Resignations of 3rd CD Chair and Associate Chair

The Chair and Associate Chair of the 3rd CD resigned during the 3rd CD Caucus meeting in Grand Island on June 27. Transcriptions of their speeches, with accompanying audio follows:
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BRIAN OSBORN - (click here for audio)

For those of you who remember, back during our State Convention, I got up and I promised you that I would do something, and that was to give each of you a voice in this party. Unfortunately, I have a very strong voice, and I feel that my voice has just as much right to be heard as anyone else’s and I probably stepped on a few toes while doing that.

I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone. I think that most of the time I have kept my comments to things that were pertinent to the 3rd Congressional District and the 3rd Congressional District Organization. I’m not real good on diplomacy. I admit that. But I think that for our Nebraska Democratic Party to become a strong organization we need more people with strong voices, and we need more freedom for everyone to speak what’s in their hearts and on their minds, and that is what I have fought for for the past year, and that is what I will continue to fight for from now on, only in another capacity.

I am resigning as the Associate Chair and I understand that Lisa will be resigning as the Chair. We’ve had some differences, some of them on ... I’d say most of them concerning what the 3rd Congressional District Organization is supposed to be. I go by what is written in the Nebraska Democratic Party Constitution and Bylaws. Others go by what their interpretation of those are. I will always defend the Constitution and Bylaws of the Nebraska Democratic Party over my own personal beliefs, first and foremost.

But I am not going to silence my personal opinions, because I am a Democrat, I am proud to be a Democrat, and I will continue to be a Democrat. And, for me, that means being a loud-mouthed ... whatever you want to call it.

I thank you for having given me the opportunity to serve you the best that I could. And believe you me, I will continue to do so.


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LISA HANNAH - (click here for audio)

I did a pre-written statement so I’m just going to read it off, and before I do so I just want to point everybody out that my father and my husband are here today So I think its important.

Last year I offered my candidacy (pardon me).

Last year I offered my candidacy as 3rd District Chair because a number of people encouraged me to do so. They cited my skills in messaging and organizing and urged me to use those skills for the benefit of the 3rd District and efforts to elect Democrats. It was an honor to be asked, and an honor to be elected.

Although I was aware of an undercurrent of bad feeling generated by a few people in our district I had not experienced problems working with them as individuals or as a group prior to my election and never even considered it an issue. The problems began almost the day I was elected and continue to this day. Whether it’s been philosophical, procedural or practical, or its been long range goals, or details on correspondence, or meeting plans - the attacks have been vicious, baseless, mean spirited aimed to undermine my own position and the ability to perform the duties as district chair as stipulated in the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Constitution and Bylaws. Furthermore in trying to seek out how to resolve the matters through the proper channels the requests were denied or ignored.

When one is the target of the politics of personal destruction it is painful and it effects a person, their health and their life. But its one thing if just I ____ effected, its another if it affects something greater. I recognize that what has been directed at me effects not only the 3rd District but the Nebraska Democratic Party as a whole. I’ve always believed the party is an idea much greater than just the individual, it’s the sum of its parts And as long as that atmosphere exists progress can never be made, I believe the only option at this point is to end the dysfunctional atmosphere. Therefore I here offer my resignation as District Chair.