Democratic Delegate Selection Process

With the Iowa Caucuses over, we need to get the word out to everyone on our lists about delegate deadlines that are coming up very quickly.

The response to the Pride in the Party LGBT outreach project has been very positive. Over 150 individuals representing 33 states have signed up through the www.PrideintheParty.org website. As individuals sign up, we communicate their interest in becoming a delegate to their respective presidential campaign. This not only helps each individual, but also each campaign since the candidates want to make sure their delegates help them to meet the state party's diversity goals.

We want to encourage any interested LGBT person to run for delegate. But, I encourage you to make a special effort to women, persons of color, youth, persons with disabilities, or other Democratic constituencies (e.g., union members, veterans). Our goal is to make sure the LGBT delegates, alternates and standing committee members to the 2008 Democratic National Convention are the largest and most diverse group ever. We recently brought on two well qualified consultants to assist us in our efforts to reach out to the Party's core constituencies: Mandy Carter and Laura M. Esquivel.

Below is a quick glance at upcoming deadlines from now through end of February. Some states indicate '' 1st tier caucuses'' where individuals must get elected at the first tier (and subsequent tiers) of the state's caucus process to ultimately qualify to run at the Congressional District level for National Convention delegate. Please alert individuals your list from these states (and territories) about the upcoming deadlines.