March 2025
Letter from the Chair
If you’re feeling the weight of everything happening in America right now, you are not alone. The stakes have never been higher, and you may be asking yourself, “What can I do to turn things around?” The fact that you’re asking this question means you are exactly the kind of person democracy needs—engaged, committed, and ready to fight for our future.
Surround yourself with people who share your values and passion. The Collier County Democratic Party is here for you. Together, we are stronger.
I am asking you to stay focused. Stay determined. Stay in the fight. Every conversation we have, every voter we register, every event we have moves the needle. Write letters to the editor and op-eds. Voice your opinions. You can make a difference.
Combat disinformation. Arm yourself with knowledge about voter suppression, Project 2025, and the Republican war on democracy. Spread the truth.
Help register new voters. Focus on young and disengaged voters. Their voices can change elections.
Hold leaders accountable. Demand action. Call every day. Their numbers are:
📞 Rep. Byron Donalds: (202) 225-2536
📞 Sen. Rick Scott: (202) 224-5274
📞 Sen. Ashley Moody: (202) 224-3041
Use the “5 Calls: Contact Your Congress” app to make your voice heard.
Flip the House in 6 weeks. The balance of power in Congress is one seat away from flipping. We must win the upcoming special elections happening in Florida. Donate now.
🔵 Gay Valimont (CD 1): http://gay4congress.us/l/HOnslo
🔵 Josh Weil (CD 6): http://joshweilfl.com/donate?t=BuECt6
Change is possible—but only if we stay engaged. Democracy survives because people like you refuse to give up.
Keep going. Together we will make a difference. And remember: activism is a marathon, not a sprint. Rest when you need to. Then get back in the fight, stronger than ever.
As of March 1st, America is forty days in to the Trump regime’s assault on our democratic republic.
Receive emails that explain critical, time-sensitive issues and step-by-step instructions on how you can contact the relevant public officials. We include suggested messages to those officials that you can customize as you wish. We strive to keep Action Alert emails to just one every 1-2 weeks, so we don’t fill up your inbox, but you can opt-out at any time.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY and ADD YOUR VOICE to the FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY!
FLORIDA SPECIAL ELECTIONS APRIL 1st!
Let’s FLIP THOSE SEATS for a memorable April Fool’s Day!
Gay Valimont is running in District 1. She comes to politics from the world of gun violence activism. The federal government is a major employer in her district, so they are heavily impacted by the Trump/Musk federal takeover.
Josh Weil is running in District 6. While Republicans have traditionally done well in the district, in previous elections the Republican either faced no Democratic opposition or the Democrat was outspent 100 to 1. The majority in the district are either Democrats or Independents.
Both districts have many senior citizens, who are concerned about the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
The Collier County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) will meet
MARCH 5, 2025 – 5:30 PM Meet & Greet, 6:30 PM Meeting
We’re taking our show on the road in 2025!
The March location will be at the
Golden Gate Community Center
4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, 34116
The DEC is the local official arm of the Florida Democratic Party and is comprised of elected Committeemen and Women. Official meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. We will hold a public Meet & Greet beginning at 5:30 PM. Please join us! ALL DEMOCRATS WELCOME!
All registered Democrats may attend and observe as guests, and all attendees must register ahead of time. Only DEC members may vote and participate in the meeting. Attendees are encouraged to join 10 minutes early to get settled before the meeting begins.
The Collier County Democratic Club (CCDC) will meet
MARCH 10, 2025 – 6:00-7:30 PM
at Collier County Education Association
6710 Lone Oak Blvd, Naples, FL 34109
How a Democrat Ran for Office in SWFL and WON!
Deb Henry, Marco Island City Council Member, will share her experience of running as a Democrat for a local office in a “deep red” area.
Deb was a small business owner of a commercial specialty construction company. Her second career is one of service; President of Home and School Association at St. John Catholic High School, Marco Island Rotary and Chamber of Commerce. She has been employed by the Supervisor of Elections and is on the Board of Directors for Avow Hospice. In 2022, she was hailed as a “Hurricane Ian Hero” by the Naples Daily News by assisting housing displaced residents.
All Democrats Welcome. Please Join us!
The Democratic Women‘s Club of Marco (DWC Marco) will meet
MARCH 11, 2025 – 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Mackle Park Community Center
1361 Andalusia Terrace
Our featured speaker will be The League of Women Voters of Collier County. They will offer an extensively researched presentation “Take a Pass on Plastics: Why we should reduce our single-use plastic waste”
Please Join Us! Doors open for sign in at 4:45pm, and the meeting will begin promptly at 5:00pm. Please be on time.
The Collier County Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida
(CCDECF) is asking everyone to sign the Right to Clean Water Amendment ballot petition, for inclusion on the 2026 ballot.
To get your pre-printed petition, sign up to receive it via email, or via snail mail if you do not have a printer. Click here to order your pre-filled petition. Then print, sign, date and mail it.
________________________________________________
HELP ELECT LEADERS WHO WILL ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE CRISIS WE FACE!
Click here to join the State Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida for $10 per year. Then follow the prompts to join the Collier County Chapter of the DECF for $15 per year.
Engage In Your Community!
Collier County Board of County Commissioners hold public meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 9:00am in the BCC Chambers on the 3rd floor of the Government Center. Agendas and minutes are available here. Other Collier County committee meetings are listed on their calendar.
The Collier County School Board normally holds public meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 9:00am at the Dr Martin Luther King Administrative Center (5775 Osceola Trail, Naples), unless noted otherwise. Here are links to view agendas and minutes. School Board seats for Districts 1, 3, and 5 will be open in the November 2026 election. If you are interested in running to serve the children of Collier County, now is the time to begin preparing. Please contact Carrie Stewart for information.
Naples City Council normally holds its regular public meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 8:30am in the City Hall Council Chambers at 735 8th Street South. You can view agendas and minutes, and watch the meetings live online using the foregoing link.
The Marco Island City Council normally holds public meetings on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 5:30pm in the Dr. Fay and Bedford Biles Community Room, 51 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island. Agendas and minutes are available here.
If you know of other local government meetings and events we should list here, please email Sandy Ussia at sandy.ussia303@gmail.com
The Collier County Democratic Executive Committee (CCDEC) is the official, local county arm of the Florida Democratic Party. The CCDEC has oversight over all Democratic Party activities within Collier County. LEARN MORE
The Collier County Democratic Party is an all-volunteer, entirely donor-funded organization. Our local party can not exist without volunteers and donors like you.