Beaufort County Democratic Party
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VOLUNTEER
The BCDP is looking for volunteers to serve as precinct officers, candidates interested in running for office, people to host fundraisers, among other activities. If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the link above and tell us about your interest area. Thank you.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Check out our New Page featuring all the Democratic Candidates on the Ballot in Beaufort County.
NOTICE: Effective March 15, the SC State Legislature created 3 additional precincts: Palmetto Bluff, New Riverside, and Sandy Pointe.
NOTICE: The Board of Elections of Beaufort County has announced there will no June 9th Democratic Primary as there are no contested Democratic races in the County.
Message from SCDP on Democratic Convention
Today, we write about our state party convention initially scheduled for May 30 in Columbia.
We are moving our state convention to a remote format. Our convention’s primary purpose is to elect Delegates to represent South Carolina at the Democratic National Convention this August in Milwaukee, and we had to gain approval from the Democratic National Committee to make changes.
On Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2, State Convention delegates will vote for Congressional District DNC Delegates via secure online ballots or by phone. Delegates will also vote for South Carolina’s DNC Members.
On Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5, State Convention delegates will vote for At-Large and Party Leaders and Elected Official DNC Delegates. Delegates will vote for the SCDP Platform and Resolutions, Party Rules Changes, and vote on South Carolina’s DNC Members if a runoff is required for any position. Delegates will vote via secure online ballots or by phone.
On Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m., we will hold our first-ever “virtual” convention online. We will feature many of our federal candidates and announce the results of our elections. All Democrats are invited to join us on our Facebook page as we stream our virtual convention live.
County Party leaders, delegates, and alternates will be receiving additional detailed information through the mail and by email over the next few days.
While we know many of you enjoy gathering with Democratic friends across the state for our annual state convention, we know that protecting everyone’s health is essential.
March 2019
Join a Democratic Club in Your Area
There are four membership clubs in the Beaufort County Democratic Party that facilitate Democrats and those interested in Democratic politics to meet on a regular basis, be educated by engaging speakers, and participate in social activities.
To find out more about these Clubs, their activities, and how to join as a member, please click the appropriate link below. Each Club maintains its own membership e-mail list, Facebook page, and website separate from the BCDP. The Presidents of each of these clubs participate as active members of the Executive Committee of the BCDP.
Democratic Club - North of the Broad
3rd Thursday of the Month – NOB Democratic Club meeting, 7:00 pm, at the Grand Army Hall, 706 Newcastle Street, Beaufort.
Democratic Club - Bluffton
Meetings First Wednesday of Each Month at Buckwalter Recreation Center at 6:00 PM.
Social Hours 3rd Thursdays of Each Month at locations to be announced at 6:00 PM.
Democratic Club - South of the Broad
Lunch Meetings 2nd Tuesday of each month on Hilton Head.
Evening Meetings 4th Tuesday of each month at Palmetto Electric on Matthews Drive.
First Wednesday of each Month, 6:30 - 7:30. Hidden Cypress Golf Club.
For More Information:
April 2020
Beaufort County Democratic Party holds convention via teleconference
The Beaufort County Democratic Party (BCDP) held its biennial convention on Saturday, April 18, using a teleconference format to conduct the meeting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local Democrats attended the virtual convention to participate in the election of the county party’s officers for the next two years, as well as the election of the county’s delegates to the state convention and their alternates.
Mayra Rivera-Vazquez was unanimously elected to a second two-year term as the BCDP chair, two years after being named the first Latina to chair a county party in South Carolina’s history.
“I am humbled and honored that you have entrusted me again with this responsibility, and I look forward to working with each one of you,” Rivera-Vazquez said. “We have built a unified, diverse, and strong county party. We have welcomed other community organizations and built a coalition to defend and fight on the issues that affect us as a community.”
Under Rivera-Vazquez’s leadership, Democrats performed well in Beaufort County in 2018, most notably helping Rep. Joe Cunningham claim victory in the District 1 U.S. Congressional race and become the first Democrat to hold the seat in 37 years.
The remainder of the Executive Committee will include Bill Walker (First Vice President), Beth Young (Second Vice President), Chip Jenkins (Third Vice President), John Glover (Executive Committeeman), and Lady Pamela Brandon (Executive Committeewoman). Edward Mouton and Kathleen Hughes Mardell were named alternate representatives to the Executive Committee.
Rivera-Vazquez hopes the new leadership team will be the one to help guide a strong slate of Democratic candidates to victory in November, from Beaufort County Council and statehouse races all the way up to the U.S. Senate and the White House. Democrats in the Lowcountry will have plenty of options on the ballot when they go to the polls on November 3, 2020, as the party has put forward candidates in a record 11 local races, including five incumbents seeking re-election and six first-time candidates.
“In Beaufort County, we are building the vision that we aspire to see brought to life in America,” Rivera-Vazquez said. “We have a diverse and strong Democratic ballot for November. We are proud of this slate of candidates and look forward to electing officials who will fight for the working people of Beaufort County and protect our natural resources in the Lowcountry.”
Apri 2020
More Local Democrats on Ballot in Beaufort County Than Ever Before in Recent History
Democrats throughout South Carolina are energized about a ticket that includes incumbent U.S. Congressmen James Clyburn and Joe Cunningham and U.S. Senate candidate Jaime Harrison, and now local Democrats have an extra reason for excitement. The Beaufort County Democratic Party announced that Democratic candidates have filed to run in 11 local races in the November 3, 2020, general election including five incumbents seeking reelection and six first-time candidates.
The party will put forward candidates in three state Senate races, with Sen. Margie Bright Matthews running for re-election in Senate District 45 and challengers Richard Hricik (District 43) and Nathan Campbell (District 46) on the ballot for the first time.
Incumbent state representatives Michael Rivers (House District 121) and Shedron Williams (House District 122) will seek re-election to the statehouse, while first-time candidates Mitch Siegel (House District 118), Christine (Chris) deVries (House District 123), and Barb Nash (House District 124) hope to join them in Columbia.
The party also has three candidates for Beaufort County Council, as Gerald Dawson (District 1) and York Glover (District 3) seek another term, and Jodie Srutek (District 7) is a first-time candidate to join them on the County Council.
“We will have a diverse and strong Democratic ballot for November, including four strong women who display great leadership qualities,” Beaufort County Democratic Party Chair Mayra Rivera-Vazquez said. “We are proud of this slate of candidates and look forward to electing officials who will fight for the working people of Beaufort County and protect our natural resources in the Lowcountry.”
“When the threat of this pandemic subsides, our Lowcountry community will be looking for strong leadership to help our region recover from this difficult time,” Rivera-Vazquez said. “The Democrats will be here to provide that leadership.”
BCDP Chair Mayra Rivera-Vazquez and BCDP Members with Democratic Senate Candidate (SC) Jaime Harrison at a recent celebration of the Clyburn Fellows in Charleston (From l-r): Kathleen Mardell Hughes, President, Bluffton Democratic Club, Jodie Srutek, Democratic Candidate for Beaufort County Council District 7, Rivera-Vazquez, and Nathan Campbell, Democratic Candidate for State Senate District 46.
BCDP Chair consults with Presidential Candidate Joe Biden during Emily Clyburn's memorial service in Charleston.
Beaufort County at the SCDP Convention - June 2019