MOUNT VERNON — At their monthly meeting on Nov. 29, members of the Knox County Democratic Party Executive Committee voted unanimously to elect Adam Gilson as party chairman.
Gilson fills the unexpired term of Meg Galipault, who stepped down on Nov. 9 for personal reasons. Galipault had announced her intention to resign at the party’s August meeting.
Gilson, 31, 308 Spruce St., was a 2011 candidate for an at-large city council seat in Mount Vernon. He cites his campaign as the primary influence in his decision to seek the chairmanship of the party.
“I spent five months going to voters’ doors as I sought my city council seat,” Gilson says. “I learned very quickly that politics is all about ‘we the people.’ I plan to bring the same grassroots spirit to the party, reaching out to bring new people into the party structure and build support for Democratic candidates throughout Knox County.”
Gilson sings the praises of former chairwoman Meg Galipault, whom he cites as an inspiration.
“When Meg heard that I was interested in running for city council, she didn’t hesitate to encourage me to go to the board of elections and take out petitions,” Gilson said. “She had excellent advice as I planned and executed my campaign. I learned everything I know about grassroots organizing from her. Her shoes will be almost impossible to fill.”
Gilson plans to continue Galipault’s efforts to reach out to voters of all ages and take advantage of electronic media to spread the party’s message. He also plans to focus efforts increasingly on the local level.
“We are the Knox County Democratic Party, so we need to focus on local matters as well as issues of state and national importance,” he said. “Most of all, we must constantly reinforce the fact that the Democratic Party is the party of the people — of a strong and vibrant middle class, of economic fairness, and of equality of opportunity. Those values begin at home.”
For more information on the Knox County Democratic Party, visit www.knoxcountydems.org.
