Massachusetts Democratic Party - Overview

Overview

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee is responsible for publicizing the platform of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, the state affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. According to the party charter, the State Committee is charged with conducting state-level campaigns for the Democratic Party, coordinating efforts to fill vacancies in nominating candidates to state and congressional offices, and creating and disseminating information regarding official Democratic Party policies and positions. The Committee also engages in fundraising initiatives to support its operations, and coordinates local caucuses and the Democratic State Conventions.

The State Committee comprises 160 elected members, and add-on and ex officio seats, all of whom must be registered Democrats. Current officers include John Walsh, Chairman; Debra Kozikowski, Vice-Chair; Raymond A. Jordan, Jr., Vice-Chair; and Clare Kelly, Executive Director. Non-officers include two men and two women from each state senatorial district, Democratic National Committee members from Massachusetts, and roughly 120 add-on delegates comprising various underrepresented minority groups, including veterans, gay and lesbian citizens, and college-aged youth representatives.

Eighty of the State Committee members must be elected through Presidential primary ballots. The other 80 are elected at Senate district conferences by local town and ward committee members. All State Committee members serve four-year terms. Numerous subcommittees are affiliated with the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee, including the Affirmative Action Committee, the Field Services Committee, the Campaign Services Committee, the Youth Services Committee, the Rules Committee, the Charter Committee, the By-Laws Committee, and the Public Policy Committee. Subcommittees are chaired by State Committee members.