JIM EAGAN'S LETTER TO DEM COMMITTEE MEMBERS 

Our Committee Chairman Len Lenihan has announced he will not seek re-election this year. I want to personally thank Len for his years of dedicated and successful service. However, with Len’s departure, we must now prepare for a new era. I am the person that can bring a new spirit and new vision to our Erie County Democratic Committee.

Over the years, we have allowed local politics to divide us. Hard fights, mistrust, personal and political attacks have left scars on our party. We have always had passion, but now we must also have unity – to make us strong and active representatives for our communities.

As your Chairman, I will work to advance the Democratic philosophy with the electorate and resolve internal disputes, to present one united Democratic Party front in Erie County. I have the experience to be a leader who will stand with, not behind, our elected officials.

As part of my plan to unite and empower our party, I will create a campaign management team to address the needs we face every election season. Our headquarters will include resources for marketing, technology, finance and media, along with voter and donor data. This true central organization will maximize our productivity, including negotiated design, print, and media pricing.

Finally, on a personal note – I am not running for Chairman out of political desire or personal pride. Instead it is pride in our party and our roots that I want to foster. We need to remember why we are Democrats. We need to embrace the values for which we stand. Together we will build a party that will serve as a model for the future.

To this point, I am enclosing a copy of the Democratic Credo, because it is by this credo that we are all Democrats. Regardless of personal affiliations, this Credo is what drives us. Let’s remind everyone we are the party that fights for hardworking men and women, advocates for minorities, and defends the programs that have created the strongest middle class in the world.

I respect all of your relationships with your local Town or Zone Chairs, and so I encourage you to speak to your colleagues and representatives. I welcome your comments, whether they’re supportive or challenging – all will help us build a foundation. Please feel free to contact me on my cell phone at (716) 583-6000.

I promise to bring our party the energy to unite us. I have the proven ability and the experience to raise the funds our candidates need to win, and the vision to lead our party into its new era. I ask for your support in electing me Chairman of The Erie County Democratic Committee.

Respectfully submitted,

James J. Eagan