Key Point: “Under the DNC’s new State Partnership Program, the Utah Democratic Party, along with state parties in other red states, will receive $22,500 a month from the DNC. ‘We know that with the investment of time, energy and money, a red state can become a purple state and then eventually a blue state,’ he said, later adding, ‘It’s not for charity’s sake, just to give money to the state party, it’s actually to help build the infrastructure we need to actually win elections and meet the moment.’ Martin highlighted Utah’s fast-growing population as a key reason for the DNC’s investment.”

Deseret News: Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin looks to turn red states like Utah blue.

By Lauren Irwin

• Martin told the Deseret News he believes the national party can move the needle by investing in red states like Utah.
• A Minnesota native, Martin put it in hockey terms with a famous line from NHL Hall-of-Famer Wayne Gretzky: “You have to skate to where the puck will be, not where the puck is.”
• “That’s what we’re trying to do with this new DNC, is to both win the moment right now but also win the future,” Martin said. […]
• Under the DNC’s new State Partnership Program, the Utah Democratic Party, along with state parties in other red states, will receive $22,500 a month from the DNC.
• “We know that with the investment of time, energy and money, a red state can become a purple state and then eventually a blue state,” he said, later adding, “It’s not for charity’s sake, just to give money to the state party, it’s actually to help build the infrastructure we need to actually win elections and meet the moment.”
• Martin highlighted Utah’s fast-growing population as a key reason for the DNC’s investment.
• It’s likely that under the 2030 Census count, the state will receive another congressional district. According to population estimates and a prediction from the Brennan Center for Justice, Utah would be one of just a handful of states to gain a new House seat.
• While Utah’s delegation in Washington is currently entirely Republican, Martin believes that can change, with effort.
• “It doesn’t happen organically. You have to make some investments, you have to actually see a little bit of the future and be willing to take some risks,” Martin said.