Jim Dabakis, an entrepreneur and longtime advocate for Utah’s LGBT community, is running for chairman of the Utah Democratic Party. So far, he is the only candidate to formally file. Dabakis, an art dealer, helped launch both the Utah Pride Center and Equality Utah.

If selected by delegates at the party’s state convention this summer, Dabakis likely would be the first openly gay chair of the Utah Democratic Party. (There hasn’t been one at least since the 1960s, which is as far back as the memory of the party staff stretches.)

“He’s got a really solid shot,” said Todd Taylor, the party’s executive director. “I think people are seriously paying attention to [Dabakis].”

Bruce Bastian is hosting a “Go-Jim-Go” reception for Dabakis on Sunday (March 27), 3 to 5 p.m. at Market Street Oyster Bar, 54 W. Market Street (350 South), Salt Lake City. Supporters are welcome.

“Jim has a proven record of being able to bring differing factions together and discover their common ground,” Bastian said in an e-mail invitation. “Our party needs to present a strong, unified front to all of Utah if we want to show our neighbors that we are the party who will truly represent their values. I cannot think of anyone more qualified than Jim to make that happen.”