With the Utah State Democratic Party Convention only a day away, I wanted to take a moment and invite you to visit a couple of websites.

First – I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through www.jmbell.org. Look through my ideas to improve State Party function, visibility, messaging, grassroots involvement and candidate support.

Second – I hope you’ll take a look at Wayne’s site – www.boldinutah.com and compare what you find there to what I’ve presented. I think you’ll find the comparison interesting.

There are several important reasons that I’m running to be your new State Party Chairman. I have put together a good deal of information to explain to you why I am the better candidate for this position and why we, as Democrats in Utah, need to change the way we’re defined by the GOP, the media and most importantly, our friends, family and neighbors.

As delegates, you have a special, and important, role in the process of party building. You are the active Democrats, you’re the ones who show up and participate every year – especially when most other people aren’t paying attention. You do the work.

With so many issues and relationships that deserve our time and attention it is imperative that our Party become more active in defining our role in government. I don’t feel that our current party leader has the motivation, the drive or the know-how to effectively develop and distribute an effective party brand.

Right now we, as Democrats, are defined by Republican labels that are repeated as fact by a sleepy media machine. As Democrats have made gains all over the country in the last two years, Utah saw the same growth in 2008 as we did in 2006, in spite of nearly quadrupling party spending during this last election year.

The spirit, the message and the enthusiasm that swept through the country and our state last year seemed to take a detour around the State Party offices and the “same as last time, permanent minority” attitude kept control. These messaging habits of years gone by have kept Democrats from making the gains enjoyed by other state parties in our region.

The unique opportunity of the Obama campaign was no time for timidity. It was a time to break the “slow mold” and talk about important issues with truth and vigor. From the disabilities waiting list, the GOP’s Wal-Mart Voucher fiasco and Republican ethical challenges to attacks on Utah’s working class and the bigoted defeat of the Common Cause initiatives – opportunities to tell the truth in a bold and determined way were lost.

This is why I’m challenging the status quo. This is why I’ve had to defend being a liberal while running for a Democratic Party position. This is why I’ve invited criticism for “rocking the boat.” This is why I’m running for Utah State Democratic Party Chair.

I hope to see you tomorrow,

Jeff Bell
Candidate for Utah Democratic Party Chair