Joplin area Democrats have named Jordan Overstreet, pictured, as their new full-time executive director, according to an announcement by Elliott Denniston, long time Democratic supporter. Denniston called the announcement "a new day dawning in Southwest Missouri." Overstreet will assume the position on November 28, 2011.
"This is a daring and unprecedented venture in our corner of the state," Denniston said. Citing the responsibilities of the position, he claims that it "will bring a vigorous Democratic presence to our area and make Democrats visible and proud."
Overstreet grew up in Lamar and is a 2003 graduate of Missouri State University with a B.S. in political science/economics. His minor was in communications. During his undergraduate years he was active in the university's Holt V. Spicer Debate Forum and held the position of president of the local chapter of the Sierra Club.
For the past three years he has been employed by the Burrell Behavioral Center in Springfield as a mental health support worker. Prior to that he was an intern in the law offices of Steven Fenner, LLC.
Overstreet is not a new face to Democratic causes and candidates. He has supported the campaign of Democratic state representative Sara Lampe, representing Springfield and served as deputy campaign manager for the Scott Eckersley campaign, opposing the Republican winner Billy Long for Roy Blunt's Congressional seat in Missouri's 7th district. He had to deal with many contentious issues, including that of a fake e-mail sent to various media outlets claiming that Eckersley had decided not to run.
According to Denniston, "Overstreet held steady in very difficult circumstances and managed to do a remarkable job with volunteer recruitment. Among the nine references that Overstreet supplied, "there is a remarkable concurrence of opinion about [him]; he is a dedicated Democrat, he is an outgoing and tactful 'people' person and he is very knowledgeable about all aspects of the executive director position due to his political experiences," Denniston added.
For information about how to support Democratic causes and candidates or if you are a Democrat who would like to be on the contact list of area Democrats (Newton, Jasper, Dade, McDonald and the surrounding counties), send an e-mail here.
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