Westborough Democratic Caucus

Westborough held our caucus on Sunday at 6:00 PM. It was clear early on that everyone interested in attending the convention as either a delegate or alternate was committed to supporting Elizabeth Warren. There were many people interested in serving as either delegate or alternate. Their main goal was electing Elizabeth Warren. In the end there were no contested seats. This was not due to a lack of interest, but was the result of a sense that we want to work together to get delegates to the Convention in support of Elizabeth Warren.

The caucus was very well attended with a number of guests and speakers. Under the Democratic Party rules, everyone in line as of 6:15 PM is eligible to register. We had a number of guests so we used that 15 minute grace period as an opportunity for people to speak.

State Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representative Carolyn Dykema, Governor’s Councillor Marilyn Petitio Devaney and I all spoke. I am Kate Donaghue, seeking re-election to the Democratic State Committee. We all currently hold office and are all running again.

Candidates for office also had an opportunity to speak. James Coyne King talked about his race for U. S. Senate. Danielle Gregoire is running for State Representative. There are two precincts of Westborough in the district where she is running. Charlie Shapiro also spoke about a possible run for Governor’s Council. Congressman Jim McGovern had a representative at the event, as did Marisa DeFranco, candidate for U. S. Senate.

Each candidate for delegate and alternate made a few brief remarks. All were deemed elected under Rule 27. I love that new clause of Rule 27…. “except that candidates who are unopposed for a position may be deemed elected and no ballot is required.”

Everything went so smoothly that we called the caucus to a close by about 6:40. All the speakers were concise. We elected a full slate of delegates and alternates. Although the caucus itself was quick people stayed for quite a while after the caucus officially closed. People talked and many nomination papers were signed. I’m a big believer in trying to make the program portion of events efficient while giving people an opportunity to socialize.

By about 7:30 we adjourned to a nearby restaurant and I relaxed and had a drink with a few of the others. It was a great end to “caucus season.” In the sixteen day window, I attended sixteen caucuses. Admittedly two of them were over by the time I walked in the door, and seven of them were ward caucuses in the same location, but I am counting them anyway. I also ran six canvasses in that time period. I count it as “running” a canvass if it was publicized and at least one person joined me. In this period I also went door to door on my own five times. Did I mention that on Sunday I also ran a candidates forum for municipal candidates? Do you see why I was looking forward to having a drink at the end of the day?

I’ll take this opportunity to shamelessly plug my candidacy. The district where I am running includes Acton, Ayer, Boxborough, Harvard, Hudson, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Northborough (partial), Shirley, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury(partial), and Westborough.  If you are in the district please vote for me for DSC in primary on Tuesday, March 6. If you are not in the district, please spread the word. If you are on facebook, please “like” my page.