Pat & carol Williams Dinner
The Missoula County Democrats warmly invite you to an evening of community, appreciation, and determination at the Pat & Carol Williams Dinner, our largest fundraising event of the biennium. This memorable evening celebrates not only our shared goals for the future of Montana, but also the remarkable public service and leadership of Pat and Carol Williams, two Montanans whose dedication to public life has shaped our state and inspired generations of civic engagement.
We are indebted to the Williams family for their decades of support for Montana Democrats and the broader Montana community. Please join us for an evening that honors a remarkable public-service legacy and recommits us all to the work ahead. Proceeds from the Williams Dinner go directly to supporting Democratic candidates across Montana as we prepare for the 2026 election.
keyNote Speaker - jim Acosta
Jim Acosta is an award-winning broadcast journalist, with 25 years of experience in network television news, both at CNN and CBS News. Perhaps best-known for his time as the Chief White House Correspondent for CNN, Acosta has covered six straight presidential elections. He also served as an anchor and reporter covering some of the biggest news stories of the last 30 years, including Hurricane Katrina, the Iraq War and the aftermath of 9/11. In 2019, Acosta’s New York Times bestselling book, “The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America” was published. That same year his work was recognized by the New York Press Club with its “Truth to Power” Award. Acosta currently resides in the Washington D.C. area and hosts “The Jim Acosta Show” on Substack, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
Pat & carol Williams Leadership Award - Flo Chessin
Florence “Flo” Wolman Chessin was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1926. She began her life of community service during her high school years. During WWII, she and her high school friends collected newspapers, scrap metals, and fat for soap. After high school graduation she met her future husband, Meyer (Mike) Chessin, while working as a U.S.O. Hostess. Married in 1945, they moved to Missoula after Mike was offered a position teaching Botany at the University of Montana. In 1970 she Co-founded “Missoula Women for Peace”. Flo was instrumental in the effort to place a bronze statue of Jeannette Rankin (the first woman elected to Congress) in the Halls of Congress. She was the very first recipient of the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center’s “Peacemaker Award”. Flo and Mike's house on University Avenue became known as the place to launch campaigns for peace, political campaigns and the best spot to cheer during the Homecoming Parade as the Missoula Democrats' float went by.
Sponsor levels & tickets
Gold Sponsor
$5,000
10 dinner tickets
Priority seating
2 bottles of wine for the table
Invitation recognition (if sponsoring by March 8th)
Event & program recognition
Silver Sponsor
$2,500
8 dinner tickets
Priority seating
8 drink tickets
Invitation recognition (if sponsoring by March 8th)
Event & program recognition
Copper Sponsor
$1,000
4 dinner tickets
4 drink tickets
Event & program recognition
Garnet Sponsor
$500
2 dinner tickets
Event & program recognition
Single Ticket
$80
Thank You to our sponsors
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Silver
Williams Family
Senator Andrea Olsen
Mark Estep
Rep. Melody Cunningham
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Copper
Kevin Head
The Derry Family
Flo Chessin
Lauren Wilson and Thomas Buchholz
Russell Cleveland
Vicki Watson
Matt Rains for Congress
Buzz and Laurie Mattelin
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Garnet
Montana Democratic Party
Mayor Andrea Davis
Commissioner Juanita Vero
Robin Kendall
Bill and Jan Lombardi
Deborah Frandsen
Susan Talbot
C.B. Pearson
Nancy Harte
Jean Harte
Justin Ailport & Andy Nelson
Janet & Paul Guthrie
Gwen Jones & Andy Koenig
Reilly for Montana
Sam for Montana
Rep. Katie Sullivan
Rep. Bob Carter
Lisa Verlanic Fowler Candidate for HD 94
Sen. Shane Morigeau
Sen. Willis Curdy
Rep. Mark Thane
Faye & Daniel Warren
Dawn Podolske
Jazz with Beth Lo & David Horgan
James & Laurie Randall
Robin Tawney Nichols & William Nichols
Gloria & John Langstaff
Nick Kujawa
Bryan Powers Photography
Ryan Busse for Montana
Rep. Tom France
Rep. SJ Howell
Rep. Marilyn Marler
Rep. Connie Keogh
Rep. Shelly Fyant
Kelly Sax
Steve Doherty
Mary & Ed Brannin
Pam Walzer
Sam Kulla for HD 93
Honoring a Legacy of Service
Pat Williams served Montana with distinction as the state’s longest serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Montana from 1979 to 1997. During his nine terms in Congress, he championed working families, wilderness conservation, tribal sovereignty, education, the arts, and workers’ rights, leaving a legacy of principled leadership and commitment to Montana values.
Alongside him throughout this journey has been his partner in life and service, Carol Williams. A lifelong advocate for education, environmental protection, and women’s rights, Carol carved her own path in Montana politics. Carol went on to serve in the Montana Legislature, first in the State House and then in the State Senate from 2004 to 2012. During her legislative career she made history as the first woman to serve as both Majority and Minority Leader in the Montana Senate.
Beyond elected office, Carol has continued to support civic engagement and leadership, founding what is now known as Carol’s List, an organization dedicated to recruiting and supporting progressive, pro-choice women candidates for public office in Montana.
Together, Pat and Carol raised three children and built a legacy rooted in service, integrity, and enduring commitment to their Montana communities.
