Hall Democrats select new officers, look ahead

GAINESVILLE - The Hall County Democratic Committee Thursday night gathered at their Athens Street headquarters in Gainesville to select nine of 17 members and new officers at the end of what they say was a banner year.

Chairman Abb Hayes said he expects the Democratic Party in Georgia and in Hall County to turn the corner with the presidential election of Barack Obama. The goal is to put Democrats in state and local offices.

"We'll have a gubernatorial election in a couple of years and we expect to have a strong field of candidates," Hayes said. "We also hope to attract a good slate of candidates for other state positions, as well as local positions. We'll continue working to capitalize on the enthusiasm that the Obama campaign generated."

Obama did not win Hall County or Georgia, but local Democrats pointed out that he won nationwide. Committee Vice Chairman Sue Harmon helped organize the local Obama Hall campaign.

"We were a little disappointed that we did not do better in Hall County, but we met new people and we've got new enthusiasm," Harmon said.

In District 1, Chris Strickland and Sheriah Richardson were picked as new committee members, along with Jennifer Gordon in District 2, Angela Middleton in District 3 and Wendy Glasbrenner, Diana Dokken and Evette Carruth in District 4.

Sue Harmon and Richie Fearn are new at large members.

New committee officers include Chairman, Mike Freeman; Vice-Chair, Angela Middleton; Vice-Chair, Jim Taflinger; Secretary, Diana Dokken and Treasurer, J.P. Banks.

Taflinger was also chosen as a new state committee member.

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Here is a complete list of the Hall County Democratic Committee. A star by the name means that they were elected Thursday night.

District 1
*Chris Strickland
*Sheriah Richardson
Joan Grafstein

District 2
*Jennifer Gordon
Jim Taflinger
Arturo Corso

District 3
*Angela Middleton
JP Banks
Kim Copeland

District 4
*Wendy Glasbrenner
*Diana Dokken
*Evette Carruth

At-Large
*Sue Harmon
*Richie Fearn
Abb Hayes
Joe Diaz
Mike Freeman

The new officers are as follows:

Chair - Mike Freeman
Vice-Chair - Angela Middleton
Vice-Chair - Jim Taflinger
Secretary - Diana Dokken
Treasurer - JP Banks

These are our State Committee members. A star means that the person was elected tonight.

Ashley Bell
Joe Diaz
Jean DuPree
*Jim Taflinger