VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Democratic District 24 Party Platform Committee Chair, Allen Blume, announced the next in a series of weekly gatherings at Democratic Party headquarters convening this Tuesday, June 11th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Straus Mall in Downtown Valley City.

“After a two-week delay because of the Memorial Day Holiday we met last Tuesday but with a light turnout. This Tuesday is the Primary Election, and we expect there will be a lot of interest in statewide voting returns, and in the meantime, we’re encouraging every North Dakotan to get out and vote!” said Blume. “And as we’ve stated before, we plan to host these meetings at our headquarters every Tuesday evening straight through to the General Election on November 5th, to talk about what’s happening in North Dakota and America, and everything political is on the table and fair game. That means anyone – without regard for their party affiliation or political persuasion – is invited to stop by for an evening to talk politics. The coffee pot is on. Nothing is off the table, and we have only one hard, fast rule. Keep it civil!”

District 24 Democrats initiated these conversations following their Convention in February, and the State Democratic Convention in April, when it became clear more people wanted a voice in the direction their state and the country is going. Party platforms provide clear statements of what Democrats value but ”hotbutton” national issues tend to crowd ou discussions of other topics like housing affordability, healthcare staffing and institutional support, daycare and respite care
availability AND affordability, food safety and security, inflation and rising insurance costs.

“The list of topics can be is impossibly long which makes them difficult to understand, even if you’re an experienced journalist or legislator, but we have a duty to our voters to “pay attention,” said D-24 House Candidate, Shawn Olauson. “Our first session was about childcare, employment, and worker opportunities, and last Tuesday we looked at housing, housing affordability, and North Dakota investments in affordable housing in our vast rural areas, and as the campaign season progresses, we plan to revisit these and other topics. The sessions are particularly useful to me, and for my District 24 Democratic candidate colleagues Nancy Farnham and Pete Gjovik.”

The general format for the D-24 conversational round tables is for the first hour to be open to a discussion of any topics of interest, from what’s happening in Washington and around the world; global wars and conflicts; crime and social lawlessness; to the political roles of women, people of color, people of alternative sexual identity, and newcomers; followed by a closer focus on the ‘bread and butter” issues of North Dakota policies and politics..

“Let’s Talk Politics” convenes at 6:30 p.m. this Tuesday, June 11th in the Straus Mall and future meetings will convene every Tuesday at 6:30pm now through Tuesday, November 5th.

For further information, contact Allen Blume at(703) 399-4884, at Democratic Party Headquarters, or via email at: adb8917@earthlink.net