MD Democrats Elect Lierman Chairman

Baltimore —Tonight the Maryland Democratic Party’s Central Committee unanimously elected Terry Lierman, a Bethesda businessman and community activist, as its new party chair to kick off the next election cycle.

Mr. Lierman thanked the Democratic state committee for their support, heaped praise on outgoing Chair Ike Leggett, and vowed to empower the committee to “lay the ground work for resounding victories across the State in the 2006 election.” Lierman also said one of his top priorities is to “work closely and effectively with our dynamic Democratic elected officials to pool our considerable resources, build consensus, and keep our momentum going.” The overarching themes of Lierman’s remarks were organization, unity and inclusiveness. “Maryland’s Democratic Party has a rich economic, racial, geographical and ideological diversity,” Lierman noted. “These tremendous assets will produce a winning formula that leaves no county, community or constituency behind.”

Lierman is prepared to hit the ground running, pledging to visit every county in the state to meet and engage elected and community leaders, party organizations, and Democratic candidates to build “the best state party organization in the United States.”

“Our state has had a long Democratic tradition but our challenges today are greater than ever,” warned Chairman Lierman. “We must stay on the offensive with a bold, potent and proactive fight against the failed, flawed policies of Governor Ehrlich. We must be strong, smart and bold in holding the administration accountable for its horrendous record on issues that matter to the people of Maryland”

“Maryland Democrats put a halt to Republican momentum this year and we will do everything we can to ensure overwhelming Democratic victories -- at the local, county, state and federal levels all across Maryland -- in 2006.”

The new Chair made an inspired call for all Democrats to work hard for every vote stand up for their beliefs and values, and to spread the message that “we are the Party of progress and the Party of the future.”

About Terry:

Terry Lierman takes the helm of the Party after a distinguished thirty year career in public policy, business, community service and political organizing. Mr. Lierman first worked at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, and then went to Capitol Hill where he served as Staff Director/Chief Clerk of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Later, Lierman became founder and president of a leading government relations firm specializing in health care, medical research, education and non-profit work.

In 2000, Terry built a powerful grassroots campaign for U.S. Congress that nearly toppled entrenched Republican incumbent Connie Morella. Most recently, he served as National Finance Co-Chair for Governor Howard Dean’s 2004 Presidential Campaign. Lierman’s motto of “doing well by doing good” is reflected by his work as a founder and past chair of the Children’s Research Institute, a founder of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the National Coalition for Cancer Research, a member of the Maryland Higher Education Commission and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Labor College.

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