September 2026 Newsletter

September Newsletter Volume 18 Number 8

Calendar

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

September 2 – Rally Outside the Missouri Supreme Court

Rally with People Not Politicians to demand voters get a say on politicians’ rigged map. 10:30 am – 2:30 pm.

September 2 – Women’s Leadership Forum of the DNC

Meet our stellar candidates, unite, mobilize and take action. Unity Temple 707 W. 47th Street 5:30 to 7:00 pm.

September 10 – Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus – The Torch Awards

Elect Women, Change Everything. The Austin 1720 Cherry Street, 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

September 12 – Advocacy Fair

Connect, Learn, Be Inspired.  10 am to 1 pm, LEAD Innovation Studio, 7201 N. Line Creek Pkwy, 64151.

September 12 – Clay County Democratic Central Committee’s A Night in Clay County

Summer fundraiser. 6:00 pm at the Ameristar Hotel, 3200 Ameristar Dr.

September 14 – Platte County Democratic Women

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

September 15 – The Northland Democratic Club

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

September 17 – Platte County Democratic Central Committee

7:00 pm, Green Hills Library, 8581 N Green Hills Rd.

September 30 – Platte County Community Talk: November Ballot Issues

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

Perspectives from the chair

Almost all of the work deciding elections happens before Election Day. It happens in the months and weeks before a single ballot is cast. Our homes, library meeting rooms, front porches, phone lines, and volunteer support are the front lines of the battle to win elections. Right now, before the November election, is when the outcome is still being written and is exactly the moment which matters most.

The Platte County Democratic Central Committee (PCDCC) is the volunteer backbone of the county’s Democratic Party. We maintain an election headquarters, recruit candidates, work with candidate campaigns, host community forums, get voters registered, and make sure when Election Day arrives, Democrats show up at the polls.

Now we must unite for this election to focus on what matters: that working families deserve a voice, that no one should have to choose between groceries and medicine, that our kids’ schools shouldn’t be negatively impacted by people who never set foot in them.

The single most common thing I hear from people hesitant to volunteer is “I’d help, but I only have limited time.” Or “I volunteered once and I’m not sure it helped.”

Volunteer before this election. We will find a place for you. Volunteering is not always glamorous. It is phone banking when you’d rather be watching the Chiefs game. It is door-knocking in late summer when the sweat runs into your eyes. It is stuffing envelopes, entering data, driving a neighbor to the polls, showing up to a Central Committee meeting on a weeknight when you’re tired. It is the necessary work every single victory in this county will be built on. It works because many people like you joined together to make an impact.

We need you. Not your money, although that definitely helps. We need a bit of your time. Even a few hours make a big difference. Perhaps an evening or a weekend. Your willingness to speak with a neighbor you may have never met and have a real conversation about what’s at stake before the ballots are printed and the polls open helps our mission. The time is now, while the outcome is still in play, while doors are still worth knocking, while phones are still worth dialing, while a single new volunteer or voter can tip an election.

Platte County is changing fast. Families are coming to Platte County, new subdivisions are rising where fields used to be, young people are putting down roots in a place that doesn’t look like it did a decade ago. A county changing this much is not written off. It is being rewritten. The only question is whether Democrats are in the room helping write the next chapter.

Come to a meeting, stop by Headquarters, and sign up to volunteer on our website at https://plattedems.org/volunteer/.

Come be in the room with us.

Joe Schwarz

Chair, Platte County Democratic Central Committee

A note from the editor

As an FDR Democrat, the four freedoms gave me my orientation to the world. This is where I learned to value people who were different. This is where I learned that every human being deserves a basic level of support and opportunity. These are not radical ideas. They are at the heart of post-World War II American identity, introduced in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights and established through legislation and tradition. They are:

  • Freedom of speech and expression: Everyone has the right to speak, share ideas, and inform others.
  • Freedom of worship: Every person has the right to practice their religion or belief in their own way.
  • Freedom from want: People should have access to a healthy, stable standard of living (like food and medical care).
  • Freedom from fear: Nations and individuals should live safe from war, aggression, and physical terror.

At this point in history, it is important to acknowledge that there is great tension within the Democratic Party. There are traditional (centrist) Democrats on one side and Progressives (sometimes labeled socialist or communist) on the other. Yes, there is real disagreement, especially on where to get funding for campaigns, but this is not the time for that discussion. At this moment, what is important is not just winning, but winning in the name of truth and decency (civility, virtue, respectability). Winning in order to rebuild the institutions that guide and protect us. Winning in order to renew the Promise of America. Winning in order to re-establish a shared understanding of who we are, what we stand for, what we aspire to as a Nation, and as responsible Citizens of the World.

United We Stand
Alice Wadsworth

Platte County Democrats turn out for the Parkville Days Parade!

Platte County Democratic Central Committee

The Platte County Democratic Central Committee met on August 20 at the Midcontinent Public Library in Platte City for post primary reorganization. The new Committee Officers are: Chair Joe Schwarz; Vice Chair Melissa Hickman; Secretary Lisa Parks; Treasurer Allan Clements. Representatives to the State Party for District 12: Paula Willmarth as Chair and Allan Clements as Vice Chair. For District 14: Heather Wahab as Chair, Vice Chair to be determined. Representatives for District 13 will be decided following a meeting of the Buchanan County Central Committee.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank outgoing Committee Chair Peter Coyne, Vice Chair Paula Willmarth, Secretary Sharen Hunt, Deputy Secretary Hans Peter and Treasurers John Kirchmeier and Joe Schwarz for all of their hard work these last two years. Platte County Democrats have made significant progress under their leadership. We also want to thank all the dedicated volunteers who served on our various committees and had such a positive impact on our work in Platte County.

Many thanks to the volunteers who posted sign at the polls for the August 4th Primary: John Kirchmeier, David Park, Jackie Older-Hefner, Elisa Nielson, Peter Coyne, Sonjia Wilson (Democratic Women’s Coalition for Northern Platte), Sharen Hunt, Cindy Conser, Kat Henry, Hans Peter, Charles McDonald, Lisa Parks, Seth Euler, Keith Stutterheim, and Joe Schwarz.

Platte County Democratic Women

The Platte County Democratic Women met on August 10 at the Green Hills Library. President Elisa Neilson reported on the Primary Election held August 4.

Keeping with tradition, the organization voted to donate $5,500 to candidates representing the state of Missouri and Platte County.

The new membership year started July 1, 2026. Dues are $25 for the year, payable by cash, check or Act Blue. We have envelopes for cash or a QR code for Act Blue payment. The club discussed the Advocacy Fair scheduled for September 12, 2026 at Park Hill LEAD Innovation Center. Doors will open to the public at 10:00 am and the event will end at 1:00 pm. Set up will start at 9:15am. PCDW needs volunteers to assist on the day of the event – for set up, hosting duties and tear down. If you would like to volunteer contact Elisa Neilson.

Candidates Corner

Candidate Events

  • Canvass with the Candidates: Saturday Mornings at 9:30 am or 10 am, Platte County Democratic Headquarters, 6447 N. Cosby Ave (Picture Hill Shopping Center). Bring your walking shoes, fully charged phone, water and your neck fans. Training is available.
  • Candidate Meet & Greet for Mary McKenna: 5:30 pm Wednesday, September 9, Game Time Tavern & Pizzeria, 2316 NW Vivion Rd

Congratulations to the Platte County Democratic Slate for 2026

Platte County:

Missouri House of Representatives:

Missouri Senate District 34:

U.S. Congressional District 6:

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