NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday August 11, 2007
Political Veteran Don Bivens to Lead Arizona Democratic Party
Longtime Arizona political veteran Don Bivens will chair the Arizona Democratic Party, building on the Party’s major electoral gains of 2006 and leading the state into the 2008 presidential election.
Members of the Party’s State Committee elected Bivens on Saturday in Prescott.
“Don is an experienced, savvy leader who can help lead us victory in Arizona,” Gov. Janet Napolitano said. “He’ll be instrumental as we build on our many successes and the state takes on a high-profile role in the 2008 presidential race.”
Bivens began his career in Arizona politics in the late 1970s as a precinct committee person. In the early 1980s, he was President of Young Democrats of Arizona. Since then, Bivens has held leadership roles in many Arizona elections, including the 1982 gubernatorial campaign for Bruce Babbitt and the 1994 gubernatorial campaign for Terry Goddard in which Bivens served as Finance Chair. He most recently served on the finance committee for U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson.
Bivens is a former President of the State Bar of Arizona, and is a partner with the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, where he specializes in complex litigation. He has a long history of charitable work in Arizona, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army and Arizonans for Children. He is a founding Co-Chair of Arizona’s Equal Justice Foundation.
Speaking to state committee members, Bivens said he would strengthen the Party’s existing organizational structure, cultivate an even broader donor base, invigorate fundraising and continue to communicate the Party’s vision for Arizona.
“Democrats have made tremendous strides in Arizona and I plan to build on our momentum,” Bivens said. “We are watching a major shift in Arizona politics, as voters increasingly to turn to Democratic candidates. We welcome thoughtful voters who’ve been alienated by partisan politics to join us as we work to realize a bright future for all Arizonans.”
Attorney General Terry Goddard has known Bivens since the late 1970s and said Bivens is a strong leader.
“Don is deeply rooted in Arizona Democratic politics and has spent most of the last three decades helping get Democrats elected,” Goddard said. “He understands the challenges facing our state and has a strong vision for responding to them.”
Outgoing Chairman David Waid said Bivens is the ideal successor. Waid resigned in July to spend more time on his business and with his family.
“Don’s vision for the state and ability to broaden our fundraising base will be extraordinary assets for the Democratic Party,” said Waid, who began his chairmanship in 2006. Waid also served as executive director for two years. “It was an honor and a pleasure to serve as Party chairman and I am pleased to be leaving the organization financially sound, professionally managed, hungry for success, energized, unified and fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunities in 2008.”
During Waid’s tenure, the Democratic governor and attorney general were re-elected by large margins, with both earning more than 60 percent of the vote. Arizona’s Congressional delegation gained two Democrats, and is now evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. In state legislative races, Democrats also gained six new seats in the Arizona House, plus a new seat in the Arizona Senate.
Other developments
Also at the state committee meeting, members: – adopted revised guidelines for the resolutions committee; – voted to urge elected officials to investigate abuses of power by President George Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales; – encouraged Democrats to contribute ideas about the Party platform. Suggestions can be submitted at the Party Web site, azdem.org.