Written by Jim Dabakis
My last alert as Utah Democratic Party Chairman:
My Dear Democrats,
This is a hard letter to write.
Noon today, I resigned as Utah State Democratic Party Chair.
It was a little less than three years ago that I took the job. It has completely transformed my life. It has been the greatest honor to represent Utah Democrats from Charlotte to the White House. But the real joy I have experienced is traveling to every corner of our state and meeting so many wonderful, dedicated Democrats – that is something I cherish.
Your Utah Democratic Party is in good shape. Facing the November elections, we have a large and talented pool of candidates. We have worked, begged and scrimped and now have an unprecedented $430,000 in our election war-chest. We have an amazing staff. We have more Chair Circle members than ever and we have a strong executive committee.
Governor Howard Dean (former head of the DNC and presidential candidate) said, after spending three days with us, that he thought that our staff (he didn’t say chair) is the finest Democratic Party staff in America! Bar none. I wholeheartedly agree. Our staff is led by one of the finest young men of his generation. Matt Lyon is an organizational genius. And, most importantly, in the world of politics he has a very strong moral and ethical compass. Never have I seen him compromise doing what’s right – even when it hurts. Whatever success the party has enjoyed over the last three years, it is mostly a result of the skills and talent of Matt and our amazing staff. Usually, when there has been a major screw-up, truthfully, it was me.
My single piece of advice to future chairs is do not give into the temptation (and pressure) to hire friends and cronies. Every single person we hired was hired (and let go) strictly on merit. We ramped up the staff from three to 14 employees, and we did it because we hired the best people we could find. Of that I am proud, and I feel it has been essential to the success of the party.
Why, you may ask? And why now? I was going to announce that political standby line: I am quitting for “family reasons” – but I’m not sure that would be legally permissible in Utah. Would I have grounds to quit federally – but not grounds to quit in the state – if it was for “family reasons”? AG Reyes – as a guy who is in court fighting to end my marriage – Sean, I could use a legal opinion here.
While I spend the next months fighting some medical issues, I can assure you that my voice still works. I will stay in the Senate and run for re-election (I have three tough Tea Party opponents). Frankly, the Senate job is very genteel, unlike the Party Chair 24/7 war. I can handle the Senate job and do what I need to do to get physically better. Quitting one job was a compromise I made with Stephen (my partner of 27 years and husband of three months).
Speaking of Stephen (those of you that may get queasy with this next paragraph may click off now – and for goodness sake alert the children), Stephen, you have been amazing. Uncomplainingly letting me go out, night after night; 6 a.m. breakfast after breakfast, so many weekends gone. Anniversaries, family events – everything subjugated. With me completely avoiding my share of the household work and abandoning virtually all income responsibilities over the last three years. You have been magnificent. Frankly, no matter what Governor Herbert says – we are married. And, as Samuel Johnson said, “Love is what you have been through together.”
Finally, I would like to stay in touch with you, my great Democratic friends all across Utah. You may find me on Facebook at James Dabakis. Or “Jim Dabakis for Senate.” I am on the radio every Saturday morning with Progressive Saturdays at 630 on the AM dial (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), or you can stream live at http://www.k-talk.com/index.php/listen-live/.
Additionally, I am on KCPW Wednesday mornings with Rep. Greg Hughes and Professor Natalie Gochnour. And on Channel 4 every Thursday during the 6 o’clock news with Thomas Wright in a four-minute feature called “Together Four Utah.” I will not stop speaking out for Utah Democrats!
Also, as my tenure as Chair ends, I may well morph into the blazing liberal I have always felt but needed to moderate out as a statewide spokesperson. I will represent my good folks in Senate 2 as well as progressive people all across Utah!
Look for a new Democratic organization to be the voice of Utah progressive people both in communication and to raise Koch Brothers kind of money (LOLOLOL) to make progressive voices in Utah matter…watch for unveiling of the DABAK PAC.
Thanks for giving me three short years and a lifetime of memories. No words can thank you enough for allowing me this experience.
