Hall of Fame
Richland County has a rich history of democratic political involvement. The Richland County Democratic Party recognizes the contributions of party participants with various awards throughout the year. Below you will find past recipients of some of these awards.
Democrat of
the Year
The Democrat of the Year Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the party and democratic causes, particularly, but never exclusively, in the preceding year. The award is currently presented at the Joseph H. Mudra Legacy Dinner.
Past Recipients
2021 - Sharon Schulz
2020 - Kathy Clevanger
2019 - Jody Nash
2018 - Venita Shoulders
2017 - Vickie Eichof
2016 - Pat Carlisle
2015 - Joanne Mudra
2014 - John VanHarlingen
2013 - Garland Gates
2012 - Brenda Baker
2011 - Ronnie Davis
2010 - Amy & Sean Burns
2009 - Tom Farley
2008 - Jill VanHarlingen
2007 - Kay Bixler
2006 - Mark Cockley & Ellen Haring
2005 - Garnetta Pender
2004 - Jay Goyal and Cheryl Garn
2003 - Ken Bender
2002 - John McCune
2001 - Joseph H. Mudra
2000 - Debbie Obenour
1999 - Karen & Kelson Death
1998 - Mary Heminger
1997 - Ken Kreiger
1996 - Rod Reed
1995 - Paulette Hankins
1994 - Cassie Stein
1993 - Vickie Shaffner
1992 - Betty French
1991 - Jackie DeLong & Jack Obenour
1990 - Iona Gates & Bernie Dedden
1989 - Phyllis Sawyer & Karl Angeloff
1988 - Rita Scheurer & Joseph Harfman
1987 - Jennie Lallie & Ken McCartney
1986 - Virginia Korbas and Dick Critchfield
1985 - Joan Dedden & Freeman Swank
1984 - Louise Bush & Dan Martin
1983 - Rheabelle Swank & Harold Boyce
1982 - Virginia Crewiler & Paul White
1981 - Naomi Brooks & Joseph Bader, Sr.
1980 - Maude Oakes & William Jenkins
1979 - Donna Bond & John Griffin
1978 - Ludille Sloan & Willis Marcum
1977 - Non Darling & James Crowl
1976 - Rose Kleri & Larry Boyd
1975 - Elanor Flutzy & Jack Middlebrook
1974 - Dorothy Roberts & Ed Fields
1973 - Sue Auer & David Walker
1972 - Lucille Critchfield & Donald Hout
1971 - Don Moore
1970 - James Barney
1969 - Edith Matthew
1968 - Tina Glasgow
Young Democrat Award
The Emily Campbell Brown Young Democrat Award recognizes outstanding party service by a democrat under 40. The award is presently given at the Joseph H. Mudra Legacy Dinner.
Past Recipients
2021 - Ashley McLaughlin
2020 - JC Elgin
2016 - Brittany Bowman
2012 - Bridgette Givand
2010 - David Scott
2009 - Jaclyn Hittesdorf
2008 - Nicole Kleman & David Gerster
2006 - Katie Bixler
Lifetime Service Award
The Lifetime Service Award is given to a democrat who proves, year in and year out, their commitment to core democratic principles and outstanding service to the democratic cause. The award is presently given at the Joseph H. Mudra Legacy Dinner.
Past Recipients
2021 - Amy & Sean Burns
2020 - Ken Bender
2019 - Doug Dickson
2018 - Kathy Clevanger
2017 - Brian McCartney and Jim & Debbie Tackett
2016 - Gary Utt
2015 - Cynthia O'Neal
2014 - Lydia Reid and Tom & Ester Farley
2013 - Joseph H. Mudra, Mary Heminger & Bill Hartnett
2012 - Garland Gates & Johnny Givand
2011 - Vickie Shaffner & Paulette Hankins
2010 - Merv Shaffner
2009 - Fred & Lori Brubach and Jim O'Donnel
2008 - Frank Russo & Dick Stander
2007 - Ken Kreiger and Cassie Stein
2006 - Don Kindt
2005 - Denny & Darlene Hunt and Rod Reed
2004 - Jack Obenour and Beulah Jones
2003 - Catherine Nixon & Verdel Larson
2002 - Mervin Shaffner
2001 - Rae Reeder
2000 - Emily Campbell Brown
1999 - John J. Rinehardt
Other Awards
The Richland County Democratic Party Executive Committee grants other awards as merited throughout the years.
Community Service Award
2002 - Gary Utt
50 Year Award
1982 - Tony Mollica
25 Year Award
2002 - Naomi Carter
10 Year Award
L1988 - Larry Boyd
1986 - Ludille Critchfield
1976 - Donald Kindt