Contested Special Election For Denton County Chair This Thursday

My questions for the candidates: (5.00 / 1)

... at least for Mr. Biggs.  Neil is a fixture at our E.C. meetings and all other manner of activities, so I know his views.  I've yet to meet Mr. Biggs, so these are mostly for him.

1. In what capacity are you now currently involved with the Democratic
party in Denton County? How long?

2. What is your plan for stopping the net outflow of donor dollars from
our county and using that money to support local candidates and build local party infrastructure?

3. What is your view of a coordinated campaign for 2008?

4. Do you support Project Farm Team (http://www.projectfa...)?

5. How much time do you have to devote to this?

Whether you win or lose this election, we look forward to your input and activism within the party, and hope that you will support the plans we've made and the hard work that we've already put into the 2008 plans.

Steve Southwell
WhosPlayin? Blog:
http://www.whosplayi...

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by: Whosplayin? @ Tue Mar 27, 2007 at 21:18:28 PM UTC

Denton County Party Chair Election (3.00 / 1)

My name is Neil L. Durrance, and I am a candidate for the unexpired term as Chair of the Denton County Democratic Party.  To answer the questions put forth in order:
1.  I am presently the Chair of the Issues and Policies Committee of the Denton County Democratic Party and have been active in Democratic politics since 1963.
2.  Build the local party and put local candidates on the ballot who will campaign and fund raise together.
3.  It is a neccessity.  We are the minority party and must work together to maximize our resources and votes.
4.  An unqualified YES!
5.  As long as it takes...nights, weekeends, holidays.

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by: NDurrance @ Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 18:56:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My answers (3.00 / 1)

My Questions for Mr. Biggs

By WhosPlayin

Mon, 03/26/2007 - 1:46pm

As a precinct chair who has not yet had the opportunity to see or meet him, I have some questions for Mr. Biggs:

1. In what capacity are you now currently involved with the Democratic
party in Denton County? How long?

2. What is your plan for stopping the net outflow of donor dollars from
our county and using that money to support local candidates and build local party infrastructure?

3. What is your view of a coordinated campaign for 2008?

4. Do you support Project Farm Team (www.projectfarmteam.org)?

5. How much time do you have to devote to this?

Whether you win or lose this election, we look forward to your input and activism within the party, and hope that you will support the plans we've made and the hard work that we've already put into the 2008 plans.

Steve Southwell
WhosPlayin? Blog: http://www.whosplayi...
»

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Replies

By Travis Biggs

Wed, 03/28/2007 - 2:32pm
*new

Steve,

For the record, my answers are as follows:

1. I have been involved in the past, and I feel that now is the time for me to step up my involvement. I am a sustaining member of the Democratic Party, I'm a regular donor to campaigns, I sponsored a table at the gala. I have also been a delegate to the state convention.

2. The answer to #2 is that same as #3.

3. Capitalize on infrastructure that was built during 2006 cycle, and to expand upon that by building a coordinated campaign that will hopefully include candidates running for every office. With a professionally administered coordinated campaign, donors in Denton County will not only have candidates to donate to, but a centralized organization as well. I plan to focus on communicating a focused Democratic message, which will benefit all Democratic candidates, and all Democrats, in Denton County.

4. Yes, I support project farm team. As a focused, competent recruitment drive, project farm team provides a very important service to the Democratic Party in Denton County, both immediately and in the long term. It is also an invaluable tool for prospective candidates to learn about what it really takes and what is expected of them. If we plan to run a full slate and a coordinated campaign in 2008, project farm team is the perfect vehicle for accomplishing that goal.

5. I'm my own boss, and my schedule is flexible enough so that I will always be available when needed, and I feel comfortable saying that I will have 10 to 15 hours each week to devote to this, and will have a comfortable upper limit beyond that to work within. What is needed is what will be available.

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by: Travis Biggs @ Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 20:44:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Answers appreciated! (0.00 / 0)

I appreciate both of your answers, and I truly regret that due to a business trip, I will not be at the E.C. meeting to hear you both expand upon your visions.  What excites me the most is the optimism that I'm seeing from all, despite this temporary distraction of finding a new chair.

Mr. Biggs, I appreciate you stepping up to take a more active role, and I hope that regardless the outcome of this election you will still offer your services in our 2008 coordinated campaign.  (We do have room for multiple lawyers...)

To say that we are planning big is a huge understatement.  We are aiming out of the ballpark on this, and we need every hand we can get working as much as they can with whatever talents they have to pull this off.

I want to send this message to every Democratic reader from Denton County:  If you are not currently involved in our coordinated campaign, please make yourself known to the party.  You can email me directly at ses@whosplayin.com.  We will ensure that we get your name on our central list and get you involved at any level you are comfortable with.

Secondly, to those Democrats outside of Denton County, who are in other red counties: Watch what we do.  We'll be offering franchises in late November of 2008!  ;)

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by: Whosplayin? @ Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 01:54:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maybe the candidates should speak (0.00 / 0)

When Lubbock had to do this 3 years ago when our chair passed, the CEC had a meeting immediately prior to the election. They let 2 or 3 people supporting each candidate speak for an allotted amount of time and then gave each candidate a time allowance to speak.

To me it seemed to work well. It gave the precinct chairs a chance to hear from the supporters and candidates before the vote.

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by: LubbockDem @ Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 15:39:13 PM UTC

They will (0.00 / 0)

They each get time before the vote to speak.

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by: John McClelland @ Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 16:34:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Congrats to Neil (0.00 / 0)

Congrats goes out to our new party chair, Neil Durrance.

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by: John McClelland @ Fri Mar 30, 2007 at 14:46:46 PM UTC