ST. GEORGE — Democrats from around southern Utah gathered Saturday in county conventions to hear pep talks, discuss strategy and vote for officers.

"The winds of change are blowing in this country," said Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland, who spoke to about 50 members of the Democrats of Southern Utah meeting in St. George at the Dixie Center. "The energy we see down here is exciting. St. George is magic to me. This is, by far, the biggest convention turnout we've seen."

Holland focused his comments on the progress Democrats have made not only in Utah, but also around the nation.

"Six years ago, a man who may become the next president of the United States, Barack Obama, only got 29 percent of the votes in his state," Holland said. "Today, he's raised $29 million for his campaign because people believe in him. Democrats are on the move."

Holland, who also spoke to the Kane County Democrats on Saturday evening, urged those attending the convention to continue building their numbers by getting to know their neighbors.

"It takes all of us working together by knocking on our neighbors' doors and reminding them of what we stand for," he said. "It's time for the politicians of this state to stop carving up the state so they can pick their voters. Remind your neighbors of our position on vouchers and on redistricting."

Holland said Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon "couldn't get elected to his own neighborhood council" a few years ago and now has an approval rating hovering near 80 percent.

"For the first time in 34 years, Democrats have control in the both the House and Senate in Colorado. If we stay in the game, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer believes we can do the same thing here," Holland said.

Party organizer Craig Axford said Washington County Democrats fielded more candidates for office last year than ever before.

"We are seeing some very favorable demographic changes," Axford said. "The Southern Utah Democrats have seen their turnout growing. It's been going up over the last few years."

More than 150 tickets were sold to the group's Jefferson/Jackson dinner Friday, with state Sen. Patricia Jones, D-Holladay, as the featured speaker. Jones also spoke to the Iron County Democrats on Saturday.

"This is our organizing year, and we are hungry," Holland said, which prompted a burst of applause from the audience. "Here in red rock country, those red rocks look prettier with a bright blue sky behind them."

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