O’Bannon’s passing, John stayed in the office, working for Governor Joe Kernan there and then on the 2004 Kernan for Indiana campaign.

Following his service in state government, Zody served as District Director and then as Chief of Staff to Congressman Baron Hill of Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District. In this role, John managed the Congressman’s three Congressional offices and worked on Hill’s political team during the 2008 and 2010 election cycles.

During his time in state and federal government, Zody also served as President of the Indiana Young Democrats and then as Democratic County Vice-Chair in Monroe County during the 2006 election cycle. He has also served as Secretary of the Ninth Congressional District Committee and has attended three Democratic National Conventions. He is a part-time instructor for Indiana University – Bloomington’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), where he completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Affairs.

Zody has been awarded two Sagamores of the Wabash and was named the 2011 Leadership Bloomington Monroe County Distinguished Alumni. He is a past participant of the Bowen Institute for Political Participation and has also worked for Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana in the areas of workforce, civic engagement and resource development.

John is a seventh-generation Hoosier, born in Vigo County and raised in Morgan County. He currently lives in Monroe County with his wife, Erin, and their two dogs.

IOWA - DR. ANDY McGUIRE

[elected Jan. 17, 2015]
An active Democrat for decades, Dr. Andy McGuire has spent her career in the field of health care, first as a practicing physician and medical researcher, and, after earning her MBA, as a health care executive. Most recently, McGuire served as President of Meridian Health, a company she led from zero to over 50,000 members across 44 counties in Iowa, doubling immunization rates, and increasing access to prenatal care.

Andy’s involvement and support of the Democratic Party goes back long way in Iowa, but she got her first taste of active, elective politics in 1994, when she helped organize her sister-in-law, Sheila McGuire’s bid for congress in the old 5th District of Iowa. In 2006, Dr. McGuire ran for Lieutenant Governor of Iowa alongside Democrat Mike Blouin. They were unsuccessful in the primary, but Andy continued to be extremely active in Democratic politics. She was elected Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party in January 2015 and in March she stepped down as President of Meridian Health to devote herself full-time to the Iowa Democratic Party. Dr. McGuire will oversee the 2016 First-in-the-Nation Caucuses, as well as the efforts of Iowa Democrats in the 2016 General Election.

Dr. McGuire has served on multiple boards and charities focusing on health care, education, economic development and the arts. Currently, Dr. McGuire is Chair of the University of Iowa College of Public Heatlh Board of Advisors, she serves on the Des Moines Civic Center Board of Directors. Dr. McGuire was also a board member of the Des Moines Partnership, and she was a Founding Member of the Women’s Leadership Connection for United Way of Central Iowa.

In 2005, Dr. McGuire received the Iowa Business Record’s Women of Influence award for her professional and personal contributions outside of her profession.
Dr. McGuire received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Medical Doctorate from Creighton University. McGuire earned a Masters of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University.

Andy is a life-long Iowan. Originally from Waterloo, she has lived in Des Moines for over 25 years. Andy and her husband, Dr. Dan McGuire, an orthopedic spine surgeon, have seven children ranging in ages from 18-28.

KANSAS - KATHRYN FOCKE, interim (she is vice chairman)

LARRY MEEKER elected to two-year term in March 2015 but resigned effective Aug. 22, 2015 after controversy over re-messaging.

KENTUCKY - PATRICK HUGHES

[elected Feb. 7, 2015]
Partner at DBL Law.  Patrick practices in the areas of government relations and regulation, banking, healthcare, commercial transactions and economic development. He is admitted to practice law in both Kentucky and Ohio and has successfully represented companies, institutions and individuals in a variety of regulatory compliance matters including banking, healthcare, insurance, alcoholic beverage licensing and campaign finance violations, helping them avoid or mitigate serious criminal and civil penalties. He also represents government officials and agencies in a broad array of matters including constitutional and statutory authority.

In 2015, Patrick was elected chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party and advocates for Democratic candidates for statewide office, helps raise funds for the party and acts as the public face and spokesman for the party.

During 2011 and 2012 Patrick served as Chief Deputy Attorney General to Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway. As Chief Deputy, Patrick was responsible for daily operations of the Office of the Attorney General, including criminal and civil investigations and enforcement actions.  He also managed a number of important initiatives, including review of a major proposed hospital merger and legislation to improve the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system, an important tool in the fight against prescription drug diversion and abuse.

Prior to joining Dressman Benzinger LaVelle, Patrick served as  legal counsel to the Secretary of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, where he oversaw capital projects, property management, procurement and financial management.

J.D., University of Kentucky (1994)
B.B.A., University of Cincinnati (1990)

LOUISIANA - KAREN CARTER PETERSON

[elected April 28, 2012]
Senator Karen Carter Peterson was elected chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party in April of 2012, making her the first woman to ever hold this post.  She represents New Orleans and parts of Jefferson Parish in the Louisiana State Senate. She is currently Chair of the Louisiana Women’s Caucus and Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. She also serves on the Senate Judiciary B, Insurance and Local and Municipal Committees. 

Over the 11 year of service, Sen. Peterson has been also recognized by many organizations and publications for her work, including being awarded the Legislator of the Year Award by the Alliance for Good Government in 2000 and 2004. Sen. Peterson has also been honored with the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the Institute of Politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government’s New Frontier Award and the Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowship in Public Service. In recent years, she is been recognized as one of New Orleans City Business Women of the Year. In 2011, the NewDEAL recognized Senator Peterson as an emerging pro-growth progressive leader.  She was also presented with the Louisiana Association of Justice Public Service Award in 2011. She also serves as a commissioner on the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission.

During her time in the Louisiana House of Representatives, Sen. Peterson established herself as a powerful, worthy asset to the legislature, serving on the House Appropriations Committee, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the House Governmental Affairs Committee, and most recently, she served as House Speaker Pro Tempore. During her service in the House, she was also the first woman to chair the House Insurance Committee.

Sen. Peterson is a 1991 graduate of Howard University School of Business, where she received a degree in International Business and Marketing, and of Tulane University Law School, where she was afforded the opportunity to attend both Boston College Law School and the University of Virginia’s Law School as a visiting student.

Sen. Peterson has many present and past professional and civic activities on her resume. She has been a board member and volunteer for a wide variety of organizations. Beginning at the age of 18 through the year 2008, she served as a delegate to Democratic National Conventions. She and her husband Dana are members of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church and live in downtown New Orleans.

MAINE - PHIL BARTLETT

[elected Nov. 17, 2014...succeeding Ben Grant who resigned after difficult 2014 cycle]
Phil Bartlett is the former Senate Majority Leader; he was elected to the Maine Senate in 2004 at age 28 and represented Senate District 6, which includes the communities of Gorham, Scarborough, and Westbrook, for four terms (term limited in 2012), including Senate Majority Leader in the 124th Legislature, (2009-10).

Phil grew up in Gorham and attended Gorham public schools. He was actively involved in scouting throughout his youth, steadily working his way from Cub Scout through the ranks to Eagle Scout. Scouting provided opportunities to visit the State House and meet the governor, to go camping on a regular basis, and most importantly, to learn the value of community service and civic leadership.

After graduating from Gorham High School in 1994, Phil went on to Tufts University. At Tufts, he majored in economics and political science. Following Tufts, Phil spent the next three years at Harvard Law School. His love of economics and public policy led him to join the Harvard Journal on Legislation, for which he eventually served as president, and to teach introductory economics to Harvard undergraduates. He also obtained a fellowship to write a law and economics paper on incentives created by certain employment law statutes.

In 2001 Phil was admitted to practice law in Maine and Massachusetts. He moved back to Gorham and spent the next year clerking for Chief Justice Leigh Saufley of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He also began writing for his local newspaper, the Gorham Times. He has served as president of the Gorham Historical Society as well as president of the Baxter Memorial Library Association. Phil is also a member of First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham.

Phil is the proud father of Abigail Ann.

MARYLAND - BRUCE POOLE, interim

[elected interim chair on April 2, 2015] 
Bruce Poole is a practicing trial and negotiation attorney with thirty years of experience as a member of the Maryland Bar, and Partner at Poole & Kane, P.A. From 1987 until 1999, he served as a member of the House of Delegates from Districts 2B and 3A. From 1990 to 1993, Bruce served as the House Majority Leader, and for the last three years of his tenure in the House, he was the Chairman of the House and Senate Joint Committee on Budget and Audit. During the 2014 election, he served as the Chairman of the Maryland House Democratic Party Legislative Caucus Committee. Bruce graduated with his J.D. from Washington & Lee University in 1985. He has been married for twenty-five years to his wife, Kathy, and they have one son, Graham.

MASSACHUSETTS - THOMAS McGEE

[elected Oct. 17, 2013]
Senator Thomas M. McGee proudly serves the Third Essex and Middlesex District, which includes the communities of Lynn, Marblehead, Melrose, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott.  Senator McGee is the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Service and the Senate Chairman of the Children’s Caucus.  He was also appointed Vice-Chairman of the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Financial Services Committee and is  a member of the Judiciary and Transportation Committees.   McGee co-chairs the North East Legislative Caucus and in 2007 was appointed Chair of the Afterschool and Out of School Time Commission.  McGee continues to be a leader on after school and out of school policy development and funding in Massachusetts.

Before his election to the Senate in 2002, McGee served four-terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives where he represented West Lynn and Nahant.

Prior to serving in the House, McGee practiced law at Quinn and Morris (1990-1994), and served as an Assistant District Attorney for Essex County (1988-1990).  McGee has served on the Democratic State Committee for over thirty years and has been a delegate to several State and National Democratic Conventions.

The Senator is a life-long resident of Lynn where he lives with his wife, Maria, and their children, Thomas and Katherine.

Senator McGee is committed to such issues as providing quality education and extended learning opportunities to students in the Commonwealth, improving the state’s transportation system and fighting for regional equity, working to improve the lives of children and their families, ensuring accessible and affordable childcare and healthcare for working families, and expanding workforce training and development.

MICHIGAN - BRANDON DILLON

[elected July 11, 2015]
For over a decade, Brandon Dillon has served as a champion for Michigan Democrats. Representing Kent County as a commissioner and Grand Rapids as a state representative, Brandon has been a leading voice and advocate for progressive causes, public education, labor, women's issues, LGBT rights, and Michigan's middle class.

A west Michigan native, Brandon has a keen understanding of local issues throughout our state and brings to the Party a demonstrated ability to win races in competitive districts, including his own hard-fought victory to serve his first term in the state house. He has also worked as campaign chair for the Michigan House Democrats recruiting candidates, fundraising, and overseeing contests throughout the state.

Married to Tammy and a father to twin boys and a daughter, Brandon is committed to building a Michigan where families are offered every opportunity to thrive.

Brandon is a graduate of Aquinas College with a Master's Degree in Political Science from Northeastern University. Prior to serving as an elected official, he interned for US Senator Edward Kennedy and worked for State Senator Jim Barcia.

MINNESOTA - KEN MARTIN

[elected Feb. 5, 2011; re-elected Feb. 2, 2013 and Feb. 7, 2015]
Growing up in Minnesota I learned the values of the DFL party at an early age. One of my earliest memories is joining my Mom at an ERA march at the State Capitol in the mid-70's. Although she's not with us anymore, she instilled in me a deep commitment to social justice and helping the least among us.

My senior year in high school I volunteered on a college professor's campaign for the U.S. Senate and my life was changed forever. Paul Wellstone taught each of us that "we all do better when we all do better". I later had an opportunity to intern for him and to this day he remains one of my political heroes.

I served as the Field Director for the DFL during the 1998 elections. It was here during this time, that I started my long relationships with many of you in the party. Traveling throughout the state, working with party leaders and candidates gave me a deep appreciation of how well run and organized our state party is. This is a testament to all of you who have spent countless hours building this organization. I look forward to being a continued partner with you in this endeavor.

Most recently, I worked as the Executive Director of WIN Minnesota and then served as the Director for the Gubernatorial Recount effort. I am proud to have been a part of the effort to elect a DFL governor and look forward to working under Mark Dayton's leadership.

Marrying a farm girl from Wells also instilled in me a very deep appreciation for greater Minnesota. Countless days down on the farm with my boys are moments I will treasure forever. My sons, Sam (8) and James (6), remind me each and every day why I fight for our party's values - better funding for public education, quality health care for all, good jobs in Minnesota and protecting the environment. These values we profess become much more meaningful to me when I think of the world that I want to the next generation.

ed. note-more experience:
Political director on the DFL Coordinated campaign in 2004 after serving as campaign director for Kerry's Minnesota caucus campaign (March 2, 2004).  Campaign manager of Buck Humphrey's campaign for Minnesota Secretary of State in 2002.  Deputy state director of Al Gore's presidential campaign in Minnesota in 2000.  State field director for the Minnesota DFL Party, 1997-1999.  Kansas Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign 1996.  Graduate of the University of Kansas with a B.A. in political science and history.

MISSISSIPPI - RICKEY COLE

[elected June 30, 2012] 
A seventh generation Mississippian, Rickey Cole has spent most of his adult life marketing Mississippi agricultural products, organizing grassroots networks, and serving as a leader, spokesman, administrator, advocate, advisor and strategist in Democratic politics.

The Cole family farm near Ovett in southeastern Jones County produces vegetables, melons, grass-fed beef, grain, hay, timber, and gravel. The farm’s specialty is fresh turnips, mustard, and collard greens, which are delivered fresh daily in season to supermarkets and other retailers in the Pine Belt area. The Cole family has truck farmed since 1944. Rickey worked full-time marketing his family’s and other farmers’ produce from 1988 through 2003. During that period, he developed and managed a marketing and delivery system that annually sold and distributed thousands of dollars’ worth of Mississippi farm fresh vegetables directly to supermarkets and other retailers at more than forty locations throughout South Mississippi and Greater New Orleans. He is a member of the Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association, Mississippi Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union and held a farmer/vendor permit at the New Orleans French Market prior to Hurricane Katrina. He continues to be involved in the management of the family farming operation, and has served as an advisor on marketing fresh vegetables to several growers, vendors and market groups. Rickey assisted in the development of new farmers’ markets in Laurel and Hattiesburg.  Cole Farm regularly sells fresh local produce at five seasonal farmers markets in South Mississippi. Rickey is also an active member of the Mississippi Food Policy Council board of directors.

Rickey is a United Methodist. He is a native of Jones County, having been born at Laurel on August 10, 1966, the youngest of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Cole, Sr. Rickey attended Mississippi State University and studied political science on a John C. Stennis scholarship.  Rickey is married to the former Ayana Smothers of New Orleans.  Their daughter Katherine Alexandra, was born September 27, 2005, and their son Jackson Robert was born November 20, 2009. Ayana works in Human Resources and Employee Relations at the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Veterans Administration Medical Center in Jackson.  The Coles divide their time between their house in the Fondren community in Jackson and their home at Cole Farm near Ovett.

Beginning as President of the Young Democrats at Mississippi State University in 1985, Rickey Cole served the Democratic Party as Second Vice President of the Young Democrats of Mississippi, President of the State Young Democrats (twice), National Parliamentarian of the Young Democrats of America, Member of the State Democratic Executive and Administrative Committees, Chairman of the Jones County Democratic Executive Committee, Chairman of the Mississippi Association of County Democratic Chairpersons, runoff candidate for United States Senate, Democratic National Committeeman, Member of the Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Committee, and National Parliamentarian of the Association of State Democratic Chairpersons.

Cole was elected Chairman of the Democratic Party of the State of Mississippi on August 18, 2001, serving until July 29, 2004. During his tenure, the state party renovated its headquarters, launched a state party website and a toll free phone hotline, upgraded office technology, secured party ownership of an updated 1.6 million name voter file, gave long overdue tribute to Fannie Lou Hamer by re-naming its signature annual event the Jefferson-Jackson-Hamer Dinner, settled a seven-year outstanding lawsuit, raised and spent over 1.2 million dollars, and successfully retained Democratic majorities in both houses of the Mississippi legislature. In December of 2005 the Young Democrats of Mississippi named their Legislative Internship stipend the” Rickey L. Cole Scholarship”.

From July of 2004 until March 2007, Rickey served as founding President of Mississippi Policy Forum, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit institute that conducted public forums, sponsored research projects, and assisted in the development of educational, community and grassroots civic organizations to improve civic literacy and encourage civic engagement in Mississippi.

Rickey Cole is a veteran volunteer, activist and staffer on more than twenty Democratic political campaigns since 1982. He was appointed to serve as a member of the Mississippi Chief Justice’s Task Force on Judicial Selection in 2002. In May of 2002, Cole was part of a delegation of state Democratic Chairpersons who were guests of the Republic of China in Taiwan. In June 2003, he took part in a ten-day visit to the Kingdom of Morocco as a member of a bi-partisan delegation coordinated by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. In September 2003, Cole was appointed to serve as a founding member of the Advisory Council of the Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Policy at Tougaloo College . In July 2005, Cole presented a paper at the Fifth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities and Nations at the Central Institute of Ethnic Administrators in Beijing, China . In December 2012, Rickey led a delegation of state Democratic Chairs and Vice Chairs to Taiwan, Republic of China.  Rickey has served as a guest lecturer on politics and civic engagement at Lockhaven University, Roger Williams University , and North Carolina Central University. He is an advisory board member of Rural Votes, and is regularly consulted by members of the media, Democratic candidates and scholars for an insider’s perspective on Mississippi politics, elections and government.  He has testified in federal and state court, before state legislative and Congressional committees, and the 2008 Democratic National Platform Committee.

In the general election of 2007, Rickey Cole received 308,693 votes as the Democratic nominee for the statewide office of Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. A shift of 356 votes from the incumbent to Cole or to a minor party candidate would have denied the incumbent a majority and thrown the election to the Democratically-controlled state House of Representatives. Though greatly outspent, Rickey was endorsed in that election by every newspaper in Mississippi that made endorsements in the race for Agriculture Commissioner.

Since January 2008, Cole has consulted as Governmental Affairs Advisor for the Eaves Law Firm in Jackson. His work focuses upon developing and implementing strategies for the firm to advance several major advocacy projects where they interface with the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.

On August 29, 2011, Rickey was appointed Executive Director of the Mississippi Democratic Party. On June 30, 2012, Cole was elected to a four year term as Chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party.  Since that time, he has served as the full-time chief executive officer of the state party, with primary responsibility for the administration and development of the Democratic Party in Mississippi.  On January 22, 2013, Rickey was unanimously elected to represent the Southern Region on the Executive Committee of the Association of State Democratic Chairs.

MISSOURI - ROY TEMPLE

[elected Aug. 24, 2013; re-elected Feb. 7, 2015]
Roy Temple is a veteran political, public affairs and social media strategist from the great state of Missouri and a partner at Groundswell Creative. Temple is an innovator in the use of digital media in advocacy efforts. He is an original founder of Fired Up! Missouri, recognized by the Washington Post as an outstanding local political blog. In addition, Temple secured a pivotal FEC advisory opinion (FEC AO 2005-16) that offers guidance to bloggers about the intersection of blogging, advocacy, and campaign finance law.

During the 2006 and 2008 election cycles, Temple was a principal in the Washington-based Democratic polling firm, The Feldman Group. At the Feldman Group, he worked primarily on U.S. Senate races, and in 2006, his work included Sen. Sherrod Brown's effort in Ohio and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's independent expenditure efforts in Maryland, Montana and Rhode Island. During the 2008 cycle, Temple was heavily involved in Al Franken's pursuit of the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota, and worked closely on the DSCC independent expenditure efforts in the Oregon Senate race.

ed. - in addition...
Missouri state director for Kerry-Edwards '04 from Aug. 2004.  Campaign manager for Missouri Gov. Bob Holden's unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic gubernatorial nomination in the Aug. 3 state primary.  Kerry campaign state director in the March 3, 2004 Missouri presidential primary.  Washington chief of staff to Sen. Jean Carnahan.  Executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party, 1998-2000. Ran Gov. Carnahan's 1996 re-election campaign.  Served in the Carnahan administration as deputy chief of staff and as chief of staff.  Political director on Mel Carnahan's successful 1992 campaign for governor in Missouri.

MONTANA - JIM LARSON

[from early April 2014 following resignation of Nancy Anderson]
Jim Larson joined Teamsters Union Local 190 in 1988 as an employee of United Parcel Service. He continued his employment with UPS until becoming a Business Representative in 1997. Jim is the Political Coordinator and works with elected officials from both parties on issues affecting working families. Jim is also Montana's representative on the IBT Human Rights Commission and is the recording secretary for the Montana Teamsters Employers trust. Jim was appointed to Secretary Treasurer on June 30, 2012.

Jim was raised in Helena and resides in Billings with his wife and three sons.

NEBRASKA - VINCE POWERS

[elected June 2012; started Nov. 2012]
Mr. Powers previously held the position of DNC Member from 2004-2012. He is past president of the Nebraska Association for Trial Attorneys and is past chair of the political action committee of the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys. He presently serves on the board of governors of the American Association for Justice. He also currently serves as chair of the Employment Rights Section of the American Association of Justice. He was selected as one of “Best Lawyers in America” and “Great Plain Super Lawyers.”

He was born September 14, 1953 in Omaha and currently resides with his wife, Alison, and daughter, Courtney, in Lincoln.

Attorney at Vincent M. Powers & Associates in Lincoln.

EDUCATION:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Juris Doctorate, 1978
Bachelor of Arts, 1975

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE:
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
State of Nebraska

MEMBERSHIPS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Civil Justice Foundation
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation
Nebraska State Bar Association
House of Delegates, 1991-1999
Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
President, 2000-2001
President Elect, 1999-2000
Treasurer, 1998-1999
Secretary, 1997-1998
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Sustaining Member
Member of Board of Governors of the American Association of Justice
(formerly known as the Association for the Trial Lawyers of America), 2008-Present
Democratic National Committee, 2004-Present

NEVADA - ROBERTA LANGE

[elected March 26, 2011; re-elected March 2, 2013 and March 21, 2015]
Roberta has worked as an activist and elected leader in Democratic organizations and professional consultant in national, state, and local campaigns for over twenty-five years. Recently Roberta was recognized by Campaign & Elections magazine as one of Nevada’s top 50 influencers. 

Early in her career as a teacher, Roberta recognized the power of grassroots participation in creating change.  Beginning as local union representative for teachers in her school, she worked her way to role of Chief Negotiator.  Six years later, her leadership was recognized and elected President of her local union.  As a leader in the State Union, she was appointed to become the lobbyist to then Congresswoman Maria Cantwell and in 1992 appointed to be the liaison to Congressional races in Washington State. 

Moving to Nevada in 1995, to marry Ken Lange, former Executive Director of the Nevada State Education Association, Roberta joined the staff of Durango High School in Clark County.  In 1998, she left teaching to become the Deputy Campaign Manager for U.S. Senator Harry Reid in 1998 and served as Operations Manager for the dramatic recount.  Turning full time to politics, working as Finance Director for Bernstein for U.S. Senate, Operations Manager for Tom Gallagher for Congress, and Nevada State Director for Bill Richardson for President. 

In 2000, Roberta worked with Nevada businesses on Ballot Question 1, a constitutional measure to change the Nevada Constitution to stimulate and diversify the state’s economy. In 2008, she was State Director for The Pickens Plan educating Nevadans about renewable energy.  Today, she consults with the Western Conservation Foundation on key environmental and conservation issues. 

Serving as President of the Henderson Democratic Club and elected for a second term Roberta left that position to become Finance Director for Dina Titus for Governor helping her raise 3.9 million dollars. 

Currently Roberta is the Chairwoman of the Nevada State Democratic Party, working tirelessly to elect Democrats and build the Democratic Party.  She is the former Chair of the Clark County Democratic Party.
 
Roberta is married to Ken Lange, an advocate for foster children and families.  They have 4 children, Hilary, Jake, Liz, and Taylor and four grandchildren, Nate, Charlotte, Erick, and Xavier.

NEW HAMPSHIRE - RAY BUCKLEY

[first elected March 2007; re-elected to fifth term on March 7, 2015]
Raymond Buckley was elected President of the Association of State Democratic Chairs on January 21, 2009. He is the first openly gay politician to serve in that position.

Buckley, a New Hampshire native, has been active in politics since the age of eight when he volunteered for his first campaign. Since then he has worked for numerous local, state and national campaigns, in addition to serving eight terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Buckley began his official political career as an organizer for Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, and went on to serve in high-ranking positions – both in New Hampshire and nationally – for the presidential campaigns of Mike Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Joe Lieberman, John Kerry and Barack Obama. He has worked as a campaign manager for virtually every local and state office in New Hampshire, including Governor, U.S. Senate and Congress. Early in his career, Buckley served several years on the staff of the New Hampshire House Democratic Leadership and has been a lead recruiter and trainer of New Hampshire legislative candidates for over two decades.

In January of 2005, Buckley was hired as the Director of the New Hampshire Senate Democratic Caucus, where his efforts led to largest Democratic Senate majority in over 150 years.

Buckley was elected Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party in March 2007, and oversaw the dramatic Democratic victories in New Hampshire in November 2008. Prior to his election as State Chair he served four terms as a Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. He has held several staff positions at the New Hampshire Democratic Party office, including four years as Executive Director and two cycles as New Hampshire Coordinated Campaign Director.

Buckley was first elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1986, and served eight terms representing the south end of the city of Manchester,  New Hampshire. While in the House, he served as House Democratic Whip and the Deputy House Democratic Leader. He also served four terms on the Election Law Committee, five terms on House Rules Committee, and as ranking Democrat on the House Redistricting, Election Law, and Commerce Committees.

As a Manchester, New Hampshire Alderman, Buckley chaired the Administration Committee. During his tenure as an Alderman, the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper named him “The Aldermanic Workhorse” for his tireless service.

Since March of 1999, Buckley has been a member of the Democratic National Committee. He has been elected to two four-year terms as Chair of the DNC Eastern Region, and is a member of the DNC Gay and Lesbian Caucus. He served four terms as a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, three terms as a Vice President of the ASDC, and also served as Co-Chair of the ASDC Committee on the Help America Vote Act.

Buckley was an active participant in the DNC Voting Rights Hearings in Newark, New Jersey and Detroit, Michigan. Since 2001, he has served on Board of the National Stonewall Democrats and on their Executive Committee. In 2004 Buckley was the Chair of the Stonewall Democrats National Convention.

Buckley was a founding member of the New Hampshire Citizens for Gay and Lesbian Rights and served two terms on the Board of the New Hampshire Gay Pride Committee. He has also been involved with the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. In 2005, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch named Buckley as his representative on the New Hampshire Commission to Study Same Sex Marriage.

Buckley has appeared on numerous New Hampshire and national television and radio programs, and hosted a long-running political talk show in Manchester.

NEW JERSEY - JOHN CURRIE

[first elected June 13, 2013; elected to a full two-year term on Jan. 9, 2014]
Born in North Carolina, John Currie has been a distinguished resident of Passaic County for many years. He is a proud graduate of the Paterson School System. A graduate of Central High School, Currie attended Rutgers University where he pursued studies in Business Administration.

John Currie is in his 19th year as the Chairman of the Passaic County Democratic Party, elected in 1990. He is the second ever African-American to hold the position of County Chairman in the State of New Jersey, the first to do so in Passaic County. He accepted this challenge when 7 Republicans controlled the Passaic County Freeholder Board. Under John Currie’s diligent leadership, he has since turned it around to a 7-0 Democratic Freeholder Board in 2005 taking total control of the County. He is responsible for having elected the first minority to the Board in 1996 and the first Hispanic in 2000. He has made great strides in Passaic County with having the first African-American Female Freeholder Director in 2004 and the first female African-American County Clerk in 2005. To his credit, Mr. Currie has led the campaign to elect the first Democratic Sheriff in 50 years in 2001. Throughout Passaic County, he has helped to elect Democratic Mayors and Council Members with Democratic majorities in several Municipalities.

Mr. Currie has served the New Jersey Democratic State Committee as a Deputy Vice-Chair since 1995. In 2008, Mr. Currie was selected to be on the National Platform Committee, for the Democratic National Convention, in Denver. Mr. Currie was one of three individuals from New Jersey invited to be on this selective committee. Additionally, less than 175 people, nationwide, are only requested to be a part of this integral decision-making process.

John Currie was elected to the Paterson Branch NAACP Board from 1996 to 2004. During his tenure, he served as first Vice-President from 1998 thru 2001. He has served on the United Way of Passaic and Bergen County for many years.

In 1996, John Currie spear headed the fight and was the main plaintiff in a Federal Court battle, which ultimately allowed all New Jerseyans the opportunity to vote by provisional ballot. Mr. Currie was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Board of Elections in 1998 by Governor Whitman, he is the first African-American in Passaic County to serve in this capacity. Mr. Currie serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Passaic Clifton YMCA, United Way of Passaic Valley, as a Commissioner on the Paterson Board of Recreation, an Executive Board Member of the Salvio Association of St. Gerard’s Church, President of Eastside/Central/Kennedy High Schools Alumni Association, a Past Member of the Paterson Jaycees and as Vice President of the Paterson Chapter of the NAACP.

John Currie has been employed by Hawthorne Chevrolet for more than thirty years, serving currently as Corvette Manager. He was the only African-American Director of a private motor vehicle agency in the State of New Jersey- serving in Rahway from 1992 through 1995. He has received numerous awards for achievements for his numerous community and civic activities throughout the years but the most momentous achievement was being inducted into the Central-Kennedy High School Football Hall of Fame for his outstanding record during his High School years. John Currie is married to Iris DeLuc-Currie. They have three sons and three grandchildren.

NEW MEXICO - DEBRA HAALAND

[elected April 25, 2015]
biography requested...

NEW YORK - Chair DAVID PATERSON

[announced May 21, 2014] 
In 1985, at the age of 31, Governor Paterson was elected to represent Harlem in the New York State Senate, becoming the youngest Senator in Albany at the time. In 2003, he became the first non-white legislative leader in New York's history when he was elevated to Minority Leader of the Senate. He made history again in 2004 when he became the first visually impaired person to address the Democratic National Convention and again in 2007 when he became New York's first African-American Lieutenant Governor.

David A. Paterson became New York's 55th Governor on March 17, 2008. Governor Paterson was ahead of the national curve in predicting and acting on New York State's fiscal downturn. Despite the greatest economic crisis that New York State has ever faced, Governor Paterson enacted sweeping reforms on a wide range of issues facing New Yorkers.

Governor Paterson, who is legally blind, is nationally recognized as a leading advocate for the visually and physically impaired. He is a member of the American Foundation for the Blind and he serves on the Board of the Achilles Track Club. He has served as a member of the Democratic National Committee and as a Chairman of the Coalition of Northeast Governors (CONEG).

ed. Paterson was sworn in following Eliot Spitzer's resignation.  He sought a full term but withdrew on Feb. 26, 2010.

NORTH CAROLINA - PATSY KEEVER

[elected Feb. 7, 2015]
Previously First Vice-Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. In 2013 she was elected Chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party. Patsy was a Democratic nominee for the 10th Congressional District in 2012 and a nominee for the 11th Congressional District in 2004.

Patsy served in the NC House of Representatives from 2010 to 2012 and was a Buncombe County Commissioner from 1992 to 2004.

Patsy has been recognized for her commitment to our community. Patsy was a public school teacher for 25 years. In 2014 she was instrumental in organizing the Mountain Moral Monday which attracted an estimated 10,000 people. She was the recipient of the Rising Star Award from NC League of Conservation Voters.

Family
Patsy was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. For 34 years she was married to John F. Keever, Jr., who passed away in 2003. They have two daughters and five granddaughters. In 2006, she married James. E. Aycock.

Education:
AB Duke University 1969- Elementary Education/History M.A. Ed. Western Carolina University 1979- Early Childhood Education/Reading

NORTH DAKOTA - KYLIE OVERSEN

[elected March 7, 2015] 
Kylie has served in the North Dakota House of Representatives since 2012.

Kylie was born and raised in Killdeer, North Dakota. She received two bachelor’s degrees, Social Sciences and Social Work, from the University of North Dakota, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She is currently attending the University of North Dakota School of Law.

Prior to serving in the legislature, she served as the Student Body President at UND, where she was an advocate for over 14,000 students at the campus, community, and state level. Most notably, she and her team worked extensively on improving the student fee allocation process at UND and advocated for underrepresented and disadvantaged student populations.

Before beginning law school, Kylie interned with the PLUS Program in Grand Forks, where she served children and families in Grand Forks County. She also worked with the UND Alumni Association and Foundation as a special projects coordinator, overseeing sustainability projects within the new Gorecki Alumni Center.

Kylie was also former counselor at American Legion Auxiliary Girls’ State Program, is a member of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, currently serves on the Board of Directors for Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Area Health Education Centers.

OHIO - DAVID PEPPER

[elected Dec. 17, 2014]
David Pepper was unanimously elected Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party on December 17, 2014 and began his term on January 1, 2015.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, David is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian. David was first elected to public office in 2001 when he served on the Cincinnati City Council, finishing first out of a field of 26 candidates, and was reelected for a second term in 2003, again leading the pack in votes. David came to the Cincinnati City Council as riots, a severe crime wave and a public safety crisis rocked the city.

Amid this turmoil, David’s leadership was key in the successful push to improve police-community relations, and he ultimately served as the Chairman of the Law and Public Safety Committee. David played an instrumental role in negotiating a historic collaborative agreement between the police, the community, and City Hall, which healed long simmering tensions while setting the stage for improved safety. David also played leadership roles in economic reforms, new investments, and progressive policy changes that helped spark a decade-long renaissance that continues in Cincinnati to this day.

In 2006, David was elected to the three-member Hamilton County Commission. He served as the Commission President from 2009-2010. During David’s tenure at the County, Hamilton County won 19 National Association of County Awards for outstanding management practices, more than all other Ohio counties combined. Independent ratings agencies praised the County’s fiscally responsible policies.

David was nominated by Ohio Democrats to run in statewide elections twice. In 2010, David ran for the office of Ohio Auditor campaigning on a platform of increasing efficiency and transparency in government while ending the gerrymandering that has poisoned politics in Columbus and Washington. His platform gained him the endorsements of virtually every major Ohio newspaper. In 2014, David ran an intense campaign to unseat the incumbent Attorney General, calling for greatly improved transparency and integrity in that office.

David earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Yale University, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and later earned his J.D. from Yale Law School. In 1999, David clerked for the Honorable Nathaniel Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Since 2000, David has also worked in the Cincinnati offices of major law firms Squire Sanders and Blank Rome, focusing his practice on commercial and business litigation, and appellate litigation. David also teaches election and voting rights law as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

David is married to Alana (Swartz) Pepper. Alana grew up in Adams County, graduated from the University of Cincinnati, and earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Northern Kentucky University. Alana has spent her career helping those faced with mental illness. In May 2015, David and Alana welcomed their first child, Jacob “Jack” Hamilton Pepper, into their family.

OKLAHOMA - MARK HAMMONS

[elected May 30, 2015]
A self-described lifelong Democrat, Mark Hammons grew up in El Reno, where his father owned a small Chrysler dealership and his mother was a teacher.

OREGON - FRANK DIXON

[elected March 10, 2013]
Frank Dixon is currently serving his first term as Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, after serving three terms as First Vice-Chair. He has been a member of the Democratic National Committee and the DNC LGBT Caucus since 2007, and was elected in 2013 by the Western Region of the Association of State Democratic Parties to serve on the national ASDC Executive Committee.

PENNSYLVANIA - MARCEL GROEN

[elected Sept. 12, 2015 ...previous chair Jim Burn was re-elected in June 2014 but in July 2015 announced he would resign]
Personal Information
Marcel was born November 2, 1945 in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is the son of late Rabbi Nardus & Sipora Groen.  Marcel’s mother (Sipora), at the age of 93, continues to speak at schools to share her life as a Holocaust Survivor.  Marcel and his family came to America when he was 9 years old.  Marcel is married to Bernice Groen.  They have four children:  Marlon, Jennifer, Rachel and Justin, and have 9 grandchildren.  Marcel has three brothers:  Leo, Ruben, David, and one sister, Deborah.

Education
J.D., Temple University School of Law, 1970
B.A., Temple University, 1967
Walnut Hills High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1963

Political Experience
Active in the Democratic Party for over 40 years.  Past Finance Chair of the Bucks County and Montgomery County Democratic Parties.  Chairman of Montgomery County Democratic Committee since 1994.  During that time, the County, third largest in Pennsylvania, went from a major Republican County to a solid Democratic County. Member of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee since 1994.  Member of the Democratic National Committee since 2000.  Delegate to the Democratic National Convention (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012).

Professional Background
Partner at Fox Rothschild LLP, one of the top 100 law firms in the Country.  Works out of the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania office.  Diverse practice in which he counsels clients on governmental relations, public-private partnerships, real estate, business and corporate matters, family law and municipal and administrative law.  Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, Marcel was the founding partner of Groen, Laveson, Goldberg & Rubenstone in Bucks County, Pennsylvania for 20 years.  Member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Montgomery County Bar Association, Bucks County Bar Association.

Professional Experience
Member of the Hearing Committee, District II Disciplinary District for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.  Served on the Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 2004-2010.

Civic Involvement
Marcel’s community involvement includes service as:
Board of Directors Montgomery County Community College  Board of Trustees; Former Vice President of Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park, PA; Currently on the Board of Trustees of Beth Sholom; Former President of Philadelphia Organization for Rehabilitation and Training (ORT); Former Vice President of Solomon Schechter Day Schools; Board of Directors of the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors of Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation; Board of Directors member of the Asian Federation of the United States;  Former Chair of the Bucks County International Trade Council; Formerly Pennsylvania’s general counsel to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission; Former President of Bucks County Jewish National Fund (JNF); Former Solicitor for Falls Township, Bristol Township, Lower Southampton Townships, the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority and the Bristol Township School District; Former Member of the Bucks County Teen Pregnancy Task Force.

Honors and Awards
Selected as a "Super Lawyer" by Philadelphia Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine (2006, 2007); Named as one of “Pennsylvania’s 100 Most Influential Politicos” by PoliticsPA and Politics Magazine (2008 and 2009); Selected as one of Pennsylvania's 14 "Best County Chairs," by PoliticsPA (2011); Named “Best Chairman by both Democratic and Republican Parties” by PoliticsPA and Politics Magazine (2013); Man of Year Awards from Philadelphia ORT and Bucks County Jewish National Fund.

RHODE ISLAND - REP. JOSEPH M McNAMARA

[elected Oct. 9, 2014, succeeding acting chair Grace Diaz; David Caprio resigned]
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D) represents District 19 in Warwick and Cranston. First elected in November 1994, he is the Chairman of the House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee.

Representative McNamara is a member of the Irish Social Club, the former President of the Governors Golf League, and is a member of the Warwick Firefighters Association. He also previously served as an Explorer Advisor for the Boy Scouts of America and the Committee Chairman of Pack 4. Additionally he is involved with Save the Bay, the Gaspee Day Committee, the Wyman P.T.A, and the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scouts.

Representative McNamara is a retired educator, previously serving as the director of the Pawtucket School Department’s Alternative Learning Program. He received his Master of Education degree from Providence College. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Boston University and graduated from Pilgrim High School in Warwick.

Representative McNamara was born on September 7, 1950. He is married to Diane and they have two children, William and Katie.

SOUTH CAROLINA - JAIME HARRISON

[elected May 4, 2013]
A rising star in the Democratic Party, Jaime R. Harrison draws on his mastery of the legislative process to help clients maneuver complex congressional alignments related to transportation and infrastructure issues, among others. In addition to his work on behalf of clients on Capitol Hill, Jaime provides strategic and political guidance to clients based in or doing work in South Carolina. As the former director of floor operations and counsel for former House Majority Whip, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), he was responsible for the successful navigation and passage of key legislation and served as a senior political and legislative adviser. Accumulating a wealth of experience and a deep bench of relationships, Jaime worked closely with the House and Senate leadership.

Previously, Jaime served as executive director of the House Democratic Caucus. Widely recognized for his work, Jaime was named six times as one of Roll Call’s “Fabulous Fifty Movers and Shakers Behind the Scenes on Capitol Hill” and listed as one of The Hill’s “35 Stellar Staffers Under 35.” In 2010, The Root web magazine included Jaime on its list of 100 “emerging and established African-American leaders who are making extraordinary contributions.” He was also dubbed one of the “Top 40 lawyers under 40” by the National Bar Association and Impact DC.

Jaime has appeared as a political strategist on CNN, MSNBC and ATN’s "American Dream." He is a regular guest lecturer for the Brookings Institute and the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education Leadership Institute’s Political Training Boot Camp. In 2009, he served as a lecturer for the Harvard Kennedy School’s Black Policy Conference. Jaime has developed and conducted a small business development seminar and provided legal technical assistance to small business owners in Washington, DC. Before entering politics, Jaime worked in education serving as chief operating officer and director of program development for the College Summit, Inc., a national nonprofit organization that helps low-income students enroll in college.

A teacher at heart, Jaime once taught world geography at his high school alma mater in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A first-generation college graduate, Jaime earned a bachelor's from Yale University and Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.

ed. note:
Bio from the Podesta Group where Harrison is a principal.

SOUTH DAKOTA - ANN TORNBERG

[elected Dec. 13, 2014, started term Jan. 1, 2015]
Ann is a retired teacher, family farm owner, former legislative aide and former candidate for State House and State Senate.

Tornberg has been a District 16 resident since she moved to Beresford in 1970 at the age of 15. She is a graduate of Beresford High School in 1974, Augustana College in 1977, and completed her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Speech Communication at USD in 1984. She is currently a retired teacher after 31 years in the field.

Ann Tornberg spent 23 years at Beresford High School from 1977-2000 teaching English, speech and debate and then taught at Lincoln H.S. until 2005. During these years, Mrs. Tornberg coached over 400 students in speech and debate and won numerous coaching and professional awards. From 2005-2008, she left the classroom on full-time release when she was elected President of the Sioux Falls Education Association, the largest local teachers association in South Dakota. As President of SFEA, she worked with many state legislators from both parties on education issues.

Ann’s husband of 37 years, Mike Tornberg, is a third generation dairy and grain farmer south of Beresford. Ann is a strong advocate promoting agriculture through groups like the SD Farmers Union, AgUnited, and the SD Dairy Association. She served as a Lincoln County 4-H Leader for over 15 years.

Ann ran for the State House in 2012, narrowly lost, and was then asked to work in Pierre in a different capacity. She served as a Legislative Aide in 2013 and Minority House Secretary in 2014. In 2014 she ran for State Senate in District 16.

TENNESSEE - MARY MANCINI

[elected Jan. 10, 2015]
After moving to Nashville in 1991, Mary opened a small business – Lucy’s Record Shop, a record store and all-ages music club. After the shop closed in 1998, Mary began working in the technology sector, first at Telalink, Nashville’s first internet service provider, and then at Sitemason, a website hosting and software development startup.

In the year prior to the historic 2008 election, she worked with documentary filmmaker David Earnhardt as co-producer, media specialist, and election integrity advocate for Earnhardt’s timely documentary, UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections.

In 2004, Mary organized a voter registration in Nashville drive aimed at 18-34 year olds, that operated throughout the summer. Later that fall she began co-hosting the progressive talk show, Liberadio(!) with Mary Mancini & Freddie O’Connell, on Vanderbilt University’s WRVU-FM.

From 2010 until 2013, Mary served as the executive director of  Tennessee Citizen Action, a public interest and consumer rights organization and an affiliate of DC-based USAction. Prior to becoming chair, Mary was a candidate for the Tennessee State Senate.

Mary has a Radio & Television Communications Management degree from Syracuse University SI Newhouse School of Public Communications. She has been married to her husband, Kurt Wagner, for 19 years, and together with their two hound dogs, live in Nashville.

TEXAS - GILBERTO HINOJOSA

[elected June 9, 2012, re-elected June 28, 2014]
Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Gilberto attended public schools and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Pan American University (now University of Texas, PAU); the first in his family to graduate from college. He went on and received a doctorate’s of jurisprudence from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. After law school, Gilberto practiced law as an attorney for Migrant Legal Action Program (MLAP), a national legal services support center in Washington D.C. There he represented migrant farm workers in the courts and with state and national governmental agencies who provided (or failed to provide) services to migrant farm workers. At MLAP he represented farm workers in class actions seeking federal minimum wages, gaining access to farm labor camps, preventing temporary foreign workers from being brought to the United States to break farm worker strikes and making sure that the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Services Division provided farm workers with needed interstate employment services. Gilberto went on to become the Director of the Migrant Farm Worker Program of Colorado Rural Legal Services. In 1981 he returned to Texas where he was the managing attorney for the Brownville office of Texas Rural Legal Aid, Inc.

In 1984, Gilberto was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Brownsville Independent School District, where he served as Vice President of the Board before being appointed Presiding Judge of Cameron County Court at Law No. 2. In 1987 Governor Mark White appointed Judge Hinojosa to the 107th District Court where he served until he was elected Justice of the 13th Court of Appeals, serving 20 South Texas counties from the Rio Grande Valley to Nueces and Matagorda counties, south of Houston. While on the Court of Appeals, Governor Ann Richards appointed Judge Hinojosa to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice where, he helped oversee the Texas prison and parole system and assisted in establishing policies for probation departments throughout the State. During his service on the Board, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, inspired by the leadership of Governor Ann Richards, developed first of its kind substance abuse prison facilities designed to treat offenders with substance abuse problems.

After completing his term on the 13th Court of Appeals, Judge Hinojosa ran for and was elected Cameron County Judge where he served for 12 years. As Cameron County Judge, Judge Hinojosa transformed county government in Cameron County to make it one of the most effective and efficient in the State of Texas. During his tenure as county judge, he managed a $110 million dollar budget (about 100 times larger than the budget of the Texas Democratic Party) and he left Cameron County with an A+ bond rating and one of the lowest tax rates for a county in the State of Texas and the lowest south of San Antonio, including San Antonio. In 2007 Judge Hinojosa was elected Cameron County Democratic Party Chair where he continues to serve. In 2008 he was elected to the Democratic National Committee and in 2009 Chairman Tim Kaine appointed him to the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee. At the time of his appointment, Gilberto was only one of two Latinos appointed by Chairman Kaine to the Executive Committee.
Gilberto Hinojosa practices law in Brownsville, Texas.

Gilberto is married to Cyndi, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has five wonderful children: Gina, Xochitl, Miguel, Diego and Maya and one grandson – “TGM” (The Great Matteo) and one son in law John P. Donisi.

UTAH - PETER CORROON

[elected April 26, 2014]
Peter Corroon is currently a manager with the Ninigret Group, a commercial real-estate development firm, where he oversees development projects. He was elected state party chair in April 2014.

Peter also has his own firm Corroon Company and partners with The Bennett Group International, a consulting firm started by former U.S. Senator Bob Bennett, to provide consulting services to businesses seeking to expand their products’ markets.

He has an extensive background in government, community leadership, commercial and residential real estate, construction, civic affairs and small business development.

Peter was elected Salt Lake County Mayor in 2004 and served for eight years in this position.

He holds a Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law, a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Development and Finance from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University. Peter also speaks fluent French, intermediate Spanish and some Italian. He also has taught finance and real estate development courses at Westminster College and Salt Lake Community College.

He has served as President of the Salt Lake Vest Pocket Business Coalition, a group of locally owned and managed independent businesses, and was appointed as a Small Claims Court Judge in Salt Lake’s Third District Court. He has served on the boards of the National Association of Counties, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce where he received the Best Elected Official award, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, the Utah Technology Council, and the United Way.

Peter has a long record of public service. He was responsible for starting a non-profit affordable housing company to serve unmet housing needs in Salt Lake City. Over the years he has also provided volunteer legal advice in Spanish to community members who had little or no proficiency in English. He also served as Vice President of the Salt Lake Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

VERMONT - DOTTIE DEANS

[started March 2013, elected April 15, 2013 folowing resignation of predecessor; elected to full term in Nov. 2013]
Deans spent 14 years as an elementary school teacher in the Cherry Creek school district in Colorado after graduating from the University of Denver. After moving to Vermont, Deans became involved in the Democratic Party at the grassroots level beginning as Town Chair of Pomfret, before becoming elected Windsor County chair, and finally elected as Vice Chair of the state party in 2011.

Dottie also has been dedicated to her local HIV/AIDS Service organization, H2RC, since 1999 serving as a volunteer, staff member, and most recently stepped down as the Board Chair. She remains passionate about the mission of H2RC and continues to serve on the board.

She lives in North Pomfret, Vermont with her partner of 17 years, Lydia Spitzer.

VIRGINIA - SUSAN SWECKER

[elected March 27, 2015...succeeded Dwight Jones, who resigned]
A lifelong Virginian, Susan was born and raised on the Swecker family farm in the picturesque Blue Grass Valley in Highland County.   Her upbringing was pretty typical of most  members of rural middle America of that era, an abiding faith in God, love of country, while questioning our leaders and our direction,  and for her family, a deep belief in the Democratic Party.

Those strong political beliefs weren’t always well received by everyone, but that was where Susan learned the value of listening to other’s opinions, being open-minded as well as developing a tough skin.  All three have served her well over the years!

Over the years, she has served the Party in many critical and effective ways.  At age 22, she became Chairwoman of the Highland County Democratic Committee. Her first professional paid campaign job was working for the Jimmy Carter 1980 Re-Elect in 1980 in Virginia.  From there she quickly rose through the ranks to several state and national leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia, a member of the Democratic National Committee, and former Chairwomen of the Southern Caucus.

As a current member of the Democratic National Committee, she serves on the Executive Committee and the Rules and Bylaws Committee.  She is widely credited with leading the successful charge to move up the date of Virginia’s Presidential Primary in the 2004 cycle, thus placing Virginia in a pivotal position for that cycle and beyond. Susan played a leadership role in the election of Governor Terry McAuliffe and the Democratic ticket in 2013 and served as a member of the McAuliffe Transition Team, advising him on hirings and appointments.

Susan is President of Dividing Waters Public Affairs LLC. Susan received her law degree from Washington and Lee University and a  B.A. in political science from Mary Baldwin College.

WASHINGTON - JAXON RAVENS

[elected Feb. 1, 2014]
Jaxon Ravens grew up in Missoula, MT. He has a bachelors degree in politics and economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz and an MBA from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management. He was the Executive Director of the King County Democrats for a couple of years at the turn of the century and has been working for the Washington State Democrats since 2004. He served as President of the Washington State Young Democrats from 2000 to 2001 and as President of the National Association of State Democratic Executive Directors from 2009 to 2013.

In each of these roles, Ravens has lead and worked with Democrats across the state, national party organizations, local party organizations, various constituency groups, allies, candidates, and elected officials, to help elect Democrats and build the Democratic community in order to promote the values expressed in the State Democratic Party Charter and Platform.

He spent the 1990s traveling overseas and in 2003 biked solo across the US following the Lewis and Clark Trail. Jaxon is actively involved in several local non-profit organizations including the School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA), where he serves as Board President, Seattle Works and the Red Cross. In 2011 he was presented with a Washington State Volunteer Service Award from the Governor. He also serves as a member of the Washington State Arts Commission.
ed. - Prior to being elected chairman Ravens served as executive director of the party for the past ten years.

WEST VIRGINIA - BELINDA BIAFORE

[elected Feb. 7, 2015]
Belinda Biafore was born January 17, 1957 in Fairmont, WV. She is a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School and Fairmont State College. She is currently employed by Anvil Oil and Gas Company as an Abstractor/Office Manager. 

She is the daughter of Margaret Biafore and has one brother Jeff and his wife Kate and one sister, Dana Summers. She has two nieces, Ashley Summers and Sarah Summers, ages 14 & 11 and a puppy Taco. 

Her family has a long history of being strong and proud supporters of the Democrat party. She has been involved in politics since she was a young child passing out literature with her mother and uncle at a local grade school. She organized a Young Democrat group in Marion County when she was in High School.

WISCONSIN - MARTHA LANING

[elected June 6, 2015]
I have spent my life bringing people together to solve problems and build strong neighborhoods. I have organized parents and community leaders to make vital improvements to schools, raised millions to build an intergenerational community center in Plymouth, and have proven that people from different backgrounds can work together to overcome any challenge.

I was born and raised in a middle class family in rural Central Wisconsin.  My parents instilled in me early on the values of education, hard work, and the importance of giving back through volunteering.  After high school, I got my degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison while working at the local paper mill in summers to pay for my education.  It was at the UW that I met my husband Wayne, and we were married in 1990.

Throughout the next decade, work opportunities would take my family around the state and around the nation. I gained valuable project management skills at Target Stores Corporate offices, and, when coupled with my Masters in Business Administration obtained in 2002, my skills allowed me to make a real difference in the business world and my community – especially in the local schools our three beautiful children, Katie, Maddie, and Alec attended.

When faced with underfunded schools that lacked a library or playground, I organized parents and community members - raising over $160,000 to build a playground and purchase thousands of books for a new library. Several years later, when I discovered that many students did not have access to a good breakfast, I worked with a group of parents and the district administration to create a breakfast program at the school.

I also focused my efforts on enhancing curriculum and giving students the tools they needed to succeed in the 21st century. I spearheaded efforts to build a new computer lab to ensure that students would have access to the technology they needed to succeed, and I brought parents and faculty members together to create new programs that gave children who excelled in Math a way to challenge themselves further.

After moving to the Sheboygan area, I took a job with the Plymouth Intergenerational Coalition to help get their new project off the ground. When the economy collapsed, many believed the project would fall apart – but I persevered. I brought together business and community leaders to raise $4.6 million for the project, which was completed in May 2011. The building now serves as a community center bringing seniors and children together, and this collaborative effort has been labeled a model for the State of Wisconsin.

In the fall of 2014, I ran for the Wisconsin State Senate because of my deep concern for the direction our state was headed. I am running for the Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party because I know that our progressive values are what will bring back our strong, fair Wisconsin.

WYOMING - ANA CUPRILL

[started May 16, 2014] Youth services librarian at Sublette County Library in Pinedale.  B.S. degree from Northland College, 1992.

DEMOCRATS ABROAD - KATIE SOLON

PUERTO RICO - ROBERTO PRATS

AMERICAN SAMOA - FAGAFAGA DANIEL LANGKILDE

GUAM - RORY REPICIO

USVI - CECIL BENJAMIN

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New State Chairs in 2015 [20]:

PENNSYLVANIA - Marcel Groen   ...elected Sept. 12, 2015

IDAHO - Bert Marley  ...elected Aug. 1, 2015

MICHIGAN - Brandon Dillon  ...elected July 11, 2015

WISCONSIN - Martha Laning  ...elected June 6, 2015

OKLAHOMA - Mark Hammons   ...elected May 30, 2015

NEW MEXICO - Debra Haaland   ...elected April 25, 2015

MARYLAND - D. Bruce Poole, interim   ...elected April 2, 2015

VIRGINIA - Susan Swecker  ...elected Mar. 27, 2015

NORTH DAKOTA - Kylie Oversen   ...elected Mar. 7, 2015

KANSAS - Larry Meeker  ...elected Mar. 2015

WEST VIRGINIA - Belinda Biafore  ...elected Feb. 7, 2015

NORTH CAROLINA - Patsy Keever   ...elected Feb. 7, 2015

KENTUCKY - Patrick Hughes  ...elected Feb. 7, 2015

ARIZONA - Alexis Tameron   ...elected Jan. 26, 2015

CONNECTICUT - Nick Balletto  ...elected Jan. 23, 2015

IOWA - Dr. Andy McGuire   ...elected Jan. 17, 2015

TENNESSEE - Mary Mancini   ...elected Jan. 10, 2015

OHIO - David Pepper  ...elected Dec. 17, 2014

SOUTH DAKOTA - Ann Tornberg   ...elected Dec. 13, 2014

MAINE - Phil Bartlett   ...elected Nov. 16, 2014

Chairs resigning in 2015:

KANSAS - LARRY MEEKER   ...resigned effective Aug. 22, 2015

[elected March 2015]

Candidate for Kansas House of Representatives in 2012 and 2014
Former Mayor, Lake Quivira
Doctorate in Business Administration, University of Kansas
Chair of Creative Arts Industries Commission, KS Dept. of Commerce
Adjunct Professor, New Mexico Economic Development Course
JCCC Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee
Chair JoCo Public Arts Commission
Martin Luther King 2008 Legacy Award Winner, NAACP
Retired V.P. Federal Reserve Bank of K.C.

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