Electing Our Second Vice Chair
The nominations are in! With the application period now closed, we're excited to introduce the Democrats who have stepped forward as candidates for our Second Vice Chair position.
What does this role involve? The Second Vice Chair plays a crucial role in our organization by welcoming potential PCPs, managing credentials, and ensuring our democratic processes run smoothly. This person will serve from April 2025 through early 2027, guiding us through important election cycles and community initiatives.
Your vote matters! All PCPs—both elected and appointed—have the power to choose our new leader at our special Central Committee meeting on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM via Zoom. (Yes, that's straight from our bylaws: "Both elected and appointed PCPs are eligible to vote to fill an officer vacancy." ORS 245.035(3))
Ready to participate? Register now for the Zoom meeting and prepare to make your voice heard! This is democracy in action right here in Multnomah County. Because we have five candidates, our virtual vote will be conducted using Star Vote (as per our bylaws).
Meet the Candidates
Alistair Hale Kilborn (HD 33)
At the suggestion of PCPs from House Districts 31, 33 and 34, I submit my candidacy for the position of Vice Chair 2.
I am running for this position because I want to use my expertise to help make my neighbors’ lives better. It takes a lot of work to keep an institution as historic as the Multnomah County Democratic Party running like a well-oiled machine, and I believe I would be a great fit for the role.
I am currently the Operations Manager for a local environmental nonprofit, and I was previously a congressional staffer for a progressive Democrat. In both roles, I have worked to streamline backend processes and deliver tangible results. In my current role, I handle all of the organization’s operational and administrative work, and in my previous role, I crafted all constituent correspondence and co-directed an appropriations process that secured over $15 million for local governments and organizations.
The Multnomah County Democratic Party is a conduit for change, and I believe strongly in its mission. As VC2, I would represent a new generation of Democrats who are willing to do the hard work to make our community a stronger, healthier and more connected place. Thank you, and I hope to earn your vote on May 4th.
Angad Singh Guliani (HD 43)
I’m asking for your nomination for Vice Chair 2 because our moment demands more than business as usual—it demands bold, local leadership ready to meet the urgency of now.
After the 2024 election, one thing was clear: if Harris had lost, there was no plan. No depth. No urgency. Hakeem Jeffries told us, paraphrasing here, "You can’t fight everything.” But would the Thorns or Blazers coach say, “Too many plays—we’ll pick a few to care about”? Then why is that acceptable from the 213 Democrats we’ve elected to lead?
The Republican Party handed us their playbook—Project 2025—and still, we had no proactive response. Our top Democratic leaders, in office for a combined 82 years, failed to meet the moment. That’s not just frustrating—it’s dangerous.
If elected Vice Chair 2, I’ll work closely with our leadership to recruit and support candidates who understand that we need leaders who will fight, organize, and adapt. I’ve done that work in the Campaign and Candidate Liaison Committee, and I’ll keep doing it with your support as Vice Chair 2.
The future of the party starts right here—with us.
DeAngelo Moaning (HD 43)
My Fellow Democrats,
After long and careful consideration, I am honored to hereby declare my candidacy for the role of Vice Chair 2 for the Multnomah County Democrats.
I deeply understand the importance of serving at this level. When last I ran to become an SCC Delegate, I quoted President Kennedy’s statement that we must “serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” That moment to serve is today.
As Vice Chair 2, it will be my role to serve, organize and measure the best of our community alongside our Credentials Committee members to ensure that our incoming PCP’s are qualified to participate in our Central Committee and District Election meetings.
While not formally stated, I also firmly believe that it is the responsibility of the Vice Chair 2 to identify potential leaders, inform community members about the impact our Precinct Committee Persons have in our local Democratic process and encourage those to participate in our Party. That is the hallmark of a servant leader.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with and stand alongside our Chair and Vice Chair to provide stewardship over the Multnomah County Democrats. And I would be honored for you to stand with me. Thank you for your consideration.
Seth Anthony Petrarca (HD 45)
I am excited to announce my candidacy for Vice Chair 2, bringing a strong commitment to collaboration, efficacy and progress. With a passion for fostering positive change and helping my colleagues. My experience in onboarding roles working with and for community organizations, in addition to my willingness to listen, will enable me to serve our community with integrity and dedication.
Zachary Surmacz (HD 28)
My name is Zack Surmacz. I am about to graduate from Portland State University with a Master's Degree in Public Policy. I recently helped win a 2024 challenge democratic primary campaign in Beaverton and now I work as the Policy Director in Representative Farrah Chaichi's office. I live in downtown Portland and am excited to be running for the Vice Chair 2 position.
I encourage you to vote for me because I will bring a kind, compassionate, thoughtful, energetic and open minded approach to the work we do at Multco Dems. I am very interested in engaging younger voters and building a "bench" of future progressive leaders in the party. I don't have much experience in micro-politics, but I am hard-working and a fast learner.
My political views are founded on human rights - I believe that housing, healthcare, food, water, education, a living wage job, and a clean environment are human rights and should be treated as such. I commit to standing up for working people, the underserved, and the underrepresented.
Role Description: 2nd Vice Chair
From our Bylaws:
The 2nd Vice Chair will:
- Maintain and update Precinct Committee Person files, receive and process PCP applications, verify Party registration of applicants seeking appointment as PCPs.
- Conduct the PCP approval process at Central Committee meetings.
- Chair the Credentials Committee
- Train and assign Credentials Committee members to ensure that PCPs are qualified to vote at Central Committee meetings and at District Election meetings.
- Call meetings of the Credentials Committee to plan and organize the Party Organization Meeting. If the VC2 is a candidate for any officer position, including re-election to VC2, the Credentials Committee will elect one of their members to plan and organize the Organization Meeting.
Being a Party Officer
The Officer positions make up the Administration Committee of the Multnomah Democrats. These officers conduct the day-to-day business of the party and undertake urgent business as necessary. The Administration Committee has very limited powers. Under Oregon law, the governing body of the party is the Central Committee (PCPs).
Officers do administrative work. It is the day-to-day work and clerical work that makes the party function. A constant stream of volunteers must be recruited so that work can be delegated. Some officers form work-group committees, and some officers have regular volunteers they rely on to complete certain tasks. This can be fun, but remember, volunteers often have limited time. Ultimately, if someone else doesn’t do the work, it falls upon your shoulders. As an officer, you need to make a serious time commitment.
Officers meet regularly, collaborating to develop overall vision and priorities for the Party, always with the advice and consent of the governing PCPs.
The workload can be heavy because the work needs to be done to keep the party operating. Having the skill set appropriate to the position and being able to engage in teamwork with fellow officers is key. If someone is unable or unwilling to fulfill their elected office, one or more of the other officers will have to do it for them instead. Be sure you are willing to take on the work and time commitments of an officer position.
For more information
- See the formal requirements of each position in the Bylaws of the Multnomah Democrats (PDF).