Why I’m Running
Hi. I’m Roy Harrison, and I hope to earn your vote, and the privilege of representing Kentucky in the DNC convention in Chicago.
The promise of a national convention lies in the opportunity to improve how we tell the Democratic story.
I have been sharing progressive stories to propel real change my whole career. At the Chicago Convention, I intend to share the lessons I’ve learned in Kentucky to advance Democratic storytelling across the country, and bring back new tools to strengthen our own efforts to overcome the GOP supermajority in Frankfort.
The connections made, the experiences shared, and the lessons learned will very specifically enhance my ability to do what I love doing: sharing the Kentucky stories of our neighbors, our candidates, and helping strengthen our party in the state.
I invite you to contact me directly to learn about my vision and experience as I seek this opportunity.
roy.harrison@gmail.com
859.552.0922
EXPERIENCE
Telling Stories
At the State and Local level, I have built capacity and technique for the campaigns and organizations that bring a progressive message (with a Kentucky accent) to our civic discourse.
As the communications chair of the Fayette County Democratic Party, I have reimagined how our party committee interacts and builds relationships with our neighbors. Beyond simply re-designing our website, creating active new social media accounts, and intelligently building out a robust email program, we have established trust with our community as a reliable voice in public issues.
But most importantly, I have built out the capacity of our party to deliver our message for the long haul. I have trained new leaders in this space, so a new generation of political creatives can lend their talents to our candidates and our party.
In 2020, I ran and was elected as an At-Large member of the Kentucky Democratic Party’s State Central Executive Committee. In that role, I have worked on efforts to strengthen candidate and campaign trainings, and volunteered my messaging and communications expertise to support candidates across the state.
Participating in the Chicago Convention will arm me with new experiences and ideas to develop organizational strategies, and new ways to connect our Kentucky stories and leaders to national movements.
IMPACT
Creating Change
Since moving to Kentucky in 2008, I have volunteered my time and efforts to several change-making organizations in Central Kentucky.
As the AVOL Kentucky Board President and volunteer, I have lead our efforts to establish new affordable housing projects in Lexington that are reserved for the medically vulnerable amongst us, including those with HIV/AIDS. We are making a real impact on the very real struggle to secure stable, affordable housing.
I founded the community building non-profit Frontrunners Lexington, which uses running and fitness to fund LGBTQ+ scholarships, Pride festivals across the state, and mobilized the queer community in defense of trans and queer rights. In a few short years, we have granted over $40,000 and developed new leaders.
I’ve also been fortunate to serve as Lexington Fairness Chairperson, as Finance Director of DC for Democracy, and as Board Member of the Japan-America Society of Kentucky. Giving back to my community is second nature
I have been active in the fights to end no-knock warrants, secure transparency in the demographic composition of municipal boards and commissions, decriminalizing HIV status, raising the minimum wage, and more.
Participating in Chicago 2024 will give me the opportunity share my experiences in making real impacts in Central Kentucky. These lessons will be valuable to Democrats across the country as they combat cynical and authoritarian messaging coming from all levels of conservative media and governance.
EMPOWERMENT
Funding Progress
Building partnerships with folks who share our vision bends political fundraising away from the transactional and toward the inspirational.
I am not a professional fundraiser, but I am someone who understands the need to give our candidates the resources to build relationships with voters.
Beyond my expansive non-profit fundraising of nearly $100,000 a year, I regularly work with candidates and groups to build out actionable fundraising plans. With the Fayette County Democratic Party, I have established sustaining monthly donor program on target of meeting our annual goal. I’m the first to raise their hand to activate a progressive network to support the right candidate or cause.
I’m excited to learn new strategies to sustainably fund campaigns and bring new resources to our Kentucky candidates.
