September 2025
Letter from the Chair
Dear Collier County Democrats,
Fatigue is real. Across Florida and across the nation, many organizers are feeling the weight of this moment. Protests that once drew crowds have quieted. It can be tempting to think our voices don’t matter. But history teaches the opposite: progress comes only because people refuse to stop speaking out when the stakes are highest.
And the stakes could not be higher. Right here in Florida, children in Immokalee are coming home to empty houses because one or both parents have been kidnapped by ICE. Families are being torn apart, and detention centers hold people in inhumane conditions—out of sight, but not out of mind. Instead of accountability, Republican leaders look away as the president undermines our democracy. On the world stage, we’ve witnessed a dangerous capitulation to Russia—an aggressor regime that seeks to weaken America from within. These are not normal times. Silence only strengthens those who would march us toward authoritarianism.
But there is another story unfolding, one we are writing together. Dr. Arthur Boyer is forming a coalition of concerned people to help the children and families left behind in Immokalee. This is where democracy begins—not only in words, but in action, by standing together when our neighbors are suffering. Every conversation, every voter registered, every meeting attended, every dollar donated—these are the building blocks of democracy. Authoritarians depend on exhaustion. They want us to believe resistance is futile. Our persistence proves them wrong.
Yes, the road is long. Yes, the obstacles are real. But we are not powerless. Our government is one where consent to govern is given by the people, for the people. If you do not consent to what is happening, volunteer, speak out, and help build the future we deserve. Democracy survives only if we stay engaged. Please help us if you can.
Let’s push forward—together.
Our Consent, Our Power, Our Future!
In solidarity,
Jane Schlechtweg
Chair, Collier County Democratic Party
Click image at left to enlarge.
Previously, Congressman Jolly served as the Republican U.S. Representative for Florida’s 13th congressional district. In April 2025, he switched his party designation to run in the 2026 Gubernatorial race as a Democrat.
Join us as he shares his insights on building bipartisan solutions, protecting our freedoms, and strengthening our community. We want to hear from you! Your questions, concerns, and perspectives! Reserve your seat now!
Level up your support for David Jolly by purchasing a ticket to the fundraiser luncheon on Sunday, October 12! The luncheon is being hosted by Lee County Dems, and all ticket purchases made from a Collier County ZIP code will benefit your Collier County Democratic Party.
Sunday, October 12, 2025
1:00-3:00
The Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Purchase tickets here – VIP and sponsorship opportunities also available!
Early Bird pricing available until September 21!
The Collier County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) will meet
SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 – 5:30 PM Meet & Greet, 6:30 PM Meeting
We’re taking our show on the road in 2025!
The SEPTEMBER location will be the
Golden Gate Community Center
4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples
We are honored to welcome Dr. Arthur Boyer as our guest speaker this Wednesday. Dr. Boyer will address a deeply important issue: children who come home to find one or both parents have been taken by ICE. He will share his vision for how our community can respond with compassion and action.
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!
We want to hear from you!
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 6:30 meeting begins.
Advance notice!
The October 1 meeting will also be at the Golden Gate Community Center!
You can register using the same link as above!
SEPTEMBER 9th
5:00 – 6:30 PM
ZOOM Online
Join the Democratic Women’s Club of Marco as we welcome Eloise Ayala, Esq., who will speak on immigration. What are the pathways to legalization? Why “doing it the legal way” is not as straightforward as it sounds. She will also provide an update on what’s happening around the Everglades detention center. A Q&A session will follow her presentation.
Join Us! Zoom will open at 4:45pm, and the meeting will begin promptly at 5:00pm. Please be on time.
SEPTEMBER 15th
4:00 – 6:00 PM
SEASONS 52
8930 Tamiami Trail N, Naples
Join the Collier County Democratic Club at Seasons 52 in a private room to vent about current events or discuss summer travels.
Small plates of lamb, tuna, or goat cheese – $8; assorted flatbreads with a glass of wine, $14; Wine/Sangria/ Cocktails (Cosmo, Twisted Palmer, or Classic Margherita) $7.
Happy Labor Day to one and all.
We hope to see you at BOTH “Sips and Smarts” events this month!
The Collier County Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida (CCDECF)
The Collier County Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida is sponsoring the first of a series of statewide, participatory Environmental Roundtables to create a community of Florida environmental voters. This first topic will be Alligator Alcatraz: Never Again, to take place in January of 2026.
This first event will bring Floridians together to ensure that we elect leaders who will protect the Everglades from dangerous encroachments like Alligator Alcatraz, one of the most offensive ideas ever to grace our environmental landscape.
Register here to attend a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, September 10th at 5:30 P.M. to learn about the event, and ways you can help.
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
Howard Sapp
MEET OUR CANDIDATES!
In a new newsletter segment, we’ll introduce Florida Democratic candidates to you. We’ll ask each candidate some questions, and publish the answers here, so you can get to know them!
First up is Rev. Howard Sapp, who is running to fill the US Congressional District 19 seat vacated by Byron Donalds.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a lifelong resident of Southwest Florida, a proud father, a reverend, and a retired air traffic controller. My life’s work has been centered on service, whether in the pulpit, control tower, or local nonprofits; service has always been at the heart of who I am. My roots here have shaped my values and instilled in me a deep commitment to ensuring our community remains safe and a place where families can live, work, and thrive.
2. Tell us what key issue(s) made you decide to run and why.
I decided to run a third time, this time for Congress in Florida’s District 19, because this is about people, our families, our neighborhoods, and our future. As a father, I want to ensure that our children inherit a community where they can grow and where opportunities are within reach. As a reverend, I’ve walked with families through struggles stemming from unaffordable housing, rising healthcare costs, and underfunded schools. And as the nephew of Veronica Shoemaker, I feel a responsibility to continue her legacy of breaking barriers and serving with courage. These experiences have shown me that our community needs leadership built on honesty, integrity, and accountability.
3. If elected, how can you have the biggest impact on the lives of voters?
The greatest impact I can have is being a representative who truly listens, understands, and acts with integrity. I’ll fight to make life more affordable for families, to strengthen our schools, and to ensure government is accountable to the people, not special interests. As a father and a reverend I have learned the power of unity and trust to bring people together, even when they disagree. That’s the kind of leadership I plan on bringing to Washington D.C.
4. What impact (if any) do you hope to have on national issues?
On a national level, I want to be part of restoring honesty and accountability in government while advancing policies that support working families, protect our natural environment, and expand opportunity. My hope is to bring that same spirit of unity to Washington, to help rebuild the bridges that divide us and restore trust in our institutions to create a government that truly serves the people.
5. What do you see as the biggest threat to Floridians/Collier County residents?
The biggest threats we face are affordability and climate resilience. Families are drowning in rising housing costs and insurance rates, while extreme weather threatens our safety and economy. As a lifelong resident of Southwest Florida, I understand firsthand how urgent these challenges are. If we don’t act with integrity and accountability now, we risk leaving our children with fewer opportunities and greater burdens. I believe we need leaders who will face these realities with honesty, bring people together in unity, and fight for long-term solutions that safeguard our children’s futures and protect our vibrant community for years to come.
Cómo Mueren las Democracias (y Cómo Ganan los Dictadores)
Durante casi 250 años, Estados Unidos se ha proclamado un modelo de democracia. Pero las democracias no se derrumban de golpe, sino que se pudren desde dentro.
En esencia, la democracia se basa en siete pilares:
- El pueblo realmente gobierna (ciudadanos pueden votar y los resultados electorales importan y son respetados).
- Todos están sujetos a las mismas leyes.
- El voto es libre y justo.
- Se protegen los derechos y las libertades, incluso para las minorías.
- El poder se reparte, no se monopoliza
- Los ciudadanos se mantienen comprometidos, no desconectados.
- Los medios de comunicación son independientes y mantienen a los líderes honestos.
¿Les suena familiar? Quizás no. Porque todo régimen autoritario sigue el mismo guion para destrozar esos pilares:
- Manipulan o desacreditan las elecciones con desinformación constante.
- Acumulan más poder en la cúpula, acaban a las legislaturas y tribunales de su independencia y legitimidad, y vacían de autoridad a todos los no leales en el poder ejecutivo.
- Intimidan y controlan las noticias, reprimen la disidencia, reescriben los hechos y la historia.
- Criminalizan a la oposición y la protesta.
- Arman a las fuerzas especiales y causan miedo, enviando también fuerzas armadas a las ciudades del país.
- Incitan el nacionalismo y culpan a los “extranjeros”, especialmente a esos numerosos inmigrantes peligrosos.
- Reescriben las leyes hasta que la corrupción parezca legal.
De Hitler a Putin en Europa, de Castro a Chávez a Ortega a Bukele en América Latina, el manual no ha cambiado. Las etiquetas sí, las tácticas, no.
Aquí viene lo incómodo: puede pasar aquí. Cuanto más fuertes sean los cánticos de “enemigos” y “lealtad”, más débil se vuelve la democracia. Cuando la política se convierte en un culto a la personalidad, la libertad no desaparece de la noche a la mañana; simplemente se desvanece rápida y peligrosamente en la apatía y se extingue.
Así que, si te encoges de hombros y dices que “ambos bandos son iguales”, felicidades, has caído en la trampa del autoritarismo. Las democracias no se derrumban de la noche a la mañana. Mueren porque la gente mira hacia otro lado, se calla y permite que suceda.
Your Voice. Your Future. Your Power.
Now more than ever, young people are changing the world—and Florida Young Democrats is where that momentum begins.
We’re building a movement of bold, diverse leaders ready to make real change. By joining Florida Young Democrats, you’re not just standing up for your future—you’re stepping into your power. Together, we amplify youth voices in the political process, fight for legislation that benefits our generation, and elect Young Democrats who reflect our values and our vision.
Whether you’re passionate about justice, climate, education, housing, or voting rights—this is your place to turn that passion into action.
Trusted News Sources
Have you had enough of watching the news on TV, or reading national newspapers? If so, we can recommend some alternative news sources!
We’ve just added a new website page listing local and national progressive information sources, as well as trusted blogs and social media commentary.
You’re sure to find some that speak to you!
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.