Rick Palacio, a 36-year old gay Latino man, was elected chair of the Colorado Democratic Party yesterday, defeating former State Senator, Polly Baca, and Adam Bowen, chair of the Larimer County Democrats. Baca had been campaign co-chairman of Andrew Romanoff's unsuccessful senatorial campaign, and was thought by some to be the frontrunner.
Palacio is an 8th generation Coloradan. In his speech to the assembly, Palacio noted that his grandmother, a survivor of the Ludlow Massacre, had been chair of the Las Animas County Democrats, and that both of his grandfathers had been union mine workers. He said the Democratic Party must always stand with those who are willing to make their life and the lives of others better. He won on the first ballot.
Other winners: 1st Vice-Chair: Beverly Ryken, 2nd Vice-Chair: Vivian Stovall, Secrtary: Carolyn Boller, Treasurer: Sherry Jackson Boller was the only incumbent. Jackson had previously served as executive director of the state party.
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