Henderson County Democrats Pack the Auditorium for Annual Precinct Meeting

What a turnout! The Henderson County Democratic Party’s Annual Precinct Meeting this past Saturday brought a full auditorium to life at West Henderson High School. Around 300 people showed up—so many that the meeting had to be delayed by half an hour just to get everyone checked in and seated. And it wasn’t just Democrats in the room. We welcomed dozens of Unaffiliated voters and even some fed-up Republicans who are ready for something better.

Chair Leslie Carey opened the meeting with a warm welcome and a message of gratitude—for new and continuing precinct officers, for the volunteers stepping up this year, and especially for those who’ve served over the past two years. She reminded everyone that precincts are the heartbeat of the party—where neighbors come together, share what matters most in their communities, and organize for real impact.

“We need you to be involved, because you matter,” Leslie said. “And it’s not too late to get involved with your precinct.”

Longtime volunteer leader Linda Ford announced her candidacy for First Vice Chair, introducing the idea of the “Well Done” and “Not Yet” zones—a powerful way of recognizing progress while staying focused on what still needs to be done. Linda’s dedication has already moved so many of our efforts into the “Well Done” zone, and she continues to be a steady, trusted leader.

Milly Baker, who is running for Second Vice Chair, shared a moving story about her mother’s immigration journey from the Dominican Republic. She reminded us that the fight for opportunity and dignity is deeply personal. Milly, a passionate leader in voter outreach, urged attendees to support immigrant families and small businesses in our community—many of whom are working hard here while supporting loved ones abroad.

The message of the day was clear: we’re moving full steam ahead.

With our nation facing attacks on civil rights, public education, veterans’ care, and more, and with local Republican leaders following orders instead of standing up for us, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But Henderson County Democrats aren’t backing down—we’re organizing, showing up, and making ourselves heard.

Now is the time for our neighbors to see who’s really fighting for them. And that’s us.