- From the County Chair
- SAVE Act Update & What’s Moving in Tallahassee
- Primaries Offer Informed Voters Choices
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- Club of the Month
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Who Does What in Florida Government
- Volunteer of the Month
- Candidates Corner
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From the County Chair
Where We Stand Today
By Jim Rosinus
The times we are going through right now are both depressing and exhilarating. On the one hand, we face a continuous onslaught of truly awful news: illegal deportations, official kidnappings, killing of innocent citizens, blatant graft and corruption, and now, unconstitutional, unprovoked war aided and abetted by a complicit congress and courts, and reported by complacent and cooperative corporate media conglomerates. It’s no wonder people are depressed. It’s no wonder people despair.
That’s the depressing part. But there is also an exhilarating part.
People are waking up. They’re frustrated and anxious. They feel the need to do something, to take action, to fight back. And they are coming to us for guidance. They are volunteering. They are showing up for rallies and demonstrations, making their thoughts and feelings known through letters to the editor and phone calls to their representative. They’re organizing. We’re actually in a pretty good spot right now. And it’s getting better every day.
You won’t see or read about it in the news. Their job is to generate clicks and good news doesn’t do it. You won’t hear about it from the people in charge. Their goal is to discourage you from participating, to convince you that any effort you put forth is hopeless. They are wrong.
What we see today is only the surface. It’s the illusion of solidity, of a stability that cannot be challenged. And it is an illusion. Beneath the surface, there is energy, there is movement, and there is an ever-growing demand for change, for reconstruction, for restoration of constitutional order—and for consequences for those who have tried to bring us down.
Stay strong. Stay positive. The world will not change overnight, and there will be setbacks. But history and current events beneath the surface are flowing in our direction. Put yourself on the right side of history and keep working.
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SAVE Act Update & What’s Moving in Tallahassee
As part of our ongoing commitment to keep you informed about legislation that affects voting rights and civic participation, here’s where things stand at both the federal and state levels.
At the federal level, the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) has not become law. While it previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives, it has stalled in the U.S. Senate and has not cleared Congress. That means the proposed federal requirement for documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote has not been enacted.
In Florida, however, similar legislation is actively moving. House Bill 991 has passed the Florida House and is now in the Senate Rules Committee, one of its final stops before a full Senate vote. Its companion bill, Senate Bill 1334, is advancing on the Senate side. Read more
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Primaries Offer Informed Voters the
Power of Choice
The primary season is starting to shape up here in Lee County. This year voters will have choices in many of our local and state-wide races...and that’s a good thing! In fact, primaries are where democracies really shine. But primaries require smart, curious voters who do their homework.
Three proven tips on how to vet candidates between now and the primary:
- Visit the candidate’s website. Learn their background and what issues are important to them. Look for substance, not high-tech sizzle.
- Notice who else in the community is supporting them. Are those names familiar to you? Are they people/organizations you admire and respect?
- Attend an event where you can hear the candidate speak. Print materials can be polished and edited. Candidates don’t have to be masters of public speaking or be experts on every issue but they should come across as honest, informed and passionate.
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Who Does What in Florida Government?
A Voter’s Guide to Understanding the Power Behind the Office
Every election cycle, voters are asked to choose candidates for offices ranging from School Board to U.S. Congress. But confusion about who actually has the power to do what often leads to misplaced expectations — and misplaced blame. Understanding job descriptions of public offices helps voters choose the right candidate for the issue they care about most.
Here is a breakdown of major offices affecting Floridians.
Florida State Legislators (House & Florida Senate)
Members of the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate write and pass state laws.
They decide:
- Public school laws (curriculum requirements, book policies, classroom restrictions)
- Education funding formulas
- Voting laws
- Healthcare policy at the state level
- Environmental and development regulations
- State budget allocations
If a law affects what can be taught in public schools, how districts handle books, or statewide education standards, that authority begins in the Florida Legislature — not with your local school board. School boards must follow state law. They cannot override it.
Local School Board
Local school boards (such as the ) oversee district operations. Read more
| | A lot of volunteers tell us they just feel they need to do something when they signed up to help Lee Dems. If you feel that way, click the above button to see the many volunteer roles we have available. You’ll work with welcoming teams of like-minded people, receive training, and play a meaningful role in building a stronger Lee County. | | Your support directly funds our work to protect democracy and create positive change in our community by covering essentials like text messaging, postcards, slate cards, literature, helping candidates with filing fees as needed, and more. Click the button above to see the many ways to contribute. | | |
Club of the Month
North Lee County Democrats
The newest Club to form is the North Lee County Democrats. Under the leadership of Cynthia Pulham, this club aspires to be a home for the Democratic voters in northern Lee County. This Club hopes to attract the 20,000 plus Democrats living in north Lee County. Clubs can be a fun way to network, meet new friends, enjoy social gatherings and debate the many policies that effect the lives of our local communities. The Club is still in its formative phase so now is the best time to get involved. For information on meetings and upcoming events contact Cynthia Pulham, cynthia33917@gmail.com, or call 719-238-4927.
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March 28: No Kings Resistance
Whether you have faithfully attended every march or are just now looking for a way to engage, March 28 needs to be on your calendar. Find opportunities near you!
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Volunteer of the Month: Donna Windle
Donna Windle is one of several volunteers staffing the new HQ. Her upbeat, friendly personality and helpfulness are an asset to the organization. She dedicates 8 hours a week to reception support phonebanking, assisting with candidate petition collecting, and whatever is needed. You will see Donna like clockwork every Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-1:30. Stop by to meet Donna and thank her for all her efforts for Lee County Dems.
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Candidates Corner
Statewide Candidates Appearing at Spring Soiree
The Lee County Democratic Party’s Spring Soiree on Sunday, March 8, will feature candidates for the U.S. Senate and the Florida Governor’s office. Their appearance gives evidence that Lee County matters in the effort to turn Florida blue. Buy Tickets Now
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Angie Nixon Fights for Working People
Angie Nixon is not a career politician. She’s a union organizer, a mother, a small business owner, and a proven fighter born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. And now, she’s running for U.S. Senate because she believes Florida can and must do better for working people.
In the Florida State House, Angie has built a reputation for taking on fights that matter. She has worked to expand childcare access for thousands of families who are stretched thin by rising costs. She pushed back when a major grocery chain attempted to gouge prices at a time when Floridians were already struggling. Read more
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Jerry Demings for Florida Governor: Commited to Public Service
Jerry Demings grew up in West Orlando, where he saw firsthand the toll drugs took on his community and his own family; his brother battled addiction as a young man. Determined to make a difference, Jerry pursued a career in public service to help rid neighborhoods of drug dealers and restore hope. After graduating from college, an FBI recruiter encouraged him to gain law enforcement experience. He joined the Orlando Police Department expecting to serve for a few years, but he fell in love with the work and the community he served. Read more
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Lee County School Board
This year there will be elections for District 1, District 4, District 5. Only the people in those districts can vote for those candidates. The District 6 seat will also be up this year. It is an At-Large seat and everyone in Lee County can vote for that office. In the next few issues, we will be introducing the candidates we support.
This month we hear from Heidi Fausel, running in District 1. In past months, we featured Carline Saintilus, a candidate for District 5, India Palencia, a candidate for the At-Large District 6,and Debbie Jordan, the incumbent seeking her third term in District 4. Read on to hear from Heidi:
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I’m running for School Board because I believe that the only way for us to have a future is to invest in our students and give them a fact based education and an environment where they are safe to develop and grow as our future depends on it.
My background brings a new perspective to education in Florida as I was an English teacher and ran several English Departments in the French public school system for about 30 years and as well a being voted onto various school board there by collegues or fellow parents. Those years made me into a voice for students and young people as I learned how amazing they are; they bring a longing for fairness and true curiosity of how our world functions, as long we as educators nourish it instead of stifling it. Read more
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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?
Story Idea? Have a great photo to share: Contact us at communicationsleedems@gmail.com.
Editor: Jayne Berkaw
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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