Joe Turnham Seeking Alabama Democratic Party Chair

[southpaw]

Turnham seeking return to former Demo position
BRIAN KENNEDY
The Daily Mountain Eagle
Published August 22, 2005 11:19 PM CDT

Promising to once again build the Alabama Democratic Party "from the bottom up," Joe Turnham recently visited with local Democratic officials seeking support for a return to a former position. Turnham, who was narrowly defeated by Mike Rogers in a 2004 congressional race, is hoping to return to the position of state party chairman - a role he held from 1995 until early 1998. The 272-member State Democratic Executive Committee is scheduled to meet Saturday in Montgomery to select a replacement for outgoing chairman Redding Pitt.

"Having been both chairman and a candidate gives me a unique insight to fill this position," Turnham said. "We've got a lot of challenges ahead of us, but there is nothing wrong with us that can't be fixed by what is right with us." According to Turnham, an assortment of "spin masters at the national level" have attempted to label Democrats on wedge issues. With the 2006 elections looming, he believes a strong state leader is needed to redefine the Democratic Party.

"We've got a story to tell, and we've got to stand up for what our principles are and educate the voters. We've got culture and history on our side," Turnham said. "We have always been about justice, mercy, discipline and helping others. With your prayers and help, I will be up to the challenge of promoting our agenda. It is part of my roots, and I think there are a lot of people who want to come home to the party. We need to present our party to every voter, which is one of the primary reasons for my seeking this position," he said. "My job isn't to make a Democrat out of every person, but to present candidates to them that they see as our best hope to move the state forward.

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