About

On March 11, 1993, the North Fulton Democrats held a highly successful first meeting at the North Fulton Annex. Democrats from across the north metro area filled a room to near capacity to hear then Secretary of State and future Senator Max Clelland speak about the explosive growth of the North Fulton area and the growing need for Democratic activity there. There were winds of change, hope, and vitality blowing across the nation that year and with them, the hope for a better life for millions of Americans as President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore took office.

It was the Presidential election of ‘92 that was the inspiration for the North Fulton Democrats. Joseph Jacobs, then chair of the Fulton County Democratic Party, saw a need for a more localized party presence for people on the North end of Fulton County who otherwise might not want to make the long trip to downtown Atlanta for party meetings. After working out the details with the State Democratic party, the North Fulton Democrats Club was chartered.

Tony Center was elected as chairman. Center was coming off a very close race against Rep. Newt Gingrich in a newly formed district that the Washington Post described as “the Great White North, a Republican pollster’s dream, a sprawl of affluent suburbs as far as the eye can see, a Lexus in every driveway and a Lean Cuisine in every microwave.” Center performed much better than expected against the popular Republican and showed him that Democrats in North Fulton were more than willing to run aggressive campaigns. In fact, it was Center who first revealed Gingrich was discussing divorce terms with his wife the day after her cancer surgery.

Ellen Milholland was elected secretary. Milholland would later run against current Congressman Tom Price twice – in 1996 and 1998 – for State Senator District 56. According to popular NFD lore, her young son would sell sodas at the North Fulton Annex before meetings, often doubling the price of them for Republicans in the building. We’re sure they respected his sense of free market capitalism!

Since those early days, the North Fulton Democrats have counted numerous local, state, and national candidates among our ranks, as well as DNC members and employees, Union leaders, and hundreds of hard working Democrats of all stripes. We’ve hosted state and national leaders, raised and contributed thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates, and knocked on countless doors. Because of our efforts, Senator John Kerry won every precinct we canvassed in 2004. And we’re just getting started!

NORTH FULTON DEMOCRATS MISSION STATEMENT

• To create an active, prepared and engaged grassroots field operation to drive voter turnout, residents’ participation and interaction , and elect Democrats.
• To provide broad visibility in the community to the existence and activities of the North Fulton Democrats, and where applicable, the Fulton County Democratic Party..
• To provide a forum for people with similar values to share their thoughts and efforts.
• To support the campaigns of local and national Democratic Party candidates who share our values and principles.

DEMOCRATIC VISION

1. Honest Leadership and Open Government
We will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a government as good as the people it serves.
2. Real Security
We will protect Americans at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops, our citizens and our allies.
3. Energy Independence
We will create a cleaner and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
4. Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence
We will create jobs that will stay in America by restoring opportunity and driving innovation.
5. A Healthcare System that works for Everyone
We will join 36 other industrialized nations by making sure everyone has access to affordable health care.
6. Retirement Security
We will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

• We are Pro-Constitution of the United States of America:
  • As horrific as 9/11 was, it did not repeal our constitution
  • The Patriot Act is impeding our constitutional civil rights
• We are Pro-Democracy:
  • Even as we impose Democracy in foreign lands, we should not forego our own
  • Every Citizen should have the right to vote, and the right to have their vote counted
• We are Pro-Civil Rights:
  • Equal Opportunity and Dignity for ALL Americans, without biases
    
    
• We are Pro-Free Speech:
  • Putting down debate and discourse is unpatriotic!
    
    
• We are Pro-Small Business and Individual Opportunity:
  • While maintaining an environment for ethical large corporate profitability
• We are Pro-compassion and dignified assistance for the disadvantaged:
  • Do not preclude helping the needy because a few abuse the system
  • Help enable the disadvantaged to become self sufficient
• We are Pro-Inclusiveness, and Anti-Divisiveness:
  • Strength of the Nation AND Strength of the Community
• We are Pro-Religious Freedom and Separation of Church and State:
  • Following the guidelines of our founding fathers
• We are Pro-International Leadership, lead by example and via “international alliances”:
  • Better through UN and NATO than aggressive unilateralism
• We are Pro-Strong Military and Defense:
  • Support the people who defend our values with their life and limb
  • Develop military solutions in balance with the threats
• We are Pro-Homeland Security:
  • Train, equip and fund our “first responders”
• We are Pro-Fiscal Responsibility:
  • Mortgaging our future by uncontrolled deficit spending is bad policy
• We are Pro-Women’s Health and Pro-Planned Parenthood:
  • Respect women’s rights
  • Respect the right for women and doctors to make health decisions without legal intervention
• We are Pro-Civil Unions:
  • Dignity, Respect and equal opportunity without judgment
• We are Pro-Environment:
  • For our health safety and enjoyment; our children’s health safety and enjoyment; and the rights of future generations!
• We are Pro-Gun Education:
  • Access to guns for self defense and sporting needs and out of the hands of criminals.
• We are Pro-Education:
  • We support a strong Public School system and access to higher education
• We are Pro-Workers’ Rights:
  • We support the right to organize and negotiate for fair wages and a healthy and safe workplace, without the fear of losing your job

OTHER DEMOCRATIC PARTY DECLARATIONS:

What We Stand For: The DNC’s Democratic Vision
Where We Stand: The New Democrat Credo And Hyde Declaration