Announcement of Nominations for Executive Committee with candidate statements
Floor nominations for open positions are permitted her our bylaws and the NEC will be asking for nominations on the day from DA Ireland members who attend the meeting both in person and online. Open positions eligible are noted.
Each person nominated, whether pre election or on the day, will be permitted to make a 1-2 minute statement prior to voting. Voting will be conducted per our bylaws.
Thanks to all who have stepped forward to serve DA.
Please email us at daireland_elections@democratsabroad.org with any questions.
Regards,
the NEC Committee
Patti Shields, Patti MCann, Mary Jo Braid Forbes
candidates:
Chairperson, Ryan Friesen
Hello everyone at Dems Abroad. I'm happy to self-nominate for an Executive Committee position for 2025-27. I've lived in the West of Ireland in Co. Mayo since early 2022 after moving here from Southern California where I was an active supporter of Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign and Dave Min's successful bid for California’s 47th Congressional District in Orange County. My wife, Melissa, and I have been fortunate enough to experience a great deal of what Ireland has to offer over these past three years while living as an ex-pat in Europe.
There is no bad time to get up off the bench and back into politics, but now is a particularly good time, and so I hope there is a way for me to serve in some capacity as a Democrat living abroad.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankf/
Vice Chairperson: open for election/nominations at meeting
Secretary, Madison Thibault
Treasurer, Richard Hartheimer
I have been involved with Democrats Abroad Ireland for over ten years. I vote in the great state of New Jersey.
Over the last four years I served as Vice Chairperson of Democrats Abroad Ireland. During that time, I represented DA Ireland on the International Finance Committee. This committee reviewed the rules about the finances of the country committees with respect to meeting the requirements of DNC and FEC. Additionally, I have attended numerous meetings of the International Executive Committee and occasionally attend monthly regional meetings and thus I am familiar with the international DA organisation.
In my work as a financial services consultant, I formed my own company and was responsible for its financial reporting. I was also a non-executive director of a public company and regularly reviewed and signed off its financial statements.
Counsel, Anne Brady
I moved to Ireland in 2019 from Phoenix, Arizona, where I
operated a law and tax office with my husband Richard, a tax
accountant. I bought a pub in Cavan in May of that year, and then in
March of 2020, Covid happened, and our pub had to close. Shortly after
that, I became aware of Democrats Abroad Ireland. I signed up, attended
an online Executive Committee meeting, and found out they had no one to
serve as counsel. So I volunteered and was added to the Excomm in that
role. I got involved in GOTV activities, signing up Americans to vote
in 2020, wearing a Covid mask/screen outdoors. In 2023, I also ran for
and was elected to a two-year term as International Counsel. My main
goal was to bring some sanity to the FEC compliance process, which had
caused a lot of unnecessary problems for several country committees,
including Ireland. That issue is mostly sorted now, and I have decided
not to run for re-election at the international level, but I would be
honored to continue to serve DA Ireland as its counsel
Members at Large:
One Open Position to be nominated and/or elected on the day
Jason Fitz Patrick
Hi, my name is Jason Fitz-Patrick and I respectfully write today to seek re-election for the position of member at large on the Democrats abroad Ireland committee.
Born in Ireland, I was very fortunate to secure a green card to emigrate to America under the Morrison visa programme in 1994. It was a visa programme orchestrated by Congressman Bruce Morrison and in 1999 - I had the honour of becoming a naturalised American Citizen.
I settled in Virginia and worked in Washington DC for Bank of America in banking and as a Stockbroker. My Father died suddenly and I returned to Ireland. My last role was a Series 26 Stockbroking principal with Citibank.
Like many Irish people before me - I was drawn to the principals and values of the Democratic party and was fortunate to make many friends within the party that were of benefit to my career and myself personally.
I was active in the Irish American Democrats organisation and was grateful for the opportunity to meet and work voluntarily with such party stalwarts as the Clintons, O'Dwyers, Kennedys, Neals, Gores and McAuliffe's.
I have enjoyed being a member -at - large of the Ireland based committee and to serve on a board of fellow democrats that I respect very much. I have chaired a debate at Trinity College ( my late Father Joseph's Alma Mater) and helped out at the Kennedy summer school in New Ross.
I respectfully seek the honour of re-election and if fortunate enough to be re-appointed to the role - I would strive to continue for another term in playing a part in the successful progression and continued development of my beloved party in this country.
Martin McEnrue
My name is Martin McEnrue and I have been living in Ireland for 2.5 years. I am a lawyer who had worked with the US Government for 5 years before leaving in December for a role with a company based in Dublin.
My previous work with the US Government and Donald Trump’s attacks on the federal bureaucracy has inspired me to become more involved with democratic politics. Since his inauguration, Trump has systemically attacked every institution which has allowed America and its democracy to flourish. It is institutions like Democrats Abroad which will ensure that we can elect the right candidates to oppose Trump and to restore and protect these institutions and the freedoms we had thought inherent in America.
I believe that my understanding and experience with the US Government and background as a lawyer will allow me to best meet the Member at Large objectives, ensure the rights of those US citizens living abroad are protected and to help return America to it’s better angels.
Amy McGovern
AGM:
We are planning a great get together at our AGM/Elections on May 17th where we will be gathering in person (and Online) at JR Mahons in Dublin at 1pm. RSVP here.
As always, please reach out if you have any concerns or comments and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Best
The DA Ireland Executive Committee
