DOVER, N.J. – History was made in Dover last Thursday as the Dover Democratic Committee (DDC) held its Bi-Annual Convention. Elected to Chair the new DDC was Maria Solines, a 22-year resident of Dover who became the committee’s first-ever Latina Chair.

The meeting, called by outgoing Vice Chair Sandra Wittner in accordance with the committee’s bylaws, saw an almost entirely new committee credentialed and sworn into their positions. 19/24 of those elected are entirely new committee members.

Joining Solines in making history was Morris County Young Democrats President T.C. McCourt who, as Corresponding Secretary, becomes the first-ever LGBTQ+ member of a DDC Executive Board.

Committee member Ruben Gilgorri (Ward 3, District 2) will serve as the DDC’s new Vice Chair, Susan Shauer (Ward 1, District 3) will serve as the Recording Secretary, and former Second Ward Alderman Thomas MacDonald (Ward 2, District 1) will serve as Treasurer.

In her first remarks as Chair, Solines called on the committee to move past the division that has plagued it and the town in recent years. “There is more that unites us than divides us. I know we can work together,” she said. Those calls were echoed by former Mayor James P. Dodd, the Democratic nominee for Mayor in November, who nominated Solines.

“Maria might be new to politics, but she is not new to Dover,” said Dodd. “I have the utmost faith in her and the entire Executive Board as they move to build a Democratic Party in Dover that is the envy of all Morris County Democrats.”

Several committee members echoed Solines and Dodd in their calls for unity, as did as Morris County Democratic Committee Vice Chair Mike DeLamater, who was in attendance.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 17th at 6:30 PM.