2020 Member-At-Large Candidate Bios

Bill Borden

I would welcome serving DAS as a member-at-large, thus contributing more to elect a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress. Currently, I serve as a member of the Stockholm chapter steering committee.

Motivation: We desperately need a decent, democratic president who will uphold the Constitution and a Congress that legislates for the welfare of ordinary Americans. I want to work more effectively towards preventing the further erosion of American democracy

Democrats Abroad is rightly focused on winning elections. However, as a Swedish delegate at international conferences, I would campaign and organize for the specific needs of Americans abroad such as residence based taxation. Thus, expats would no longer need to declare income to Uncle Sam. I also believe that the US government should eliminate requiring expats to disclose financial holdings including bank accounts, stock holdings and mutual funds. We should not be treated as money launderers by the US government.

I would welcome using my skills to benefit the executive committee based on my previous contributions such as serving as chair of Democrats Abroad Sweden from 2007 to 2009. See below.

Biography: I grew up in a diverse neighborhood in Chicago. So, I naturally became friends with children of different races, religions, and cultures, thus gaining insights and understanding of life styles different than my own. I taught political science, English and journalism at universities in both the United States and Sweden. Through my company, American Insights, I offer insights into American life. I also promote businesses and organizations by writing websites and translating from Swedish to English.

As DAS chair with the enthusiastic support of our team, I led the activation of a dormant DAS that resulted in increasing membership (from about 200 to 1200 members), started new local chapters while reactivating others, gained considerable media attention for DAS, successfully networked with other DA European based Democrats, and recruited several outstanding Americans to our executive team. Thus, we successfully contributed towards the election of President Obama and other Democrats in 2008.

I would very much welcome your support.

Bill Borden
Ohio voter
Stockholm resident

Clara Popenoe Thor

My name is Clara Popenoe Thor and I'm running for the position as Member-at-Large for DA Sweden.

About me: Born and raised in Stockholm, in a half-swedish, half-american household, politics have been ever-present in my life. I've been involved in student government, and an active member of the Swedish Young Greens for the past 3 or so years, as well as in DA. I'm editor-in-chief of the Swedish Young Greens paper and do some work as a freelance writer.

I'm soon finished studying political science at Lund University, and will be studying linguistics this spring. I've spent 6 weeks or so on the east coast of the US every summer of my life, and speak fluent Swedish and English. I've also studied French and Mandarin Chinese.

Motivation statement: Although American politics haven't always felt relevant, they have affected me, and I have, to my best efforts, affected them. I have focused my work in DA on finding people like me, who have never lived in America, and registering them to vote. Since moving to Skåne I have had some contact with DA Denmark, and intend to get more involved in Lund/Malmö.

Through my involvement in Swedish politics, I've had the privilege of seeing the fruits of my (and many others') labor. This is definitely easier in a small country with fewer members in political parties, but this experience makes me keen for a new challenge.

Despite not having lived there, I am a modern American. Growing up together with the anti-gun movement in one country, and the climate movement in another, I have faith in my generation and my future. I am that future.

Thank you for your work and for (excuse the Swenglish) orkaing what others don't, when everybody should. Look forward to hearing from you!

Best,
Clara Popenoe Thor
New Jersey voter
Lund resident

Kathy (Katrin) Betzholtz

Anders: I think Trump is going to win.

Kathy: There is no f***ing way that is going to happen. People are not that stupid! If Trump wins we are moving to Sweden!

Kalmar, Sweden; Jan 7, 2020

Well here we are. The logistics of an international move is time-consuming, as most expats know. Now to be completely honest, we had always intended to move to Sweden so my husband could spend more time with his family, but the election was the impetus for the move at this particular time. My name is Kathy Betzholtz (AKA Katrin) and I am a proud U.S citizen. I take my privilege and responsibility of voting very seriously, never missing a vote in 39 years. I look forward to engaging and encouraging more expats to get involved in DA Sweden, both at the local and national level. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we exercise our civic rights and make sure that we preserve our constitution and democracy.

I do not have a PhD, nor have I worked for the U.N. or any other international organizations. However, I started and ran my own business for 25 years. It involved working with the DMV so you know that I am resilient! I also helped at my kids’ PTA and that qualifies me for sainthood. Their politics make our national politics seem like child’s play.

All jokes aside, the DA has a very important role to play, as do all of us expats, and I would be honored to work as your Executive Committee Member-At-Large for the DA Sweden,

Kathy (Katrin) Betzholtz
California voter
Kalmar resident