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Local members of the Jefferson County Democratic Party gathered Saturday for their annual dinner and reception and heard from both state and local leaders concerning the partys plans for the future.

Standing before a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl said the party wants to bring people together to achieve real solutions to problems, and have less of the division that he said is harmful to politics.

People will shoot to one side and they dont really listen to the detail. They dont really get the facts. They dont really get the context, Schmuhl said. It feels like people are so pushed to the edges. Youre either on this side or on that side.

Schmuhl said the Democratic party, with its policies and issues, is seeking to deliver for people ... Were focusing on issues that are less partisan, and about solving problems for people.

He noted that Joe Kernan was the last Democratic Governor in Indiana, losing in 2004 to Republican Mitch Daniels. What I have been telling people all over the state is we need to have a conversation about the last 20 years in Indiana, and whether we like what were getting out of our government.

Cami Keltch, one of the leaders of the newly created Jefferson County Democratic Alliance, formerly the Jefferson County Democratic Womens Club, said shes working to get more women involved in the political process locally, statewide and nationally through the Democratic Party.

I am eager to find ways to get more women involved in our local Democratic party, state and nationally. As it currently stands 52% of our countys population is comprised of women, yet only 35% of our elected positions are held by women, Keltch said, noting that rather than resurrect a womens club we wanted a group thats all inclusive and thats the reason for the new name for the organization whose mission will be to support the county Democratic party candidates through fundraising, canvassing, education, mentorship and the recruitment of members and future candidates. We have a lot of big ideas on how to make our local party stronger.

Keltch said although she is a baby to the political arena she decided to become active in the Democratic party because she realized that showing up to the ballot box every year is no longer enough and she wants to be a part of being a changemaker.

Adam Dickey, chair of the Ninth District Democratic Party, said this time and moment in history demands that Democrats be part of the change. It will be what defines us to future generations and makes all the difference for our communities moving forward.

In an election year when voters will focus on municipal elections in the city of Madison, the top local race for will be for mayor where Councilman Dan Dattilo will carry the Democratic Partys banner against incumbent Republican Bob Courtney.

Im passionate about this city, said Dan Dattilo, a third generation Madisonian who has been an at-large member on city council since 2016. My wife and I chose to raise our children here, and outside my college career Ive been here in Madison my whole life.

Dattilo said he plans to bring bold leadership to the office. When I say bold leadership, I mean making decisions that arent always easy, but are right, which can involve taking risks and be willing to make mistakes.

Bold leadership requires transparency and its important that Im honest with the public and with all the decisions I make, Dattilo added. Transparency builds trust and trust will build a foundation in my time as Mayor. And when Im transparent, Ill show the public that I respect them and I am committed to serving their interests.

Dattilo said he will oppose wasteful spending and provide clear and regular updates about planned spending and expenditures as well as require all city employees to sign statements of ethics.

He said he plans to foster a good working relationship with Jefferson County Commissioners and all nearby cities and value diversity within the administration and on city boards. Those are my promises.

A guidance counselor at Southwestern High School, Dattilo said he listens to people often. I hear good and bad. Im not here to judge. Im here to listen. I will do the same as your Mayor, the same as I have done as your councilman because your ideas will impact my decisions. I need to hear from all of you. That is important to me.

I love the diverse people of Madison. Its a wonderful place to be. It has great architecture, a beautiful setting, amazing people its a great place to work, play and live. Im so proud of this community and I want to make it even better, Dattilo said.

Schmuhl said the Indiana Democratic Party stands for strong and safe communities, stronger public education for kids, more pay for teachers in Indiana and more programming for workforce development in Indiana. He said Democrats want to create opportunities for keeping young people in Indiana so they have a future in the state and protect the environment and natural resources.

Jefferson County is a beautiful county, and we should be protecting those natural resources for generations to come, Schmuhl said. He noted the Democratic party will always stand up for organized labor and working people, lower healthcare costs for Hoosiers, and always protecting Social Security and Medicare.

Although the Democratic Party is currently the minority party in Indiana, Schmuhl said hes optimistic about the partys future because of our policies and our values. I think were transparent. I think were open. I think were honest.

He noted that President Joe Biden talks a lot about respect. Its about dignity, its about the soul of our nation. Thats why I am hopeful for the future of the Democratic Party in Indiana. I dont think those are just Democratic Party values, I think those are American values, and I think if we do a better job of getting our message out there, I think more and more Hoosiers will agree with us.

Read more here:
Local Democrats hoping to bring voters back to the party - Madison Courier