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No WCDCC Meeting Tonight

Tonight's monthly WCDCC meeting is canceled due to the scheduling of today's funeral for Chairman Bill Gwatney.  Please spread word.

Also:  David reports we are only days away from opening the new County Campaign Headquarters on South School.  Stay tuned.

Statement from David J. Whitaker, Chairman of the WCDCC

On behalf of myself, my wife Lisa, and the members of the Democratic Party in Washington County, I wish to express our utter grief and immense sense of loss at the news of our friend Bill Gwatney's tragic and senseless death today. I had the honor and pleasure of working closely with Chairman Gwatney as a County Chair and as Chairman of the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Arkansas. His commitment to growing our Party in Washington County was real and unwavering. He was an incredibly strong leader and a truly good man, who devoted his life to helping Arkansans. We will not be deterred by this horrific act of violence. It will only spur us on to redouble our efforts to bring to Arkansas and America a more peaceful, just, and tolerant society. So, it is with heavy hearts, that we express our deepest sympathies to Bill's family and his many, many friends.

UPDATE:  Funeral services for Chairman Gwatney will be held at 2:00 Monday, August 18th, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

The Democratic Veterans Caucus

The Democratic Party of Arkansas was among the first in the nation to recognize the need for a Veterans Caucus, something of which we should all be proud.  One of the group's primary missions is reaching out to Arkansas veterans to make certain they know they have a voice in the Democratic Party.  The DVCA also works to make sure the Democratic Party recognizes the need for a strong national defense, as well as the unique needs of the men and women who serve the United States in uniform.  Like any new organization, though, the group needs financial help to grow.  Visit the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Arkansas online at www.dvca.us and contribute today.

Rep. Marilyn Edwards (D-AR88)

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This is the second in a series of (very) brief profiles featuring local Democratic candidates.  We're publishing them in the order in which we receive information from the candidates.

Rep. Marilyn Edwards (D-AR88) is running for Washington County Judge.  She has thirty-nine years of service to Washington County.  Elected in 1976 as Washington County Probate and County Clerk, Rep. Edwards served 13 terms (26 years) before being elected in 2002 as State Representative to the newly-formed House District 88.  (District 88 includes much of north-central Washington County.)  Rep. Edwards has also served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Arkansas County Clerk's Association.

Rep. Edwards received the Mental Health Services Award for the 2003 and 2005 Legislative Sessions.  She has received the Landmark Award for Service and Deeds in the Preservation of Natural, Human, and Wildlife Resources, and she was the 2006 Outstanding Legislator of the Northwest Arkansas Labor Council.  The AFSCME Local 0965-0 (UA campus) named her the 2006 Legislator of the Year.

Originally from Hartman, Arkansas, Rep. Edwards has been married to George Edwards for fifty-two years.  She has two children, three grandchildren, and is a meber of the Central United Methodist Church.

If you are a Democratic candidate who has not been contacted yet, please send some brief information (and a photo if you like) to admin (at) wcdcc (dot) org.

Rep. Jim House (D-AR89)

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This is the first in a series of (very) brief profiles featuring local Democratic candidates.  We're publishing them in the order in which we receive information from the candidates.

Rep. Jim House (D-AR89) is running for re-election after having served his first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives.  (District 89 encompasses northeastern Washington County, and includes both rural and urban areas.)  A graduate of the Fayetteville Public Schools system and the University of Arkansas, Rep. House has lived in Washington County since 1957.  He's a Vietnam veteran and a retired state employee (Jim worked as a public health service delivery manager).  He's been a practicing farrier (horseshoer) since 1974.

If you are a Democratic candidate who has not been contacted yet, please send some brief information (and a photo if you like) to admin (at) wcdcc (dot) org.

New Digs

Changes
You might have noticed things have changed.  We just this week redesigned the site.  We hope you like the results.  As with most things in life, this is a work in progress, so feel free to provide feedback.

This is as much your site as it is ours, so your thoughts, suggestions, and critiques are always welcome.  You should feel free to share photos from recent political events (and to make certain we've listed an upcoming event on our forthcoming events page).

It's an exciting time.  Things are changing, and we can all be a part of it.