This evening is a celebration of everything great happening in St. Louis County. Through the time and energy of our celebrants we acknowledge a deep bench of party leaders, volunteers, and elected representatives. We thank them for what they do on our behalf. We also come together to consider the opportunities we have in the future. A day we believe is just within reach where St. Louis County values outshine and are better reflected in our leaders for all legislative and executive bodies.
We congratulate all awardees and thank you for your service to the betterment of our community and Party.
Your work doesn’t just improve our community, but it improves the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors. Tonight’s awardees represent the tremendous opportunities right in front of our eyes. That opportunity is to vote! We put reproductive rights on the ballot. We recruited candidates for all of our House and senate seats in St. Louis County. And we will work hard throughout the summer to identify voters to turn out in November.
Rep. Deb Lavender and Yvonne Reeves-Chong, Vice Chair of the MDP, have both demonstrated determination and capability. And quite frankly, I’m glad they are on our side. Each has set their mind to explicit and quantifiable goals. They then accomplished those goals by building a network of activists with similar motivations. These actions have strengthened us and renewed hope about our opportunities for electoral success.
Deb has shown how our hard work can flip seats. Yvonne has demonstrated that knowing your community and not being afraid to talk in “red” areas of the state we can win on the issues.
We will announce our Thomas Eagleton Grassroots Awardees tonight celebrating volunteers who are too numerous causes and candidates. We have seen an upswing in nominations because there were so many opportunities for volunteers to engage our growing program portfolio. Whether it is the digital team, notary and signature collecting, or growing an organization dedicated to progressive values that supports our candidates, we have partners and volunteers who show up. And this group is constantly growing.
Congratulations to our honorees! We hope today is inspiring for all!
Jonathan Boesch Executive Director
St. Louis County Democrats
“ It’s up to us to change this image: In 2024, let’s connect the dots ... turn Missouri BLUE!”
— DR. SAM PAGE, St. Louis County Executive
NETWORKING
Doors Open at 4:00pm
CHAIR’S WELCOME, INTRODUCTION OF SPONSORS
Nelson Mitten, Chair
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
RECOGNITION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Karen Pierre, Secretary
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
STATE OF THE COUNTY DEMOCRATS PRESENTATION
Jonathan Boesch, Executive Director
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
INTRODUCTION OF KEN MARTIN, VICE CHAIR OF THE DNC
Terry Wilson, Sergeant at Arms
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
STATE OF THE PARTY
Ken Martin, Vice Chair of the DNC Chair, Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party
TREASURERS REPORT
Bob Ford, Treasurer
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
Nelson Mitten, Chair
Jessica LaBozzetta, Vice Chair
Bob Ford, Treasurer
Karen Pierre, Secretary
Terry Wilson, Sergeant at Arms
NETWORKING
Doors Open at 6:00pm
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Jessica LaBozzetta, Vice Chair
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
WELCOME
Nelson Mitten, Chair
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
THOMAS JEFFERSON AWARD INTRODUCTION
Terry Wilson, Sergeant at Arms
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
THOMAS JEFFERSON AWARDEE
Yvonne Reeves-Chong, Vice Chair
Missouri Democratic Party
BUZZ WESTFALL AWARD INTRODUCTION
Karen Pierre, Secretary
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
BUZZ WESTFALL AWARDEE
Rep. Deb Lavender, House District 98
THOMAS EAGLETON GRASSROOTS AWARD INTRODUCTION
Jessica LaBozetta, Vice Chair
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
THOMAS EAGLETON GRASSROOTS AWARDEES
INTRODUCTION OF THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Nelson Mitten, Chair
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ken Martin, Vice Chair of the DNC Chair, Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party
CLOSING REMARKS
Jonathan Boesch, Executive Director
St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee
Vice Chair, Yvonne Reeves-Chong is a proud Missouri native and “Army brat” who grew up in small, mostly all-White communities throughout the Midwest. She is an alum of Claremont McKenna College studying economics and mathematical modeling. Yvonne has lived in and served her Waynesville community for thirty-five years. She is a retired automobile sales and finance manager. She serves on her city’s Planning and Zoning Committee and has served on many local charitable, civic, civil rights and business development boards. She is a county Vice-Chair, Legislative and Senatorial District Chair and is a State Committeewoman. Yvonne has run for the Missouri State House- a Black and Blue candidate in a Rural Red district. Campaigning is hard; campaigning as a Democrat in rural Missouri areas is harder. Yvonne survived and so will you!
She has managed and recruited various local Democratic candidate campaigns. Yvonne has served campaigns at every level up and down the ballot. As Vice Chair, she has already visited over 75 of Missouri’s counties and will continue to work tirelessly to expand the Democratic voting base and message in Missouri.
STEP 1: Collect Signatures for the Reproductive Rights Petition
STEP 2: Talk to Voters ahead of the Election
STEP 3: Turn Out Voters and Elect Democrats to Protect our Rights
House District 98
Representative Deb Lavender, a Democrat, has represented part of St. Louis County (District 98 and 90) in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to her fourth term in November 2022, after previously serving three terms in the legislature from 2014 - 2020.
In addition to her legislative service, Lavender practiced as a physical therapist and was sole owner of Des Peres Physical Therapy. Lavender was able to take part in raising her nephew Griffin and enjoys being with his family of four boys; Henry, Oliver, Archie and Ezra.
Lavender is a member of the House Budget Committee and is well known for her knowledge of the intricacies of Missouri’s budget. During her time on the committee, she has increased funding for people living with disabilities, centers for independent living, rural broadband, and highlighting the hundreds of funds holding large balances sitting in the Treasurer’s office that are not being used.
Lavender is a member of the Kirkwood Rotary Club, and participates in multiple community activities. Lavender attended Marquette University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy.
Raised in Connecticut, Lavender moved to St. Louis after graduating from college and has now resided in the area for more than 40 years.
41 of 114 counties and the City of St. Louis participated in St. Louis County training. 5 women
*Based on available information. Overall population does not have complete gender identification data.
1993
1994
1995 June 23-24
1996
1997
1998
2004
George "Buzz" Westfall, County Executive Freeman Boxley Jr, Mayor of St. Louis
Mel Carnahan, Governor
Roger Wilson, Lt. Governor
George "Buzz" Westfall, County Executive
Freeman Boxley Jr, Mayor of St. Louis
Robert McCulloch, Prosecuting Attorney
Bob Holden, Mo State Treasurer
Sheila Lumpe, Former State Rep
Rebecca "Bekki" Cook, Secretary of Statee
Robert A. Young III, former US Congressman
Joyce Aboussie
S. Lee Kling
Jean Carnahan
Charlie Dooley, St Louis County Executive
Robin Carnahan, Secretary of State
William Lacy Clay, Us Congressman
Claire McCaskill, US. Senator
Jay Nixon, Attorney General
Susan Montee, State Auditor
John Temporiti, Chairman Mo Dem Party
Clint Zweifel, State Treasuer
Tim Green, Senator
Chris Koster, Attorney General
Jason Kander, Mo. Secretary of State
Nicole R. Galloway, Mo State Auditor
Gina Walsh, Mo Senator
Pat White
Scott Sifton, Mo Senator
Jill Schupp, Mo Senator
Jake Hummel
Mary Elizabeth Dorsey
Yvonne Reeves-Chong, Vice Chair Mo
Roger Wilson, Lt. Governor
Tom Eagleton, Formar US Senator
George "Jery" Corcoran, County Councilman
Rebecca "Bekki" Cook, Secretary of Statee
William P. McKenna, Pres ProTem Mo Senate
Steve Gaw, Mo Speaker of House
Mel Carnahan, Governor
James E. O'Mara County Councilman
Claire McCaskill, State Auditor
Joe Maxwell, Lt Governor
Nancy Farmer
Lori Westfall
Robert J. "Bob" Kelly
June Bartley
County Council Members Kathey Burkett,
Hazel Erby, Barb Fraser, & Mike O'Mara
Dave Sinclair
Robin Carnahan, Secretary of State
Gerald Fieldhausse
Brian Wahby, St. Louis City Chair
Tommie Pierson, State Representative
Charlie Dooley, St. Louis County Executive
Michael O'Mara St. Louis County Councilman
Gwendolyn Scales-Reed & Burton Boxerman
Hazel Erby
Rita Heard Days, Councilwoman
John Bowman
Brian Williams, Senator
Wesley Bell, County Prosecuting Attorney
Dem Party Rep. Deb Lavender, House District 98
Earl "Bones" Walker & Helen Dirk
Elkin Moore & Loverne Hartman
Mark Stroker & Benita Boxerman
Gregory Koppell & Irene Young
Art Smith & Barbara Allen-Vitale
Dick Sullivan & Mary Langhammer
Benard Turner & Carole Gambino
Donald E. Schneider & Emilie Brandhorst
Tom Fitzgerald & Marie Steinkuhler
Ruth Kelly & Bernie Ryan
Dorothly Williams & Mike Hepburn
Jack Jacobs & Audrey Mishow
Betty Ellison & Don Kline
Jack McLauglin & Hilde McLaughlin
Virginia Cook & Jay Russell
Business leader Award Patrick Kellett
Lexi Miller & Francis "Butch" Miller
Orlando Smith & Margaret Buoncristiani
Patrick Mulcahy & Rea Kleeman
Terri Blunt & Allan Cohen
Morgan Miransky
Harvey Ferdman & Pat Yeager
Sam Veltri & Jo Ann Hughes
Community COVID Heros
Jane Koeller & Kevin Fitzgerald
Couple Award Jennifer & Don Lohman
Angela Reed & Tim Pawlowski
Karen Cloyd & Tim Zimpfer
Paid for by DougPAC, Thomas Madden Treasurer
The Thomas F. Eagleton Grassroots Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes volunteer activists in St. Louis County. Nominees must be registered voters and active Democrats. Nominees may not be elected officials or candidates for office.
Responses to the 2023 call for nominees brought in some of the toughest choices to review in years. Thank you for the work of all nominees and congratulations to the 2023 recipients.
Ken Martin is currently chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, President of the Association of State Democratic Committees, and a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Chairman Martin is currently serving his fifth term as chairman of the Democratic-FarmerLabor Party (DFL), the Minnesota branch of the Democratic Party. He has held this post since 2011—making him the longest-serving chairman in the 75-year history of the DFL.
When Martin was elected DFL Party Chair in 2011, he Inherited a state party deeply in debt following significant election losses, including losing the majority in the state Senate for the first time in 40 years, the majority in the House of Representatives, and one of the longest held Democratic seats in Congress in MN-08 with the defeat of Congressman Jim Oberstar.
Martin was able to quickly raise significant resources to rebuild the party and began making the DFL Party the driving force for political strategy on behalf of its stakeholders – activists and party leaders, candidates and elected officials, and progressive organizations and community partners.
In 2017, Martin was elected by his peers throughout the country as the president of the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), and by virtue of that election became a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
As vice chair, Martin has focused on building up state parties nationwide. Early on, he focused on working with stakeholders to put a plan together to replicate Howard Dean’s 50 state strategy. Coming on the heels of a 2016 election, the strategy looked at how to build state parties from the ground up.
The plan that Martin put together and negotiated with DNC Chair Tom Perez resulted in investments in state parties, which played a significant role in Democrats’ strong 2018 showing. State parties had the capacity to build the infrastructure to help candidates up and down the ballot, and were uniquely situated to coordinate among campaigns.
Martin lives in Eagan, Minnesota with his wife Jennifer O’Rourke and two sons, Samuel and James. He is active in youth sports in Eagan, where he has served on the Eagan Athletic Association Board of Directors and as the president of the Eagan Basketball Association.
for
Paid
by Concord Democratic Club, Timothy Pawlowski Treasurer
Paid for by Committee to Elect Monique Williams, Monique Y. Williams, Treasurer
We’re eagerly awaiting November 5, 2024
