I would like to celebrate that the Gallatin Democrats have for six years focused, unwaveringly, on relational organizing and local races: From the Bottom of the Ballot Up. We have had ongoing successes in County government, and this year a stand-out achievement with real ramifications for the State Legislature. Gallatin County will send 6 more Democratic legislators to Helena. In 2023, the Gallatin County Democratic caucus was 8 people; in 2025, it will be 14. (Statewide, there are 12 new Democratic legislators. That means Gallatin County accounts for 50 percent of the legislative Blue Wave.)
Yes, redistricting made this possible. But none of these new seats were sure things. (Scott Rosenzweig has won by 20 votes!) Our candidates worked hard, and we gave them ongoing attention and support. We held town meetings, house parties, featured the legislature at all our events and in our communications, we canvassed, we wrote postcards. We helped every person who came to our office for a Tester sign learn what house district they lived in and who their state legislature candidate(s) was. We emphasized the power and potential there is in shifting power in the state legislature.
That is a lot to feel proud of and celebrate. As the new year unfolds, I know the committee will be looking at and examining what led to the success…what approaches are key to carry forward. I will be glad to be a small part of that.
In the meantime, we are all grappling with the heavy consequences of the national election. I have been uplifted by this piece by activist and organizer Daniel Hunter: “10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won.” The first on the list is “Trust yourself.” This is resonating with me. It is an inner thing. Not an outer action at all. The second is “Find others you trust.” The connections we make here in the county committee, the values we confirm, the community we foster, is key to how to move through authoritarian times.
Text of article: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/
Video of interview about the article with author Daniel Hunter: https://www.youtube.com/live/wiYRmWrb0J4?si=KIlDjHK4FZPGOhsE&t=3749
Julia Shaida is a local Democratic organizer and the former Chair of the Gallatin County Democratic County Committee.