Sue Dvorsky to Democratic Party Chair

No more acting: Sue Dvorsky to Democratic Party Chair

Last night, the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee unanimously elected acting-Chair Sue Dvorsky as Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. She has been acting-Chair since June 10, 2010 after Michael Kiernan stepped down due to personal health reasons. Kiernan was unanimously elected 1st Vice Chair last night, as well.

"I'm honored to be accepting this position," Dvorsky said. "Michael Kiernan laid a fantastic groundwork for this election season. Along with the staff and our volunteers, I will carry out the charge: re-elect Governor Culver and our Democratic members of Congress, elect Roxanne Conlin, Bill Maske and Matt Campbell, and maintain our majorities in the State House and Senate."

BACKGROUND

Sue Dvorsky, 55, recently retired from teaching special education in Iowa City for 30 years. She was instrumental in Tom Vilsack's historic election in 1998 and has been a tireless advocate for Democrats her entire life. She lives in Coralville with her husband Senator Bob Dvorsky and their daughters Ann and Caroline.

The circumstances could be happier, of course, with Mike's health, but I couldn't be prouder of Sue. She was one of the very first people I met when I moved to Iowa 20 years back, and we've been on more campaigns together than I can count. More winners than losers, too (she went in early and big for Obama in caucus season `07). We're almost always on the same side, but a couple times we haven't been and all I can say about that is: look out, Republicans.

Sue knows how to win - both in the big picture strategic, message sense and in the nuts and bolts, get out the vote sense - and she's devoted to big-D Democratic principles. Plus she's a hilarious storyteller when my beret's not on (sorry, readers) and a damn good friend to have.

My memory only goes back to the mid-80s era when Dave Nagle and Bonnie Campbell were party chairs; does anyone know if there's ever before been a Democratic state chair from Johnson County?