MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ann S. Gooding, (401) 228-4846
R.I. DEMOCRATIC PARTY HOSTING ITS FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL STATE CONVENTION ON JUNE 15
200-plus committee members to take part in historic ‘Zoom’ event to endorse its Democratic slate
WARWICK, R.I. (May 15, 2020) – The Rhode Island Democratic Party announced Friday it will hold its State Democratic Convention ‘virtually,’ on Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m., because of the historic COVID-19 pandemic. This action allows the 200-plus members of that committee to endorse federal candidates and name their Democratic National Committee man/woman remotely, in the safety of their own homes. The Party will use Zoom technology for the biennial event, while broadcasting it live simultaneously for the media and general public to watch.
“This pandemic has forced all of us to live, work and socialize differently,” said Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, Chair of the R.I. Democratic Party . “This is as true for our local, state and national political parties, as it is for much of society. As a result, this year, our state party will be holding its State Convention remotely – via Zoom,” he said. “We are working with our 200+ members of the State Committee, to train them in this new technology,” he said. “The public and media will also be able to follow along, as we post the proceedings on YouTube.”
The nominating period for the 2020 RIDP Virtual Convention begins on Friday and runs through Saturday, May 23, at 12 p.m. Candidates for endorsement (US Senate, 1st Congressional District, 2nd Congressional District) and candidates for RIDP offices (DNC Committeeman, DNC Committeewoman) must be nominated by a member of the State Committee. Nominations can be made in writing by emailing a letter to info@ridemocrats.org by Saturday, May 23 at 12pm.
The virtual convention is also part of the RIDP’s Delegate Selection process, which is held every four years and culminates in the Democratic National Committee Convention. This year, the RIDP convention is expected to include the election of additional statewide delegates that will complete Rhode Island’s delegation to the DNC Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin later this summer.
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