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Chairperson
A political party chairperson is the head of a political party at the local, state, or national level. A chairperson generally acts as the chief executive officer of the party and oversees party operations, election strategy, candidate recruitment, and fundraising. A chairperson's specific duties depend on each unique party's structure and bylaws.
National political parties
A national political party chairperson is the chief executive officer of a national political party. When a political party occupies the presidency, the president selects the national party chairperson. Other national political parties elect a chairperson through a vote of the national committee.[1][2]
Though a chairperson's specific duties vary according to the rules of each political party, national political party chairpersons share several common responsibilities. The chairperson is in charge of party operations with the assistance of fellow party officers and any applicable full-time staff. The chairperson aims to ensure that party candidates and activists work to uphold the party platform and support policy positions. The chairperson is also in charge of calling meetings of the national committee and the executive committee. Depending on the party, the chairperson may also have authority over certain regular and interim party officer and staff appointments. A national chairperson's term in office depends on the bylaws of the political party. [3][4]
National political party chairpersons also work to recruit candidates for public office and ensure neutrality during the primary election process. As the head of the party, the chairperson works to negotiate internal disagreements between party officials and candidates and facilitate consistent policy messaging. Fundraising outreach is also a chief responsibility of the party chairperson.[3][4][5]
In the case of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee, the chairperson is a full-time, paid employee. Compensation for other national party chairpersons depend on the party's particular rules.[3][4]
Unlike other national political parties, the Green Party is headed by seven co-chairs rather than a single party chairperson.[6]
State political parties
The state political party chairperson is the highest-ranking party officer at the state level. As the top party official, the state party chair calls meetings of the state central committee, executive committee, and statewide party meetings or conventions. The chairperson works with party officers and staff to oversee party operations, implement a communications strategy, and direct the party's fundraising outreach. In addition, the chairperson works to recruit and support candidates, mitigate internal party conflicts, and develop a legislative agenda that is consistent with the party platform.[7][8][9][10]
State party chairpersons are elected through a state convention, caucus, or primary election. In the case of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, the state party chairpersons are automatic members of their respective party's national committee. Depending on the party rules, the chairperson may receive compensation or serve on a voluntary basis.[3][4][11]
Local political parties
The chairperson of a local political party is the point person for local party activities. The local chairperson serves as the chief administrator of the party and works alongside party officials and staff, when applicable, to support the party platform at the local level. In addition, the local chairperson often functions as a spokesperson or representative by disseminating information to the general public while facilitating communication between the local unit and the state party. The local chairperson also takes a leading role in the party's fundraising outreach.[12][13][14]
Depending on the party bylaws, a local chairperson calls regular meetings of the party and executive committee and oversees party operations at the precinct or district levels. The chairperson also works to recruit and support local candidates and coordinates with local election officials to implement primary election procedures and certify results.[12][13]
Local chairpersons generally serve on a voluntary basis.[15][16]
See also
- Democratic Party
- State Democratic parties
- Republican Party
- State Republican parties
- Libertarian Party
- Green Party
- Constitution Party
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Geer, J., Herrera, H., Schiller, W., and Segal, J. (2016). Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government, Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. (page 282)
- ↑ Libertarian Party, "Libertarian Party Bylaws and Convention Rules," May 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Republican National Committee, "The Rules of the Republican Party," accessed June 21, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Democratic National Committee, "The Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States," accessed June 21, 2016
- ↑ Alabama Political Reporter, "Alabama RNC Members Endorse Chairman Reince Priebus: Fundraising, Messaging and Trust cited," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ Green Party of the United States, "Bylaws of the Green Party of the United States," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ American Legion Auxiliary-Department of Indiana, "Duties of the political party officers," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ Granite Grok, "Role and Responsibility of the State Republican Committee Chairman," January 15, 2009
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "Guide to Political Party Organization in Vermont," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ Santa Fe New Mexican, "Buoyed by November wins, state GOP elects new chairwoman," December 6, 2014
- ↑ New Hampshire Journal, "Updated: Plan would have paid NHGOP chair average of $53K annually," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Synonym, "Duties of a County Political Chairman," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 eHow.com, "Duties of a County Political Chairman," accessed June 21, 2016
- ↑ Herald Tribune, "Democrats go big on fundraising," April 17, 2016
- ↑ Harris County Republican Party, "The Harris County Republican Party," accessed June 24, 2016
- ↑ Texas Democrats, "County party and chairs," accessed June 24, 2016
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