Missouri Democratic party chair visits Southeast

Missouri’s Democratic Party Chair Stephen Webber spoke with the Southeast Missouri State University College Democrats organizations at their meeting on March 27 in the University Center program lounge.

Webber spoke about rebuilding the Democratic party and why one should make sacrifices for a cause they love.

According to Rachel Bruce, who co-founded the club with Zach Dunn during the fall 2016 semester, the organization wanted Weber to inspire students to get involved.

“We wanted students to become active citizens and get involved in the democratic decisions that are made in our country,” Bruce said.

Webber was elected as a full-time chairperson in December 2016. According to Webber, he and a staff of five employees are traveling throughout the state to rebuild local Democratic party clubs in both rural and urban parts of Missouri.

“Everybody plays a part in politics,” Webber said.

Webber also said it is important for college students to understand that this political climate that our country is in is not normal.

Webber asked students to get involved and make sacrifices for causes they love.

“If you confront a cause head on your are more likely to get results,” Webber said.

As chair, Webber said he has three objectives in mind, including recruiting candidates.

“If there is nobody (Democrat) on the ballot, you can’t win,” Webber said.

He also wants to brand the Democratic name.

“Everyone feels as if the Democratic party has forgotten about them,” Webber said. Finally by rebuilding clubs in rural areas and on college campuses.

Webber asked students if they were willing to work with other college campuses in establishing their own clubs and working together for the party.

Webber then took questions and suggestions from students on how to make the Democratic Party Club better. Some suggestions were using social media to engage viewers and getting the college campus clubs more organized.

Webber is a former state representative from Columbia, Missouri, who lost the bid for a state Senate seat last year.