Bryan Smith

     Newly-elected Macon County Democratic Chair Bryan E. Smith pledged a “bottom-up” effort to strengthen the party and make it more competitive in elections.
     “It won’t be easy. And it won’t happen overnight,” Smith said. “But I feel strongly that, working together, as a team, we can build our party back to where we can compete at the county level, the state level, and the presidential level.”
Smith was elected Chairman at the Convention of the Macon County Democratic Central Committee on April 22 in Decatur.
Smith brings a strong background in politics and government to the position. He served as Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) Executive Director/CEO for 35 years, was Long Creek Township Clerk for 12 years, Long Creek Township Supervisor for 5 years, and served on the Macon County Board for 18 years.
     The lifelong Macon County resident stressed the importance of a grassroots effort to revive the party’s fortunes. “We need to be the face of the Democratic Party—meeting our neighbors and friends where they are and building back the party one household at a time.”
     He also praised the party’s diversity and emphasized what unifies Democrats. “We’re the party that stands up for the little guy. The people without a voice. The average working family that is trying hard to achieve the American Dream—owning a home, sending their kids to school, taking a vacation.”
     Smith evoked President Harry Truman when discussing the party’s comeback efforts. “Remember in 1948 when everyone wrote him off for reelection? Well, he didn’t give up. He went on an incredible train ride across the nation, the “Whistle-stop Tour,” campaigning in small towns and rural areas—“giving ‘em hell.” And he pulled off the biggest upset in American history. He serves as our inspiration as we move forward.”