Alabama is widely acknowledged to be one of the reddest states in the union. With the exception of Sen. Doug Jones, voted into his seat in a special election against an opponent with uniquely negative strikes against him (accusations of sexual assault on children, anyone?), no Democrat has won statewide election in Alabama since 2010; no Democratic presidential ticket has won in Alabama since 1976.
Given the predominance of Republicans in the state, you’d be forgiven for imagining that the Democratic Party in Alabama would be fighting hard to change things, making sure its organization was a lean, mean machine ready to find and promote the best possible Democratic candidates for positions up and down the ballot, stating its case clearly to the voters of the state and letting them know what it stands for and how it plans to make Alabama a better place for all its residents.
You’d be wrong.
This week, Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez sent a letter to Richard Mauk, chair of the Democratic Party in Jefferson County (home to Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city and one of its bluest areas), explaining the DNC’s view of recent events that have occurred between it and the Alabama Democratic Party. The DNC has been withholding party development funds totaling at least $10,000 a month: According to AL.com, “Perez wrote that the DNC sends $10,000 a month to state parties as part of an effort to develop a 50-state strategy. He said the DNC began withholding its payments to the Alabama Democratic Party in September 2018. He said the DNC had not withheld payments from any other state party.”
The Washington Post reports, “Perez said the national party was keeping funds from the state party because it had ‘fallen far short of meeting its basic obligations to develop an effective strategic plan and build the necessary infrastructure for success.’ He said Alabama is the only state where monthly party development funds have been withheld because of problems. ‘The ADP has chronically underperformed in virtually every aspect of operation,’ Perez wrote.”
Perez sums up the issues that have resulted in the removal of Alabama Democratic Party Chair Nancy Worley and Vice Chair Randy Kelley from their seats on the DNC:
Following the Alabama Democratic Party’s August 2018 election of officers, Alabama Democrats filed two challenges with the DNC. These challenges alleged numerous irregularities in the election, including improper notice, the failure to conduct affirmative action, and non-authorized individuals voting in the election. For example, one complaint alleged that 190 votes were cast, even though only 142 voting members signed in. Another complaint alleged that the rules and bylaws of the Alabama Democratic Party conflict with the DNC’s Charter and Bylaws and effectively prohibit or severely inhibit important constituencies from participating in the ADP.
The challenges were referred to the DNC Credentials Committee, which gave the ADP a November 19, 2018 deadline to respond. The ADP failed to meet this deadline. The DNC reached out and, after a two week extension, the ADP eventually provided a response on December 3, 2018. Pursuant to standard practice to challenges, the Credentials Committee referred the challenges to the ADP to give the party an opportunity to resolve the matter. Despite the challengers offering to participate in mediation, the ADP failed to respond or otherwise attempt to resolve the matter.
Perez goes on to recount the history of the DNC’s unsuccessful attempts to get the ADP to bring its bylaws and charter into compliance with those of the national organization. Despite the DNC’s attempts to work with the state party, he says, the ADP has made no serious effort to make changes. At this point, in addition to its leadership being booted from the DNC, Alabama Democrats are unable to participate in the national party’s nominating convention in 2020. Perez writes that the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee “voted unanimously to reject their delegate selection plan until a Chair and Vice Chair have been property elected under bylaws that comply with the DNC’s requirements.”
The problems within the leadership of the Alabama Democratic Party have roots in the personalities involved, personal conflicts and power struggles, and all the usual nonsense that plagues any kind of grouping of two or more people. The DNC itself, of course, is not immune from such issues. But as Perez concludes, “The extensive delays by the ADP in working to adopt compliant bylaws, to conduct appropriate outreach, and to hold a fair election are deeply concerning. We are in the midst of a critically important election cycle. Time is of the essence. We have real opportunities to win critical races in Alabama. The party can and must play an important role in these efforts. It is impossible to do without leadership in place.”
Democrats already face an uphill battle getting elected in Alabama. The Alabama Democratic Party needs to stop its petty infighting and recognize the stakes for the state and the nation.