Frederick Democrats move on after reorganization attempt

WINCHESTER — The Frederick County Democratic Committee is moving on after an attempt by one of its former members to have the group reorganized.

Democrat Shaun Broy of Stephens City — who in 2011 ran unsuccessfully against incumbent state Sen. Jill Vogel, R-Upperville — led the effort.

Committee Chairman Branson Miller said Tuesday that the situation has been resolved.

“The Frederick County Democratic Committee adheres to the state party plan and we will move forward with Democratic beliefs,” he said. “And we will not be deterred by outlandish behavior.”

Broy’s Jan. 7 email message to the 10th Congressional District Democratic Committee lists eight complaints, including that the FCDC hasn’t adequately engaged members of the community, hasn’t been registering new voters and has seen a drop in the number of community members serving on the panel.

Broy, who was elected as committee vice-chairman in January 2012 but resigned because he took a trip to Hawaii, could not be reached for comment.

The document, as shown in the email sent by Broy, includes 12 other complainants whose names are redacted.

Miller said only one of them is a member of the committee and therefore was the only one who had the standing to ask for the committee’s reorganization.

The group — which has six executive members — met with that complainant and resolved any differences, said Miller, who isn’t holding any grudges.

“If those who signed [the petition] want to get involved, we’ll welcome them with open arms,” he said.

The committee has a a general membership meeting scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Bowman Library in Stephens City and plans to continue to hold its monthly meetings — although dates aren’t yet set, Miller said.

— Contact Conor Gallagher at cgallagher@winchesterstar.com