About Us
The Manatee County Democratic Party works to get Democrats elected and promote Democratic values. We actively support diversity and inclusion. We are a party that fights hard for students, seniors, health care, the environment, civil rights, labor and main street businesses.
We are a 100% volunteer organization. Become engaged and get involved. See what you can do to help build Manatee better.
Make a difference.
Vote.
Volunteer.
Donate.
Support a candidate.
Join a Democratic club or caucus.
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Democrats Deliver!
When we are stronger, our economy is stronger.
- The Infrastructure Bill of 2022 sends billions of dollars to Florida for public transportation, water improvement, high speed Internet access, and clean energy.
- The American Rescue Plan of 2021 gave us economic recovery, COVID vaccines and testing, paid sick leave, small business credit and homeowner/renter assistance.
- Juneteenth is now a federal holiday.
- The Orlando Pulse Memorial is now a national memorial.
- Increased child tax payments help millions of impoverished kids.
Our Values
Equality - Justice - Fairness
Good paying jobs....Quality public education....Protecting our environment.... Clean energy....Common sense gun reform....Reproductive rights....Affordable health care....Guaranteeing rights for all Americans....Protecting Social Security and Medicare.....Voter protection....Sensible immigration reform....Supporting military veterans and families
How We Are Organized
We are a local extension of the Florida Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee.
The Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) is the business side of the Party. Ideally, it is comprised of at least one Committeeman and one Committeewoman from each precinct. DEC members can serve as Precinct Captains who do voter outreach or they can serve in another volunteer capacity. You don't have to be a DEC member to volunteer and be actively involved in the Party. We welcome all Democrats who want to get involved or lend a hand.
Our Elected Team
Tracy Pratt, Chair
John Brackett, Vice Chair
Florence Shelton-Clark, State Committeewoman
Rev. James Golden, State Committeeman
Bev Pannee, Second Vice Chair, Internal Operations
Dan Coppinger, Second Vice Chair, External Operations
Secretary, TBA
David Fairey, Treasurer
Robin Sathan, Federal Treasurer
Committee Team Leaders
Candidate Support, Jeffrey Orenstein
Communications, Wil Clapper
Data Management, George Rahal
Diversity and Inclusion, Susie Copeland
Fundraising, Robin Sathan and Lucy Lapides
Legislative Action, Nancy Hughes
Office Operations
Finance Team
Phone Banking, Stu Schwartz
Precincts Area 1 Coordinator
Precincts Area 2 Coordinator
Precincts Area 3 Coordinator, Tim and Kate Eisler
Precincts Area 4 Coordinator
Precincts Area 5 Coordinator, Rob and Lisa Usher
Volunteer Coordination
Voter Registration/Vote By Mail, Bob McCaa