The Yellowstone County Democrats, following their biennial county convention held last month on May 21, 2025, are set to welcome their newly elected board and precinct committee representatives. These leaders, chosen at the May convention, will officially assume their roles at the next Central Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 18. This transition demonstrates a significant revitalization, as the local Democratic party rededicates itself to its foundational role as the party of and for the working class.
Virginia Duke, age 36, was elected as the new Chair of the Yellowstone County Democrats, succeeding long-time chair Becky Riedl. With her professional background in organizational knowledge management and process improvement, Duke will bring a high level of organization, process, attention to data, and strategic thinking to the party. Other newly elected officers include Paula Roos as Treasurer, Erin Tate as State Committeewoman, Clementine Lindley as 1st Alternate State Committeewoman, Ione Young as 2nd Alternate State Committeewoman, Mark Nicholson as 1st Alternate State Committeeman, and Gene Jarussi as 2nd Alternate State Committeeman. James Reavis retained his position as Vice-Chair, Melissa Smith as Secretary, and John Halverson as State Committeeman.
“I am incredibly honored and energized to step into the role of Chair for the Yellowstone County Democrats,” said Virginia Duke. “Our county has the potential to become a powerful organization for positive change, and I’m committed to building the structure and systems to make that a reality.
“Our new leadership is here to get things done on issues that impact our daily lives–housing, childcare, health care, safe streets and communities, and decent wages, including through stable, living wage union jobs,” said Duke. “We need more of the practical governing we saw in the state legislature this spring, when Democrats were able to pass useful bipartisan legislation. Our local party is building grassroots infrastructure to send more folks to Helena that will represent the needs of everyone, including our working class folks.”
The leadership transition builds upon the substantial advancements made under the leadership of outgoing Chair Becky Riedl, who held the position since 2021. Under Riedl’s guidance, the committee increased volunteer engagement and increased and stabilized its annual budget, expanding its resources and influence. This strong foundation includes the recent hiring of a full-time community organizer, Kieran Fearey, who will support the development and expansion of our grassroots organizing program.
The convention itself showcased a high level of enthusiasm and participation, notable for drawing a significantly larger number of interested community members and party supporters from the general public than seen in previous years. A particularly significant outcome of the convention was the marked revitalization of the local party through the election of precinct committee representatives; the convention saw an increase in precinct seat occupancy, with membership growing by over 64% across urban and rural Yellowstone County. This signals a powerful surge in local grassroots engagement and a strengthened presence on the ground, ensuring that every neighborhood across Yellowstone County has a direct local contact and a dedicated voice within the party. It also reflects a deliberate shift towards greater diversity across backgrounds, age, ethnicity, and LGBTQ + identity within the committee’s leadership and membership.
“We have so much enthusiasm and energy in the party right now,” said Duke. “That’s because we are giving people tangible things to do to help bring about the change they need to see locally and statewide.”
Precinct committeemen and committeewomen serve as vital representatives of Democratic party voters in their respective voter precincts, as defined by Montana state law. Duke, who was previously the Precinct Organizer prior to being elected Chair, oversaw the revitalization of this powerful grassroots organizing program, a get-to-know-your-neighbor strategy that will better enable the party to understand local needs and help representatives craft policy to meet those needs.
Once new leadership takes their seats at the June 18 Central Committee meeting, new events will be scheduled for precinct committee leaders, focusing on building community in their respective neighborhoods. Volunteers are encouraged to participate alongside precinct leaders in these vital community-building efforts.
“We welcome anyone who wants to join us in this effort,” said Duke. “Our organization has crucial work to do in the next two years to build a wide network of Democratic voters and recruit strong Democratic candidates ahead of the midterm elections. Expect to see us at events and on your doorstep this summer and throughout the coming years, talking to you about how we can make Yellowstone County a place where everyone has the freedom and economic opportunities they need to thrive.”
In the coming term, the Yellowstone County Democrats, under their new and diverse leadership, are poised for heightened impact. With unprecedented growth in precinct-level representation and a renewed focus on the needs of working families, the committee is committed to building a robust grassroots network, recruiting strong Democratic candidates, and delivering practical solutions for issues critical to the community’s well-being.