April 10, 2017

Week 6: Transition and Travels

Dear DNC Member,

It’s been another busy week here at the DNC. On Monday we held our second officers’ retreat to continue fleshing out our formal plans for the new structure and shape of the DNC. This has been a collaborative process, and everyone you helped elect at the end of February has had a seat at the table and a voice in this process.

I’m not afraid to say that I’ve never had an original idea in my life, but I’m a good listener. One of the things I’ve heard over and over again is that the DNC has long underutilized our officers as a resource for getting our Party’s message out to the people. So we’re working on an ambitious plan get our officers engaged with Democrats around the country through the summer and beyond.

On Wednesday I met with members of our transition advisory committee who held a day-long session to compile and organize all the recommendations we’ve gotten for the future of the party. Our restructuring is still a work in progress, but it’s a work in considerable progress. We’ve announced some of the changes we’ve already made to our communications team, and you can anticipate more formal announcements about the structural changes we’re planning for the DNC soon.

I’m also working to stand up our Unity Reform Commission and wanted to make sure you were updated on those efforts. My goal has always been to have these appointments finalized and announced as quickly as possible and within the 60-day period provided in the resolution establishing the Commission. We are on schedule and will be sure to update you when that announcement is made. I expect that the Commission will begin their important work right away to make recommendations for building a more open and inclusive Democratic Party.

This week on Democrats Live, Deputy DNC Chair Keith Ellison was joined by Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America and DNC Vice Chair Rep. Grace Meng. They spent the evening talking about what’s at stake with Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, the GOP’s efforts to roll back health care, and how the Republican agenda only hurts working woman and families.

Follow Democrats Live on Facebook, or at live.democrats.org.

On Thursday, I joined Governor Gina Raimondo to listen to Democrats in Rhode Island and support her efforts to make education and job training more affordable and accessible. Her Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program is an investment that’s going to pay a lifetime return, and it’s exactly the kind of progressive leadership we need across the country if we want to compete in the 21^st century.

Looking ahead, I’m proud to announce that I’ll be joined by Bernie Sanders for our cross-country tour to elect Democrats. Beginning with a rally in Maine on April 17^th, we’ll be making stops in Kentucky, Florida, Arizona, Nevada and more. You can sign up for more information here.

We all succeed only if we all succeed.

Best,

Tom
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tom Perez
Chair
Democratic National Committee

From Tom Perez's Desk

Week 6: Transition and Travels

Dear DNC Member,