A letter from David Sours, the Chair of the Jackson County Democratic Party - July 2024
Recently I had to facilitate a contentious meeting. Since becoming party chair 18 months ago, I’ve had to lead a number of them. On this particular occasion I left the meeting extremely discouraged. A friend texted to ask how I was doing. “I’m not sure I want to be the chair anymore,” I replied. “I’m canceling my appointments and giving myself 24 hours to be angry.”
I surprised my wife the next morning with an unusual proposal. “Let’s go test drive new cars.” We had been talking for years about getting one. We met a great salesman and had a lot of fun. The following morning, I found myself in a new headspace – ready to get back to work.
Before last Thursday’s Presidential debate, I felt a lot of stress. I decided to take care of myself, regardless of the debate’s outcome, so that I would not become distracted from the local political work that has become so important to me. How did I do that? I selected one project from a long list and committed to finishing it the morning after the debate.
I slept well that night, awaking quite early. I showered and shaved immediately – something I never do. I wanted to look and feel my best for the day. Then I launched into the project, designing a special handout for the Ashland 4th of July Fair. I completed a draft in two hours and sent it to a couple of party associates for review. The entire day went like that – positive and productive.
I care about what happens in the Presidential race. I share the concern people have about it and try to be supportive when they are anxious. But when it comes to my own anxiety, I’ve decided I have a choice. I’ve learned from my wise partner of 39 years, who teaches yoga and focuses especially on the nervous system, that there is a flip side to Fight or Flight. It’s called Tend and Befriend. I think this approach can be summed up with a quote by Steven Dubner, the host of Freakonomics Radio. He concludes every episode by saying, “Take care of yourself and, if you can, someone else too.”
Getting myself into a more positive headspace is one way I’ve learned to tend to myself. When I do that, I’m better able to be there for my family, friends, and fellow Democrats. Inundated as we are with negative headlines and frightening developments on the right, we do have a choice in how to respond. In spite of dire predictions by some, I decided some time ago (and you may think I’m being hopelessly naive here) to take the long view. I’ve made up my mind not to let Nov. 5, 2024 have power over me. To be sure, we will all live in a different world on Nov. 6, regardless of who wins, but we will still be able to exercise influence on those around us, and on our local elected leaders.
For most of my life, I missed this fact because of my focus on what was going on nationally. Washington is important, but I’ve come to realize that what my local elected leaders do is even more so. A few of them may one day hold positions in Salem and Washington. In my opinion, not enough of them are Democrats, and there’s something I can do about that, if I just put my mind to it and accept that it will take time.
Under Oregon statute, the major parties must hold organizational meetings in January of odd years to elect their leaders for the coming two years. Our party’s next organizational meeting will be in January 2025, and I’ve decided to run for a second term as chair. There’s so much worth doing in our party, and I want to help.
What about you? I’m asking you to step up - and to count our local party among your personal priorities. Please volunteer – take on a project. Consider becoming a Grassroots Donor by contributing monthly.
Let’s work together to elect Democrats of all ages to city councils this fall, and to local boards next May. Let’s build our local party and make it competitive everywhere in Jackson County.
Looking up, out, and to the future –
David Sours, Chair
Jackson County Democratic Party
