| I first met Sherrie back in 2006 at the TDP Convention in Fort Worth. Somewhere, I've still got one of her buttons with an apple on it that she handed to me during the Blogger's Caucus that year at the Flying Saucer.
Her campaign that year was tough. She got a late start on fundraising and campaigning because she was busy being an educator. Still, she raised a decent amount of money and still registered 43 percent of the vote to incumbent State Rep. John Davis (R-Clear Lake).
I had hoped, even after a defeat, that Sherrie would run again. And, she did.
Early on in this election cycle, back in December, January, and February, a lot of people would ask me--curious politicos, establishment Democrats, even a mainstream media journalist--what my top five or six house races were this cycle. Every time I was asked, Sherrie Matula was on my list. People might ask "why," or give a curious nod, a blank stare, or, in one case, a "yeah, right," when I got to Sherrie Matula versus John Davis.
Sherrie has, as predicted, proved them wrong.
She's been endorsed by Annie's List, and was one of TexBlog PAC's first endorsements this election cycle. Texas Bloggers saw the potential in Sherrie's campaign when a lot of others took a "wait and see" approach.
Now, Sherrie's race is one of the hottest races in Texas. She has her opponent against the ropes.
Sherrie makes me believe again. She's an ordinary Texan who is running for office because she believes we need a better government than the one we have now. With candidates like Sherrie, often times they have a great message but not necessarily a well-executed campaign, because they don't have the funds to put one together.
Sherrie has both a great message and a great campaign. Her campaign has been in a bit of a suspended mode right now because of Hurricane Ike. In fact, it's been focused on helping residents of her district recover, and her campaign volunteers and staff have been out blockwalking to help make sure that people in their area know about resources to help them recover. Her campaign has transcended politics as usual in every sense of the word.
This year, at Netroots Nation, I was watched Sherrie in action meeting people. At the candidate's reception, people from all over the nation came up to her after picking up some of her literature or hearing her speak and their one question was, "what can I do to help?" I'll never forget the site of one elderly Netroots Nation participant who walked up to Sherrie, took out her wallet, and gave her a contribution on the spot because Sherrie's campaign impacted her so.
That gets me to the point of this post. Sherrie's race is a hot one in Texas, but I'd like to see it become a hot race nationally. Won't you help me make it a Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee "Essential Race?"
It doesn't require a contribution. All it requires is a few clicks, and making a brief nomination of Sherrie for the Essential Race program. You can do it here. Please join me in making Sherrie's race "essential" to Democratic victory not just in Texas, but around the nation.
As for that button Sherrie gave me two years ago, I'm holding on to it. I have a strong feeling we're going to see great things from Sherrie Matula, and I want that as a reminder that there will always be a candidate who makes me believe again. |
