Message from Rich McClellan, Mercer County Democratic Chair

*Richard L. McClellan Brian M. Hughes*
*Mercer County Democratic Chair Mercer County Executive*

Dear Fellow Democrats,
As America basks in the glory of a national election that has brought an
immediate and striking change to how we perceive ourselves as a nation
and as a people, we would like to thank you for participating in making
this sweeping mandate for change a reality. You have been a part of a
volunteer effort that is unprecedented in its breadth and depth. We
would also like you to take a moment to think about the future. About
how the excitement and fresh spirit that was so evident in this
electoral contest will continue to have a role in our political process,
especially here at the state, county and municipal level.

Many people who participated in the election as Democrats in 2008 did so
for the first time. One year ago, there were 50,000 Democrats
registered to vote in our county. This year, there were over 83,000.
Still others who had voted previously went beyond that for the first
time to become active workers by contributing their time, energy and
dollars.

Whether you are one of these new faces, or if you are a seasoned old
political salt we would like you to continue and expand on your
participation in the Democratic Party in Mercer in furtherance of the
goals we all shared in our campaign to elect Barack Obama
The Mercer County Democratic Committee is the most open and progressive
county democratic organization in the state of New Jersey. There are
many reasons for this. There are our Open Leadership Meetings, where
all Democrats are welcome to attend and participate in discussions about
the Party's future and direction. We have a candidate endorsement
process where every prospective candidate gets to compete on a level
playing field that emphasizes their ability to energize the rank and
file members of our party instead of being governed by the whims of
leadership. The merits of this process are reflected in the diversity
of our elected officials who, as a body, are truly a mirror of our
community.

This reputation for openness and transparency extends to the way we have
handled the stewardship of government. It was Democrats who brought the
first anti-pay to play laws to municipal and county government. And, it
was Democrats who created the position of County Inspector General, a
move that has promoted the enforcement of a high code of ethical conduct
in government and has concurrently saved millions in tax dollars.
Democrats in Mercer have a right to be proud of our accomplishments, but
we are also a party that recognizes that the journey to better
government, and to a better community, is a never-ending one. To keep
along that path of growth and change and progressive thought the Mercer
Democratic Party opens its arms to all those who share the vision of a
better America.

We invite you to continue your involvement and to be a part of the
change that the Mercer County Democratic Party fosters. Let us know
how you would like to continue to change America by writing us at
mercerdem@aol.com and we will provide you with the tools, the network and the opportunity to make that change a
reality.

Thank you again for your support and we look forward to working with you
in the future.