The Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts is a group of concerned citizens organized to promote social justice, political reform, and progressive values throughout the Commonwealth focusing on local and state-level issues.

Electoral and Issue Advocacy

PDM members work together in our own communities and across the state to elect progressive candidates and to advance a progressive agenda at the state and local levels.

Networking and Training

We host local and statewide events, including trainings, forums, issues conferences, and receptions, to connect our members, help them develop their skills, and educate them about issues and candidates.

Work in Coalitions

PDM is an active member of key coalitions of progressive organizations, including MassAlliance (a coalition of more than two dozen leading progressive groups who work together to identify, support, and elect progressive candidates for office), Raise Up Massachusetts (a broad-based coalition of community, labor, and faith-based groups pursuing an agenda of key issues), and Mass Power Forward (a coalition advancing local, clean, renewable energy solutions). Together we strive to build progressive political power.

Our Beginning

In the wake of the 2002 gubernatorial election, we set out to build a statewide organization that could make a difference in electing progressive Democrats to public office and work hard to articulate and implement a progressive agenda. In September 2005, PDM was one of the first statewide organizations to endorse Deval Patrick for Governor. Our members were campaign leaders across the Commonwealth, and PDM provided organizing and strategy workshops for campaign workers across Massachusetts.

Our Mission

To promote economic, social, and environmental justice, truly democratic government (i.e., government of, by, and for the people), and progressive values in Massachusetts. We do this through sustained grassroots work at the state and local levels on issues, supporting progressive candidates, and enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of activists through trainings, network building, and collaboration with other progressive organizations.

• We are an all-volunteer organization.

• We believe that sustainable and effective grassroots power depends on building strong interpersonal connections among activists, grounded in face-to-face collaborative efforts. 

• Our sustaining members contribute financially, recruit other members, engage actively in our campaigns and issues work, and participate in endorsement decisions.

• Members are encouraged to support endorsed candidates and issues financially and through grassroots campaigning.

• We focus our efforts on Massachusetts state and local issues and candidates and on making the Democratic Party a consistent and strong force for progressive values.

• We are active members of Mass Alliance and the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition, as well as other coalitions working on key progressive issues.

• We were formed in 2003, largely by people who had been active in Robert Reich’s gubernatorial campaign.

Structure

PDM is led by a eight-member leadership team that coordinates the work of issues working groups, short-term task forces and regional chapters. The members who work together to promote progressive policies and candidates form the backbone of PDM.

We spend your money prudently where it matters:

• Organizing issues forums and training sessions
• Printing and copying to disseminate our issue flyers and brochures
• Exhibiting at the Democratic State Convention and hosting post-convention gatherings for networking among activists
• Supporting coalitions, including Mass Alliance, with whom we actively collaborate

For more information, read our bylaws.

Please support this important work with a contribution today. We need your support! Thanks!

Leadership Team

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