Pelz retained as Dems chair

January 27, 8:36 AMSnohomish County Progressive ExaminerChad Shue

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In a race that was tighter than many had thought it might be, the Washington State Democrats voted to retain Dwight Pelz as Chair at their bi-annual reorganization on Saturday. Pelz was challenged by long time party activist and recent past Chair of the Snohomish County Democrats, Mark Hintz. I have previously written about this contest here and here. Hintz was running on a platform of greater inclusiveness and transparency at the highest levels of the party and was hoping to ride the crest of the Obama call for change. In the end however big wins for Barack Obama and (more importantly to the state party) Governor Gregoire were enough to reward Pelz with stewardship of the party for the next two years. According to an observer of the count, the race was decided by less than 20 votes.

Dwight Pelz - Chair, WA-Dems                           Mark Hintz - Challenger

In a show of unity the two men shook hands and pledged to work together to build upon the recent successes of the state party. Both men acknowledged that the challenge ahead is to keep the infusion of Obama supporters engaged and involved in the party as they move through troubling financial times and the less exciting "off-year" elections of 2009 when there will only be a handful of regional partisan races across the state.

Peace,
Chad Shue