Greetings, fellow Democrats!
Thanks for your patience as we are a little delayed getting our March newsletter out -- it was QUITE A MONTH!
As spring unfolds its vibrant colors, so does a season of action and engagement within our community. April arrives with a flurry of activity, marking the kickoff of an electrifying election season. From the spirited Caucus Night to the delectable delights of our Politisauce fundraiser, and culminating in the fervor of our Nominating Convention, this month captivated with a whirlwind of events that embody the very essence of democracy in action.
Read on for more details about all the exciting things happening this month…
Caucus Night Recap
Caucus Night was an unequivocal success, resonating with the pulse of democracy with historic results. With an astounding 40% surge in turnout compared to 2022, our collective voices echoed louder than ever, amplifying our commitment to progressive change. With an investment in over 700 new signs across Salt Lake County, 25 Neighborhood Caucus Night events brought together passionate individuals, each a testament to the vibrancy of our community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the countless volunteers whose dedication and tireless efforts made this monumental evening possible. Through their unwavering commitment, over 900 delegate elections were facilitated, ensuring that diverse voices are represented at every level of decision-making. Together, we've set the stage for an inspiring journey towards a future where every voice is heard, and every vote counts.
Still want to be a Precinct Chair or Vice Chair? We have openings! Click the button below to add your name to the list for placement after State Convention.
Left to right: Sam Forbyn, Nikki Boyer, Grant Miller, Rep Joel Briscoe, HD22 Chair Chris Condit, Amber Hendrix, Jason Griffiths; Rep Gay Lynn Bennion, Sen Kathleen Riebe, Garry Hrechkosy; Caucus Night attendees
Left to right: John Arthur, candidate for State School Board; Caucus Night attendees; State School Board member Sarah Reale; HD42 Caucus Night attendees including Mayor Monica Zoltanski
Politisauce: A Fun Night Full of Surprises
Politisauce 2024 was not only our biggest and fanciest fundraiser of the year, but it also shattered all expectations by raising over $35K in support of our democratic mission. As one attendee exclaimed, "This was the best Politisauce ever!" The night was electrified by the stirring words of guest speaker Tom Perez, former US Labor Secretary and DNC Chair, whose impassioned speech ignited the crowd with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Amidst the festivities, a hilarious trivia game featuring questions about Sim Gill, Lannie Chapman, Rashelle Hobbs, and Suzanne Harrison brought laughter to the evening. Who would have guessed that Sim was a U of U football player? With a plethora of wonderful silent auction items up for grabs, generous donors dug deep, contributing to the tremendous success of the fundraiser. Politisauce 2024 will be remembered as a truly memorable event, uniting us in solidarity and fueling our commitment to a brighter future for all.
Left to Right: SLCo Councilwoman Suzanne Harrison, SLCo Clerk Lannie Chapman, SLCo Recorder Rashelle Hobbs, SLCo District Attorney Sim Gill; Politisauce attendees; Chair Velazquez and special guest Tom Perez; Democratic Values Award Winner Robin Hough
Got your picture taken at Politisauce? Click the button below to see all the pictures from the event!
SLCo Nominating Convention Recap
The Salt Lake County Nominating Convention was an unparalleled display of democratic fervor, drawing over a thousand passionate attendees eager to shape the future of our County. The event was marked by powerful speeches that resonated with hope, determination, and a shared vision for progress. Amidst the spirited discourse, there was an unexpected moment when a wild donkey made a memorable appearance, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of politics. Through the collective efforts of dedicated supporters, the convention raised over $16K to fuel our campaign efforts. As we celebrate the victories of candidates who emerged triumphant, we also extend our heartfelt condolences to those who did not. If your candidate didn’t make it through, please stick around to help the rest of the team. Together, we can build a future that reflects our shared values and aspirations.
Left to right: SLCo Council Candidate Zach Robinson; Convention attendees; Elliott Kauffman, Amber Hendrix, and Eric Biggart; Hispanic Caucus meeting.
Save the Date: Utah State Democratic Party Convention 4/27
The State Convention will be held at Cottonwood High School (5715 S 1300 E, Murray) on April 27th, from 8 AM to 5 PM (or until business is finished). Salt Lake County Delegates should plan to attend to vote for contested statewide candidates. If you'd like to volunteer, please email mail@utdem.org.
Event Recap: A Dynamic Month of Democratic Engagement
Not only did we host Caucus Night, Politicians and Convention, there were a TON of other candidate events too! It's clear that the Democratic spirit is alive and thriving in our community. Here's a quick recap of the noteworthy gatherings that brought us together and set the tone for an impactful year:
End of the Turbulent Legislative session and WDC Legislative Recap Luncheon: The 2024 Legislative Session ended at the start of March and with a record number of bills passed we want to give a huge thank you to our House and Senate Minority Caucuses for all the work they did!
Left to Right: Floor of the Utah House during session; Utah State Seal; Sue Robbins speaking to WDC; and Amber Hendrix, Deondra Brown, Dustin Gettel, Natalie Pinkney, and Jade Velazquez
Salt Lake County At Large Meet The Candidate Event: HD 41 held a fabulous meet the candidate event with all of the at-large County Council candidates and county and state candiates from the east side of SLCo.
Precinct Officer and Delegate Training: We had a full house! at our first two trainings of the year with our new Precinct Officers.
Left to Right: Precinct Officers at our training; Rep. Garner, Sen Blouin, Rep Jen Dailey-Provost, and Sahara Hayes speaking to the Stonewall Caucus; Vote Blue!
Utah Stonewall Caucus 15th Anniversary “Oh, No They Didn’t” Legislative Recap: It was great to hear from our Representatives everything they did for us during the Legislative Session.
Welcome Michele Rivera, Chair of Caucus Chairs
Join us in welcoming Michele Rivera as our Chair of Caucus Chairs! In this role, she was elected by her fellow Caucus leaders to represent Issue and Identity Caucuses as a voting member of our Executive Committee. She advocates for a better government within the community and political engagements. She has helped with local issues, including the 2020 Tax Referendum, where she gathered over 16 packets worth of signatures to stop the increase of sales tax on groceries. She is currently the co-Chair of the endorsements committee for Planned Parenthood, the Vice Chair of the SLCo Democratic Black Caucus, and recently became a non-partisan elected official for the Mount Olympus Improvement district, which encompasses Millcreek, Holladay, South Salt Lake, and a bit of a Murray. In her free time, Michele likes to cook elaborate dishes for dinner, but has absolutely no baking skills.
Excited to have you on the team, Michele! You can learn more about our Executive Committee here.
In Closing…
Join us as we embark on this thrilling journey of political engagement, teamwork, and advocacy. The road ahead may be challenging, but with each step we take, we move closer to a brighter, bluer, more inclusive future for Salt Lake County. Stay tuned for updates, announcements, and opportunities to get involved. Together, let's make April a month to remember!
Jade Velazquez
Chairman of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party