OCTOBER 2026

From the President’s Desk

From the President

A little over 30 days to Election Day, and boy-oh-boy, are we busy!

Across Kansas, our chapters are showing up, bringing people together, and making sure voters have opportunities to meet the candidates who want to serve their communities.

In the Capital Area, members hosted events featuring Virgil Weigel, Tobias Schlingensiepen, and Alexis Simmons, along with Lance Royer, a candidate for Topeka City Council.

Over in Wyandotte County, there was an Open House for NEA-KCK featuring our own Alyce Edwards, along with Emily Hanes for HD31 and Emily Blanks for HD33.

And in Johnson County, JCDW visited with Juan Luengo, candidate for State Treasurer, Henry Johns for HD5, and welcomed Clay Wirestone of the Kansas Reflector.

And then there was a DEBATE!

The Kansas State Fair hosted two major general-election debates on September 12: Cindy Holscher vs Ty Masterson in the gubernatorial race, followed by Adam Hamilton vs U.S. Senator Roger Marshall in the U.S. Senate race. If you missed them, you can watch the debates online through the Kansas debate archive at Washburn University or through local broadcast coverage.

Now, it’s time to put the pedal to the metal.

Have you donated?

Have you made a phone call to remind someone to vote?

Have you talked with your neighbors about the candidates?

Have you shared reliable information about registration, advance voting, and Election Day?

Have you encouraged your friends and family to make a voting plan?

Have you talked with someone at the grocery store, the gas pump, the hair stylist, the dentist, the doctor’s office, or wherever Kansans gather?

If not, get out there!

Talk to people. Listen to people. Share information. Talk about the issues that matter to your community. Make sure the people around you know when, where, and how they can vote.

Kansas’ general election is November 3, with advance voting beginning for some on October 14 and in-person advance voting required to begin by October 27.

Every conversation matters. Every door matters. Every phone call matters. Every postcard matters. Every volunteer matters.

We have a little over 30 days.

Let’s make every single one count.

#LFG

Cassie Woolworth, KFDW President

^{“Do as much as you can, as long as you can, then pass the baton and rest; We will need you tomorrow too!”}

JOIN KFDW’s GROWING TEAM!

KFDW is currently looking for a Program Chair. Join us as Program Chair and assists with the How Women Win in Kansas Campaign as well as our Voter-to-Voter initiative, prepares opportunities and reaches out to speakers.

Please contact Kat Hooley-Lickteig at kat.hooleylickteig@outlook.com if you are interested.

NEA-KCK hosted an open house at UAW headquarters. WYCO Progressive, Alyce Edwards, helped make the event possible by inviting candidates to participate in a meet-and-greet with union members.

Pictured from left to right: Barbara Bailey, Tonja McCoy, Unknown, Juan Luengo, Alyce Edwards, Anthony-Marie Johnson

The event allowed members to speak one-on-one with future Kansas executive branch leaders and support new KFDW members from Wyandotte County who are running for office, including Emily Hanes for Kansas House District 31 and Emily Blanks for Kansas House District 33. It was also a valuable opportunity to learn more about the candidates and build stronger community relationships.

Candidates and Campaign Representatives
·       Cindy Holscher and her running mate, KC Ohaebosim, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.
·       Don Coover, candidate to represent the 2^nd District in Washington, D.C.
·       Juan Luengo, candidate for state treasurer.
·       Jennifer Day, candidate for secretary of state.
·       Jennifer Lloyd, candidate for the State Board of Education, District 1.
·       Liz Meitl, a representative from Adam Hamilton’s campaign.

Capital Area Dem Women send a special THANK YOU to Marisa O’Gara,
Senior Policy Advisor at the institute for Reponsive Government

Marisa specializes in election litigation and constitutional amendments at both the national and Kansas levels. She came to share her thoughts on the Constitutional Amendment on the November 3 ballot, which would establish in the Kansas Constitution that only U.S. citizens may vote in Kansas elections (which we already have!).

Previously an election litigator with Elias Law Group, she litigated voting rights cases in state and federal courts across the country. She noted that Kansas law already limits voting to U.S. citizens, while the proposed amendment would change the constitutional framework governing voter eligibility.

OLD SETTLERS FUN!

The 2026 Old Settlers Festival took place September 10–12 in downtown Olathe, bringing thousands of people together for three days of music, food, vendors, carnival rides, community activities, and the annual parade. The Johnson County Democratic Women proudly staffed the Johnson County Democrats’ booth, connecting with our community and helping represent Democrats at one of Johnson County’s largest annual events.

And there was plenty PARADE ACTIVITY!!

OCTOBERS CALENDAR

Capital Area Democratic Women (CADW)

Our meetings have transitioned to a hybrid meeting style. For those who are interested in joining us in person our next meeting is October 14th at 6pm at the Celtic Fox located at 118 SW 8th Ave, #202, Topeka, KS 66603. Please arrive at 5:30 to order dinner and/or drinks before the meeting starts.

We also broadcast via Facebook live. Find CADW on Facebook

Johnson County Democratic Women (JCDW)

On Thursday, October 1st JCDW will host our Social from 6-8pm at The Bar in Prairie Village. We will meet some candidates and discuss new ideas to Get Out The Vote (GOTV) – let’s get them elected!!

Then join JCDW on Thursday, October 15th for a visit with Mel Sabin with Little Lobbyists! (we had it wrong last month!) They advocate for health care, education, community integration, authentic representation, and joy, so kids can survive and thrive in their communities and families, where they belong.

Join JCDW and Mel at the Black Bear Diner in Olathe on Strang Line Road from 6-8pm. Candidates are welcome to come, bring materials and give their 2-minute speech.

Reno County Democratic Women

The next meeting of RCDW will be Tuesday October 13th. We meet 2nd Tuesdays at the Airport Steakhouse 1100 Airport Rd., Hutchinson, in the private meeting room on the north end of the restaurant. The meeting starts at noon, join us for the Airport’s full hot meal buffet and/or salad bar lunch at 11:30. We will invite our local candidates to share how their campaigns are going.

Consider becoming a member of the Reno County Democratic Women for only $20/calendar year! Contact Peggy Hughes for details at peggy@hughes2k.com.

Saline County Democratic Women (SCDW)

Join Saline County Democratic Women on October 17th at 10:45 AM at Martinelli’s , 158 S Santa Fe, Salina, KS for our monthly meeting. We’ll discuss Judges, Candidates and this year elections. Candidates are welcome! Feel free to bring literature to pass out.

Membership
Annual membership dues are $17. You can join or renew by emailing Emma Doherty at doherty2085red@gmail.com

Sedgwick County Democratic Women (SCDW)

On October 8th the Sedgwick County Democratic Women will meet at Felipe’s Restaurant, 3434 W Central, Wichita, KS. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm, but members are encouraged to come as early as 5:00 pm for dinner and conversation.

Sedgwick County Democratic Women brings together local Democratic women to support the party and promote women’s involvement at all levels.

“When women vote, Democrats win,” because Democrats support the social issues so important to families and communities and healthy societies.

Find SCDW on Facebook

Wyandotte Progressives

Our nexct meeting is September 30th at 6:30 PM at the WYCO Democratic Party office at 5000 State Ave, Kansas City, KS, 66102. We also participate in the WE THE PEOPLE Demonstrations, a weekly gathering focused on civic engagement and protecting democratic values, held every Saturday from noon to 1:30pm at the Legends near Village West Parkway and Prairie Crossing, in partnership with WYCO Indivisible;

Join us as we host discussions on supporting Wyandotte County candidates, and identifying practical ways individuals can help strengthen democracy!

KFDW NEWSLETTER