When Ron and Pat Svaty returned to their hometown of Ellsworth in 1968, the local Democratic Party was a visible part of the community.

Pat Svaty remembers the fundraisers every St. Patrick’s Day. And the watch parties. And later the annual get-togethers at the Adolph and Lila Vopat farm the Saturday morning of Wilson’s After Harvest Czech Festival. There was also a Democratic women’s organization.

“Those things just gradually slipped away,” Pat said.

Ellsworth attorney Patrick Hoffman, 37, was recently chosen to lead local Democrats. Anna Hand, 25, an engineering student at Fort Hays State University, is party vice chairman.

Hoffman said he doesn’t see his new volunteer job in historic terms. Nor does he consider it an us-againstthem kind of assignment. Instead, he wants people to come together as a community and get excited enough about politics to be involved in the development of policies that affect their lives every day.

“This complicates my life, but it’s just too important. This seems like a pivotal time,” Hoffman said.

One of the early efforts of Ellsworth County’s new Democratic leadership will take place Saturday, April 13. Rep. Tom Sawyer, minority leader of the Kansas House of Representatives, will speak at 10:15 a.m. at the Ellsworth Steakhouse. Everyone is invited.

Hoffman hopes to make the spring meeting an annual event. A summer picnic also is on his “to do” list.

People need a reason to join, he said.

Having annual events also will make it easier for Ellsworth County to attract candidates during election years because they will already be on the calendar year after year.

At one time, Ron Svaty said, Ellsworth and Ellis counties were the only counties west of Topeka with more registered Democrats than Republicans.

Ellsworth County had a strong bond with the party through Paul Aylward, the late Ellsworth attorney who served for years as a member of the national committee. Aylward convinced Svaty to return to Ellsworth to practice law. At one time, Aylward’s name was on the law firm of which Hoffman is now a partner.

Over the years, Ellsworth County has sent several residents or near-residents to Topeka. The late George Jelinek was a state legislator. So was Josh Svaty. And John Carlin from nearby Smolan moved from the Legislature to the governor’s office with the support of Svaty and others in Ellsworth County. All were Democrats.

This is the breakdown of party affiliation today, according to figures from the office of Ellsworth County election officer Shelly Vopat:

• Republican — 2,391.

• Unaffiliated — 905.

• Democratic — 830.

• Libertarian — 23.

Ron Svaty said the break came in the 1970s after the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion across the country.

Many Catholics who had traditionally been Democrats moved into the Republican or unaffiliated columns. Svaty also believes the Democratic foundation of working men and women and agriculture began to crumble.

“We didn’t mean anything,” he said.

Anna Hand thinks that can change with time. It’s a matter of getting the word out.

Ellsworth County, she said, has two amazing school districts, an awardwinning medical center and other amenities that make it a great place to live and work.

“Those are things people want to see ... Those are things Democrats want to see,” she said. “Central Kansas values are Democratic values.”

Hoffman said the state party, which in recent times has focused its resources on the eastern part of Kansas, has made a renewed effort to court the rural counties of the sprawling First Congressional District.

“There are just so many Johnson County seats,” he said.

At the same time, candidates should know they have the support of the local party and its resources, Hoffman said.

Hand said some positions don’t call for a party affiliation. She points to her father, David, as an example.

He is a precinct representative, but also served on the Ellsworth County Medical Center board of directors following appointment by commissioners. He currently is a member of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School District board, an elected position by district.

For Hoffman and Anna Hand, all roads lead to “become involved.”

“You’re always excited when you see young people interested,” Pat Svaty said.“That’s the whole future.”