Digital News Report- Members of the DNC convened at the DNC’s Winter Meeting and voted to elect Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to be the next Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Kaine is replacing Howard Dean, who was the Chairman since February 2005. Dean has been noted for his “50 state strategy,” which many credit for helping transform the Party to a national entity and played an important role in President Obama’s and other Democratic victories across the nation.
“It’s my honor to help lead this great party and to grow the movement built by our new President, by Howard Dean and all of you during these times of incredible challenge and incredible opportunity,” said DNC Chairman Tim Kaine. “Today I take on the responsibility of chairing the DNC with pride about what we’ve just done — but also with a deep sense of what we have yet to accomplish.”
In Dean’s farewell address he said of Governor Kaine, “[he] is the right choice to lead the Democratic National Committee into this new era of American politics and to support President Obama’s agenda.” As Governor of Virginia, Kaine has been noted for his environmental policies, opposition to the death penalty, and his smart growth-style policies to manage sprawl and transportation issues.
Also at the meeting, members of the DNC voted to elect Donna Brazile as Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was also elected Vice Chair and Jane Stetson was elected National Finance Chair. Linda Chavez-Thompson and Rep. Mike Honda were re-elected as Vice Chairs; Also re-elected were Alice Travis Germond as Secretary of the DNC and Andrew Tobias as Treasurer. Officers of the DNC serve four year terms.