Utah Democrats elect Dabakis as new party chairman

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's newly elected Democratic Party chairman says the party's "big tent" welcomes members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"I want to speak directly to the LDS people in our state," Jim Dabakis said Saturday after being nominated for state party chairman. "I want you LDS people to participate in our party. We want your spirit, we want your contributions and we want to earn your votes. I will do whatever I can as chair to see that our big tent is comfortable to LDS people because it's the right thing to do."

Dabakis was elected as the new party chairman by delegates during the Utah Democratic Party's 2011 Organizing Convention attended by more than 1,000 party faithful. He replaces retiring three-term party chairman Wayne Holland.

Dabakis, one of the co-founders of Equality Utah and The Utah Pride Center, is the first openly gay leader of a political party in Utah.

"This is a historic moment," Dabakis said jokingly with a long pause after he was nominated. "Utah may elect its first out Greek-American party chair."

On a more serious note, he said being openly gay was never an issue during his campaigning.

"It shows how fair minded and decent people are," Dubakis said. "Utahns are basically fair, honest, decent people."

He said Democrats believe in the inclusion of all people, even if they have some differing opinions, including Utah Mormons who primarily vote Republican.

He called voters who practice the Mormon faith a "tremendous resource" and believes they want the chance to be part of the "normal, moderate, reasonable party that we are" in light of what's been happening in the Republican party.

"Our state is not the Republican Party. People are looking for real life answers to problems," he said. "I believe to my core, Democrats can win in Utah. I believe that we can win, and I believe that we will win. Our party is and must be the party of the big tent."

The Utah GOP controls both houses of the state Legislature, hold all statewide offices and two of the three congressional seats.

Party delegates noted that Dabakis has been a successful businessman, radio talk show host and involved Utah politics for 30 years.