Burke won challenge for chairmanship

The Hamilton County Democratic Party upheld its end of the deal with Republicans last night at the Party's central committee meeting, despite efforts by some in the Party who wanted to break it by endorsing Chris Dole for Hamilton County Commission.

Read the story here.

UPDATE: GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou calls the deal dissenters "radical" in his blog and said he's glad the deal remains intact. Read it here.

The deal also prompted some competition for Tim Burke as he sought to be reinstated as Party chairman. Central Committee member Mike Wood challenged Burke for the job because he was "personally chagrined at the conduct last year about this deal where we're not running people against candidates," he said.

"I think we can do better. I think we need to do better," he said. Several people applauded.

Burke said he recognizes that "what I've been doing ... is far from perfect," but said the Party has had some big accomplishments. Among those, the Democratic majority on the county commission, four Democrats in county executive offices and an increasing number of Democratic judges.

"I think those are positive things," Burke said. "for those of you who support me, thank you."

Burke won reinstatement 99 to 15. All the previous office holders were also re-elected to their spots.

Dole said after the meeting he was disappointed that he wasn't endorsed and pointed a reporter to the second principle of the Democratic Party.

"We believe there is no substitute for fair and equal representation and strong public participation in a government chosen by election."


That, he said, says it all.