WE ARE THE GALLATIN DEMOCRATS

We are the Gallatin Democrats, a vital force in our small Hudson Valley town. Our grassroots organization aims to improve the quality of life for all Gallatin residents, strengthen our schools, and build local businesses. We stand for inclusion, diversity, and progressive, democratic values, and we advocate for our environment and educate residents about important community and regional issues.

Our community initiatives include active voter registration and outreach, identifying and supporting local candidates for elections, and working with the County, Regional, State, and National Democratic Committees to support candidates who are running to represent us.

We are also involved in town governance through the Town Board and our Zoning and Planning committees.

Our membership is comprised of a diverse group of people who are drawn to this unique, historic, and beautiful community. We have long-time residents with deep roots in the area, second home-owners who have become full-time residents, and newer arrivals who have moved to Gallatin to settle here and raise their families.

Our goal is to ensure Gallatin's future as a connected and thriving community that all residents can enjoy. The Gallatin Democratic Organization is comprised of an elected leadership committee, elected Columbia County Democratic Committee (CCDC) Representatives, and the Democrats registered here in Gallatin.

We welcome everyone who shares our values and vision for a better community.

Our current leadership committee is

Harry Franklin, chair

Tara Silberberg, vice chair

Gay Issacs, treasurer

Louisa Ruby

Greg Gallina

Our current CCDC Representatives are

District 1

  1. Harry Franklin

  2. Greg Gallina

District 2

  1. Louisa Ruby

  2. Tara Silberberg

About Columbia County Democratic Committee (CCDC) Representatives

Under New York’s election law, political parties in the state are organized by county and within the county by town, and within the town by election districts – Germantown has two.  Each of the election districts is represented by two enrolled Democratic voters (aka our CCDC Reps – see above) who have been chosen in a local election process or have been elected by the CCDC after recommendation by the GDO co-chairs.

CCDC Reps’ responsibilities include:

  • Attend County Committee meetings;

  • Serve on at least one standing committee or task force;

  • Carry designating petitions and campaign for candidates in general elections;

  • Help organize Democrats in one’s town or city—including registering voters, finding and training volunteers, raising funds, recruiting candidates, and supporting those candidates’ campaigns for office.

  • Serve as a liaison between the County Committee and one’s town or city.

The GDO leadership committee and its members help with many of those responsibilities.

The mission of the County Committee … is to promote and establish Democratic principles and programs in the County, the State of New York, and the United States, and to provide the best possible government for the people of the County, the State of New York, and the United States. –from the County Committee By-laws

For more information on this, visit the CCDDC website here.