The last countywide elected Republican in Travis County is switching parties faced with otherwise certain defeat in 2008. Judge Julie Kocurek, appointed by then Gov. Bush in 1999 to the newly created 399th District Court defeated a Democratic opponent by only 4 points before going unchallenged in 2004. That same year, incumbent Republican Patrick Keel, who had been appointed to fill a vacancy, lost his 345th District Court judge position to Democratic challenger Stephen Yelenosky, who won by 12 percentage points.
Local Republican Mac McGuire stated in a just released Austin American Statesman article that "It scared the bejabbers out of her...In order to stay a district judge in Travis County, she's going to have to change parties."
This is the first party switch in years for Texas Democrats in which the Party gained a member rather than lost one. The impressive turnout and sharp move to the left in Travis County have forced Kocurek's hand as we welcome her into the Democratic fold.
Support the Travis Co. Democratic Party
Such party switches are a signal of a strong and vibrant County Party. By supporting the Travis County Democratic Party with a donation you can help fund the Fall 2006 coordinated campaign helping Democratic candidates like Valinda Bolton, Susan Steeg, and John Courage take office.
Add .01 to your donation to the TCDP to signal your netroots support for gaining more Democratic officials this fall!
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