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In this Issue:
• From the County Chair
• Listening Tour
• No Kings Day of Action
• Cape Coral Recall
• Why I Ran. . .Why You Should Too
• Blue Gators Help Immigrants
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• Beware of Health Advice on Social
Media
• Volunteer of the Month: Dennis Raube
• Club of the Month: The Democratic
Labor Caucus
• Updates from:
Environmental Caucus
Democratic Women’s Club
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Come Together for Tomorrow
By Jim Rosinus
Chair, Democratic Party of Lee County
This past April, Josh Weil was the Democratic candidate for Florida’s U.S. Congressional seat from District 6 where he was endorsed by Bernie Sanders. Josh is a high school math teacher and a single dad of two boys. He is also a dynamic speaker and energetic campaigner who raised over $15 million for his campaign and shifted the district 15 points toward the Blue, which the DNC called a “stunning overperformance.” Many of you helped in his efforts, making phone calls, donating, etc. Now is your chance to meet him in person. On Saturday, June 7, Josh Weil will come to Lee County to help us with a fundraiser at Edison’s Lab, 2431 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers (attached to the Holiday Inn Fort Myers) from 5 to 7 PM. Doors will open at 4:45.
Go to ActBlue to register for this event. Tickets are only $40 per person. Appetizers will be served and the bar will be available. Seating is limited, so please reserve now. There will be silent auction items to bid on (and donations at the event are always appreciated as well).
In addition to Josh, our already-declared candidates will also be there to speak and, time allowing, available for questions and answers after. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet a rising star in Florida Democratic politics. Reserve your seats today.
Join the Lee County Democratic Party for an inspiring night where strategy meets community, and momentum turns into action. With 2026 around the corner, this is our time to connect, organize, and show up for the future we believe in. Your ticket is an investment in voter registration, protecting rights, and defending democracy right here in Southwest Florida.
I look forward to seeing you there on Saturday, June 7 at 5 pm.
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We’re Listening. . .We Hear You
Over the past month and a half, the leadership of the Lee County Democrats held four Listening Tours at different sites around the County. Here’s what they reported:
During the Listening Tour, we met over 200 Democrats. Our panel of officers gained a broader perspective and fresh ideas. We heard Democrats’ concerns over policies and issues, ranging from state and local issues such as educators’ salaries, book banning, and flooding during construction, as well as national concerns over Trump’s tyranny, government overreach, and fear that the administration will not follow Court decisions. We heard your interest in increasing the number of Democrats, reaching out to young voters, voters in assisted living, and marginalized communities, and reconnecting with rural and working-class voters. And you told us we need strong Democratic candidates to take Byron Donalds’ congressional seat, to keep him out of the Governor’s mansion, and compete for other offices in Florida and Lee County. Read on
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Join the National Day
of Action
Join this national day of action and mass mobilization as we respond to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies. We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts. They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies. Here in Lee County, we’ll meet from 9:30 to 11:30AM at the corner of 41 & Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers. Bring your signs, sunscreen, water, friends and neighbors.
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“Take Out the Trash”
Cape Coral Recall Petition Drive Underway
Calling themselves the “Take Out the Trash” Committee, Cape Coral citizens have launched a recall campaign to remove Mayor John Gunter. Kyle L’Hommedieu, a leader of the group, went into action when the city government moved to take 14 acres out of the Yellow Fever Creek Preserve. For the recall process, the first step is to collect 7,000 signatures in 30 days and present them to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections. They need volunteers to help with canvassing over the next 3 ½ weeks. Anyone interested in helping should call L’Hommedieu at (631) 495-9986. For more information, check out their Facebook page. Click here.
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Why I Ran — And Why You Should Too!
By Kaitlyn Schoeffel
Running for school board was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I didn’t come from a political background. I’m a mom, a substitute teacher, and someone who genuinely cares about kids, education, and the direction our schools are heading. That was enough to get started.
The process was a whirlwind. I had to learn everything on the fly, from campaign paperwork to school policies and budget to public speaking. But what surprised me most was how much support was out there. Friends showed up to help knock on doors. The local Democratic Party offered so much encouragement and tons of resources. People want to help. They just need someone willing to step up. Read on
Thinking about running for office? Learn how to get started
on the Lee County Dems website.
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Blue Gators Mobilize to Protect Immigrant Rights
By Pat Duncan
During his latest presidential campaign, Donald Trump vowed to deport thousands of undocumented immigrants, and immediately after his inauguration, his administration started to do just that. He sicced immigration and border patrol authorities on communities across the country, arresting thousands, even scooping up people who live and work here legally. Also, getting to work immediately were concerned Democrats from the Blue Gator Initiative. The group’s membership comes mostly from Bonita Springs, a small city with a notable concentration of Hispanic residents. Many live in “mixed” family groups containing citizens, documented and undocumented individuals.
In February, guided by retired business professor Dr. Sigfredo Hernandez, a Spanish-speaking native of Puerto Rico, the Blue Gators started with 5,000 business-card-sized “red cards for civil rights.” The cards explain, in Spanish or Haitian, the rights one has (citizen or not) when an immigration officer comes to their home. These rights stem...Read on
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Beware of Health Advice on Social Media
By Tracy Rippon
Recently, my 23-year-old son came to me with a concern from his girlfriend about birth control. First, I was incredibly happy that he came to me for advice. Although I was not surprised, I am also a health care provider and have always been up front with health-related education and advice for my children. Second, I was furious when I found out what he had to share. After seeing a post on a social media video feed, his girlfriend believed that her method of birth control could cause cancer. I reassured him that there is absolutely no evidence that hormonal methods of birth control cause cancer. The hormones in birth control methods (mostly progesterone and sometimes estrogen), are the same hormones produced during pregnancy. In fact, hormone levels in birth control are much less than they would be in pregnancy.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and recent research evaluating social media sites, over 80% of health-related posts have misleading or inaccurate information. Some of this is politically motivated. Read on
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Volunteer of the Month
Dennis Raube, Phone-Banking All-Star
Dennis Raube is a stand-alone super volunteer. There is no phone where he does not clock less than 150 calls to voters per week. During election season, it is not unusual for him to make 100 calls a day! At times, he is the only volunteer championing our phone campaigns by himself, but he presses on. He is reliably consistent with post-carding and writing letters to the editor, too.
Dennis says, “Thank you for the recognition. Phone-banking is sooo easyyyy! Here is what I have found with making more than a thousand calls. 90% of the time you get voicemail and leave a simple, straightforward message that the voter can take their time reviewing. The other 10% comprises mostly disconnected phone numbers, followed by a few people who answer. Read on and learn how you can help.
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Club of the Month
The Democratic Labor Caucus
By Cornelius Fowler
The vision of the Democratic Labor Caucus of Southwest Florida is to support working families across Southwest Florida. We’re building a bridge that leads us on a path to a brighter future, while advocating for a safer workplace, fighting for higher wages, and a friendlier atmosphere in our communities. We are committed to working with all clubs and caucuses across South Florida with democratic values. We are dedicated to supporting all Democratic candidates who support labor caucuses.
If you are a current union member or retired union member, we are calling you to action. Join the Democratic Labor Caucus of Southwest Florida. Working-class people are the backbone of our communities, and if you are a supporter of working-class people, this Caucus is for you. If you’re not at the table, you’re the menu! The Caucus will be alternating between in-person gatherings and Zoom meetings. Our next meeting, scheduled for Saturday, June 28, will be held via Zoom. Click here to join.
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Environmental Caucus Update
By Tom Caraco
On May 10, the county and state Democratic Environmental Caucuses co-sponsored a roundtable discussion of political and environmental issues. We heard from three Lee County residents hoping to run for office: Kara Rogers, for mayor of Cape Coral, Cindy Banyai for Florida state assembly, and Howard L. Sapp for Byron Donalds’ congressional seat. The discussion initially focused on the declining availability and uncertain quality of water for household use in Lee County. The roundtable also addressed the challenges faced by outdoor laborers, and the Florida state legislature’s inhibition of local initiatives intended to help workers avoid heat-related illness. The discussion balanced scientific clarity and political practicality. The roundtable should help Democratic candidates understand and sharpen their messages on environmental issues.
The next meeting of the LEE DECF chapter is Saturday, June 14, at 12:30 PM in Meeting Room B of the Bonita Springs Public Library. Virtual attendance will be available.
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Voices Raised, Values Affirmed: Democratic Women Lead with Purpose at State Convention
By Annie Garantino
Approximately 170 members convened in May at the Annual Convention of the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida for a weekend of leadership, sisterhood and support. The Club unanimously and enthusiastically approved an amendment to its platform reading “All individuals, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to due process, basic human rights, and must be treated with dignity and respect.”
The convention included surprise appearances by two recent Democratic candidates: Josh Weil and former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn. They encouraged listeners to keep fighting for what is right and just.
Workshops provided training on Digital Democracy, Safety Training, and Navigating Today’s Political Climate. At the Gala dinner, guests heard from Theresa King, President, Building & Construction Trades (AFL-CIO), the first female trade union president in Florida. She delivered a powerful message of unity, sisterhood, and leadership.
Lee County members also made an impact. Cindy Ginsburg received the Rising Star award, and (yours truly) Annie Garantino was chosen as chair of Region 12.
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The Informed Democrat is published monthly and posted on the LeeCountyDems.org website.
Do you have something you’d like to share with your fellow Democrats in Lee County, or do you have comments, questions, or ideas about features you'd like to see?
Contact us at InformedDemocrat@gmail.com.
Editor: Melissa Butler
The Democratic Party of Lee County is an all-volunteer organization. We do not receive any funding
from the Florida Democratic Party nor the National Democratic Party.
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