My Dearest Salt Lake County Democrats,
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s packed with opportunities to connect, organize, and make a difference. Happy belated Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate! As we move further into 2025, our momentum continues to build—whether it's supporting our elected officials, joining protests, preparing for municipal elections, or gathering in our Democratic communities.
Speaking of the leg session… Are you angry yet? I am. We are seeing a full-on assault on our core principles – collective organizing, free speech, access to medical care, voter access – REPUBLICAN EXTREMISTS ARE OUT OF TOUCH.
Stay engaged, stay informed, and keep pushing for progress. Read on for the latest updates and opportunities to take action!
The UEA and our unions need our help to get a referendum on the ballot to challenge this harmful legislation. To make it happen, we need to collect as many signatures as possible. Your support is crucial—sign up below to join our talent bank and let us know that you can help collect signatures!
Upcoming Party Elections: Get Involved in Leadership
The strength of our party starts with strong leadership, and this year, we have an exciting opportunity to elect the dedicated Democrats who will guide us through the next chapter. At our County Convention on Saturday, May 3, we will be electing members of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party Executive Committee, including:
Chair, 1st Chair, 2nd Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
In addition to our countywide leadership, we’ll also be electing House District Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Secretaries for all 27 House Districts within Salt Lake County. These roles are essential in organizing our grassroots efforts, supporting candidates, and mobilizing democrats at the local level.
Interested in running? Filing for candidacy will be open from March 10 through April 3. If you have questions about the roles, responsibilities, or time commitments involved, join us for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Saturday, March 15, at 12 PM at HQ. This is a great chance to learn more and hear directly from those who have served.
Leadership starts with you—step up and help shape the future of our party! To learn more about party elections, click here.
Stay Informed with Our Weekly Blue Wave Briefings
In addition to our monthly trainings, we’re excited to launch weekly Blue Wave Briefings—quick 30-minute Zoom calls every Monday at 5:30 PM. These briefings will keep you up to date on the latest news, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. Plus, we’ll feature guest speakers to provide insight and inspiration as we work toward victory in 2025 and beyond.
Make it a habit to tune in, stay engaged, and be part of the Blue Wave! Join us every Monday at 5:30 PM—RSVP through Mobilize to get the Zoom link.
Protecting Our Seniors from Financial Abuse
Elder financial abuse is a growing problem, with scammers and even trusted individuals exploiting older adults for money. Common scams include imposter fraud, where criminals pose as government officials or family members, and tech support scams, tricking seniors into giving remote access to their devices.
Stay Skeptical: Never share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers or emails. If in doubt, verify the request independently.
Monitor Finances: Regularly check bank statements for suspicious activity and set up alerts for large transactions.
Gift Card Scams: The Party will NEVER ask you for your financial information or ask you to purchase anything on our behalf.
If you suspect financial exploitation, report it to local authorities or the AARP Fraud Watch Network (877-908-3360) for guidance. Protecting seniors means protecting their independence and financial security.
The Power of Local Government: Get Involved and Make a Difference
Local government impacts our daily lives more than we often realize. From city councils and school boards to HOAs and PTA boards, these positions shape policies on education, housing, public safety, and community development. Serving in local office is one of the most effective ways to create real change and ensure that our communities reflect our values.
This November, Salt Lake County will have 90 local races up for election, presenting numerous opportunities for dedicated individuals to step into leadership roles. If you’ve ever considered running for office or serving on a board or commission, now is the time! Join us for an upcoming candidate training to learn what it takes to run, serve, and make an impact. Not sure where to start? Fill out this form to get more information about running for office—we’ll help you find the right opportunity to lead in your community!
February Event Recap: A Month of Action and Engagement
February was a month of action and connection for the Salt Lake County Democrats: We stood strong with our union family at the HB267 protest, made new connections at Drinking with Dems, heard Chair Velazquez inspire the Women’s Democratic Club, and had a great conversation with the U of U College Democrats, energizing the next generation of leaders.
Left to Right: HB 267 rally protest; UEA leaders at HB 267 rally; Kill HB 267; Bust the Billionaires, not our unions!; Amber Hendrix, Jade Velazquez, Nick Glenn, Olivia Anderson, Ben Peck, and David Rodgers at HB 267 rally.
Left to Right: February WDC Luncheon; Jade Velazquez speaking at the WDC Luncheon; Amber Hendrix, Tulinda Larsen, Tenile Taggert, David Berg, Jamie Carter at HD 22 Drinks With Dems event; John Arthur and Jade Velazquez at the HB 267 rally.
Thank You to Our Departing Board Members
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Michele Rivera, our 2nd Vice Chair, and David Rodgers, our At-Large Board Member, for their dedicated service to the Salt Lake County Democrats. Their hard work, passion, and contributions have made a lasting impact on our organization, and we are incredibly grateful for their leadership.
In accordance with our Constitution, the 2nd Vice Chair position will be elected at the May 3 Convention, and the At-Large seat will be appointed by the next Chair. We wish Michele and David all the best in their future endeavors and look forward to continuing the work they’ve helped set in motion.
In Closing…
There’s so much happening in the months ahead, and we hope to see you at one of our upcoming events—whether it’s a training, a Blue Wave Briefing, or a community gathering. Your involvement keeps our movement strong, and every conversation, volunteer shift, and shared idea helps build a better future for Salt Lake County.
Thank you for all that you do. Stay connected, stay active, and let’s keep making a difference together!
Onward,
Chair Velazquez
Did You Miss Our Valentine's?
