The Gloucester Democratic City Committee held a virtual meeting on April 11, 2020 to welcome new and returning members and elect its officers after the reorganization of the committee that occurs every four years during the presidential primary.
Over 30 Democrats from across Gloucester logged on or phoned into the virtual meeting, which was the first virtual general meeting in the history of the committee. While GDCC members usually assemble in person for monthly general meetings, restrictions on gatherings due to the current pandemic meant that the reorganization of the committee, which is mandated by law to occur following the presidential primary, could not take place in person.
Matthew Murray, a member of the committee since 2006, was elected as the new chair of the committee. Murray was previously vice chair of the committee, in addition to having served as the president of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts and as a member of the Democratic State Committee. He succeeds Karen Bell as chair, who served in the role since 2016.
“I’m humbled and excited to have been elected to serve as the next chair of the Gloucester Democratic City Committee. These aren’t the circumstances in which we anticipated conducting this reorganization, but the work of democracy must go on,” said Murray. “I want to thank Karen Bell for her service as chair these past four years; her leadership and guidance have helped build and sustain a strong committee.”
Deanna Fay, a member of the committee since 2014, was elected as the new vice chair of the committee. Fay previously served as the chair of the Gloucester Ward 1 Democratic Committee, as well as the chair of the GDCC Program Committee, which produces the committee’s monthly Democratic Dialogue television program.
“I’m honored to be voted in as vice chair of the Gloucester Democratic City Committee and so grateful for the leadership we’ve had under Karen Bell and all who have served the GDCC along the way”, said Fay. “I’m looking forward to the work ahead with our new chair, our officers, and ward chairs to continue to grow the committee and elect Democratic leaders.”
In addition to Murray and Fay, officers elected on April 11 included secretary, treasurer, and affirmative action and outreach coordinator. Lisa Smit and Lacey Cominsky were re-elected as secretary and treasurer, respectively, and Lenore Maniaci was elected as the new affirmative action and outreach coordinator.
The Gloucester Democratic ward committees held individual reorganizations and officer elections on April 10. Ward chairs elected were Jeremy McKeen, Ward 1 Committee; Patrick Thomas, Ward 2 Committee; Andrew “Dru” Tarr, Ward 3 Committee; Elizabeth Murray, Ward 4 Committee; and Dave Marro, Ward 5 Committee.
Democrats in Gloucester who are interested in joining the committee and getting involved with local Democratic activities should email Matthew Murray at chair@gloucesterdemocrats.org for more information.