Welcome to 2025 – Acknowledging Gratitude and Hope

 

As Democrats, we celebrate the swearing in of Ruben Gallego who as Junior Senator of Arizona, joins Mark Kelly as our state’s U.S. Senate representatives. We are grateful that we have our State’s highest three ranking officials, Governor Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes to guide Arizona forward and protect our freedoms. They are up for reelection in 2026 and will need our full support.

 

Our Representatives in 2025

 

We recognize that Republicans represent us in the U.S. House (Abe Hamadeh) , LD29 Senate (Janae Shamp)  and House representatives (Steve Montenegro and  James Taylor) in the AZ Legislature, and County Board of Supervisors (Debbie Lesko) and Dysart School Board (Mary Jane Ziola, Denise Destiche and Stephen Skvara join Denise Densmore and Jennifer Drake .IN Surprise, Kevin Sartor is our Mayor and  Earle Greenberg is our new Surprise Council person. Earle assures me he is not a politician! Welcome Earle. We will be watchful of their collective actions, and I encourage members to let their voices be heard.

 

Our Election Committee is already monitoring and creating calling campaigns to address issues we care about. Join their efforts by emailing granddems@gmail.com. A representative will get in touch. If you attend any of these meetings, please let me know at granddems@gmail.com as we are  looking for volunteers to attend these meetings and report back.

 

Grand Dems Looks Forward

 

On the Grand Dems Club front, we welcome new Board and returning Board Members and Committee Chairs. These are your Grand neighbors, and we look forward to serving you in 2025:

 

President: Bob Walling & Program

Past President: Suzi Walling & Fundraising

*Vice President: Ken Kessler

Secretary: Carole Parnell

*Treasurer: Karen Manning

At-Large: Sherry Douglas & Co-Chair, Election Committee

*At-Large: Clay Latimer & Publicity

*At-Large: Carol Karsten & Community Outreach

*Election: Co-Chair: Kathy Wyse

*Membership: Edra Jandro

Social: Judy Shields

*Technology Co-Chairs: Carol and Mike Gontko

 

*New in position identified.

 

Opportunities abound in 2025 for Democrats in Grand to “show up and be counted in our community.” Here are several ways:

 

Precinct Volunteers

 

Grand is divided into three legislative precincts within our Legislative District 29 (Grand, Granite Falls and La Solana). Each Precinct can have  multiple volunteers who get to know their Dem neighbors in their Precinct. We are looking for volunteers to fill this important volunteer role. Email Bob at granddems@gmail.com for more information. Appointments are being made as we speak.

 

MLK Day of Service in Surprise-January 18 Community Outreach

 

Be one of 500 volunteers to attend this breakfast program and then volunteer for important projects. Proudly wear your Grand Dems badge, hat, shirt and show the Surprise community that Democrats care and serve. Get a group of friends or meet new friends.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration & Service

 

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Willow Canyon High School

17901 W. Lundberg St. Surprise

8 a.m. - noon

• 8 a.m. Volunteer check-in, free breakfast for first 500 volunteers

• 9 a.m. Celebration program

• 10 a.m. Service projects begin

 

MLK Day of Celebration and Service Volunteer Registration

 

Join Grand Dems at our breakfast and dinner social events. RSVP at www.granddems.org, Events tab.

Blue Breakfast: Tuesday January 7 at 9 am. Maple & Rye RSVP

Blue Dinner: Thursday, January 16 at 5 pm, Angela’s RSVP

Grand Dems Meeting: Wednesday, January 22 5:45 at Cimarron RSVP today.

 

Goals for 2025

 

As your President, my goals for Grand Dems in 2025 are as follows:

1. Leadership Continuity: Identify a leader to serve as President in 2026. This is my final year as President. In 2026, I will be Past President.
2. Volunteers: Recruit volunteers to fill our quota of Precinct Committeepersons within our three Grand Precincts and to staff our committees.
3. Membership: Grow our membership by 20%.
4. Fund Raising: Grow the Victory Fund to a $10,000 balance to support political organizations and candidates. Fund Raising events and appeals will be introduced for social fun and fund raising.
5. Political: Monitor potential legislation/policy proposals to support or rebut Federal, State, County, City Council and School Board actions and be vigorous in channeling our membership to respond.
6. Social: Introduce more social events to “get to know each other.”
7. Support our local LD29 Democratic Party through volunteer and monetary efforts.

 

In conclusion, there are a couple key mantras that has been important to me in life:

 

“Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Vince Lombardi

 

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt.

 

We are winners, all, and fearless in our pursuit of justice for all. Let 2025 be a year of  planning and action. Campaign 2026 has begun.

 

Bob