On Saturday, December 13th the Highland County Democratic Committee held its reorganization in the form of an assembled caucus beginning at 2:30 PM at the Highland County Public Library. Every registered voter in Highland County was eligible to attend and vote on the election of the members to the committee that will serve as the governing body of the Highland County Democratic Committee for the next two years.  Thirty committee members were elected from among those in attendance. 

 

Following the closure of the caucus, a meeting of the newly elected committee was called to order for the purpose of electing officers.  Pamm McDowell of Monterey was elected by affirmation to succeed Chris Little as Chair of the committee.  Mr. Little has served as the committee chair for over a decade and requested that his name not be placed in nomination.  Rhet Wilson of McDowell was elected secretary, and Judd Bankert, CPA of Blue Grass, was elected Treasurer.  The three officers will serve two-year terms. 

 

The Highland County Democratic Committee is just one of the 133 local Democratic committees in Virginia.  Each county and independent city in the Commonwealth is allowed, under the Democratic Party of Virgina’s Party Plan, to create a committee to conduct the business of the Democratic Party in that jurisdiction. 

 

When asked what her goals will be as chair of the committee, McDowell said she hoped to increase the membership of the committee and to focus on the issues that affect Highland County.  “Too often we get distracted with things that really don’t apply here.  What we think is important to the citizens of Highland County is whether our neighbors get the health care they need, that no one goes hungry because SNAP benefits get cut, that we have the support we need from the Commonwealth and the federal government to properly fund our schools, and that parents with young children can find child care they can afford so they can go to work.  It is these things, matters of life and death, that are important.  There are real challenges we need to address, and we want to make sure that Highland County’s voice is heard.  We hope others will join us.”

 

The Highland County Democratic Committee will meet next at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 10th, 2026,

at the Highland County Public Library.  All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome. 

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