Martin County Democrats envision... a safe and healthy environment a strong economy that works for all high quality public education health care as a right diversity as a strength and democracy as worth defending Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Every Day Sunday 11am-7pm Mon-Sat 10am - 8pm Calling voters about VBM Do you want to do something to get Democrats elected into office? We need to let Democrats know that vote-by-mail rules have changed so they can get signed up. By making a simple phone call, you can make a difference. For scripts, SOE contact info, and a How-to Video, go here . When you're ready to make phone calls, go here . You will be calling voters who live in Region 5, which includes Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties. Reach out to Mindy Squeo if you have questions: mindy.squeo@gmail.com December 19 Protest at Brian Mast's Office 175 SW Flagler Ave 11am - 12pm We are joining forces with the local Indivisible HR group to call attention to Mast's support of the illegal and unconstitutional actions of the Trump administration. If you were at his town hall, you heard Mast say he unequivocably supports Trump and Musk. Mast is not defending the constitution. He is not representing all of his constituents. Come join the protest. Note the time is 11am-12pm. Dec 22 - Jan 4 Our Martin County Democratic Office will be closed from December 22 - January 4 as we celebrate the holidays. We will open in the new year with our focus on the August midterms. Happy Holidays to All! January 19 Martin Luther King Parade and Ceremony Parade lineup at Stuart Middle School, 575 SE Georgia Ave, Stuart 10:30am Celebration at Guy Davis Park, 724 SE 10th St, Stuart 11:00-4:00pm Martin Democrats, come out to march in the parade! Meet at Stuart Middle School @ 10:30am. The parade ends at Guy Davis Park, where we will have a booth to register voters, provide VBM info, talk to voters about joining Martin Democrats, and other matters. More info to come! Let's continue to support our immigrant community. Click here to see a list of restaurants to patronize in the Golden Gate area. Share the "Before You Leave Home" checklist with community members. We have some copies at the office. English is on one side, Spanish the other. Hand out "Right to Know" cards to immigrant businesses and others. These are also available at headquarters. Martin County Democratic Headquarters The Martin County Democratic Party Headquarters is open M-F, 9-1. Located in Northgate Plaza at 611 SW Federal Hwy, Suite K1. Turn off Hwy 1 onto SW McPherson St and park in the large parking lot at the back of the building. Stop by to say hi, volunteer, ask questions, make a donation Quieres... Suscríbete a nuestro boletín de noticias? ¿Unirse a un caucus o club? ¿Ayuda para que los demócratas sean elegidos? ¿Hacer amigos y conocer a sus compañeros demócratas Martin? Complete el siguiente formulario y nos comunicaremos con usted. ¡¡Damos la bienvenida a todos los demócratas de Martin a unirse a nosotros !! ¡Gracias! Mensaje enviado. Enviar

Enfrentamos muchos problemas con respecto a la votación y el proceso electoral, como los esfuerzos republicanos para restringir el acceso al voto y suprimir el voto, la manipulación partidista y racial que reduce los derechos de los votantes y la influencia de las grandes cantidades de dinero en la política que corrompen a nuestros políticos. Aquí en Florida, en mayo de 2021, nuestra legislatura estatal aprobó la HR1, que incluye disposiciones tales como restringir el uso de buzones y boletas electorales por correo y prohibir el financiamiento de elecciones para obtener el voto por parte de entidades privadas. Como se refleja en las citas anteriores, el derecho de voto de un ciudadano es uno de nuestros derechos más preciados. Para que nuestra democracia sobreviva, debemos tener elecciones libres y seguras y nuestros ciudadanos deben informarse y votar en todo momento. Todos los votantes deben tener en cuenta estos puntos: Sepa cuándo se llevan a cabo las elecciones y quién se postula. Investigar las posiciones de los candidatos . Asegúrese de estar registrado para votar.

Election Dates and Candidates From the SOE: Official Election Dates for the Midterms and Offices up for Election Martin County Precinct Maps Get the facts: Click below for information about each race. Martin County School Board Stuart City Commission Martin County Commission State Offices Federal Offices

Online Docktails Auction through Noon on Nov 3 You can avoid the bidding process entirely by purchasing any item at the retail price. We'll make arrangements to get the item to you. Any items not purchased by noon on 11-3 will only be available through the silent auction held during the even t. Click on each picture to view larger photo. 1 Angela Crow "Cascading Water" SOLD Cold Wax and Acrylic Original 11x14 Framed 16x20 Retail Value $400 2 Barbara Bucci "Liberty for All" Collage Treasure Box 12 X 8.5 X 4 Retail value $225 To purchase, click HERE. 3 Chris Kling "Talking at Gilbert's" SOLD Oil 11 x 14, linen panel 18 x 20, framed Retail value $750 4 Dot Galfond "Waterfall in Blue" **Click here for full view** Fused Glass 12 x 6 Retail value $400 To purchase, click HERE . 5 Jacquelyn Roesch-Sanchez "Regal Raiment XXX, 2020" **Click here for full view* Fiber Art/Art to Wear Viscose thread: Handloom knitted, hand sewn, crochet edging H: 26", W: 48" D: .125" (size M/L) Retail value $750 To purchase, click HERE . 6 Lynne Morgan "Energy" **Click here for full view** Oil & cold wax 24" x 24" Retail Value $900 To purchase, click HERE . 7 Mallo Bisset "Royalty," 2023 Oil painting, palette knife H: 16" x W: 20" x 1.5" Retail value $650 To purchase, click HERE . 8 Atlantis Health Solutions - Dr. Thomas Kleinman Gift certificate and two pillows Consultation/examination by Dr. Kleinman, x-rays if needed, first day treatment AND two Chiroflow Waterbase pillows Retail value $500 To purchase, click HERE . 9 Beth Rosenberg Condo Getaw ay * * Click here for pictures of this beautiful c ondo** 4-night Condo stay (2 bedrooms, 2.5 bath) and gift certificate to Hudson's or Boathouse restuarant This is a great place to have friends and family stay while visiting....or treat yourself to the downtown experience! Retail value $1600 for 4 nights for 2 bdrm, 2.5 bath and study...and two $50 gift certificates from Hudson's/Boathouse. To purchase, click HERE . 10 Fine Wine Celebration Donated by Docktails Committee Celebrate the new year right - or give great Christmas presents - by purchasing this assortment of fine wines, including a bottle of Dom Perignon, two Tiffany flute wine glasses, and decorative wine holder. Retail value $300 To purchase, click HERE . 11 Dimar Florist SOLD $150 Gift certificate Select a beautiful floral arrangement from Dimar Florist with this $150 gift certificate. 12 Martin Downs Country Club Pro Shop Gift certificate for 4 includes cart. Valid anytime between now and Nov 4, 2024 Retail value $300 To purchase, click HERE . 13 Martin Downs Country Club Pro Shop Gift certificate for 4 includes cart. Valid anytime between now and Nov 4, 2024 Retail value $300 To purchase, click HERE .

This page recognizes the work done by Bob and Louise Cunha for Martin County Democrats. Note: This is the second in a series of All-Star portraits celebrating Martin County Democrats who have made lasting contributions to the Martin County Democratic Party. A conversation with Bob and Louise took place in their home in October 2021 and is the basis for this article. **Click on pictures to enlarge and obtain info.** Bob and Louise Cunha Bob: “Hi. Who are you voting for? I’m voting for Kennedy. I’m a Democrat.” Louise: “I’m voting for Nixon. I’m a Republican.” And thus it began 61 years ago... The Dance It was September 17, 1960, and Louise Tilford had arrived at Northeastern University in Boston only nine days earlier to begin her college education. She was a 17-year-old girl from a small town in Vermont who had dreamed of going to college in the big city, and through her dedication and hard work she had finally realized this dream. On this fateful night of the university’s Freshman Welcoming Dance, sophomore Bob Cunha knew that the dance would be a fine opportunity to meet a new girl on campus and so he planned to attend. Having been interested in politics for most of his young life, Bob had crafted a rather unusual “pick-up line,” as Louise calls it – asking the girl of his choice whether she was voting for Kennedy – and he was ready to put his creativity to use. When Bob arrived, he spotted Louise in the long line outside the gymnasium. She had beautiful red hair and was wearing a pretty yellow sweater, and Bob was immediately attracted to her. He says it was love at first sight. He approached Louise with his unusual but distinctive introduction, Louise responded in kind, and they then entered the dance floor together where the more worldly Bob taught Louise how to dance the Mexican Hat Dance which was playing at the time. Politics was put aside for the rest of the dance that night – a feat rarely repeated in the years to follow. Different Politics, Different Backgrounds In those weeks following the dance, Bob and Louise spent a great deal of time together and soon recognized they had different family backgrounds which influenced their views on life and politics. Bob’s father was an illegal immigrant from Lisbon, Portugal who set foot in the US at New Bedford in 1914. A Merchant Marine, Anthony Cunha overstayed his visa and for a time was an illegal who risked deportation but ultimately was granted amnesty through a mass proclamation from President Herbert Hoover. Bob’s mother was from the Azores but, since her father had lived in the US for a time, she was a citizen. Bob was the youngest of seven children, and his parents had little money. In fact, his family lived on the first floor of a three-decker in Somerville, MA, just outside Boston. There were three bedrooms: one for his parents, one for his four sisters, and one for Bob and his brother, the other brother having moved out by the time Bob came along. For Bob, being raised in this impoverished environment made him aware of those who provided help to his family and to his community. He saw first-hand that elected officials from the Democratic Party were the ones who advocated for his poor family and neighbors. In return, these Democrats secured the support of Bob’s family and neighbors. In fact, at his mother’s urging, Bob began going door-to-door handing out campaign information for his Democratic Party alderman when Bob was only 12 years old and ever since then he has been active in Democratic Party politics in one form or another. One example of a politician helping his constituent that Bob fondly recalls occurred when Congressman Tip O’Neil helped Bob’s brother, who had returned from the Korean War, secure a job with Boston Edison, a job his brother held until his retirement. This was a time, as Bob says, when politicians actually served the public and acted on behalf of their constituents. In contrast to Bob’s city life, Louise grew up in the countryside of Vermont along with her two younger brothers. Her parents were both college-educated, identified as Republicans, and provided Louise and her brothers with some comforts of middle-class life in 1950’s America. She attended the Methodist church, took her high school studies seriously, and prepared for life beyond East Middlebury, VT. Politics played no role in her life back then. She had her fill with family, church, school, and friends. Nonetheless, she felt the lure of the big city and when the college years arrived, she chose to attend Northeastern University. After Bob’s conversation starter at the dance, politics did not rear its head again until a few weeks later when Louise invited Bob to a rally that Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon was having nearby. Louise was supporting Nixon over JFK, and so Bob took this opportunity at the rally to educate Louise on the differences between the two major parties, saying that Democrats were the ones who stood up for the poor and working class, not the Republicans. Having been raised as a Methodist, Louise quickly understood that Democrats rather than Republicans more closely aligned with the teachings of Christianity that she knew about and cared about – serving the poor and disenfranchised. It was after this revelation that Louise switched her party’s allegiance to the Democratic Party, and she has never looked back. Courtship, College, and Marriage After meeting at the dance just nine days after the school year began, Bob and Louise were a constant pair. By Christmas they were both talking marriage and, in fact, on January 1st Louise officially proposed by asking Bob if he would marry her. They continued with their education at Northeastern for a few years and married in December 1963. When Louise later gave birth to their first child, she stopped her studies at Northeastern and became a full-time mom. Bob received his degree in 1964 and started teaching social studies at Sharon High in Sharon, MA. It is notable that Louise never lost sight of her goal of a college education, though, and after their three children were older and she had gotten a job, she attended night school and earned her degree from Northeastern in 1982. Involvement and Activism in MA and GA During the college years, Bob and Louise heard the drumbeat of war. The country had gone through the World Wars and the Korean War, but now pro-war forces had their sights on Vietnam. They enthusiastically became anti-war protesters at Northeastern even before the war began and continued their opposition to the war after Bob began teaching. He even urged 30 teachers at Sharon High to sign a letter against the war and this was published in the Boston Globe. Since the Vietnam War was controversial, many administrators felt this public display of protest was an embarrassment to the Sharon school system and some even called for Bob’s dismissal. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and Bob taught many years thereafter. While teaching, Bob became a member of the teacher’s union and witnessed the vital role that the union had in improving the lives of teachers, and it jived with being a Democrat. He assumed a leadership role in the union. In fact, Bob also was a leader of the union during the only time teachers there went on strike…and the union won. His lengthy career in public education and his work in leading the union in a fight for better working conditions for teachers are two of the primary areas Bob can look back on today with pride and satisfaction. During their years together, Bob and Louise lived mostly in and around Canton, Massachusetts. One of Bob’s rules for living was that upon moving to a different area he soon contacted the local Democratic Party. He wanted to meet local Democrats and he wanted to get involved in local politics and support the goals of the Democratic Party. In the various places they lived, Bob held leadership positions within the local party and worked to get Democratic candidates elected to office. He did the same when he and Louise later moved to Athens, Georgia to be near their children. He impressed his fellow Democrats so much that within a year he became Chair of the DEC in Athens. He focused on fundraising, getting out the vote, and getting young people and minorities to join the local Democratic Party. In fact, familiar to Martin Democrats, his fundraising efforts led to the establishment of two primary events: the Fall Classic and Spring Fling. A highlight of Bob’s Democratic work occurred in 1999 when Bob became determined to have civil rights icon and Georgia House Representative John “good trouble” Lewis appear as the headline speaker for his Athens DEC fundraiser. Bob says he frequently called Lewis’s Atlanta office until Lewis’s secretary finally said Rep. Lewis would attend the event. With only three weeks to prepare with Lewis as headliner, it was a hectic time, but Bob organized the event and over 500 people attended. It was a remarkably successful event for Athens Democrats, and it provided Bob with the treasured memory of meeting and speaking with Representative Lewis. During this time in Athens and previously in Massachusetts, Louise supported Bob in his union and Democratic Party pursuits. However, as a mother and worker, she had little time to get too involved herself with Democratic Party matters. Her motto was “one thing at a time” and she carefully planned what civic and religious groups she devoted time to during those years. She, like Bob, always felt a need to serve, to help make people’s lives better, and she accomplished that through her church activities and through volunteerism with League of Women’s Voters and organizations that focused on such interests as affordable housing, farm workers, and voting rights. The Cunhas Come to Stuart ! After seven years in Athens, Bob and Louise decided to move to Stuart in 2001. Bob knew old teacher friends from Massachusetts who had relocated to Stuart and both Bob and Louise were ready to live near the coast again. As usual with a new move, Bob contacted the DEC in Stuart and he and Louise became involved, though for a while Louise’s job kept her participation to a minimum. When Louise retired from Volunteers for Medicine, they both immersed themselves into the local political scene. Along with Jackie Trancynger and Barbara and Richard Learned, they established the Martin County Democratic Club in 2003 and Louise was president of the club for seven years, focusing on getting volunteers for phone calling and canvassing and establishing two big fundraisers each year (not surprisingly called the Fall Classic and Spring Fling) to provide financial support to the DEC. Louise was also instrumental in establishing the Holiday Party, a joint effort of the DEC, Democratic Club, and Women’s Club. Both during and after her stint as Democratic Club president, Louise has been heavily involved in supporting Democratic candidates by engaging in phone banking, canvassing, and mailings. She and Bob have both served as precinct co-captains for the past decade, where they encouraged neighbors to vote and learn about the candidates. A peacemaker and optimist, Louise has greatly influenced Martin Democrats over the years since her retirement. As for Bob, he became Treasurer of the DEC for a couple of years and the Treasurer of the Democratic Club for nine years as well as precinct co-caption along with Louise. During Louise’s leadership roles with Martin Democrats, Bob has fully supported Louise’s involvement, just as she did in the earlier years when Bob was active in Massachusetts and Georgia. Today, Bob is 82 and Louise is a young 78, who still plans annual week-long long-distance hikes on the Florida Trail. After 20 years here in Stuart, Bob and Louise continue to support the DEC and Democratic Club and attend meetings whenever possible. Louise, especially, is still involved in phone calling and writing to support Democratic candidates. Furthermore, twice a year she waxes the vinyl floors at Democratic headquarters to ensure they stay clean. Both Bob and Louise are still committed to social justice issues and, hearkening back to their antiwar protests from the 60’s, they will enthusiastically attend a rally that supports women’s rights, BLM, the environment, Democratic candidates, and other issues that Democrats support. Throughout their lives they have wanted to make the world better for those that were hurting – whether it be immigrants, racial minorities, farm workers, the poor, LGBTQ, or any other group that is disadvantaged. They have demonstrated repeatedly that having strong principles and compassion throughout your life makes you a better leader and community activist. We Democrats in Martin County owe Bob and Louise a great debt of gratitude for their dedication to Martin Democrats during the past 20 years. From co-founding the Democratic Club to holding leadership positions for years to providing principled counsel to those who followed them, Bob and Louise are a class act. We are so fortunate in Martin County to have had them in our midst during these past decades providing such inspiring leadership, activism, and guidance. For all this, Bob and Louise Cunha truly belong in the Martin County Democrats All Star club! More pictures....Click to enlarge and start slideshow. Bob and Louise

An evening to remember: Unity Party, May 10th Petition Project Reproductive Rights and Right to Clean Water: If these amendents are on the ballot in 2024, they will help ensure a good turnout for Democrats. Besides, they are good for women's health and for the environment: a win-win! It's VERY IMPORTANT that all Democrats pitch in to obtain needed signatures for these petitions during 2023. Our deadline for getting signed petitions into the hands of those who verify them is the end of December. Let's get to work!! See details below: For Abortion Petition info For Clean Water petition info HOA Project Having Democrats enrolled in Vote by Mail also significantly increases our odds of having a good turnout on Nov 5, 2024. Volunteers within many of the HOAs throughout Martin County will visit neighbors to give out provide handouts on Vote by Mail, have conversations with neighbors, and offer petitions. See details below: Vote by Mail info Click Here Read More Docktails 2023 Be a part of Martin Dems' premier fundraiser! Click here for more informaiton or to purchase sponsorship or tickets Vote by Mail Chair Nikki Fried Dems Do Lunch Clubs & Caucuses Volunteers Needed for Abortion Petition Drive Click here for more info Please get involved NOW so we meet our goal! Be sure to click through the slideshow below so you don't miss any announcements. Let's Get This Done!! All Hands On Deck!! Our deadline is the end of December. See links for details....and volunteer TODAY!! Choose from among these three ways to help us get over the line: Click here . We need your support, Martin Democrats. Check it out and let's make this happen!! See FloridiansProtectingFreedom.com to download and print English, Spanish, and Creole versions of the petition and learn about statewide initiative. Campaign Update from Floridians Protecting Freedom: Cick here.

COSTA DEL TESORO CÁUCUS HISPÁNICO DEMOCRÁTICO Estamos adquiriendo! Somos el capítulo de Treasure Coast del Caucus Hispano Demócrata. Somos un grupo nuevo y en crecimiento dedicado a ayudar a nuestra comunidad, amplificar la voz de nuestras hermanas y hermanos y construir una Florida mejor para todos. Somos demócratas. Creemos en las oportunidades para las familias trabajadoras, un medio ambiente más limpio para nuestros hijos y nietos, y un gobierno que trabaja para las personas de TODOS los orígenes. Y creemos que no lo conseguiremos en Treasure Coast ni en Florida en general. Y creemos FIRMEMENTE que podemos cambiar las cosas. Nos ponemos manos a la obra. Ya hemos estado en la comunidad ayudando a nuestros vecinos a recibir las vacunas COVID. Continuaremos generando cambios: ayudando a más familias, registrando votantes y asegurándonos de que se escuchen todas nuestras voces. ¡Únete a nosotros! No es necesario ser hispano o hablar español para ser miembro. Tienes que ser un residente de Treasure Coast y un demócrata (o alguien que apoye el mundo mejor por el que luchamos los demócratas). Nos reunimos el tercer jueves de cada mes a las 6:30 pm a través de Zoom. Envíanos un email a tcdemocratas@gmail.com para más detalles o llame al 772-202-8540. Síguenos en Facebook: ¡Juntos podemos! - Oz Vázquez Hispanic Caucus

Florida legislative session 2022 bills Call to Action on 2022 Bills What should you do? TAKE ACTION. .....We should all be aware of what legislation is pending and provide input: Contact your local representatives and let them know whether you support or disapprove of pending bills and urge them to vote accordingly Contact the bill's sponsor and let them know you support or disapprove of their bill and why. Contact members of the committee where the bill lies and urge them to approve or not approve the bill Write a Letter to the Editor letting the public know about some of the good or troubling bills. The bottom line: The more legislators hear from the public, the better. It's the way democracy works. Before listing them all, there are 2 bills sponsored by 2 of our local representatives that deserve special attention. Many may find them troubling and will want to contact Snyder and/or Overton regarding these bills: A bill sponsored by Representative Snyder: HB 747 ( Snyder and Altman ) and SB 1820 ( Baxley ) – Protections of Medical Conscience Some have called it the “Health Care Refusal Bill” or “No Service to Gays” bill. It allows healthcare providers and insurers to deny a patient any sort of care on the basis of religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. Also allows for employment discrimination in healthcare for the same reasons. Many feel this bill would codify discrimination against LGBTQ, non-Christians, etc. A bill sponsored by Representative Overdorf: SB 198 ( Rodriguez ) and HB 349 ( Sirios and Overdorf ) – Seagrass Mitigation Banks Authorizes the state Board of Trustees to create “seagrass mitigation banks” on state-owned submerged lands which would be used to offset the unavoidable loss of seagrass from coastal development projects. In essence, if developers seek permits for coastal or marine development projects that would destroy seagrasses, this bill would give them the option of buying credits in a mitigation bank to cover costs of seagrass restoration projects elsewhere. Those opposed to the bill say mitigation banks like this often fail and they believe having such a system would enhance development elsewhere . In other words, it gives a pass to developers so they continue to use land for their own purposes with very little consequences. This bill does not address the real issues facing manatees and the loss of seagrass. It's a ruse.

MCDC Martin County Democratic Club, MCDEC Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Martin CountyDemocratic Progressive Caucus, Martin County Democratic Women's Club, and Treasure Coast Democratic Hispanic Caucus Únase a un grupo o club democrático Los demócratas del condado de Martin cuentan con dos clubes y tres asambleas electorales. Los clubes se rigen por DEC locales y no tienen relaciones a nivel estatal. Por el contrario, los Caucus están autorizados por el Partido Demócrata de Florida y brindan orientación sobre cómo operan. De cualquier manera, unirse a un club o caucus es una excelente manera de conocer personas de ideas afines y de involucrarse con los demócratas del condado de Martin. Los clubes y caucus activos en el condado de Martin: Club Demócrata del Condado de Martin Club de Mujeres Demócratas del Condado de Martin Caucus Ambiental Democrático del Condado de Martin Caucus Democrático Progresista del Condado de Martin Caucus Hispano Demócrata de Treasure Coast

Florida Young Democrats: Building broad coalitions of young people in a diverse membership to amplify youth voices in the political process, elect Young Democrats to public office, and pass legislation for the benefit of young people and the future of our country. We represent young people within the Democratic Party, give them a voice, and show them they’re never alone. We volunteer on Democratic campaigns, and pour countless hours and endless effort into electing Democrats in Florida. And we work tirelessly with our Democratic elected officials to ensure our legislative priorities are heard and included. Please join us! Email the Treasure Coast Young Democrats by clicking here . Go to the Treasure Coast Young Dems website here. Check out more info on the Treasure Coast Young Democrats by clicking on these social media accounts: Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) Tiktok