Hello DA Italy Voters,

We are posting the candidate statements on this page as we receive them.

Remember: If you want to run for an office, you must submit your candidate form by March 11

Ballots were sent out on March 19 and resent in the meeting reminder on March 23. Members will be able to vote in person at the meeting in Rome or by filling in an electronic ballot (full details to follow).

Note that in accordance with our bylaws “If the elections are to be held by mail and/or electronic means, no nominations may be made from the floor except when there is no declared candidate for an office to be filled.”  You can vote if you have been a member of Democrats Abroad since March 10, 2017

Candidates for:

DA Italy Chair (note: chair and vice-chair must be of the opposite sex)

Ryan Turner – Milan  (Submitted March 4, 2017)

"I'm proud to announce my candidacy for Chair of Democrats Abroad Italy. It’s my belief that Democrats Abroad needs fresh, bold, and progressive leaders in the DPCA to lead our global GOTV efforts and Country Committees around the globe. We ultimately need to promote growth and work towards creating sustainable chapters and country committees at the ground level so that they may endure various leadership cycles. As Chair of Democrats Abroad Madrid, I worked to increase our membership by 270%, and hold an unprecedented number of events and activities that increased the number of our active members. I’ll strive to do the same for the Italian peninsula.

"We are in a pivotal moment in history. We are currently riding the waves of a strong resistance movement but it can’t stop there. We can either stand idle, or take action by standing up for progressive values. This movement only STARTS with the current political activism taking place across the globe. The movement needs to continue by actively recruiting Americans abroad to get involved in Democrats Abroad and ultimately vote in elections.

"I've spent the past 4 years advocating for Americans citizens abroad by organizing for Democrats Abroad and concerting efforts to maximize voter turnout through GOTV efforts and activism. I hope to bring my positive experience in membership growth and outreach as, both former Madrid Chair and as a Delegate for Bernie Sanders, to activate progressives across Italy to get involved and stay involved in the American political process. I offer my vision and leadership for Democrats Abroad Italy at a time when action and progressive activism is paramount to protecting our values."

DA Italy Vice Chair: (note: chair and vice-chair must be of the opposite sex)

Ryan Turner – Milan  (Submitted March 4, 2017
(See statement above.

Virginia DiGaetano - Tuscania, VT (Submitted March 11, 2017)

This is an unprecedented time in American politics, and we need an unprecedented level of organization in response. DA Italy has already begun to tackle the most important issues of this administration, and I want to see that work continue and receive even more recognition.

 As Vice Chair I will support the mission of the Chair to make Italy one of the strongest voices in DA. I will make sure that our work is seen, heard and appreciated by other global chapters as well as by the Democratic base in the US. 

There is a long fight ahead but with greater numbers we have an even greater chance of success, and I will work with the Chair to increase membership through creative outreach strategies. While I have spent much of my life around politics I am new to DA, and I want to listen and learn from those of you whose work has made this a vital organization.

In one of the most uncertain periods of our shared history we must be more engaged and more willing to fight for the progress that is under threat. I will work with you all to be a part of this fight.

DA Italy Secretary:

Cristina Fassio - Vagliagli (Siena)

 Over the 23 years that I have lived in Italy, 10 of which I owned and ran the website Expats in Italy, I have never felt that my voice (or that of any of my fellow Democrat ex-pats) was as important as it is today. We need to be heard and we need to make change.

We are lucky that we live in a time of information at our fingertips and the possibility to connect electronically.
No longer do we need to bus or train to far away areas in Italy to be able to meet and discuss.
As Secretary, I have 2 goals:

 1) to establish online huddles where we can get together and discuss the issues. Yes our numbers are important but we have seen that it is not what counts, we need to tackle the issues.

 2) grab the Millennials - that misunderstood economic power house – who don't want to belong to a party but they do respond positively to ideas. Living abroad they have grown to admire, respect and even love foreigners.

The notion of banning foreigners from a nation built on (and by) immigrants is anathema.

I look forward to working with all to make the U.S.A. the country that even though we left it, we still love.

DA Italy Counsel:

Michael Stiefel - Rome (Submitted March 10, 2017)

"As a life-long Democrat and Italian trained Attorney, in the aftermath of the November debacle, I felt that it was time to get off the side-lines and get involved in activism with both American Expatriates for Positive Change and Democrats Abroad (Women’s March Rome).

"I would like to what I can do to:

a)      stand up for and protect inalienable and universal human rights;

b)      support and promote progressive and humane policy initiatives across the board;

c)      encourage our Democratic Party to get back in touch with its base (including blue collar workers), part of which went the other way this past November.

"I have enjoyed providing legal counsel to both American Expats for Positive Change and to the organizers of the Women’s March Rome.  Should I be chosen by our electorate for the position of Counsel, I will gladly put my legal skills to work for Democrats Abroad Italy, to support its initiatives and contribute to making them as incisive as possible."

DA Italy Treasurer: