PowerPlayer: Democratic Party Executive Director Stephanie DeSilva

Monday, February 27, 2012

Dan McGowan, GoLocalProv News Editor

 

This week’s PowerPlayer is Democratic Party executive director Stephanie DeSilva. Ms. DeSilva was kind enough to chat with GoLocalProv about her role within the Party and her goals for 2012.

1) We asked Chairman Pacheco so we have to ask you. What's it like working for a Party that has such a mix of conservatives, moderates and liberals all trying to live under one umbrella? How do you handle conflicts?

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Rhode Island Democrats do indeed cover a wide spectrum and it’s not necessarily a negative. The Democratic Party has always been and should be a big tent. How do I handle conflicts? One at a time.

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2) Tell us your top three goals for the 2012 election season.

1. Elect Democrats

2. Elect Democrats

3. Elect Democrats

3) Take us through a day in your life.

Each morning starts the same: peruse the news, coffee in hand. Coordination and organization are key to every day, though each day varies. It is a standard mix of communications with the DNC, meetings or calls with staff from federal level to General Assembly and all the way local to city committee folks. I connect with the Chairman at least twice to exchange updates. The day usually ends with a meeting or event. I’m home anywhere between seven and 10, depending on what is scheduled and what unfolded during the day.

4) You won't be with the Party forever. What's next for Stephanie DeSilva? Would you ever run for office?

It’s very difficult to see beyond November 2012, and while running for office is not on my radar, “never say never” as they say. An issue of great importance to me is the prevention of violence against women. Ideally, I would love to work in an environment where I am raising awareness and educating young women and young men, girls and boys about dating violence and abuse – the rising numbers of dating violence among teens is staggering.

5) Tell us something nobody knows about you.

I lived in Bozeman, Montana in 1999 and volunteered for Obama in Missoula, Montana in 2008. As a consequence, I now suffer inner conflict between rooting for the Griz or the Cats in college sports – it’s a rivalry only matched by the Yankees vs. Red Sox.

Quick Hitters

Role Model: My mom is a proud, smart, kind, cancer-kicking rock star.

Favorite Restaurant: Local 121 in winter and Matunuck Oyster Bar in summer

Best Beach: Between Lifeguard Chairs 4 & 5 at Narragansett Town Beach is heaven on earth.

Best Book You've Read this Year: The AP Style Guide

Advice for the Next Stephanie DeSilva: Listen before answering. Change doesn’t happen overnight - if you truly believe in something - be patient and keep working at it. And think twice before planning your wedding in an election year!
 

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