Citrus Democrats Leadership
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The Citrus Democrats are led by an all-volunteer team elected from the Democratic Precinct Committee Members in Citrus County


Chair
John Comer
John Comer, a lifelong Democrat, migrated to the sunny shores of Florida in 1999. With a passion for community engagement and progressive values, he has dedicated his life to advocating for equality and social justice.
From grassroots activism to local politics, John strives to make a positive impact where he goes. Whether it’s fighting for affordable healthcare or championing environmental conservation, he’s always at the forefront of change, fueled by his unwavering commitment to a better future for all.​

Vice Chair
Jeanne Messersmith
​Jeanette (“Jeanne”) Messersmith, M.A., F.C.B.A., is married, with three sons and seven grandchildren. After twenty-five years as a church business administrator she retired and moved to Inverness where she serves as treasurer of the Friends of Fort Cooper State Park and secretary of the Citrus County League of Women Voters. Her interests are volunteer recruitment and training, special event management and serving as a change agent.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Treasurer
Rich Evans
Rich Evans is a passionate supporter of the environment above all other issues. As a new grandparent, he tries to live a low-impact sustainable life so that his grandchild and all of the generations to come will have a chance to survive the ongoing climate crisis.
Rich is a retired CPA and CMA who has spent decades volunteering for causes dear to his heart. As an avid backpacker, he has served on the boards of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association and the Appalachian Trail Museum.
Most meaningful to him were his stints on the board of New Bethany Ministries in Bethlehem, PA and as a member of the Bishop Search and Transition Committees of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania.
Currently, Rich is also the treasurer of the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail. He is an investor and brand ambassador for Aptera Motors, which will begin production of the most sustainable car on the planet, a solar two-seat, three-wheel EV, in 2025. He lives in Hernando with the love of his life, Marion Walsh.

Secretary
Janet Genova
Janet Genova, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, spent her early years surrounded by the rich
history and vibrant culture of the city before relocating to the serene landscapes of New
Hampshire. She has always been interested in politics. After a dedicated career spanning 32 years at Verizon, she embraced retirement.
In 2004, she and her husband embarked on a new chapter of their lives, moving to
Inverness, Florida's warm and inviting climate. Now residing in the charming community of Hernando, Janet shares her home with two lively and playful cats that keep her on her toes.
Janet is passionate about her community and actively participates in the Democratic Women’s Club, where she served on the founding board. She is also a member of the Inverness Garden Club, nurturing her love for gardening and nature. Janet is also a proud member of the Citrus
County Friends of the Library, dedicating her time and enthusiasm to supporting local literacyand educational initiatives.

State Committeeman
Nathan Sharp
Nathan Sharp spent over 20 years in the hospitality industry and served in various senior level marketing roles around the country and internationally. Nathan returned to his hometown of Crystal River in 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic with his husband Eddie. The events of Trump 1.0 led him to take an active role in local Democratic politics. In August of 2020 he was elected president of The Democratic Equality Caucus of Citrus County and became a precinct committee person. Nathan has held several positions with the Citrus DEC including secretary and most recently vice chair. He currently serves as the president of the NCR LGBTQ+ Dems and is the managing director of his company, Sharp Ideas.

State Committeewoman
Mary Hedges
Mary Hedges is a lifelong Democrat who has been active in the Citrus County Democratic Party since moving to Florida in 2008. While recognizing the challenges of living in an exceedingly red county, Mary finds satisfaction in connecting with and supporting other Democrats locally and statewide.
Originally from West Virginia, Mary spent most of her adult life in Minnesota where she worked in Minnesota state government for 25 years, originally in the Department of Human Rights, later the Department of Health and the last 10 years as the director of the state board that licenses ambulance services, EMTs and paramedics.