Central Committee & Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Delaware County Democratic Party
Central Committee Organizational Meeting / Executive Committee Organizational Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Delaware Township Hall

The Delaware County Democratic Party held its Central Committee Organizational Meeting and Executive Committee Organizational Meeting on May 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Delaware Township Hall.

Present at the meeting were 64 individuals, including 61 members of the Executive Committee and 3 visitors. County Party Chair Peg Watkins called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. and welcomed those present. After establishing a quorum, Chair Watkins asked Mike Hackett to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

A brief review of Roberts’ Rules of Order was provided. Members were reminded that only those elected on the ballot on May 6, 2026, were eligible to vote or make nominations during this organizational meeting.

The following temporary officers were elected to conduct the reorganization meeting:

Temporary Chair: Brian Hester, nominated by Jenny Yoder and seconded by Elizabeth Charbonneau.
Temporary Secretary: Diane Valentino, nominated by Holly Hanson and seconded by Peg Watkins.

Temporary Chair Hester then opened nominations for Delaware County Democratic Party Central Committee Chair. Joe Bjorkman nominated Peg Watkins, seconded by Emma Mirles Jones. Peg Watkins was elected Central Committee Chair.

Chair Watkins then accepted nominations for the remaining Central Committee officer positions:

First Vice Chair: Jerrad Christian, nominated by Doug Babcock and seconded by Emma Mirles Jones, was elected.
Second Vice Chair: Holly Hanson, nominated by Molly Yankus and seconded by Suzanne Binau, was elected.
Treasurer: Lisa Saponaro, nominated by Joe Bjorkman and seconded by John Schmarr, was elected.
Secretary: Karen Lee, nominated by James Sipek and seconded by Eli Wenzel, was elected.

With the Central Committee established, Brian Hester moved, seconded by Heather Karr, to seat all elected Central Committee members as Executive Committee members. The motion passed.

The Central Committee Organizational Meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

Chair Watkins then called the Executive Committee Organizational Meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.

The following DCDP officers were recognized as Ex Officio Members of the Executive Committee: Lisa Saponaro and Jerrad Christian.

Eli Wenzel moved, seconded by Heather Karr, to appoint the following 7 additional Democrats to Central Committee to fill open precincts: Abigail Rine (Delaware 2A), Rayna Patton (Del 2B), Leslie Joiner (Del 2E), Josh Kolasinski (Del 4E), Jim Hursey (Del 4F), Enas Yunis (Liberty N), and Steven Bond (Westerville A). The motion passed.

Additionally, Chair Watkins recommended 16 Democrats to be appointed as At-Large members of the Executive Committee. The motion was made by Suzanne Binau and seconded by Joe Bjorkman. The motion passed, and the following individuals were added to the Executive Committee: Quinn Hoffman, Tony Yankus, Ben Guthrie, Abby Buckerfield, Andrew Bourget, Carol Kee, Vince McGrail, Coe Huckabee, Kevin Kasberg, Chandler White, Emma Mirles Jones, Mike Kabler, Lizett Schreiber, F. Gerald Curran, Kathy Holdren, and Don Swartwout.

Heather Karr, Mayor of the City of Powell, administered the oath of office to all Central and Executive Committee members.

A motion to adjourn the Executive Committee Organizational Meeting was made by Brian Hester and seconded by Elizabeth Charbonneau. The motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.