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Nov 17, 2024 Newsletter

Our latest newsletter is out!

Click below to read about:

  • Yard sign pickup
  • Greenwood Ward 3 Runoff
  • Post election pizza gathering
  • Cokesbury St. Cleanup
  • Thanksgiving Meal Distribution
  • Lets have a Dem Good Time
  • Dr. Jumelle Brooks, Citizen of the Year
Click above to read the newsletter
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Post-election message from the Chair

My inbox has been filling up with statements from candidates and party leaders from all over the state and country about last night’s election. I hope you have enough bandwidth and emotional capacity for yet one more.

I was watching a recording this weekend of a South Carolina Joint Insurance Study Committee session (yes, that’s what I like to do on weekends – don’t judge). In it, Maria Cox Lamb, our State Coordinator for Flood Mitigation Programs, said the following:

Unfortunately, when you have a disaster, you only have about a year and a half of people remembering that disaster.

To me, it appears as if many in our country indeed have forgotten the disaster that was the first Trump presidency. We had riots in the cities. We had empty shelves in the grocery stores. We had chaos in the financial markets.

But that was too long ago. Much of America has forgotten (even if we haven’t).

Instead, they’ve focused on the more recent disasters of high inflation (despite it being found in every nation and despite the US coming out of it faster and stronger than any other) or of high illegal immigration (even though they shot down a bipartisan bill to address it).

Short-term memory can be such a weakness in our political decision-making.

But then again, I can also see how it can be useful. Let’s have some short-term memory ourselves! Let’s not dwell too long on the tragedy of this election because there’s another one coming in two years. Don’t forget, much of Trump’s plans the first time around were thwarted because of the “blue tsunami” that hit him two years into his presidency. We can – we must – work to deliver that again.

On behalf of the GWCDP, I want to issue a special thank-you to our wonderful candidates! Every one was a hard-working, beautiful individual that I would have been proud to have represent me. We’re also grateful for all of the  hard-working volunteers and contributors who helped fuel those campaigns.

As I wrote on my own campaign FB page:

There is honor in the fight.
There is value in your voice.

A friend reached out to me this morning to share a beautiful poem authored by someone he knew. I found it very moving and to be just what the spiritual doctor prescribed for me today. So I share it with you below.


from J. Drew Lanham

To walk in a mad world,
but not be mad.

To not imagine how it happened,
but know the all too painful why.

To mourn hope’s demise,
but revive it from deep within.

To weaken at the knees,
but stand strong in my belief.

To feel broken,
but somehow begin the repair.

To have justice denied
but know it must come of my own making

To be empty,
but not full of hate.

To know despair,
but make short the relationship.

To have worth demeaned
but know my worth’s meaning.

To have no words,
but find something worthy to say.

To have confusion be the choice,
but see my own way clear.

To be bitter,
but find sweetness in kindred hugs.

To have the game cheated away
but my life’s practice soundly played.

To wallow in all this misery,
but wash clean in worthy mission after.

To be lost
but keep the bearing home in heart’s map.

To have the heaviness weigh two tons
but find lightness knowing I’m not alone.

To lose trust in so-called-friends and neighbors,
but find faith in those more mindfully close.

To want better in some tomorrow to come,
someday
beyond this day
whenever that time might come,

These are my pleas, my promises to self, my solemn prayer;
To whatever God or gods might be listening this dark morning.

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Oct 31, 2024 Newsletter

Our latest email newsletter is OUT!

Click below to read about

🔵 Saturday’s Breakfast Meeting

🔵 Carnell Drummond Mays Banquet recap

🔵Early voting ends Saturday

🔵 Election Day Watch party

… and much more!

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John Blocker: 2024 True Blue Democrat of the Year

The True Blue Democratic represents the best of us: A member of the Greenwood County Democratic Party who is fully dedicated to the cause, inspiring and helping others, and making our country better for all. Recent winners include:

  • Elaine Gentry (2019)
  • Audrey Witherspoon (2020)
  • Charles Lewis (2021)
  • Suzy Holloway (2022)
  • George & Cathie Swindell (2023)

Every year, we honor someone who has worked hard as a volunteer or leader with the Greenwood Democrats, going beyond just attending meetings. They volunteer to make our events happen, engage in outreach campaigns, and help our candidates be successful.

This year’s winner has a lifetime of involvement with the Greenwood Democrats. Whether it’s by picking up litter on our adopted road, bringing donuts to every breakfast meeting, cooking burgers and dogs at our annual fish fry, selling the most tickets for this year’s Carnell Drummond Mays Banquet, or just lighting up every room with an infectious smile…

It is our honor and privilege to announce the 2024 True Blue Democrat award to…

John Blocker!

Photo credited to the Index Journal
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Jilisa Cade: Recipient of the 2024 Wanda Moore Community Service Award

Wanda Moore was the first Community Care Movement Director of the Greenwood County Democratic Party. She spent countless hours organizing and participating in community service activities. She was a true servant of the people, never seeking recognition for her hard work.

After her untimely passing in 2022 we launched the first Wanda Moore Community Service Award to recognize one who demonstrates service and education to the community. This is an individual who does not regularly make the newspapers for their work. However, their contributions to the neighborhoods of Greenwood County are well known and appreciated.

This year’s recipient of the 2024 Wanda Moore Community Servant Award is Jilisa Bonet Cade!

photo credit to the Index Journal

Jilisa, originally from Calhoun Falls, SC, is the Community Impact Manager with United Way of the Lakelands. A Calhoun Falls High School and Greenville Technical College graduate, she will receive her certification in Human Resource Management in the spring of 2025. Jilisa is the proud mother of a two-year-old son, Kameron.

In her various roles, Jilisa is instrumental in working with local agencies and connecting communities with programs that benefit them. She manages the Resource Hub and serves as a Hub Navigator, guiding clients to essential resources within their communities. As the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) coordinator, she oversees tax assistance services across Greenwood, Saluda, and McCormick counties, helping bring an estimated $2 million back to the community through tax returns.

Jilisa’s leadership extends beyond tax services. She fosters strong partnerships with local nonprofits, businesses, and the United Center for Community Care Resource Connection Hub to ensure clients receive comprehensive support. Her dedication was recognized with the IRS Frank Nolden Award, and she continues to build a network of services that uplift her community. Jilisa’s favorite quote is “The Sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it’s here is up to us.”

Congratulations, Jilisa!

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Kleckley Campaign Sue Billy Garrett Over Residency Qualifications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2024

CONTACT: press@franciekleckley.com

LEXINGTON, SC — Francie Kleckley, a 40-year resident of Lexington and candidate for state Senate District 10, today filed an action for Declaratory Judgment and a Motion for a Temporary and Permanent Injunction against Billy Garrett and the South Carolina Election Commission. Mr. Garrett does not meet the minimum requirements to be a candidate for South Carolina Senate District 10.

South Carolina law requires state Senate candidates maintain their legal residence in the district they seek to represent on the date of candidate filing. In a sworn filing statement, Mr. Garrett said he lived in Senate District 10, but public records and a recorded media interview clearly show he lives in Senate District 25.

“It might sound crazy to Billy Garrett, but by law, a representative has to reside among the people they represent,” said Kleckley. “It’s clear Billy Garrett’s residency claim is a sham. The people of District 10 deserve a senator who won’t lie about something as fundamental as where they live.”

This lawsuit should come as no surprise to Mr. Garrett. He voted in favor of the new South Carolina Senate district boundaries, even though they would exclude his legal residence in McCormick County, where he has lived since 2018. Ten days prior to his candidate filing, however, Mr. Garrett changed his voter registration to a property in Lexington County owned by his wife.

One day prior to filing, Mr. Garrett gave an interview in which he characterized the Lexington address as his daughter and grandchildren’s home, and as a convenient place for him to stay during the three-days-a-week legislative session. At the time of this writing, Mr. Garrett accurately lists the McCormick address as his residence on his South Carolina Senate biography, his notary license, and other official documents.

Ms. Kleckley felt compelled to look into questions regarding Mr. Garrett’s residency after witnessing his noticeable absence in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While Mr. Garrett seems to believe he can skirt our legal system in South Carolina, Ms. Kleckley disagrees. She has filed this complaint to honor the integrity of her state and the residents of District 10.

The full complaint can be found here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y4P4f2R0ycGAQ7yC7LdUMhI0CxnXswju/view

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Oct 2024 Breakfast Meeting: Bettie Rose Horne weighs in on the SC Senate 10 Race

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Oct 2024 Breakfast Meeting: Brandon Best for Greenwood City Council Ward 3

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Oct 2024 Breakfast Meeting: Audrey Witherspoon for of DeWannda Dee Sayles (Greenwood City Council Ward 1)

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Oct 2024 Breakfast Meeting: Bryon Best for US Congress

https://bryonbestforcongress.com

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