Community Groups
Tip O’Neill, the legendary 47th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, once said that “all politics is local.” Democrats in Polk County understand that message and the importance of connecting with our neighbors. The more informed you are, the more inspired to act our community will become. The more active Democrats become, the faster we see change at all levels of government.
Across Polk County, Democrats have established local community groups and we encourage you to join one in your area. Local Democrat Groups help us stay informed about the concerns of individual neighborhoods so that their voices are not lost in the crowd. Whether they are city council issues or national issues, the Democratic Party is the party of the people. We want to hear your concerns and develop action plans to fix them. Participating in a Local Democrat Group is a convenient way to get involved and have your opinion be heard.
Area Leadership Breakfast
When: First Saturday of each month
Time: 10:00 AM
Where: Polk Dems Office at 3839 Merle Hay Rd, Suite 209, Des Moines, IA 50310
RSVP Required: Call 515-556-9111 to attend
Looking for your voting precinct? Find it by visiting the Secretary of State's website.
Local Community Groups
Below is a complete list of Polk County Democrats Community groups. If you are new to Iowa or not sure which group you should consider participating in, CLICK HERE to see a map that will help you decide. However, please know that you are welcome to attend ANY of our groups.
Ankeny Area Democrats
Precincts: Alleman; Ankeny 1 – 15; Crocker 1 – 2; Delaware 1; Douglas; Elkhart; Saylor 1 & 2
Contact(s): Mary McAdams
Phone: 515-681-5858
Email: info@AnkenyAreaDemocrats.org
When: Third Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: TBA
Website: http://www.ankenyareademocrats.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ankenydems/
Clive Democrats
Precincts: Clive 1 – 4
Contact(s): Lila Starr
Phone: 515-491-1537
Email: lclivestarr@msn.com
When: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Wobbly Boots Restaurant, 1301 NW 114th St., Clive, IA 50325
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clive-Democrats-163105104054120/
Des Moines West Side Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 44 - 45, 58 – 63
Contact(s): Paul Goodwin
Phone: 515-577-7077
Email: paul@smpweb.com
When: First Monday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Gilroy's Kitchen, 1238 8th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmwestsidedems/
Downtown Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 47 – 48, 55 – 57
Contact(s): Bill Schoenenberger
Phone: 515-491-2988
Email: wschoenenberger@gmail.com
When: First Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Java Joe's Coffee House, 214 Fourth St., Des Moines, IA 50309
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DTdems/
East Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 1 – 4, 23 – 32, 49; Delaware 2; Four Mile; Pleasant Hill 1 – 3
Contact(s): Jim Edvenson or Suzette Jensen
Phone: 515-249-6251 (Jim) or 515-360-6261 (Suzette)
Email: hmrhded@mchsi.com or sjensen3127@gmail.com
When: First Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Bianchi’s Hilltop Restaurant, 2820 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/587034171649928/
East Polk Democrats
Precincts: Altoona 1 - 5, Bondurant 1 - 2, Clay, Franklin, Mitchellville, Runnells, Washington
Contact(s): Tamyra Harrison
Phone: 515-868-5967
Email: tamyrawh@gmail.com
When: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Fireside Grille, 523 8th St. SE, Altoona, IA 50009
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/altoonadems/
Heart of Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 5 - 7, 18 – 22, 33 – 37, 46
Contact(s): Samy El-Baroudi
Phone: 515-991-2100
Email: samy.elbaroudi@mchsi.com
When: Last Thursday of each month
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: 3610 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50313
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/greyareaydemsncdsm/
Grimes Area Democrats
Precincts: Grimes 1 – 3, Granger, Jefferson
Contact(s): Jackie Melton or Sandy Pugh
Phone: Jackie - 515-381-9666 or Sandy 515-537-4090
Email: jscreations@mchsi.com or sandykmp62@gmail.com
When: Third Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Hacienda Vieja, 200 SE Gateway Dr., Suite 106, Grimes, Iowa 50111
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrimesAreaDemocrats/
Johnston Area Democrats
Precincts: Johnston 1 – 6
Contact(s): Dave Vawter
Phone: 515-515-771-5441
Email: dave@openmtg.com
When: Second Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Cozy Café (off 86th in Johnston), 8385 Birchwood Ct, Johnston, IA 50131
Website: https://johnstonareadems.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnstondems
Northwest Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 8 – 17, 38 – 43, Webster
Contact(s): Vanessa Phelan
Phone: 515-421-8519
Email: NWDMdems@gmail.com
When: Third Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Reed’s Hollow, 2712 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Website: https://www.nwdmdems.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwdmdems
Twitter: @NWDMdems
Polk City Democrats
Precincts: Madison 1; Polk City 1 and Union-Sheldahl 1
Contact(s): Brenna Tomlin
Phone: 515-330-8678
Email: brennat@ankenyautobody.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolkCityDems/
South Side Democrats
Precincts: Allen 1, Des Moines 50 – 54, 64 – 84
Contact(s): Karl Schilling
Phone: 515-707-0684 (Karl)
Email: K.Schilling@mchsi.com
When: Fourth Tuesday of each month
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Plumbers and Steamfitters Hall, 2501 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50321
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/south-side-democrats-of-des-moines-525007631174538/
Urbandale Area Democrats
Precincts: Urbandale 1 – 11
Contact(s): Kris Winter
Phone: 515-229-8532
Email: info@urbandaleareademocrats.com
When: First Thursday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Cozy Cafe, 8385 Birchwood Ct., Johnston, IA 50131
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbandaleAreaDemocrats
West Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: West Des Moines 111 – 118, 211 – 213, 311 – 318
Contact(s): Victor Dutchuk
Phone: 515-229-5976
Email: vmdutchuk@msn.com
When: Third Saturday of each month
Time: 11:00 am
Where: Tavern Pizza Restaurant, 1755 50th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdmdemocrats/
Website: www.wdmdems.com
Windsor Heights Democrats
Precincts: Windsor Heights 1 – 3
Contact(s): Michael Libbie
Phone: 515-331-3206
Email: michael@insightcubed.com
When: Last Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Gilroy's Kitchen, 1238 8th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindsorHeightsDemocrats
Student Democrat Groups
DMACC Democrats (Students and Young Adults)
When: See Facebook for meeting dates and times
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMACCDems
Youth Polk County Democrats
Contact(s): Claire Carstens
Phone: 515-494-3359
Email: cnc1@iastate.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Youthpolkdems/