Deval Patrick dominates state Democratic convention

Yawu Miller

Deval Patrick made Massachusetts history Saturday as Democratic activists from across the state gathered in Worcester at the party’s annual convention to select him as the party’s first African American gubernatorial nominee.

In a show of force for his statewide grassroots organization, Patrick walked away with 58 percent of the delegates’ votes, leaving Attorney General Thomas Reilly with just 27 percent and venture capitalist Chris Gabrieli with the 15 percent minimum necessary to make the ballot.

“We’re thrilled today with the overwhelming vote of the delegates here,” Patrick told the delegates.

Long before the votes were tallied, party insiders were predicting a more than 50 percent victory for Patrick, whose delegates’ blue and white stickers were ubiquitous at the convention.

When Patrick addressed the more than 4,100 delegates who gathered for the convention, he delivered his standard stump speech, recounting his struggles growing up in a low-income Chicago family.

“It’s time to put our cynicism down,” Patrick said, wrapping up his speech. “Put it down. Stand with me and take that leap of faith. Because I’m not asking you to take a chance on me. I’m asking you to take a chance on your own aspirations. Take a chance on hope.”

The hush that fell over the traditionally factionalized convention floor during the speech and the cheering that followed was unprecedented in recent history, according to Patrick supporter state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson.

“There’s probably never been anything like this in a contested race between Democratic contenders,” she said. “There was complete silence. Every delegate listened in rapt attention. He hit every major point.”

Patrick’s victory at the convention does not mean he is certain to prevail in September’s Democratic primary, when he will face off against Reilly and Gabrieli for a spot on the November ballot. The Democratic activists who turn out for the convention regularly vote to the left of those who vote in the September primary.

His victory does, however, show the strength of his campaign organization, which he built from scratch, working largely outside the traditional avenues of party power.

While the mayors of major cities — including Boston, Springfield and Worcester — backed Reilly, Patrick’s strength came from many activists who were drawn into the political process by his message.

“I spoke to people who have never been involved,” said delegate Durell Fox. “New delegates, young delegates who said the only reason they got involved was because of Deval.”

The momentum of the Patrick candidacy tested the limits of machine politics, as the mayors who backed Reilly struggled to deliver the vote. Although Reilly won the endorsement of the Springfield Democratic City Committee, it was by a thin margin, noted state Rep. Benjamin Swann.

“He only won by two votes, and that’s in his hometown,” he said.

While Patrick drew support from across the state, his support in communities of color was particularly strong, as was evidenced by the standing ovation he received during the minority delegates’ breakfast Saturday morning.

Secretary of State candidate John Bonifaz, who is mounting a challenge against incumbent William Galvin on a platform of electoral reform, also received a rousing reception from the audience.

But by the time Reilly showed at the same breakfast, two-thirds of the seats in the function room were empty.

A new coalition

The crowd at the breakfast was more diverse than ever, with the traditional turnout of African American party activists augmented by Latinos and four tables of Asian delegates, most of whom wore red buttons marking their affiliation with the newly minted Asian American Democrats of Massachusetts.

“We really made a push to get people to the convention,” said member Chi Chi Wu. “This is our first organized active push.”

The group held a forum for the lieutenant governor’s race, polling the candidates on their stances on issues including in-state tuition for the children of undocumented immigrants and the lack of representation of Asian Americans in government.

Wu says more than 140 Asian American delegates came to the convention.

Members of the new coalition did not endorse in the governor’s race and appear to have spread their support among the candidates. While activist Janet Lin is deputy campaign finance director for Patrick, Mary Wong is serving as treasurer for Gabrieli’s campaign.

The pronounced presence of the Asian delegates went noted among politicians. Gloria Fox, who often greets her predominantly African American constituents with “Greetings, brothers and sisters,” opened with a more inclusive “Good morning, family.”

To read an excerpt from Deval Patrick’s acceptance speech,
click here.