Happy New Year!
It is time for New Year’s Resolutions, and I have just the thing for Democratic voters in Blaine County.
I am asking you to Take 5 for 5B.
Make a resolution to take five actions each month to support our county party and our legislative and county party candidates.
Here are some ideas to get you started this month:
Give $5 to Blaine County Democrats or our local legislators, Sen Ron Taylor and Rep Ned Burns.
Invite five people to the next Blaine County Democrats meeting to be held January 29 at the Blaine County Courthouse at 6 p.m.
Invite five people to make a recurring donation to Blaine County Democrats.
Attend the next meeting yourself.
Like, comment, or share 5 social media posts for Blaine County Democrats on Facebook or Instagram.
Later in the year, we will be looking for volunteers for the caucus, for our Clint and Michelle Stennett fundraiser and for doorknockers, phone callers, post card writers for our legislative races.
The possibilities are endless. And they make a difference. I know that precinct captain Chantal Westerman is going to hit five right away as she is writing thank you notes to our newly registered Democratic voters and to the people who have recently signed up for recurring donations to Blaine County Democrats.
Your Democratic vote in Blaine County matters. We elect Democrats in this county. To ensure we are able to continue to elect Democrats in our Legislative District-which includes Lincoln and Jerome County, we must get every Democratic voter to the polls in November. Your mindful efforts to Take 5 for 5B will help us accomplish this.
Let’s be mindful of the difference our individual actions will make in the elections in 2024.
—Deborah Silver, Blaine County Democrats Chair
Next Dems Meeting
Monday, January 29 • 5–6:30 p.m.
Old Blaine County Courthouse, Commissioners Room
Come meet our Precient Captains! We will be discussing plans for 2024 including our budget, volunteering and fundraising ideas. All are welcome!
BCD Sponsors The 12th Annual Empty Bowls Event – Sunday, Jan. 21
Blaine County Dems are proud to be a bronze sponsor of the 12th annual Empty Bowls event hosted by the Blaine County Charitable Fund. This annual gathering is a favorite for more than 400 friends and family in the Wood River Valley.
For just $25, participants receive a handmade bowl by Boulder Mountain Clayworks filled with a delicious warm meal donated by dozens of local restaurants and chefs on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 11:30 a..m - 2 p.m. at The Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum, 100 Saddle Road. Hosted by the Blaine County Charitable Fund, Boulder Mountain Clayworks, and the Church of the Big Wood, the event's proceeds will benefit the Blaine County Charitable Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the local workforce by creating stable and resilient communities in the Wood River Valley.
BCD Officers and Precinct Captains will be on hand to volunteer at the event so we look forward to seeing you there. If you wish to volunteer sign up at www.empty-bowls.org.
2024 Legislative 26 Send-Off Event Recap
We had more than 50 people come out to the Hailey Town Center on Friday, Dec 29 to help send-off Sen. Ron Taylor and Rep. Ned Burns to the Idaho Statehouse. We listened to a presentation from Ron and Ned as they gear up for the 2024 session, and got a sneak peek of what is in store for their District 26 constituents. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments were provided and the silent auction with items donated by local businesses was a great success. Thank you Legislative District 26 Chair Karen Bliss for making this a fun and informative evening.
Important Dates for the Upcoming Year!
Declaration of Candidacy Filing Period for the primary elections
March 4-15
This filing date includes the petitions of candidacy for precinct captains. Precinct captains are elected during the primary election. Both parties have their slate of candidates. We have had more than one person run for Democratic precinct captain in at least one prior election.
Idaho State Primary Elections
May 21
This includes legislative primary races and precinct captain elections.
Presidential Caucus / Primary: The Idaho Republican legislators apparently unintentionally eliminated the presidential primary for 2024. Instead, the respective political parties will run their own caucus, count their own votes, and follow the rules of their own party. The state Democratic party submitted their plans to the national party according to guidelines set by the national party. Those plans were approved. Now, each Democratic county party will hold a caucus on May 23, from 5:00-8:00 pm. Final details for Blaine county caucus will be announced at a later date. Additionally, county delegates to the state convention are elected by the participants of the caucus.
Reorganization of county parties: Statute dictates the election of county and legislative officers within 14 days of the state primary. The tentative date for Blaine County Democrats reorganization will be May 23, after the close of the caucus.
Idaho Democratic State Convention
June 22-23 • Moscow, Idaho
At this meeting, the state delegates will elect the delegates to the national convention to be held in Chicago. State delegates also determine the Idaho Democratic Party Platform. I will provide further details concerning number of county delegates, process of election of national delegates, etc. at a later date.
National Democratic Convention
August 19-22 • Chicago, IL
