Lou Grossman is an award-winning public relations professional with 40 years of experience in the field. He and his wife, Amy, own Grossman Public Relations Counselors in Sarasota.

Politics has been a lifelong passion for Lou. He is a longtime Precinct Committeeman and a Member of several caucuses. He served on the Florida Democratic Party's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the state Democratic Party's Jewish Caucus.

Lou has contributed to numerous local, state, and national campaigns, including the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign and Charlie Crist’s gubernatorial bid.

In 2020, Lou was elected as a Convention Delegate, where he served as a whip and media spokesperson.

His involvement in Democratic politics dates back to 1964, when he attended his first Democratic Convention in Atlantic City with the Young Democrats of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Lou also served as a Delegate to the 2024 Convention in Chicago. Use this block to insert a person's bio.

Manuel “Manny” Lopez is a proud third-generation Florida “Conch” from Key West, a Disabled U.S. Army Veteran, and a longtime Sarasota County resident. A graduate of Baylor University, Manny lives in Nokomis with his wife, Chris, and has been part of the Sarasota County community for more than two decades.

Manny brings over 12 years of Democratic Party leadership, having served on three Democratic Executive Committees, including as President of the Young Democrats, and spearheading a countywide issues convention in Monroe County. His public service includes roles on the Monroe County Port Authority Board, executive board on the Central Texas Economic Council, the Hill County Extension Board, and as an elected School Board Member in Texas. Presently Manny is a member of various Democratic Clubs and Caucuses throughout Congressional District 17.

A strong believer in Democracy and the voice of the people, Manny fights for working- and middle-class families. He believes health care, education, and affordable housing are fundamental rights.  He prioritizes living wages, social justice, environmental protection, national home owners’ insurance, and strengthening Social Security by lifting the income cap.

Dee McFarland has called Sarasota home since 2011 and has become a cornerstone of the local community. A proud HBCU graduate of Southern University-Baton Rouge, with an MBA from Central Michigan University, Dee retired as an HR manager from General Motors in Detroit before dedicating her time to civic engagement.

Her leadership roles include serving as Vice President of the Sarasota Democratic Club, DEC Secretary, DEC At-Large Vice Chair, and founder of the Sarasota Democratic Black Caucus. Beyond her political work, Dee is actively involved in various local organizations, embodying her commitment to community service.

Guided by her belief that “service to others is an important part of my life,” Dee is excited to continue her work as Sarasota County’s State Committeewoman, championing Democratic values and uplifting the community.io goes here

Alfonso and his wife Ellie moved to Sarasota full-time in 2024. Alfonso’s previous corporate career spanned 40 years working internationally for global organizations while also participating in the non-profit world as a board director for several interests and as CEO of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR). He currently sits on the Board for the Latino Leadership Institute.

Alfonso holds a BSBA from Denver University where he proudly played 2nd base and shortstop for the Pioneers; an MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Johns Hopkins University and certified as an Executive Leadership Coach and Sports Psychology Coach.

Alfonso champions Democratic values and encourages the fullest participation by all voters who believe in fairness, freedom, civil rights, and a full inclusion in our society.

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Sarah Parker is a passionate advocate for reproductive freedom and social justice in Florida, serving as the Executive Director and President of Voices of Florida. She co-founded the organization in 2021 to oppose a proposed six-week abortion ban in Manatee County, leading a successful fight alongside other activists. Voices of Florida, under her leadership, champions reproductive healthcare, equality, and human rights, driven by Black and queer individuals.

Parker, a proud Black mother and long-time Sarasota resident, has been involved in grassroots activism since the Occupy Movement. She co-founded Occupy Florida, later known as Occupy Tally, in response to Florida's 2023 abortion ban. As part of the Floridians Protecting Freedom coalition, she played a key role in the successful Yes on 4 campaign, ensuring that Floridians could vote to protect abortion rights. Parker’s unwavering commitment continues to inspire others in the fight for justice and reproductive freedom.

Sebastian Martinez, a 2021 graduate of Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida, is a dedicated advocate, youth organizer, and proud son of Mexican immigrants. Since the age of 15, he has passionately worked to engage and educate thousands of young people across battleground states, focusing on civic education and voter outreach. His most recent efforts include bridging barriers to voting access, developing comprehensive civic education programs nationwide, and reaching hundreds of thousands of voters.

A consistent presence at Sarasota County School Board meetings since he was 16, Sebastian has been a tireless advocate for teachers and students. His work spans critical issues such as strengthening public education, championing workers' rights, addressing concerns of Hispanic communities, and protecting voting rights.

Sebastian’s vision is to create opportunities for others. He aims to empower Gen Z organizers and young leaders to step into roles within the Democratic Party and elected offices, ensuring that the next generation is prepared to lead.

In addition to his advocacy, Sebastian’s commitment to service is deeply personal. From assisting his mother with agricultural fieldwork to working as a handyman alongside his father, he has a firsthand appreciation for the value of hard work. His organizing efforts have included building efficient field programs and developing campaigns that have reached and educated millions of Florida voters. He also frequently advises and consults with organizers and campaigns nationwide that look to Sarasota for leadership and strategic guidance.

Sebastian is driven by a mission to bridge political divides, build sustainable infrastructure, and forge meaningful connections with voters from all backgrounds and affiliations. He is committed to shaping a brighter future for his community and future generations.

Robin Taub Williams is a retired biology and environmental science teacher and community college instructor with a strong record of civic engagement and advocacy.

Since making Sarasota her primary residence eight years ago, she has served as a Precinct Captain, founded the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Manasota, organized events, and actively participated in public forums. Robin has spoken at school board meetings, county commission sessions, and New College Board of Trustees meetings, as well as testified in Tallahassee. Most recently, she ran for the Sarasota County Charter Review Board.

​Before moving to Florida, Robin was deeply involved in labor and community activism. She helped organize a union, served as a union delegate, and acted as a union representative. Additionally, she served on the New Jersey PTA's State Legislative Committee and was a Democratic Committeewoman in Mercer County, New Jersey, for many years.

​Robin is a life Member of NEA-Retired and an active Member of FEA-Retired and Suncoast NEA-Retired in Florida. She is also a founding Member of the Suncoast Jewish Alliance and sings with the Sarasota Jewish Chorale.

Barbara currently serves as a State Committeewoman, representing the Sarasota County Democratic Party to the Florida Democratic Party. She is also a Board Member of the Longboat Key Democratic Club.

Over the years, she has held numerous leadership roles within the county party, including Chair of Voter Protection, Chair of Precinct Organization and Development, Treasurer, and Vice Chair.

Before entering politics, Barbara built a diverse professional career as a reporter, editor, and lawyer. Originally from Ohio, she spent the majority of her career in Washington, DC, and northern Virginia before relocating to Florida 10 years ago. Since arriving in Sarasota, she has been actively involved with the County Party, beginning her engagement almost immediately after registering to vote, registering her car, and getting her library card.