State Party Chair Award
The State Party Chair Award, Round and Round – Justin Kemerling, Adam Casey, Anna Oyer, Jake Welchert
The State Party Chair Award, Round and Round – Justin Kemerling, Adam Casey, Anna Oyer, Jake Welchert
Based in the great city of Omaha, Round and Round is a creative team that consists of Adam Casey, Anna Oyer, Jake Welchert and the late Justin Kemerling.
We offer a collaborative approach to any number of design services—including branding, web design and development, photography, and illustration.
We believe in the ability of people to work together to make big things happen. In the metro area, we like to be the design team on an array of challenges in need of thoughtful solutions. For national clients, we bring our midwest work ethic and sunny disposition to the table.
We design to improve our cultural ecosystem, advocate for a better community, move forward our local politics, and help businesses build a place we all want to live in.
Brad Ashford State Senator Courage Award
Brad Ashford State Senator Courage Award, Senator Jen Day
Senator Jen Day currently represents District 49 in Sarpy County in the Nebraska Legislature. She is an entrepreneur, a wife to Jon, and a mom to her two boys, Canyon and Noah. Her top priorities as a policymaker are reproductive rights, addressing food insecurity, access to healthcare, and public education. Her most recent successes were extending SNAP eligibility and getting Summer EBT passed in Nebraska, in addition to helping to block Nebraska’s strictest ever abortion ban and blocking a bill that would have prevented trans kids from playing sports with their friends.
Preston Love Jr. Volunteer Award
Preston Love Jr. Volunteer Award CD1, Jayden Speed
Jayden Speed is a 19-year-old from rural Nebraska. He is the Vice Chair of Cass County Democrats. Jayden is currently studying Political Science and Public Policy at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
Preston Love Jr. Volunteer Award CD1, Luke Peterson
Luke Peterson, 40, is from south-central rural Nebraska but now calls Lincoln “home,” for over 15 years. He is an avid LGBTQ+ rights activist with a national recognition for his work towards non-discrimination policies in the workplace. He is currently in his second term for the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, a member of the Lincoln Mayor’s Multicultural Advisory Council, and is currently the chair of the Nebraska Red Ribbon Coalition – an HIV/AIDS advisory group to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. He’s also a childless cat dad who votes!
Preston Love Jr. Volunteer Award CD2, MajieAhna Winfrey
MajieAhna Winfrey, currently a junior at Marian High School, class of 2026, is the founder of Mirage by Maj, where she creates eclectic home decor and Co-Founder of LIIT Ladies in It, a STEAM focused after school program. She excels in robotics, coding, and mathematics, while actively engaging in community service and political initiatives. Her notable achievements include serving as Youth Voter Engagement Director, being a Youth Field Fellow for Tony Vargas for Congress, and canvasser for Ashlei Spivey, Terrell McKinney and of course Preston Love. She Has raised $3,000 in grant funding, and delivering nationally televised speeches such as at the Tim Walz Rally in 2024.
Preston Love Jr. Volunteer Award CD2, Wes Jensen
A proud public school teacher, proud union member, proud Democrat, proud secretary of the Blue Dot County Party who loves engaging with the people. Whether it’s canvassing, gathering petition signatures, conversing with friends, family, coworkers or the person at the store about progressive issues & candidates, that’s my passion. Because when we engage the people, we elect Democrats.
Preston Love Jr. Volunteer Award CD3, Shannon Graves
I’ve been a lifelong Democrat, but it wasn’t until I got a Pipeline Fighter’s boot to the backside that I became involved in the party. In pipeline fighting or electing Dems, Jane Kleeb shows us that many small contributions can make a big difference. Through volunteering for NebDems and Bold, I’ve met lots of people I now call my friends; like-minded individuals who also felt the call to “be the change.”
Preston Love Jr. Volunteer Award CD3, Becky Potmesil
Becky Potmesil is married to Scott Potmesil and they raise Black Angus cows and calves in the beautiful sandhills of the panhandle. They have one child, Chili, who is 17 years old. Becky also serves on the national Cattleman’s Beef Board and the Nebraska Farm Services State Committee.
Schimek Quirk County Party Volunteer Award
Schimek Quirk County Party Volunteer Award, Washington County Chair Jo-El Chiles
I am a 50-year-old African-American male. I am the father of four daughters and one stepdaughter. I am the chair of the Washington County Democrats and Treasurer of the black caucus. This will be my first in-person convention ever since I can remember. I’ve always wanted to go to the Democratic convention. This all started when Bill Clinton ran for president in his first term. I watched the whole convention on TV. Being the chair of a rural county is sometimes challenging, but I am up for the task.
Carrie Howard Sunshine Award
Carrie Howard Sunshine Award, Ross Manhart
Ross Manhart is a life long resident of Nebraska and has lived most of his life in the Blue Dot. He is a husband, father , social worker and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ Community.
He would like to dedicate this award to all the senators, families, individuals, and organizations who fought against the anti transgender bills that were introduced in the last session. We are not done fighting for LGBTQ rights in the state of Nebraska!
Anne Boyle Young Democrat Award
Anne Boyle Young Democrat Award, President Henry Cline
Henry is a High School student from Lincoln, Nebraska and President of the Nebraska Young Democrats. He has shown his enthusiasm in his school halls, and also in his actions. Henry is serving as Campaign Manager for multiple campaigns, and is a crucial component in securing the Blue Dot and protecting our 17 seat firewall in the State Legislature.
Mike Fahey Block Captain Award
Mike Fahey Block Captain Award, Darin Tompkins
Darin’s 30 years of corporate experience and world travels have shown him the effects of market share consolidation, the importance of fair wages, community safety nets, and local investment. Darin mentored employees and advocated for recognition and fair compensation. Darin aims to create positive change by supporting Democratic candidates who share his vision for a more inclusive and prosperous community.
Mike Fahey Block Captain Award, Michelle Bates
Michelle Bates is the mom of two amazing young men and proud daughter of lifelong Democrat parents. She is the past adult advisor of Nebraska Students Demand Action and current volunteer with the Cass County Democrats and Moms Demand Action. She has worked to collect petition signatures to put medical marijuana and abortion rights on the ballot.
Frank LaMere Hall of Fame Award
Frank LaMere Hall of Fame Award
Frank LaMere Hall of Fame Award
