Littleton Democrats Attend Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform Convention

On Saturday, June 3^rd, a Littleton delegation of six traveled to the Democratic State Convention in Worcester MA, joining more than 3000 party activists to vote on the draft of the 2017 Massachusetts Democratic Party platform. The platform is a statement of the party values and vision, and serves as a guide and focus for the party’s priorities for the next four years. Littleton delegates to the convention were elected at a caucus last February and included Anna Hueston, Irene Jackson, Linda Taricano , and Gretchen Webster. Also included in the delegation were two ex-officio delegates, Jane Chrisfield, Chair of the Littleton Town Democratic Committee, and Alex Pratt, State Committee member.

This year’s draft platform was considered to be the most progressive in recent history, having been shaped by testimony at numerous official and unofficial platform hearings across the state prior to the convention, including a combined Littleton/Boxborough hearing in Littleton. The passage of four amendments to the platform introduced by the progressive arm of the party pushed the platform even further left. Among the issues addressed by the amendments: a call to end for-profit prisons, prohibition on candidates accepting political contributions from fossil-fuel companies, student loan forgiveness, rank choice voting, and an Election Day holiday.

Delegates were obviously energized by the need to take a bold, principled stand against the regressive, backward policies of the Trump administration. Party officials noted that among the delegates attending almost 30% were first-timers who had never before attended a Democratic convention.

Delegates also voted on the party charter, which functions as the party’s “Constitution”. Two proposed amendments to the charter, which dealt with lowering the threshold for amending the charter and increasing the number of State Committee seats, were defeated.

Voting on eleven proposed resolutions was the last item of business for the delegates. Due to the late hour of the day all the resolutions were tabled and sent to a sub-committee for consideration.

Before voting began a roster of Democratic officials addressed the delegates. Speakers included Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Congressman Jim McGovern, Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Attorney General Maura Healey, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Auditor Suzanne Bump, Chair of Massachusetts Democratic Party Gus Bickford, and the three declared Democratic candidates for Governor in 2018: Setti Warren, Bob Massie, and Jay Gonzalez.

The Littleton Town Democratic Committee (LTDC) meets quarterly in Room 230 of the Town Offices Building. It focuses activities on the election of Democratic candidates for state and federal offices and is an advocate for programs that further the values and vision of the party platform. For further information contact Jane Chrisfield, LTDC chair, at jchrisfield1@verizon.net.