Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: Sept 5-11, 2022

Track the Biden Administration's campaign promises

64 days until the Midterm Elections

Here are the Democratic candidates who want to represent Polk County!
Get involved: Volunteer and Donate!

For more information:

Florida Senate: Veysel Dokur (Dist 12) and Christopher Proia (Dist 27)

US Congressional seats: District 9 - Darren Soto, Dist 11 - Shante Munns, and District 15 - Alan Cohn

Markeishia Smith: Polk County Commissioner District 4 (This is a countywide election)

Other ways to get involved

**** The Polk County Democratic Party is also looking for volunteers to help with its campaign to get out the vote. Register here with your area of interests.

**** BlueShift Florida will be holding canvassing and phonebanking events over the next 10 weeks, leading up to the election. The focus for the next three weeks will be to sign up people for Vote by Mail. In addition to the featured events below, there are opportunities to canvass in Auburndale, Winter Haven and Davenport. Email mbradley@floridadems.org for details.

To canvass in North Polk County, click here.
To canvass in South Polk County, click here.
To phonebank from the comfort of your home - or invite some friends for a social get-together and make calls together - click here.

In memory of Barbara Osthoff

We were saddened by the news last week of the death of Barbara Osthoff, Assistant Supervisor of Elections (for many years).

Many times over the years Barabara supported voters when they needed information or help from the SOE's office. Barbara was quick to respond, kind, professional and competent in her work. We all looked forward to dealing with her and felt that she was always fair and equitable towards us as Democrats.

In the past few weeks, we spoke frequently about the poll watching program. Recently, another SOE employee took over communications prior to the Primary and now we know why.

Barbara, 81, received a number of awards for her work, including: the Lary Hardaway Civil Liberties League Award, the Supervisor of Elections Registration Administration Award and special recognition for 40 years of loyal service presented by the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

The Polk County DEC will donate $100 in her honor. DEC members are encouraged to express our gratitude to her family for her great work. A service of remembrance was held on Thursday, September 1st, at McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church of Bartow, 695 West Stuart Street in Bartow. In lieu of flowers, the family asked to donate on behalf of Barbara to the McLeod Presbyterian Church.

Sponsors Sought for Winter Haven Hispanic Heritage Celebration

The Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County will host Winter Haven's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration on October 15.

Festival de Las America's (Festival of The Americas) will highlight musical entertainment from various artists, salsa lessons, raffles, vendors showcasing their services plus activities for the children. Admission to attend is FREE.

Interested merchants or service providers can still sign up to participate here. Deadline is September 30th. For more: 863-838-2084.

Volunteer of the Month: Joey Leach

From Barbara Harris, President, North East Polk Democratic Club: "I could not have described the volunteer events that Joey Leach has been at or created since the beginning of our club. It seems proper to use his own words to explain why he was nominated as Volunteer of the Month. We are grateful to have him."
*****
Attending the initial meeting of the North East Democrat Club will always be something I'll remember.
I was elated, hopeful and energized by the others in that room, who also wanted to change the direction of their community through electoral action and community outreach.
We began our activities soon after. Meetings began to attract more attendees, more people listened, our club grew and so did our list of activities.
We canvassed our districts, hosted local political hopefuls, raised funds and continued to hold growing membership meetings. Then 2020 came.
We hosted well attended sign wavings, as well as Biden support caravans spreading the message to voters all over North East Polk County!
We leafted and monitored polling sites.
We held tent events to register new voters and get out the vote.
Biden became our new President!
With 2021 came the promise of a bill known as the PRO Act, a sweeping bill that would usher our outdated labor law into the 21st century.
We held rallies in support of the Pro Act alongside labor unions and other community ally groups.
We held a massive caravan/community event in support of the John Lewis voting rights act.
Our most recent in-the-street battle has been to amplify the voices of those who feel marginalized by recent Supreme Court decisions
I love that we will continue to grow as a club and fight for working class Florida!

In solidarity!
Joey Leach
NE Dem Club VP

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held Sept 12, 2022 via Zoom from 6:30 pm.

Future Polk County DEC Mobilize Events

Keep us up to date: If you would like to feature what your club or caucus is doing or introduce a new president, other office holder or person of interest, please send information to polkdemwd@gmail.com

Become a Volunteer Donate Become a Member

Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links

Name	Facebook
Democratic Party of Polk County	https://www.facebook.com/PolkCountyFLDemocrats
Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Polk Co	https://www.facebook.com/Polk-County-Chapter-Democratic-Hispanic-Caucus-of-Florida-340664722737576/
Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland	https://www.facebook.com/dwcl17
Democratic Women's Club of E Polk Ridge Greater Winter Haven Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/102229486585792
Lake Ashton Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/446482912365417
Lake Wales Area Democratic Club
Lakeland Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/LakelandDemClub/
North East Polk Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/NEPolkDemClub/
Polk Co. Black Caucus Polk Co. Democratic Senior Caucus Polk Co. Disability Caucus Polk Co. Environmental Caucus Polk Co. Jewish Caucus Polk Co. Progressive Democratic Caucus Polk Co. Young Democrats	https://www.facebook.com/PolkDemDisabilityCaucus/ https://www.facebook.com/Polk-Democratic-Environmental-Caucus-101289152221143/ https://www.facebook.com/PolkProgressives https://www.facebook.com/PolkYoungDems
Rainbow Ridge LGTBA Caucus	https://www.facebook.com/Polklgbta
Solivita Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/solivitademocraticclub

If you would like to know more about a caucus or club which does not have a hyperlink, please email PolkCountyDemocrats@gmail.com

Mailing Address:

Due to the pandemic the Democratic Party of Polk County has closed the office in Lakeland.

The mailing address is the following:

The Democratic Party of Polk County, 6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Suite 328, Winter Haven, FL 33884

The telephone number: (863) 668-7199
Email: PolkCountyDemocrats@gmail.com
Weekly Digest Coordinator: Michelle Bradley
For submissions, email: PolkDemWD@gmail.com

Become a Volunteer Donate Become a Member

You are receiving this email because you are either affiliated with Polk Democrats or attended one of our events.
Telephone number: (863) 668-7199
Our mailing address is:
6039 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Suite 328
Winter Haven, FL 33884

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Thank You!
Polk DEC 913-1