SemDems Activists of the Month
February 2022
Leslie and Lawrence “Larry” Guerra
In a SemDems’ first, Leslie and Larry Guerra, our February Activists of the Month, are being recognized again for their outstanding contributions to the SemDems! They have been married for over twenty years and one can usually find them together at many Democratic events. Larry grew up on Air Force bases, all over the world, and then at age 13, he moved with his family to central Kansas. His father was career Air Force and his mother was a homemaker. He grew up with two siblings, an older brother, and a younger sister. He has a daughter, who lives in Kansas with her husband and four children. Leslie grew up in Junction City, Kansas, a diverse military community. She is the third of four daughters to her realtor father and homemaker/educator mother. Her Dad was always community-minded and served as a city commissioner, mayor, and county commissioner over the years. Her parents were Democrats in a very Republican town/state and her mom would write liberal letters to the editor on controversial social issues.
Larry is a Tool and Die Maker by trade and worked in shops and factories until the age of 29, at which point he attended Kansas State University full time and earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering. After working as an engineer after college, Larry fulfilled a life goal in 1998 when he founded an engineering firm in the Kansas City area. He became quite successful and managed all aspects of the company, as well as, performing full-time engineering duties. Over 19 years, his firm developed products and machines that include handheld electronics, fitness devices, medical devices and equipment, surgical tables, paving equipment, special rail cars, and much more. He sold his company in 2017 and is a listed inventor on over 80 patents issued to companies and clients he worked with/for over the course of his career.
Leslie has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Kansas State University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kansas. She worked for 30 years in community mental health as a therapist/crisis counselor and supervised an outpatient crisis clinic. She did a little private practice also, but her heart was with the chronically mentally ill and those with limited financial resources. Leslie and Larry married when they were in their 40s and she recruited him into social activism.
They moved to Central Florida in 2018, where they became involved in politics and the SemDems. Their first endeavor was to canvass for the 2018 election. Their different personalities blend nicely when campaigning together. They both have become even more involved with the SemDems since then. Among other Democratic supporting activities, Larry worked on Deborah Poulalion’s campaign (Seminole County Supervisor of Elections) as treasurer and campaign manager. Leslie is a precinct captain, SemDems co-office manager, worked with Larry on Deborah’s political campaign, and helped to coordinate volunteers. She has done most aspects of volunteering since – phone banking, canvassing, writing postcards, coordinating volunteers, and supporting Democrat’s events.
Larry says, “I like to handle details and ‘technical’ items such as Vote Builder and Mobilize.” He managed the SemDems’ Neighbor to Neighbor initiative by cutting turfs and providing the data to volunteers. He also enjoys canvassing and working events to collect petitions. Among the things that Larry says he likes with the SemDems is that “it is an organization with a common goal and enthusiastic members. I like working with positive people.” Leslie agrees by saying, “I most enjoy canvassing and attending events with like-minded people. I really enjoyed working on a campaign also.” She further shared, “I knew nobody when we moved here and I have made the best friends through the Sem Dems – because they think like I do and are caring, compassionate people.”
In his spare time, Larry enjoys woodworking and home renovation. Leslie enjoys exercise, yoga, book club, eating out with friends, and other volunteering (through a local women’s club).
SemDems is so lucky to have the talented team of Leslie and Larry as enthusiastic members!