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Our year

(Arlington County Democratic Committee)
At our ACDC meeting in January, despite last minute location changes, limited parking, and lingering vacation schedules from the holidays, Democratic activists packed a room built for 300 with overflow into the halls. Just two months earlier, a mere two weeks after the November 2011 elections, a standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 attended the Arlington organizing meeting for Obama For America. These numbers are big, and they are only getting bigger. You can feel it in the air – there is something different about 2012.

For ACDC, 2012 creates somewhat of a perfect storm. With ACDC’s own officer and precinct captain elections, a firehouse primary and special election for county board, a school board caucus, the Republican presidential primary, and the primary for U.S. Senate, we literally have six elections in the first six months of the year. And from our School Board to the County Board to the Congress, we have such a remarkably talented, diverse and exciting field of candidates running that we can rest assured will continue to bring strong organization and strong supporters into our mix.

Pile on top of that two of the most competitive and closely watched national races in the country – Tim Kaine’s campaign for the U.S. Senate, and the battle for Virginia’s 13 electoral votes as we strive to re-elect our President Barack Obama. Altogether, what that means is that 2012 will be a year of energy, challenge, and opportunity – and one that has the potential to shape our Arlington community, and indeed our country, for many years to come.

So what does this mean for the Arlington County Democratic Committee? It means we can expect large, and perhaps record, crowds at each of our events throughout the year. It means that we can expect inflows of volunteers from every direction – from our Arlington stalwarts to our friends across the river in DC, Maryland, and elsewhere. And it means that that the Democratic product and organization that we pride ourselves on here in Arlington will be showcased for all to see.

I firmly believe that Arlington sets the gold standard for local party organizing, and we win elections not only because of the strength of our candidates, but also because of the strength of our shared commitment. This year, we have the chance not only to expand our party, to run a bigger campaign than ever before, and to amplify our operations with new ideas and new blood – we truly have a chance to make history.

2012 is our year, and I, for one, could not be happier to be standing with you as we embark on this challenge, adventure, and opportunity together. Game on.