This month we shine the spotlight on our newest additions to our corp of Democratic Committee Persons (CPs). The CPs are the troops on the ground responsible for achieving our goals of increasing: Democratic registration, Democratic voter turn-out, and Democrats elected. We are a large and diverse group. We still have some openings, and perhaps our newest members will inspire you. Read on!

ANNETTE BOWERS – Kennett Township–2 (325)

Annette, a life-long Democrat, likes that she can say she was born in Scranton, home of President Joe Biden. She describes her roots as ‘blue color’ Dem and tells the story of how her mother described working in a depression era silk factory and finally being paid a regular salary, attributing this to FDR.

Annette remembers voting in her first election, 1972, for George McGovern, and she has continued her commitment to Democratic values over the years. She stepped-up her involvement after the 2016 election. She began helping the committee people in her precinct, KT-2.  Then in 2018 she developed a volunteer data base for our KAD Campaign Headquarters. She continued to maintain that data base providing invaluable individual lists for each precinct through the 2020 election.

Annette admits she is most comfortable in front of a computer, having retired from a career in Health Care IT. But when she saw an opening for a committee person working alongside her friend, Victoria Wiedwald, she stepped right up. We welcome Annette and her many talents to our group.

KIERAN FRANCKE – London Britain Township (330)

Kieran Francke is our youngest KAD Committee Person. He is currently a student at Temple University where he is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism. He is also active with Temple College Dems and helps with various activities on campus.

While he was born in DE, he has lived the majority of his life in Chester County. He remembers the first election that made an impression on him. It was the 2008 election of Barak Obama. He begged his mother to allow him to stay home from school on January 20, 2009, so he could watch the inauguration. He was 7 years old.

The first time he volunteered for a campaign was in 2015, working on a DE State House race. He was hooked on political campaigns and politics by age 14! When asked why be involved, Kieran is quick to reply, “few others are volunteering and if you are not actively involved you can’t complain.” He sees himself as someone who would rather be a part of the solution.

He signed on as a CP in the summer of 2020. He was then elected to serve as Secretary of KAD at our January 2021 meeting. Kieran also works with CCDC on the Organizational Development Committee. He brings with him a solid knowledge of Robert’s Rules, enthusiasm, and a good work ethic. We welcome Kieran aboard.

FRANCESCA (FRANKIE) MANRIQUEZ – Kennett Square-S1 (310)

Frankie ManriquezFrancesca (Frankie) Manriquez is a 2020 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she earned a degree in Sociology and Urban Studies and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law fraternity.  While in Pittsburgh, Frankie was an intern for the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure for the City of Pittsburgh and for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.  After graduating Frankie was the Finance Director for Anton Andrew’s campaign for Pennsylvania’s 160th House of Representatives seat and co-managed the campaign’s TikTok account.

Frankie grew up in Unionville attending Unionville High School and then transferring to the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware in the tenth grade where she also played field hockey and lacrosse.

When Sally Braffman stepped down as Committee Person (CP) for Kennett Square S-1 in January, Sally recommended Frankie to take her place.  Along with her CP work, Frankie manages KAD’s Facebook and Twitter accounts and is a volunteer on one of the G.O.T.V. committees for the May Primary.  She was recently offered the position of Finance Assistant for the Democratic Governors Association (“DGA”) in Washington, D.C. and will be working remotely for the DGA from Kennett Square Borough for the time being.  We welcome Frankie as one of our newest CPs and wish her success in her new role with the DGA!