Contact: Nils Robbins                                                                                                       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tel: 202-770-8053

Email: Nils.Robbins@nationaldmo.org

GREEN HONORED AT NATIONAL MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL BREAKFAST

Philadelphia At-Large Councilman given award for exemplary leadership at Democratic Municipal Officials’ National Breakfast meeting

San Antonio, TX, November 26, 2019 –

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania At-Large Councilman Derek Green received the Susan Burgess President’s Award for Exemplary Leadership at Democratic Municipal Officials’ (DMO) National Breakfast meeting last Friday. Named in honor of the late Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem and DMO President Susan Burgess, the award honors one member of DMO for their outstanding service to the organization.

DMO National President and Detroit Council Member Scott Benson presented the award to Green.  “Derek is a champion of Democratic Municipal Officials, and one of our hardest working Board members. His efforts leading the Labor Council have been indispensable in making us better advocates for the working people of America, and the unions that represent them.”

Held during the National League of Cities (NLC) City Summit in San Antonio, the DMO National Breakfast is a biannual meeting of Democratic Municipal Officials, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) constituency association for Democratic mayors, council members, and other local elected officials. Green was recognized not only for his work leading the Labor Council, which connects municipal Democrats to unions and their members at the national and local levels, but also for leading the organization’s Cities, Labor, and Jobs round tables, which educate elected officials on labor issues. Previous recipients of the Susan Burgess President’s Award include Chicago Alderman Joe Moore, Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin, and Rome Commissioner Wendy Davis.

Spokane Council Member and fellow DMO Board Member Candace Mumm emceed Friday’s breakfast program. Alongside the presentation of the President’s Award to Green were video greetings from presidential candidates including Vice President Joe Biden and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, as well as a keynote address given by Secretary Julián Castro.

Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) is the DNC Association for municipal elected officials who personally identify as members of the Democratic Party. The organization holds three seats on the DNC, and advocates for the thousands of local elected Democrats across the United States.

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For more information, please call 202-770-8053 or email Nils.Robbins@nationaldmo.org

If Tuesday night was any indication, Democrats are going to have an incredible year in 2020. Democrats flipped both the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates blue. We also won the governorship in Kentucky, with Andy Beshear beating out incumbent Matt Bevin. These wins could signal a truly massive blue wave in next year’s elections.

But our victories were not limited to the state level. Democrats took over the mayor’s office in Bloomington, MN, Davenport, IA, Wichita, KS, Edmonds, WA, and Livonia, MI. We also reelected many of our incumbent mayors, including DMO Maryland leaders Emmett Jordan and Patrick Wojahn in Greenbelt and College Park respectively, as well as DMO Council of State Chapters Chair Ian Baltutis in Burlington, NC. Maryland State Chapter Chair Denise Mitchell held her council seat in College Park, as did DMO Labor Chair Derek Green in Philadelphia. The blue wave also swept through Mike Pence’s hometown of Columbus, Indiana, which now has a 4-3 Democrat controlled city council!

DMO Blue Star Candidate Ty Stober won an overwhelming reelection to the Vancouver, WA City Council. Unfortunately Ben Stuckart did not secure victory in his Blue Star campaign for Mayor of Spokane, but it was a close race and hard fought, and we look forward to his future endeavors.

Perhaps the most significant DMO development last night occured in Savannah. Blue Star Rising Candidate Van Johnson won the most votes, and is now headed to a December 3rd runoff election against the incumbent Republican mayor. Savannah is the heart of the DMO Blue Star program. We first began reaching out to local Democrats to support their races after the Democratic Mayor of Savannah lost to a Republican in a campaign she might otherwise have won. 

We now look to Savannah Alderman and DMO National Treasurer Van Johnson II to reclaim the city. First elected in 2003, Alderman Van Johnson has proudly been representing Savannah’s 1^st District for the past 16 years. He was elected by his peers to the position of Vice Chairman of the Council, and later as Mayor Pro-tem. He serves as Chairman of the Human Development Committee at the National League of Cities. Before entering government service, he worked in Savannah’s religious community, as a radio host, and as a police officer. In 2010, he was selected by the Georgia Governor Perdue and the Obama Administration to serve on the Selective Service Local Board.

Van needs your support now more than ever. If you would like to learn more about Van’s campaign please visit http://vansav2019.com 

The Board of Directors of Democratic Municipal Officials is honored to name two Blue Star Candidates this month. We have recognized City Council President Ben Stuckart in his bid for Mayor of Spokane, and Vancouver’s Ty Stober as he seeks reelection to City Council.

Democratic Municipal Officials initiated the highly selective Blue Star Candidate program to draw national attention to local Democratic candidates, particularly when they stand to take Democratic control of a council of mayoral seat, increase or maintain diversity on a council, and protect key incumbents in swing areas. These candidates have been vetted by the DMO National Board.

Ben Stuckart currently serves as the City Council President in Spokane, Washington, and is running for mayor. Often thought of as a swing city in a red county, it is crucial that Democrats regain control of the mayor’s office in Spokane. President Stuckart is looking to address the root causes of crime and homelessness in Spokane, instead of their symptoms. He has pledged to fight federal preemption that would sap local control, and is looking to enforce current gun regulations while working to get illegal guns off the streets. If you would like to learn more about Ben, or find out how to support his race, please visit benstuckart.com.

DMO Board Member and Washington Chapter Chair Chris Roberts said of Council President Stuckart “Ben is a champion for the people of Spokane. As council president he’s led efforts to protect the environment, provide workers Safe and Sick Leave, and defended the rights of Spokane’s LGBTQ community.”

Ty Stober is seeking election to his second term on the Vancouver, Washington city council. He has fought to make Vancouver a place where young professionals are eager to call home. At the same time the city undergoes historic growth, Councilman Stober is working to ensure that Vancouver is still a city that families can afford to live in. His commitment to affordable housing and transportation ensure that all residents benefit from the city’s development. You can learn more about Ty and how to support his race at www.votety.com.

Election day for both candidates is November 5^th, so reach out now if you want to lend your support to these members of the DMO community!