Monday, the Madison County Democratic Party congratulated new state party Chairman State Representative Christopher John England and former Rep. Patricia Todd on their elections to the leadership of the Alabama Democratic Party.
The Madison County Democratic Party expresses its congratulations and full support for the newly-elected leadership for the Alabama Democratic Party in a statement.
On Saturday, England was elected chair, and Todd was elected vice chair during Saturday’s meeting of the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC). Their tenure began immediately, and was sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
“This is a new day for Alabama Democrats,” said Dr. Amy Shadoin, secretary of the Madison County party. “We congratulate Rep. England and former Rep. Todd on their elections to chair and vice chair and we look forward to helping rebuild the party state-wide and electing Democrats in 2020.”
In addition, 71 individuals were added to the SDEC rolls throughout the DNC-encouraged Diversity Caucuses. Forty-eight members were chosen for the youth caucus. eight members were seated for the LGBTQ caucus, seven members for the Hispanic caucus, three for the Asian/Pacific Islander caucus, two for the Native American caucus, and three existing vacancies were filled. The Madison County Democrats said that these members depict the diversity of Democrats in Alabama.
The Madison County Democrats said in their statement that they believe in the equality of all people, the power of education, the dignity of work, and our responsibility to each other, especially the least of these. We promote and support progressive ideals and candidates throughout our communities.
Former Chairwoman Nancy Worley maintains that Saturday’s meeting was invalid and that she is still the Chair. At the Saturday meeting, she was removed by the SDEC in a 172 to 0 vote that was followed by a formal moment of celebration. Worley, Vice Chair Randy Kelley, Vice Chair for Minority Affairs Joe Reed, and over half of the existing SDEC did not attend Saturday’s meeting.
Worley and her loyalists have set their own SDEC meeting for November 16. Since they have declared Saturday’s meeting of the SDEC as invalid, it is expected that the credentials of the 71 new members who were added to the SDEC Saturday will also not be accepted as valid. Similarly the loyalists added members to the SDEC at their meeting on October 12. The DNC has declared that everything that happened in that Oct. 12 meeting is invalid, even though it was called by the acting Chair of the ADP, Worley.
New Chairman England has said that he is optimistic that the divisions between the two halves of the ADP can be healed and that the party can come together with elections in less than one year.
Failing a negotiated end to the feuding, the party squabbles are likely to end to the court system.
Madison County is one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama.
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) gave a speech at Saturday’s meeting urging the SDEC to elect England.
