When you need a bolus of political hope injected directly into your heart – like now– go to one of State Representative Deb Lavender’s strategy meetings. Even if you are not in her district, go!
On Saturday, February 25th, Representative Lavender conducted a most forward looking and action oriented strategy session at Keysor Elementary School in Kirkwood that was attended by an estimated 350 people – on a Saturday morning, no less! People not only from 
Deb’s district, (District 90) but also from Jefferson County, St. Charles County and Chesterfield were in attendance.
Representative Lavender presented an ingenious idea for helping legislative districts throughout Missouri, not just her own, stay or turn Democratic in 2018 and 2020. She, along with colleagues in the House, the MoDem Party and the State Steering Committee have identified 21 districts in Missouri which they think, based on history, have a good chance of turning Democrat. Deb supplied Maps of Missouri with the target districts outlined and lists of known Democrats — with their phone numbers — in those districts.
The strategy: Adopt-a-District. Deb invited participants to form groups, strategize about calling plans and begin as soon as possible reaching out to people in the target districts. Several Districts are still available for adoption.
“Our purpose, of course, is to elect Democrats to these seats, but we also want to build relationships that will translate into action not only for the state house races, but for support of Claire McCaskill, Nicole Halloway, and other sitting Democrats across the state.” Deb stated. “This is a long term building project.”
Remember when, right after the election in November, you felt absolutely alone? Like you were the only Democrat in whatever municipality you lived in? Imagine how your out-state Democratic colleagues might be feeling.
Well, this action expunges that. Instead, it’ll link Democrats with Democrats all throughout Missouri in a networking effort to build unity in the Democratic party, engender familiarity with other communities and issues important to peopl
e who live in them, and to partner with leadership in those districts to convince local voters that Democrats have their interests firmly in heart, head and hand.
There is healing in working forward, in collaborating with like-minded others for a common and good purpose not just for victory, but for a sense of community– a sense of fairness, inclusion, justice, and honesty. By the vibe and vigor displayed in Deb Lavender’s meeting today, hope for that common and good outcome is very much alive.
Submitted by Mark Kumming, WCD Member