Mike Berlon

Mike Berlon is the former Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia.[1] He served from early 2011 until June 9, 2013, when he resigned following accusations of professional misconduct.

Personal life

Mike Berlon was a practicing attorney. He is married to Susan Markham Berlon and resides in Gwinnett County, Georgia.[1] Mike Berlon was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison for fraud. [2]

Political career

In January 2011, Berlon was elected as the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia.[3] Since his election, he has emphasized a grassroots strategy to make the Democratic Party more competitive outside of the Atlanta metro area[4] and a progressive platform including job creation, increased pay for teachers and educators, and increased funding of public schools.[5]

On May 29, 2013, the Democratic Party of Georgia released a statement[6] saying Mike Berlon would resign his chairmanship, after Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed called for Berlon to step down earlier on Wednesday. In a subsequent statement released to the media, Berlon announced his resignation from the state party would be effective midnight on June 9, 2013.

Stance on party-switchers

Berlon has also been a strong critic of elected Democrats that switch to the Republican Party.[7] During his tenure, several Democrats switched parties to take advantage of the state's Republican-lean, most notably State House Caucus Chair Doug McKillip,[8] and State Representative Rick Crawford (who stated his intention to switch immediately after his re-election campaign).[7] The Democratic Party of Georgia unsuccessfully attempted to remove Crawford from the ballot.[9]

All three party-switchers lost in their next election.[10][11] [12]

References

  1. 1 2 "Party Officers | Georgia Democrats". Georgiademocrat.org. 2011-01-29. Archived from the original on 2013-02-08. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  2. ↑ http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/former-georgia-democrat-party-chairman-sentenced-t/nmHTQ/
  3. ↑ "Mike Berlon Elected Georgia Dem Party Chairman". firstcoastnews.com. 2004-05-19. Retrieved 2013-02-11.
  4. ↑ "Democrats Court Voters Outside Atlanta". Gpb.org. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  5. ↑ "No challenge is more vital than job creation". www.ajc.com. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  6. ↑ "Ga. Democratic Party chairman steps down". wsbtv.com. 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  7. 1 2 "Georgia Democrats furious at turncoat lawmaker". 11alive.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  8. ↑ "State Rep. Doug McKillip is 7th Ga. Democrat to Switch to GOP - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5". Myfoxatlanta.com. 2010-12-07. Archived from the original on 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  9. ↑ "Dems Want Crawford Off Ballot". Gpb.org. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  10. ↑ "Quick beats McKillip in House District 117; Frye takes down Heard in District 118 House contest". Online Athens. 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  11. ↑ "Bell's political star fades after primary loss". Gainesvilletimes.com. 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  12. ↑ "Election Dobbs takes BOC seat Ray wins BOE seat". Times-Georgian. Retrieved 2013-02-10.


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