When Danny Glover first arrived at Monday night’s meeting of the Bibb County Democratic Party, he had hoped to be assigned to one of the organization’s committees.
By the time the meeting was over, Glover, 24, was named the party’s new chairman, having run unopposed.
“I went to the meeting because I wanted to get involved with one of the committees,” Glover said. “But (during the meeting) I felt a higher calling. I campaigned for chairman because I felt I can do more.”
Glover, who lost to Tom Ellington in July for the Ward 3, Post 3 City Council race, takes over an organization that drew attention in 2011 for its infighting among party members regarding city and state public offices.
Former party Chairman Daryl Morton resigned just after last November’s elections after members of the party protested his support of Macon Mayor Robert Reichert, who narrowly beat former Mayor C. Jack Ellis in a runoff election in August. Some party members, including Ellis, protested to the state’s Democratic Party because they thought Morton’s support was inappropriate. Morton countered that he’s free to support any Democratic candidate he wants as a private citizen, and it only would have been inappropriate if had he contributed to a Republican’s campaign.
In addition to party members being divided in the mayoral race, the special election for state Senate between former Macon City Council President Miriam Paris and former state Rep. David Lucas became extremely bitter, as did some City Council races, most notably the Ward 1 Post 3 race between Lucas’ wife, Councilwoman Elaine Lucas, and her opponent Chris Horne.
Glover acknowledged how divided the party has become and said his goal is to move it forward by focusing on the future rather than past controversies.
“We need to be adults and put that stuff behind us,” Glover said. “I plan to take bold steps. The stuff that took place over the summer won’t be tolerated.”
Instead, Glover said he wants to focus on getting more voters registered and fighting for social issues.
“I want to make the process (of registering to vote) easier, not harder,” Glover said.
Glover said being party chairman hasn’t dissuaded him from seeking political office in the future. He said he thinks the experience will help make him a more effective candidate.
Also elected to party leadership positions Monday were Sarah Hunt, first vice president; Fred Swann, second vice president; and Diane Parham, secretary. Glover said there are four other positions he plans to make appointments for, including a social media position.
So far, people active in the party expressed their support for Glover.
“I think he will do a good job,” Morton said. “He’s a fine young man. But I don’t envy the task in front of him. There are a lot of issues with the party right now. The division saddens me. This is a state where Democrats have little influence. ... Some of the stuff going on right now (in Georgia), the Democrats need to fight against that. It’s time for the Democrats to come together.”
Ellington also acknowledged that Glover has a major task ahead of him, but thinks his former opponent is up to the challenge.
“I offer him my congratulations and my condolences,” Ellington said. “It’s a big job he’s stepping into, but he’s ready for it. I look forward to working with him.”
Elaine Lucas said Glover will bring youth and energy to the party, which is what it needs during a presidential election year.
“I think Danny is an energetic and knowledgeable young man,” she said. “I see a lot of energy unifying the party, and reclaiming those Democrats who have not been active in the party for some time now. It’s a step in the right direction. We need to be unified locally.”
Glover said he wants to be an inspiration to other Bibb County residents under the age of 30.
“I’m appealing to the young people ages 21 to 30 to get involved at an early age rather than waiting until they get older,” he said. “We’re shaping tomorrow’s future today.”
Information from Telegraph archives was used in this report.
