OUR MISSION
The Portland Democratic Town Committee is committed to the principles of the U.S. Democratic Party. Our primary mission is to improve the quality of life for all Portland residents by working toward the election of exceptional candidates, at the local, state, and national level, who share our values and our vision.
What we do
Local Democratic Town Committees are the backbone of the Democratic Party in Connecticut. Our most important job as an organization is to identify, nominate, and work to elect highly qualified Democratic candidates for municipal, state, and national office. In addition to elected positions, Portland also has more than 20 appointed boards, commissions, and committees that oversee various important aspects of our town government. It is the job of the Portland DTC to recruit and nominate Democrats from within our community to volunteer for these seats.
You will see the Portland Democrats around town volunteering for political campaigns of Democratic candidates, supporting voter registration and “Get Out The Vote” efforts, serving on boards and commissions, staffing the DTC booth at community events, and organizing periodic fundraisers to raise money in support of our candidates. Many of us serve as delegates to state and district conventions to have a voice in who our candidates will be each election season.
The DTC meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7pm at the Waverly Center. Our meetings are conducted in a hybrid format and we have members who participate both in person and via Zoom. Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend remotely, email PortlandCTDTC@gmail.com to request the link!
What we stand for
The Portland DTC is comprised of individuals from across the “Democrat” spectrum. We embrace the diversity of our perspectives and understand that, though we may not all see eye to eye on every issue, we are richer as an organization because of our differences. We share the belief that our basic Democratic values - inclusiveness, equality, access to affordable healthcare and quality education, economic fairness, a respect for the environment, voting rights - have relevance in the day-to-day lives of folks in our town, and that these values should guide us in shaping our local agenda. We know that it will take work to build the kind of world we want to live in and we are committed to starting right here in Portland.
OUR LOCAL PRIORITIES INCLUDE:
Promoting full participation in the electoral process and inclusive, honest, transparent, and accountable town government.
Championing public education, including supporting the funding of adequate annual education budgets and investing in the maintenance of our school facilities.
Protecting our environment and natural assets by expanding Riverfront access, preserving open spaces, and investing in recreational facilities.
Advocating for responsible economic development that reduces our reliance on the residential property tax, as laid out in the Plan for Conservation and Development.
Supporting the many community resources, like the Portland Library and the Waverly Center, that enhance the lives of our children, seniors, and underserved populations, and contribute to making our town a vibrant place.
Encouraging the expansion of clean energy systems in town buildings to save money and reduce harmful emissions.
Fighting for statewide policies that support the working families in our community, such as affordable healthcare, worker protections, adequate family leave, and a livable wage.