The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) announced the formation of its New Democrat Local Officials Network on the opening day of the DLC's third annual National Conversation in Baltimore.

"This new network is intended to provide a channel for better and faster communication between the New Democratic Movement and leaders around the country," DLC President Al From stated. "During the last few years, DLC coalitions and advisory boards have been established around the country for New Democrat Members of Congress and for state legislators. We believe it is now time to draw upon the talents and expertise of the growing number of innovative New Democrat leaders and supporters currently serving in city, municipal, and county governments."

Forty-three local elected officials constitute the charter membership of the New Democrat Local Officials Network. The group includes Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, current President of the US Conference of Mayors; Mayor Dan Malloy of Stamford, Connecticut, the current Chair of the Democratic Conference of Municipal Officials; and the mayors of Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Austin, Baltimore, Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington, DC. Membership is expected to increase over the coming months.

"New Democrats are the modernizers of progressive politics in America and have fundamentally changed the Democratic Party and American politics in this decade," From stated. "New Democrat ideas and approaches to governing now define and occupy the vital center of American politics. They are grounded in a public philosophy that embodies fundamental progressive principles, furthered by innovative ideas and modern means."

"On the local level, New Democrat leaders are at the forefront in developing and implementing strategies that address the challenges of the New Economy, such as urban sprawl, job creation, educating our children," From stated. "I am pleased these thirty-one local officials from around the country have signed-on to be charter member and we look forward to watching this group grow in the future."

The charter members of the New Democrat Local Officials Network include:

Mayor Brenda Barger, Watertown, SD
Mayor Don Cunningham, Bethlehem, PA
Mayor John Fernandez, Bloomington, IN
Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, Toledo, OH
Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, Bridgeport, CT
Mayor Ron Gonzales, San Jose, CA
Mayor Patrick Hays, North Little Rock, AR
Mayor Dan Malloy, Stamford, CT
Mayor Jim McGreevey, Woodbridge Township, NJ
Mayor John O. Norquist, Milwaukee, WI
Mayor Gregory Pitoniak, Taylor, MI
Mayor Margaret Planton, Chillicothe, OH
Mayor Roxanne Qualls, Cincinnati, OH
Mayor Stephen Reed, Harrisburg, PA
Mayor Joe Rice, Glendale, CO
Mayor Joe Riley, Charleston, SC
Mayor Kurt Schmoke, Baltimore, MD
Mayor Joan Wagnon, Topeka, KS
Mayor Kirk Watson, Austin, TX
Mayor Wellington E. Webb, Denver, CO
Mayor Anthony Williams, Washington, DC
City Councilman Jerry Anderson, Tucson, AZ
City Councilman Bob Buckhorn Tampa, FL
School Superintendent Roberto Canchola, Santa Cruz Co., AZ
City Councilman Michael Coleman, Columbus, OH
County Executive Wayne Curry, Prince George's Co., MD
Finance Officer Ruth Damsker, Cheltenham Township, PA
County Executive Doug Duncan, Montgomery Co., MD
County Commissioner Michael Hightower, Fulton Co., GA
City Councilman Michael W. Jacobs, Bucyrus, OH
District Counsel Howard Kieffer, Santa Ana, CA
Trustee Victor King, Glendale, CA
Assessor Duane E. Little, Shoshone Co., ID
Freeholder Lou Magazzu, Vineland, NJ
Commissioner of Revenue Sharon McDonald, Norfolk, VA
Township Commissioner Jules Mermelstein, Upper Dublin Township, PA
City Councilman Michael Nutter, Philadelphia, PA
County Commissioner Anthony Petrucci, Dauphin Co., PA
City Representative James Shapiro, Stamford, CT
County Executive Andrew Spano, Westchester Co., NY
Commissioner of Elections Edward Szczesniak, Onodaga Co., NY
County Commissioner Ben Wacksman, Hillsborough Co., FL
State's Attorney Doug Gansler, Montgomery Co., MD