An Open Letter to WV Democrats
Confronting the Silent Struggles and Power Plays Within West Virginia's Democratic Party
Members of the West Virginia Democratic Executive Committee,
Our democracy thrives on vigilance, and our institutions are only as robust as the values they uphold. Currently, the West Virginia Democratic Party (WVDP) is egregiously betraying its foundational principles, sidelining its base, and YOU possess the leverage to rectify these glaring transgressions. For over two years, Black and Indigenous party members have persistently signaled these disturbing trends. While overt racist tactics have understandably captured attention, a deeper, more insidious strategy to push a narrow agenda within the party has emerged.
Transparent tactics, deployed by certain individuals to wield undue influence, can be thwarted. But it requires collective action. It demands that stakeholders, especially members of the WV Democratic Executive Committee (WVDEC), take a firm stance.
Reflect on the grievances laid out by the Indigenous Caucus: our dissolution was not a mere happenstance but a direct result of discriminatory actions and a glaring absence of genuine representation. The Affirmative Action Committee (AAC), under the aegis of select individuals, became a theatre of excessive rule manipulation, procedural evasions, and targeted harassment campaigns against Black and Indigenous leaders. It is worth noting that the tactics we witnessed on the AAC—rules wielded as instruments of control rather than tools for inclusive governance—seem to be a blueprint, now replicated at the higher echelons of the WVDEC.
After witnessing these maneuvers within the AAC, it is disheartening yet crucial to recognize a similar pattern unfolding within the broader structure of the WVDEC. The tactics once confined to a subset of our party have become the playbook for its leadership. With Mike Pushkin's leadership, buttressed by Selina Vickers, the WVDEC seems to have adopted this modus operandi, entangling itself in procedural quagmires and sidelining genuine debates. The September meeting of the DEC stands as a glaring testament: wielding proxies in flagrant violation of bylaws and Robert's Rules, and the bewildering decision to exclude virtual participation amidst a raging pandemic—these actions don't appear coincidental but orchestrated.
As national party leaders turn their gaze upon us, it is crucial to ask: on which side of history will you stand? This is not just a political crossroad; it is a moral one. Choose wisely, for the future of our democracy is in the balance.
Furthermore, the shadow of external influences, notably figures like Harold Ickes with a track record of sowing division in red states, looms large, adding another layer of concern.
The tribulations endured by Black and IN Democrats were not isolated incidents but canaries in the coal mine. As we escalate our concerns to the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) Rules and Bylaws Committee, the scrutiny will only grow. The impending examination demands unwavering honesty and transparency. Faced with this juncture, will you choose principled integrity or continue down the path of obfuscation?
The clock is ticking. The Democratic Party's survival, especially in West Virginia, teeters on a precipice. Do we aspire to build a genuine opposition to the increasingly radical WV GOP, or do we become ensnared in shortsighted personal ambitions? The challenge presented to the DNC is not just a procedural hurdle; it is a clarion call for systemic reform and a return to foundational principles. As national party leaders turn their gaze upon us, it is crucial to ask: on which side of history will you stand? This is not just a political crossroad; it is a moral one. Choose wisely, for the future of our democracy is in the balance.
In unity and determination,
Seth Sturm
About the Author
Seth Sturm is the owner of Political Victory Alliance, a political consulting firm. He serves on the board of directors for a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a brighter future for West Virginia. Formerly the chair of the now-defunct WVDP Indigenous Caucus, Seth also played a pivotal role as campaign manager in the historic 2016 Mary Ann Claytor campaign that saw Claytor become the first African American to win a statewide contested primary race in West Virginia by securing the Democratic nomination for State Auditor.
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