New Tampa Democrats Club Gets Started

Laura Blank says that she thinks this is an exciting time for Democrats, and her desire to help get them get elected has led to starting the New Tampa Democrats Club, which meets on the fourth Monday of every month at different sites until it finds a permanent home.

The club held its first meeting Jan. 9 at the Brentwood Clubhouse in New Tampa and chose its seven board of directors (Blank was chosen as the group’s president).

On Feb. 16, the club members met to finalize by-laws and learn about precinct captains at the New Tampa Regional Library.

Blank describes her group as a grassroots movement. She said that despite the recent losses by Democrats in the General Election in November  — including Donald Trump’s presidential victory — she thinks the “Blue” party has been re-energized.

“A lot of us have become activists,’’ she says. “I never thought I’d become an activist at my age, but I guess that’s what I’ve become.”

Blank worked locally on both of Hillary Clinton’s presidential  campaigns. Because Clinton won all 15 precincts in New Tampa, The Hammocks resident felt that this area was fertile ground for a Democratic club.

“I realized we desperately needed a club in New Tampa, so we’ve worked really hard to get it started,’’ said Blank, who also said that between 20-30 people have attended each of the first three meetings.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 27 at the Brentwood Clubhouse at 8504 Sandpiper Ridge Rd.

For more information about the New Tampa Democrats Club, visit NewTampa Democrats.org, or email NewTampaDemocraticClub@gmail.com.