Hillsborough Democrats elect new leaders

A standing-room-only crowd of Hillsborough Democrats still buzzing from the election of Barack Obama last month elected its new leaders tonight. Attorney Pat Kemp easily defeated consultant James Randolph for the chairmanship with 135 votes to Randolph's 45. Kemp said work must begin immediately on getting Democrats elected to the Hillsborough County Commission and state Legislature in 2010. She hopes to do that by increasing party membership and fundraising through local clubs.

Kemp's election came amid bickering inside the party and the decision by Randolph to make a play for the chairmanship instead of running alongside Kemp as vice chair. In Kemp's pre-vote pitch, she talked about her 20 years of service to the local party; Randolph said he was a relative newcomer with no baggage. "The house is not in order," he said. After his defeat, Randolph said he would remain involved in the party and continue his work building the East Hillsborough Democratic Club.

A nomination from the floor put Randolph on the ballot for vice chair, but he was defeated again by Chris Brown. Ella Coffee was elected secretary, and Marilyn Cappiello was re-elected treasurer. Sally Phillips, president of the GLBTA Democratic Caucus, defeated a slate of candidates that included incumbent Dianne Hart to become state committeewoman. Alan Clendenin ran unopposed to become state committeeman. He replaces Monroe Mack.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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Comments

[Susan S]

It's a new day for Hillsborough Democrats!

[Chris W]

This leadership election was conducted very smoothly, with a great deal of mutual respect among the candidates and general good humor despite a late start (which is mainly due to a huge turnout). Janet's reports of "some bickering" are overblown.

Congratulations All!

[Susan S]

Chris,
I think she was referring to the pre-game show.

[A Pinellas DEM]

Congratulations, Pat Kemp! This is great news!

We know that it will take time to grow and build the Democratic Party in Hillsborough and Pinellas. Nice to see some O-Train leaders stepping up to the challenge!

We look forward to working with you!

Change has come to HCDEC.

Okay, people, everyone needs to take a deep breath and then jump on the bus. We have a lot of hard work ahead us.

Congrats to the new board!

[Karen Welzel]

Congratulations to the new leaders of the Hillsborough County DEC. The Polk County DEC looks forward to working with you to build a strong Democratic Party for Florida.

Its a new progressive day for Hillsborough County Democrats. This is a strong team with great leadership skills.

[Jim Shirk]

One note of interest was the turnout of elected officials - it's good to see lots of Democrats winning and not fleeing their roots.

[Thank you fellow dems!!!!]

I think we have one heck of a slate of leaders with the makeup of the new DEC and I want to thank everyone for coming out and voting. It is really great to see so many people engaged and active!!!! 2010 is going to be a fun election year as we make progress.

I also want to take a moment to echo that Janet Zink is incorrect in her assessment: there was no emotion, drama, etc. These was a professionally ran campaign.

Thank you to every one of the candidates. Because of your involvement and future involvement our party is stronger. We all have a voice and we all can make a difference working together. Every one of the candidates proved that last night and will continue to prove that as we move forward.

[Jack Shifrel]

Now, if some of that change would make it's way to Broward. Broward needs a change from the top down.
VOTE BROWARD FOR CHANGE

[IJ]

Congratulations to the newly elected group! I look forward to being involved as do many others who became a part of the process with the local Obama grassroots & eventual campaign.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/30/Tampabay/Local_ads_rile_state_.shtml

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2007/02/helm_pac_in_hot.html

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/07/Tampabay/PAC_activities_under_.shtml

[Strati]

Congrats to our newly elected DEC officials, and congrats to everyone who attended and voted...we had a good 2008, and now we can look forward to a great 2009-2010! Looking forward to being involved & working with the new leadership

Why is Janee Murphy and Alan Clenedin showing up to all the local DEC elections together when they both are in Hillsborough? Are they working together on some sort of scheme??? Does anyone have any info as to what they are doing behind the scenes?

Why would Alan Clenedin be hanging out with her and align himself with Janee unless she promised him something?

[MenckenJr]

5:39 - Alan is the newly elected state committeeman, and Janee is the FDP secretary. In case you haven't read the bylaws, the state committeeman/woman is the local DEC representative to the state executive committee. Janee being the state FDP Secretary (as of this writing and according to the website) and showing up with a state committeeman that she's already friends with doesn't amount to a conspiracy.

[Pinellas and Pasco DEC Elections]

MenckenJr: Please read the Pinellas post. http://blogs.tampabay.com/baybuzz/2008/12/mclauchlan-new.html?cid=141785240#comment-141785240

You are right: it isn't a conspiracy as it is happening right in front of us. No doubt that there is something going on that on the surface does not look right.

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