Judith K. Whitmer is an American political activist who served as the chair of the Nevada Democratic Party from 2021-2023. Whitmer was elected on March 6, 2021 by members of the party's governing members, defeating Tick Segerblom in a 248-216 vote.[1][2] She lost re-election to "unity candidate" Daniele Monroe-Moreno in a 314-99 vote.[3]

Judith Whitmer
Whitmer in 2021
Chair of the Nevada Democratic Party
In office
March 6, 2021 – March 4, 2023
Preceded byWilliam McCurdy II
Succeeded byDaniele Monroe-Moreno
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
EducationSeminole State College of Florida (BA)

Education

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Whitmer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Seminole State College of Florida.[4]

Career

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Whitmer was a volunteer on Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns. She also worked on the campaign of Martin O'Malley and for various members of the Nevada Legislature.[4] Whitmer has stated that the Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign led her to become involved in party politics. She was a Sanders delegate in 2020.[5]

In 2021 Whitmer was elected chair of the Nevada Democratic Party along with a new slate of party leaders, all affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America.[6] Upon her election, the entire staff of the party resigned from their positions in protest.[7][8][9][10]

During her tenure as party Chair, Whitmer received heavy criticism from a number of key figures.[11] Top Democrats sought for her removal and then asked for her resignation,[12][13][14] and many former loyalists including Senator Bernie Sanders did not support her when she ran for re-election in 2023.[15] [16]

References

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  1. ^ "Judith Whitmer elected to head Democratic Party in Nevada". KSNV. Associated Press. 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  2. ^ "Whitmer picked to lead Nevada Democrats in major power shift". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  3. ^ Solis, Jacob (March 4, 2023). "Monroe-Moreno elected NV Dems chair, ousts democratic socialist incumbent". The Nevada Independent.
  4. ^ a b "Judith Whitmer – Clark County Democratic Party". Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  5. ^ "Judith Whitmer - Candidate for Chair" (PDF).
  6. ^ Sadler, John (2021-03-10). "New state Democratic Party chair talks staff shake-up, progressive gains, vision for Nevada - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  7. ^ "Deconstructed: Nevada Progressives Vs. the Old Guard". The Intercept. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  8. ^ Zilbermints, Regina (2021-03-09). "Nevada Democratic Party staff quit after Sanders backers take over". The Hill. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  9. ^ Lacy, Akela; Grim, Ryan. "Entire Staff of Nevada Democratic Party Quits After Democratic Socialist Slate Won Every Seat". The Intercept. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  10. ^ Dorman, Sam (2021-03-08). "Nevada Democratic Party staff quits after Democratic socialists sweep party leadership positions: report". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  11. ^ "Democratic socialists swept out of power in Nevada". NBC News. 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  12. ^ "Democrats call on Whitmer to resign after party purge". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  13. ^ "Top Democrats seek removal of Nevada party chairwoman". Las Vegas Sun. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  14. ^ "Nevada Democrats implode over battle for party control". 2023-02-26.
  15. ^ America, Las Vegas Democratic Socialists of (2023-02-13). "LVDSA Statement on Nevada State Democratic Party Election". Las Vegas DSA. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  16. ^ Otterbein, Holly (2023-02-25). "Sanders supporters took over the Nevada Democratic Party. It's not going well". Politico.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Nevada Democratic Party
2021–2023
Succeeded by