John Bachtell

John Bachtell (born March 26, 1956) is a far-left politician, American Marxist, activist, trade unionist, and community organizer who served as the Chairman of the National Committee of the Communist Party USA from its 30th National Convention in 2014[1] until its 31st National Convention in 2019.[2]

John Bachtell
Chairman of the Communist Party USA
In office
June 15, 2014  June 23, 2019
Preceded bySam Webb
Succeeded byRossana Cambron and Joe Sims as co-chairs
Personal details
Born (1956-03-26) March 26, 1956
Yellow Springs, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyCommunist Party USA
ResidenceChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materAntioch College
Websitewww.cpusa.org

Career

Bachtell worked as an organizer for the Communist Party in Illinois and was a member of the party's National Committee.[3] He was for a time the leader of the New York party.[4][5]

In an article published in Political Affairs magazine right after his election, Bachtell laid out his analysis of the contemporary political situation in the United States and how Communists should conduct themselves within it.[6] He emphasized that the Communist Party will seek a peaceful transition to socialism so long as it is possible, saying "Given the development of democratic institutions and traditions in the U.S., involvement in the electoral arena and political action is essential and grows in importance. It entails building broad anti-ultra right, reform and anti-monopoly coalitions that win majorities and thus power in every democratic institution e.g., school boards, planning boards, city council, county boards, state legislature, federal office, in 'red' and 'blue' states."

References

  1. Communist Party web site
  2. U.S. Communists elect new leaders to begin party’s second century
  3. People's World
  4. C-Span
  5. Klehr, Harvey. The Communist Experience in America: A Political and Social History. New Brunswick, N.J: Transaction Publishers, 2010 p. 152
  6. Bachtell, John (2014-06-23). "Elections, the state, reform and revolution". Political Affairs Magazine. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Sam Webb
Chair of Communist Party USA
2014 2019
Succeeded by
Rossana Cambron & Joe Sims
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