August 2026 Newsletter

August Newsletter Volume 18 Number 7

YOUR VOTE COUNTS IN THE AUGUST 4 PRIMARY!
Polls are open from 6 am to 7 pm. Need a ride? Call (816) 366-7757.
VOTER GUIDE

Platte County Election Headquarters
Now Open!

Platte County Headquarters celebrated its grand opening with an open house July 13. The office is located in Picture Hills (west side of State Farm Building) 6447 N Cosby Ave. We are always looking for volunteers to work in the office, to canvass, to make phone calls, write post cards, work on events or bring new ideas to implement. Drop by, call (816) 366-7757, or email pc******@********ms.org. Hours are Monday – Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Wednesday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Calendar

Find out more about these and other events by visiting the Calendar on our website.

August 4 – Missouri Primary Election

6:00 am – 7:00 pm at 30 polling locations throughout Platte County.

August 8 – HDAF Day of Action

10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Platte County Democratic Headquarters, 6447 N Cosby Ave. Join the Missouri House Democrats as they talk to voters and work to break the GOP supermajority!

August 10 – Platte County Democratic Women

6:30 pm, Green Hills Library, 8581 N Green Hills Rd.

August 11 – WDC (Women’s Democratic Coalition for Northern Platte County)

7:00 pm, American Bowman, 500 Welk Street, Weston.

August 18 – The Northland Democratic Club

6:30 pm, Clay County Democratic Headquarters, 5226 N Antioch Rd.

August 20 – Platte County Democratic Central Committee

7:00 pm, Green Hills Library, 8581 N Green Hills Rd. This is the biennial the organizing meeting of the new Democratic Central Committee. The new PCDCC will meet in Platte City at the Midcontinent Library 2702 NW Prairie View Road, Platte City, MO to elect officers and appoint representatives to the state and county committees.

A note from the editor

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

The urgency of now is quite different than it was when that speech was given on the National Mall in August of 1963 and yet the sense of urgency that we again face of an historic and dangerous time is no less imperative. The sense that we are at a turning point in history is very strong. Today we face a corrupt administration that wants to take us back to a time before regulation, before integration, before public services including public schools, public parks, and public health that includes food inspection, research on deadly pathogens and diseases as well as health insurance accessible to all.

Perhaps the most urgent aspect of this year’s Midterm election is the need to break Republican supermajorities in the state legislature, the U.S. Congress and our county government. We have all seen shocking proposals at all three levels of government. Respect for the will of the voters as expressed at the ballot box is at an all-time low.

Our state legislature has overturned the votes of the people by reversing a ban on puppy farms, rejecting voter approved to gun control measures, opposing Medicaid Expansion, and fighting to reverse protections on reproductive rights approved by the voters.

At the national level the President is trying to make it harder for eligible voters to cast their ballots. The Save Act would require proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate for women who changed their name when they married) which would make it difficult or impossible for many women to vote. The administration is encouraging voter roll purges and demanding that states turn over their voter rolls so a national roll can be created. And they are working to make mail in voting less available and less reliable.

At the county level, the Platte County Commissioners hit a new low at the end of 2025 when they refused to implement the Children’s Services Fund which the voters passed by 56%. The fund, like those working well in Jackson and Clay counties would have provided mental health services to children and youth in Platte County.

At this crucial moment we need to rebuild a sense of mutual respect that by-passes divisions to focus on what we have in common. There is a need for honest, fact-based debate that focuses on real possibilities not fear and emotional reflex. We need to get rid of corruption and begin to carefully rebuild our government. We need to begin to reconnect and rebuild our relationships with each other, our allies and the world.

United We Stand
Alice Wadsworth

Platte County Democratic Central Committee

The PCDCC met July 16 at the Green Hills Midcontinent Library. Peter Coyne read a statement from Scot Pondelick, candidate for Missouri Congressional District 6, the proposed guest speaker who was unable to attend. His positions are detailed on his website https://www.scotforcongress.com/issues/. The rest of the meeting was focused on business, on opening of Election Headquarters July 13.

The post Primary Election Central Committee reorganization will take place August 20 at the Midcontinent Library in Platte City. The new members of the Central Committee will be sworn in to represent the following districts: 12-2: Joe Schwarz; 12-2: Elisa Atwell-Neilson; 12-4: Allan Clements; 12-4: Paula Willmarth; 12-5: Charles McDonald; 12-5: Carolyn Pooler; 13-1: Lisa Parks; 13-2: Kevin Boydston; 13-3: Melissa Hickman; 13-4: Keith Stutterheim; 13-4: Mary Bay; 14-1: Sharen Hunt; 14-2: Dawn Dolbee; 14-3: Cynthia Conser; 14-4: Rita McGuire; 14-5: David Park; 14-5: Heather Wahab.

Platte County Democratic Women

The PCDW met July 13 at the Midcontinent Library – Green Hills. Guest speakers were:  Shereka Barnes, candidate for the Missouri Senate District 34; Tracey Steele, candidate for Missouri Representative District 12; and Scott Pondelick, candidate for the 6th United States Congressional District. New business:

  • Dues for July 2026 through June 2027 are $25.
  • This year’s Advocacy Fairs is set for Saturday, September 12, at the LEAD Innovation Studio. Planning is underway.

Northland democratic club

The Northland Democratic Club met July 21 at the Clay County Democratic Headquarters. Ashley Aune, House District 14 and Minority Floor Leader of the Missouri Legislature, spoke about proposed Amendments 1, 2, 4 and 5 on the Primary Election ballot. Ryana Parks-Shaw, Mayor Pro Tem, representing Kansas City’s 5th District, spoke about the five Kansas City questions on the ballot.

Candidates Corner

Platte County: These candidates will be on the November 3 ballot.

Missouri House of Representatives: These candidates will be on the November 3 ballot.

Missouri Senate District 34: These candidates will be on the August 4 Primary ballot.

U.S. Congressional District 6: These candidates will be on the August 4 Primary ballot.

Similar Posts