Amanda Rink, Editor
March 18, 2025 – There was a full party room last Tuesday at the Clarion Pizza Ranch as Wright County Democrats took a step toward revitalizing their local party. Led by organizer Kyle Kruse, the meeting brought together members eager to rebuild after several years without a formal committee.
State Democratic leaders, such as Kruse, Ryan Melton, and Cynthia Paschen emphasized the importance of bringing the structure back to the local Democratic groups. Paschen also shared the need for locals to not only be involved but to run for office, boards and committees. Neighboring counties with strong Democratic committees offered their advice and support at the meeting.
The main objective of the meeting was to organize and elect members to serve on the central committee. A fresh slate of leaders was elected.
- Chairs Kalen Fristad (Dows) and Logan Stoffer (Belmond) were elected to lead the committee. They will set meeting agendas, oversee party activities in the county and act as key representatives for the local party.
- Vice-Chair Dawn Hunt (Clarion) was elected to step in if Fristad and Stoffer are unavailable.
- Secretaries Lennea Groom (Rowan) and Kathy Schnell (Belmond) will maintain a record of meeting minutes and handle official correspondence.
- Treasurer Shannon Walker (Clarion) was re-elected to handle finances, and campaign finance reporting.
- Youth Chairs Amaya Watne (Clarion) and Cael Wesselink (Eagle Grove) will have the unique responsibility of keeping younger voters active in the county.
“We would like to encourage as many people as possible to come to the meeting to either listen and learn or share their own ideas for the future of the county Central committee,” Treasurer Shannon Walker and Nancy Duitscher shared with The Wright County Monitor. “Everyone who attends the meetings will have the opportunity to be heard and to vote on motions to advance the initiatives of the party.”
The next meeting is scheduled for April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch in Clarion.
