LIMA — The Allen County Democratic Executive Committee made Jeff Rex’s interim status permanent Thursday, electing him as chairman of the party.
Rex had been named interim approximately two weeks ago when former chairman Bev McCoy stepped down from the position earlier this month. Rex was the only candidate nominated, and he was elected unanimously.
He said he thinks the party has the possibility of exponential growth in Allen County, and he said that is a goal he has set as chairman.
“I wanted to be part of this because I wanted to bring to the pile, not to help people be excluded,” Rex said. “The world will only give you what you ask for, but we need to ask for it. Our party is viewed as the minority party in Allen County because we have allowed it to happen. We have to change that.”
Rex said that view has helped prevent the party from flourishing in the county.
“I have had a lot of people come up and say, ‘Hey, I am with you,’” Rex said, “but you never see them at any party events. We want to get Allen County Democrats to the point where they are proud to say it. We are not at the table right now in Allen County, and when you are not at the table, it means you are the menu.”
Rex acknowledged that he is taking over at an important time with a presidential election looming and the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice at hand.
“I think Trump and Sanders are making waves, and it is getting a lot of people stimulated about the election,” Rex said. “It is our job to make sure people are educated so they can make an informed vote. We want to educate people what candidates stand for and hold them to their commitments if they are elected.”
Rex said the party will work hard on getting Democrats out to vote in the March 15 primary and the Novemeber general election.
McCoy said she still plans to stay very involved with the party despite stepping down as chairwoman.
“I will still be very active and plan to get on some committees,” McCoy said. “I would really like to work with others in the party to get out the vote for the upcoming election.”
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
