Learn More - Carroll County Democratic Central Committee

Our Mission

The Mission of the CCDCC is to promote core Democratic values of economic fairness and equality of opportunity in an inclusive and active Democracy where everyone thrives. We do this by educating and organizing voters to elect leaders who put these values into action.

Strategic Vision:

Understand and embrace core Democratic values
Act together as a vibrant and dynamic community
Inspire the best and brightest Democratic candidates to run and win.

Corynne Courpas

Chair

Bio

Corynne has been active in Democratic politics since her first campaign for Paul Sarbanes in the 1970’s. Her highest honor was to serve as a Biden/Harris Elector in 2020. She has recently retired and dedicates more time to gardening, reading, traveling and community activism..

Raquel Walsh

Vice Chair

Bio

Raquel has been a member of the Central Committee since 2017. Issues near and dear to her heart include social justice, climate change, and women’s rights. She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to political podcasts, and camping. She resides in Manchester, MD with her family.

Julie Ford-Mount

Treasurer

Bio

Julie and her family have been self employed for over 25 years and have lived in Carroll just as long. She has two adult sons. She is currently serving on the Friends of the Library Board, The Hey Westminster Board as well as The Board of Zoning Appeals. Julie is looking forward to serving on the Central Committee as the incoming treasurer.

Alison King

Secretary

Bio

Alison co-owns Rudolph Girls Books with her sister and teaches writing courses at McDaniel College. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two dogs in Westminster. In addition to serving on the Central Committee, Alison is a member of the Downtown Westminster Business Association, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, the Carroll County NAACP, and the Westminster Pride Planning Committee.

What is a “Central Committee Member”?

Central Committee members are the grass roots-level elected volunteers of the State Democratic Party. They must be dedicated to working to ensure the election of Democrats to public office, while encouraging the participation of activists, volunteers and financial contributors. This calls for many hours of participation, and in some cases a financial commitment themselves.

They should bring to the Central Committee a strong commitment to the Party and all the things it stands for. Central Committee members should have experience as a volunteer in various political activities, worked for candidates, or run for office themselves.

In essence, Central Committee members are the people elected to work directly in the trenches on behalf of the Party and to organize an ongoing presence at the local level. They are the people who do the organizing and actual tasks of helping get Democrats elected. They are not managers or members of a board of directors, but worker bees themselves. They help organize and when necessary do the:

Fundraising, staff party booths / events, precinct organizing and canvassing, distribute political literature, perform voter registration, phone banking and all of those tasks needed to be successful in an election.

Central Committee members have an obligation to attend all committee meetings, publicly support party nominees without questions, and to actively participate in all the activities of the Central Committee. Central Committee members at no time can openly support a candidate of another political party in a partisan race.

Central Committee members cannot do all that must be done by themselves, they must reach out and recruit volunteers to assist in many of these activities and tasks. Recruitment of volunteers therefore becomes the difference between success and failure. Central Committee members must have good motivational and organizing skills to make use of these volunteer resources.

As a member of the local Central Committee they are members of the State Central Committee and are expected to attend semi-annual meetings, vote on State Party issues and participate in State Party projects.

Central Committee members have the official responsibility to fill vacancies of certain offices due to death or resignation of elected officials, and fill vacancies when no Democratic candidate has filed for nomination. The Central Committee also recommends to the Governor appointment of the members and substitute members for the local County Board of Elections and at times recommendations to other state and county boards.

Other Members

Angelina Kihamia

Bio

Angelina is a nurse with 16 years’ experience in health care, a nurse educator, people’s advocate and people oriented. She is a team player who insists on positive outcomes no matter what.

Angelina has been a member of the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee since March 2021. Angelina has lived in Carroll County for nine (9) years. She has been a keen observer of American politics since the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. Angelina is the first Tanzanian American woman to serve in the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee. Some issues dear to her heart are: Justice and equity, voting rights, criminal justice reforms, women’s right to make decisions concerning their health issues, fighting for the less privileged via domestic reforms, lowering healthcare cost and expanding Medicare. Angelina has a Bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) and Masters of Science in health services, Leadership and Management, all from University of Maryland.

Tom Scanlan

Bio

Tom first became a member of the CCDCC in 2015. After leaving the committee for a year, he is happy to be back working to make Carroll County a better place to live. He is a retired Reading Specialist and English teacher, having taught at North Carroll and Westminster High Schools for a total of 33 years. He plays Irish music with his wife Dorothy, an Associate member. Education and music are two of his great passions. Tom is also a member of the Environmental Advisory Council for Carroll County.

Muri Dueppen

Bio

Muri Dueppen has been an active community advocate since 2014. Activities include co-founding and leading the grassroots group VOCAL Carroll County and volunteering for several pro-public education candidates for local office. Her professional career is in the scientific/environmental nonprofit sector. She has lived in Mount Airy with her family since 2004.

Henry Reiff

Bio

Henry B. Reiff, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus in special education from McDaniel College. He has published numerous articles on adults and adolescents with learning disabilities, has written or co-written five books, and given presentations and workshops across the country. Henry served as Dean of Student Academic Life and Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies and Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Special Education at McDaniel.

Charles Evans

Bio

Charles Evans was originally a resident of Virginia, and relocated to the area 11 years ago to enter into the teaching profession. Being an active member of the community, social justice, and equity are major focuses of his. Charles enjoys all sports, poetry, and spending time with his family. He currently resides in Finksburg, MD.

Associate Members

Greg Pecorao
Dorothy Scanlan