Local community leaders commit to moving local party forward in rapidly growing, diversifying county
Submitted by HamCo United
A slate of dedicated, passionate candidates is announcing its candidacy for the Hamilton County Democratic Central Committee (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer). Dayna Colbert of Fishers, current president of the Hamilton County Young Democrats, is running for chair; Ronnie Saunders of Westfield, former State Senate District 20 Candidate, is running for vice chair; Sarah Russell Goddard of Noblesville, dedicated healthcare advocate, is running for secretary; and Al Moore of Carmel, former Decatur County Chair, is running for treasurer. With a detailed platform highlighting focus on revamping the organization, the local community leaders have committed to moving the local party forward in a rapidly growing and diversifying county.
Indiana Democrats are in a unique position coming out of the 2020 election. While still in the midst of a global pandemic, they are looking ahead to two key things: Redistricting, and party reorganization. With 75 percent of registered voters in Hamilton County exercising their right to vote in 2020, strategic leadership is needed to continue to engage these voters and encourage candidates to run. Hamilton County will play a pivotal role in statewide viability for the Indiana Democratic Party and has moved from a ruby red dot in Central Indiana to a purple one over the past decade; with Joe Biden becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the cities of Carmel and Fishers.
The candidates are running under the name HamCo United, since “a united party is the best way to move the county forward. The slate represents the four cities in the county as well as a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds,” Colbert said. “I look forward to taking up the mantle and leading the march from purple to blue here in Hamilton County.”
Their election would mark a first for the county with Colbert serving as one of the youngest chairs at 31 and as a Black woman, both key demographics that have become the backbone of the Democratic Party nationwide in its recent success for capturing the Presidency and Congress.
HamCo United is focused on four key goals for 2021: Refreshing the message and brand to build trust for Democrats in local communities, increasing member recruitment while continuing to engage volunteers, increasing voter outreach to encompass voter education and build community relationships, and revamping candidate recruitment process and training so quality candidates have the opportunity to succeed. Information on how they will accomplish these goals can be found at hamcounited.com.
County party reorganization is conducted via a vote by Democratic precinct committeepersons in the county.
About Dayna Colbert
Dayna Colbert is a Senior Program Manager at a local market research company. Her main role is gathering and analyzing data to help clients gain insights about their customer relationships. In addition, Colbert manages the Program Managers and Interns. As a project manager for over seven years, she has experience managing complex global projects in the market research and technology sectors. Colbert, 31, has been the President of the Hamilton County Young Democrats (HCYD) since August 2017, and is the 5th District Chair for the Indiana Young Democrats. She has a Master of Science in Information and Communication Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, both from Ball State University. Colbert currently lives in Fishers with her rescue dog Brutus.
About Ronnie Saunders
Ronnie Saunders is currently a firefighter/EMT with the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) and lives in Westfield with his wife Brianna and their two daughters, Layla and Eleanora. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Indiana State University. Saunders ran for the Indiana State Senate seat in District 20 in this most recent election. He and his family attend Hope City Church in Carmel where he serves on the Worship Team and First Impressions Team. Saunders is also an entrepreneur operating MoveRight Media and Design, LLC which is a graphics, media and web design agency.
About Sarah Russell Goddard
Sarah Russell Goddard works as a Compliance Consultant for a local medical group. She is licensed to practice law in Indiana and works with physicians in Indiana and Ohio to ensure they are in compliance with federal, state and local requirements. She has been a Precinct Committee Person in Noblesville since 2017 and was a Democratic State Convention Delegate in 2020. Russell Goddard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Juris Doctor, both from Indiana University. She lives in Noblesville with her husband, James, and their four cats.
About Al Moore
Al Moore recently retired as a Financial Advisor for RBC Wealth Management. He volunteered to pass out literature for George McGovern’s presidential run in 1972 and has been a summer congressional intern for Elwood ‘Bud’ Hillis. He was the Campaign Manager for Vicki Kellerman’s campaign for State Representative, the Indiana Finance Committee Chairman for Michael Dukakis’ presidential campaign, an Indiana State Convention Delegate many years, the Decatur County Democratic Chairman, a Precinct Committeeman in both Decatur County and Hamilton County, and currently serves as the President of the Hamilton County Democratic Club. Moore lives in Carmel with his wife Diane.
What is the common denominator? They all recently moved to Hamilton County for the great benefits this community provides. These benefits are a direct result of the great Republican leadership that created them. So they fled their communities attracted by the quality of life created by Republicans in Hamilton County to vote for Democrats. Hilarious.
Theres no indication of when the individuals became Hamilton county residents anywhere in the above article, article only states when some attained positions in the party.
Inaccurate to label them as carpetbaggers without that information.
Fun fact ; reading comprehension is usually taught in the early grades of elementary school.