Valparaiso Democratic Committee
 Leadership in Action
Welcome to 2023! For the VDC, the time is now. As we were all disappointed with the County and Statewide elections where we witnessed better candidates not getting to serve their constituents, we look to build upon what happened in Center Township.
Something special happened in Center Township that led to the re-elections of Greg Simms on the County Council, Jesse Harper as Center Township Trustee, and Deb Fray to the Center Township Board while being joined by Beth Gingerich. Thanks to the many readers of Blue Beacon, the volunteers for these campaigns and the candidates themselves, they were able to win.
Recent Census data shows that Valparaiso is 51/49 Democrat/Republican. We are a blue city. It will be up to the VDC and the 2023 municipal candidates to make it so. We have our open candidate night upcoming on December 5th, 6-8pm at the Pour House in downtown Valparaiso. This is an open event with a particular focus on education, recruitment and rapport building for the Valparaiso Democratic Community. Food and Drinks will be provided while Mike Mirochna and Kathy Watts share what the VDC will do for the candidates and what we want to see from our candidates in 2023. Also speaking will be Beth Gingerich, Jesse Harper, Diana Reed and Bob Cotton about campaigning and public office.
As just about everyone knows by now, the Republicans in Valparaiso are panicked. Jesse won convincingly against the partially famous 1990's basketball player who ran on lies. The local GOP just realized what we've known since Matt Murphy took office. Matt was never going to have a second term in Valparaiso and Republican policies are not even popular with their own party. 2023 will be about the dynamic direction our Democratic Candidates will lead this city. We will show a better path for an inclusive Valparaiso that puts public safety, education, infrastructure, small businesses, and local workers #1 without handing out our tax dollars to pad corporate bottom lines. We all do better when we all do better.
In order to continue the work the VDC has done in 2023, we will need the continued support of our volunteers, our donors, and precinct chairs. We will get this done together as a team, post card writing, registering voters, attending events, fundraising and getting our candidates names out front and center. If you are reading this email, I challenge you to get involved. Do something in and out of your comfort zone!
As we grew the brand of the VDC in 2022 with many sponsorships of Valparaiso Events programs like the Summer Concert Series and the Popcorn Fest Parade, we broke the machine. In 2023 Valpo Events will no longer accept political sponsorships! Have no fear, we have plans for many events to unite our City under Democratic Leadership!
Our next meeting will be December 19th, 7pm, VDC office 161 Lincolnway and via Zoom. We need all hands on deck so we can plant our Flag in City Hall in 2023 with a Democratic Mayor, staff and City Council!
If you want to join us, become a member on our Facebook page, email us at valpodems@gmail.com and donate to the cause at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/valpodems
Michael F. Mirochna, Chair
Kathy DeWitt, Vice-Chair
Kathy Watts, Secretary
Niru Deveraj, Treasurer
|
