Replies

Oct 1995
Chicago New Party Update

by Bruce Bentley

About 50 activists attended the Chicago New Party membership meeting in July. The purpose of the meeting was to update members on local activities and to hear appeals for NP support from four potential political candidates. The NP is being very active in organization building and politics. There are 300 members in Chicago. In order to build an organizational and financial base the NP is sponsoring house parties. Locally it has been successful both fiscally and in building a grassroots base. Nationwide it has resulted in 1000 people committed to monthly contributions. The NP's political strategy is to support progressive candidates in elections only if they have a concrete chance to "win". This has resulted in a winning ratio of 77 of 110 elections. Candidates must be approved via a NP political committee. Once approved, candidates must sign a contract with the NP. The contract mandates that they must have a visible and active relationship with the NP.

The political entourage included Alderman Michael Chandler, William Delgado, chief of staff for State Rep Miguel del Valle, and spokespersons for State Sen. Alice Palmer, Sonya Sanchez, chief of staff for State Sen. Jesse Garcia, who is running for State Rep in Garcia's District; and Barach Obama, chief of staff for State Sen. Alice Palmer. Obama is running for Palmer's vacant seat.

Michael Chandler thanked the NP for its support in his electoral victory. His achievements to date included obtaining an increase of 30 police in the 24th Ward, citizen involvement in street clean-up and establishment of a 24th Ward Organization. William Delgado is exploring whether to run for State Rep in the 3rd District. He is a former social worker and spoke with compassion and dynamism. He considers himself a community activist who wants to be an advocate for change in the community. His presence in political office would be a benefit to the democratic left.

Indeed it was an exciting evening because the NP has two crucial components. First, the NP is a true "Rainbow Coalition" consisting of both young and aged African-Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. Although ACORN and SEIU Local 880 were the harbingers of the NP there was a strong presence of CoC and DSA (15% DSA). Moreover a good 8% were younger Generation X'ers who are critically needed. A more diverse representation of Labor is missing. Secondly, the NP is taking "action." Four political candidates were "there" seeking NP support. The NP is strategically organizing via house parties and tactically entering only elections that they can win. Furthermore they are organizing a campaign on the "Living Wage Ordinance" in the Chicago City Council.

The NP has the following working committees: political, membership/fund-raising, public relations, and legal/finance. If you would be interested in participating in one of these committees or in helping out with any other New Party activities, contact Jeff Caveney at (312) 939-7490

http://web.archive.org/web/20010906124317/www.chicagodsa.org/ngarchive/ng42.html

September - October, 1998
Letters

Dear Editor:

I would like to urge DSA members and other progressives to support the candidacy of William “Willie” Delgato, Democratic Nominee for State Representative, 3rd District. Willie, who is New Party member and supporter, won a close race with critical New Party help in the 35th Ward. He is a progressive independent candidate whom I think we should all support.

In Solidarity,

Ron Baiman

Editor’s Note: I confess! I asked Ron to email this letter to the editor when he expressed dismay at Willie Delgato’s absence from the Executive Committee’s “recommended” candidates. I agree it was a significant omission. In the Executive Committee’s defense, I’d add that the main reason we felt compelled to say anything at all was because, at the time, it looked like DSA member Marc Loveless might make it on the ballot. The list was never meant to be comprehensive. There are a number of other very good candidates that were not mentioned. For my part, I would nominate State Senator Barak Obama (13th District) and County Clerk David Orr. Outside of Chicago DSA’s area is Congressman Lane Evans, who is actually facing a tough reelection fight. But this is just my opinion; I’m sure our readers can think of others as deserving, or disagree.http://www.chicagodsa.org/ngarchive/ng60.html

In 1996, when Obama received the communist New Party’s endorsement, a local Chicago socialist writing in New Ground, the newsletter of the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America, noted, “As the single 800 pound gorilla in the Chicago New Party, it doesn't leave a lot of room for newcomers to participate except on ACORN's terms. This will make it difficult for the New Party to have a life apart from ACORN.”

http://theunionnews.blogspot.com/2008_09_16_archive.html

Hopefully this link works directly to your post!!!!

http://www.chicagodsa.org/ngarchive/ng42.html#anchor792932