The January inaugural celebration was huge success. The event sold out and also saw the attendance of Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Congressman Ed Markey and State Treasurer Steve Grossman, as well as Mass Democratic Party Chair John Walsh along with many of our local legislators. The event received high praise for its quality and level of enjoyment.
Let us all join in congratulating our new Secretary of State John Kerry. The Secretary leaves the United States Senate to serve in this important appointment and this has triggered a primary race in the Democratic Party to fill Mr. Kerry’s seat. For the interim Gov. Patrick has appointed William “Mo” Cowan to the US Senate; we send good wishes to Senator Cowan for a successful interim appointment. See this link for a list of candidates in the Special Election Democratic Primary: https://framinghamdems.org/primary2013.htm.
SPECIAL ELECTION PRIMARY AND CONVENTION RE-SCHEDULE
A Special Election Primary is underway to fill the Senate seat vacated by John Kerry. The key dates for this Special Election are: Primary on April 30 and General Election on June 25. Due to the Special Election taking place on June 25 the Massachusetts Democratic Party has moved its annual State Convention from June 1 to July 13 so that it occurs after the Convention. The intent is to keep everyone’s focus on the campaign efforts leading up to the June 25 election.
NEXT MEETING AND DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
Caucuses to elect delegates to the 2013 Democratic State Convention will be taking place between February and March. The Framingham Democratic Caucus is scheduled for Sunday March 3 with registration at 1:00PM. The Caucus will be held at the Community Room of the Framingham Green 136 Maynard Road.
The FDTC will have a short business meeting immediately following the Democratic Caucus on Sunday March 3, 2013. (This was originally scheduled for February 10, but was postponed due to the blizzard.)
NOTE: To participate in the caucus (to vote or to run for delegate or alternate), one must be a registered Democrat in their district by December 31.
SoU WATCH PARTY
President Obama will deliver the 2013 State of the Union address on Tuesday February 12th (which happens to be Mardi Gras). A watch party is planned for that evening starting at 7:00pm with the President speaking shortly after 9:00pm. (Some may recall that similar parties have been held in Natick for the past several years, however that location is not available as the property owner is traveling this month.)
The State of the Union Watch Party will be held at the Community Room of Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road. The event is free; participants usually bring snacks or beverages to share.
PLATFORM HEARINGS
In the year following a Presidential Elections, the Massachusetts Democratic Party (MDP) sets its party platform for the next cycle. The platform will be accepted at the July 2013 Democratic State Convention (taking place in Lowell at the Tsongas Center). The platform (or manifesto) is a list of the actions which the Party, its candidates, shall support to appeal to the general public for the purpose of having said peoples’ candidates voted into political office or the professed opinion(s) proposed as part of law(s) or otherwise made into social policies.
The Framingham DTC has scheduled a Platform Hearing for Monday March 11 in the Blumer Room of the Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street in Framingham. This starts at 7pm.
BREAKFAST MEETING
In March the Framingham DTC holds its annual breakfast meeting with a focus on the Town Elections that take place in April. These elections give voters the opportunity to elect their candidates for offices such as Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Town Meeting etc. The 2013 breakfast meeting will be on Sunday March 17th at the Framingham Green Community Room. The Committee usually asks for a suggested donation of $5 at the breakfast event.
CHARTER COMMISSION
An effort is underway in Framingham to establish a Charter Commission that will review Framingham’s Charter and make a recommendation on whether Framingham should change its form of municipal government. This effort is in its early stages, but should be one that is closely followed.
MISC.
The mid-term elections in 2014 will include what is expected to be a hotly contested race for Governor. Candidates or possible candidates for Governor will make themselves known into the coming year and many of them will likely be attending the June state convention and reaching out to delegates for support.
Over the Spring the Framingham DTC will have regular business meetings in April and May including a convention briefing for delegates to the State Convention. Into the Summer the Committee holds a cookout event.