BUCKEY AND WEATHERSPOON CHOSEN AS NHDP CONVENTION CO-CHAIRS

Grassroots leaders to lead 2008 State Convention for Dems

(Concord) The New Hampshire Democratic Party today announced the 2008 State Party Convention co-chairs: Jay Buckey and Jackie Weatherspoon.

"Jay and Jackie were chosen as co-chairs because they represent the grassroots of the New Hampshire Democratic Party," said Raymond Buckley. "Our conventions are focused on empowering local Democrats to effect change in their community and Jay and Jackie will ensure that we succeed in that goal. I am grateful to their contribution to our party and look forward to working with them in the coming weeks."

The 2008 New Hampshire Democratic Party State Convention will take place on Saturday, May 17th at Manchester's Henry J. McLaughlin Middle School. The detailed schedule, to be released soon, will include Elections for County Committees, the approval of the Party Platform, remarks from guest speakers and breakout sessions. If you would like to attend this year's convention, please call the Democratic Party headquarters at 225-6899.

Dr. Jay Buckey:  Jay grew up attending public schools on Long Island, New York before attending Cornell University where he earned a B.S. in electrical engineering and later graduated with an M.D. from Cornell Medical School in 1981. He served as a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1987-1995. In 1998, Jay flew as a Payload Specialist Astronaut on the STS-90 Neurolab Mission. From June 2007 to Feb. 2008, he was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. Currently, Jay is a professor of medicine at Dartmouth College.

Jackie Weatherspoon:   Jackie has tremendous experience working in New Hampshire and abroad. She served 6 years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. While in the House, Jackie was on the Election Law Committee and was a two term Secretary of the Legislative Black Caucus. She was a chief sponsor of the MLK Jr. Holiday bill and of the CEDAW Resolution: the UN Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Jackie is also on the committee to Preserve our First in the Nation Presidential Primary Status. Currently she is a faculty advisor to the Democratic Club at Phillips Exeter Academy and is also a Harvard Law School Mediator in the Roxbury and Chelsea Mass. Court.