(For all those headed to the State Democratic convention in Corpus Christi next weekend. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
In just two weeks, this year's state Democratic Convention will be held in Corpus Christi (June 24-26). We finally have the complete list of caucuses for the convention, starting with the Senatorial District Caucuses and moving to the Issue/Organization Caucuses:
SENATORIAL DISTRICT CAUCUSES
Friday, June 25
3:00-5:00 pm
SD 1: Exhibit Hall B (1), 1st Floor, American Bank Center
SD 2: Riviera 1, Lobby Level, Omni Marina
SD 3: Room 225C, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 4: Riviera 2 & 3, Lobby Level, Omni Marina
SD 5: Room 226, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 6: Room 227, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 7: Padre Island Ballroom A-B-C-D, Lobby Level, Omni Marina
SD 8: Watergarden A (1), 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 9: Room 103, 1st Floor, American Bank Center
SD 10: Bayview Ballroom D, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 11: Corpus Christi Ballroom A, 3rd Floor, Omni Bayfront
SD 12: Nueces Ballroom B, Third Floor, Omni Bayfront
SD 13: Bayview Ballroom B, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 14: Bayview Ballroom A, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 15: Room 225 DE, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 16: Bayview Meeting Room, 1st Floor, Omni Bayfront
SD 17: Marina View, Lobby Level, Omni Marina
SD 18: Corpus Christi Ballroom C, 3rd Floor, Omni Bayfront
SD 19: Selena Auditorium, Rehearsal Hall, American Bank Center
SD 20: Bayview Ballroom C, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 21: Room 105, 1st Floor, American Bank Center
SD 22: Nueces Ballroom A, 3rd Floor, Omni Bayfront
SD 23: Watergarden B, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 24: Watergarden A (2), 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 25: Corpus Christi Ballroom B, 3rd Floor, Omni Bayfront
SD 26: Room 225 A-B, 2nd Floor, American Bank Center
SD 27: Room 101-102, 1st Floor, American Bank Center
SD 28: Riviera 4 & 5, Lobby Level, Omni Marina
SD 29: Room 104, 1st Floor, American Bank Center
SD 30: Exhibit Hall B (2), 1st Floor, American Bank Center
SD 31: Aransas Room, 3rd Floor, Omni Bayfront
ISSUE/ORGANIZATION CAUCUSES
Friday, June 25
9:00 - 10:00am
Progressive Hispanic Caucus, Bayview Ballroom B
9:00 - 11:00am Democrats with Disabilities, Bayview Ballroom D
Democrats for Life, 225 C
Gun Owners Caucus, Room 104
Non-Urban Caucus, Room 226
Reform the TDP Caucus/Primary Process, Room 225 D-E
10:00 - 11:00am Mexican American Democrats, Bayview Ballroom B
Tejano Democrats, Arena
10:30 - 11:30am UAW Caucus, Bayview Ballroom A
11:00 - 12:00pm Hispanic Caucus, Arena
Local Communications and Outreach Coordination, Room 103
11:00 - 12:30pm Small Business Caucus, Room 106
11:00 - 1:00pm Clean, Fair, Public, Voter-Owned Elections, Room 225 C
Coalition of Black Democrats, Watergarden B
East Texas Democratic Caucus, Room 226
Texas Democratic Veterans Association, Bayview Ballroom C
Texas Democratic Women, Bayview Ballroom D
Texas Environmental Democrats, Room 101-102
West Texas Coalition of Democrats, Room 227
11:45 - 1:00pm TX AFL-CIO Labor Caucus, Bayview Ballroom A
12:00 - 1:00pm #TDPSC Tweet-Up, Room 104
12:00 - 2:00pm Education Transformation with State Representative Mike Villarreal, Room 103
Muslim Democratic Caucus, Room 105
Technology Caucus: Democratic Caucus on Computers and Communications, Rehearsal Hall
Texas Blue Dog Coalition, Bayview Ballroom B
12:30 - 2:30pm Texas Stonewall Democrats, Watergarden A
1:00 - 2:00pm Energy Caucus, Room 101-102
State House District 17, Room 227
Jewish Caucus, Room 226
1:00 - 2:30pm Democrats Against the Death Penalty, Room 225 D-E
Texas State Teachers Association, Room 225 A-B
5:00 - 6:00pm Asian American Democrats, Watergarden B
Some time after his failed 2006 independent gubernatorial bid, Kinky Friedman decided he wanted to run for statewide office again ... this time as a Democrat. That journey ended with a loss in last month's Agriculture Commissioner primary to Hank Gilbert (and, we can only assume, a marked increase in book and salsa sales).
As he campaigned for Ag Commissioner (and before Bill White entered the race, Governor), Friedman attempted to sell himself as a proud Democrat. Of course, there were some inherent problems with Kinky's attempted conversion. Not only had he voted for George W. Bush at least once and run for office in Kerr County as a Republican back in the 1980s , but we should not forget he also played a role in helping Rick Perry to re-election with a mere plurality of the vote.
Still, despite pretty much all the evidence pointing in the other direction, quite a few Texas Democrats decided that Kinky deserved another chance; that he really was a good Democrat.
Now, in less than two months since he appeared on the Democratic primary ballot, Kinky is helping raise money for Republican U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith's Longhorn PAC. From an invitation obtained by BOR:
Please join Congressman Lamar Smith Republican, 21st Congressional District of Texas
with special guest Congressman Greg Walden
And breakfast with Texas Songwriter and Author Kinky Friedman
benefitting Longhorn PAC
For the 8thAnnual Weekend with Lamar
Four Seasons Hotel Austin , TX Friday, May 14 - Sunday, May 16, 2010
Join us for Texas food, skeet shooting, horseback riding and relaxation in the state’s capitol!
This should finally put to rest the argument that Kinky is a Democrat or a progressive. The money Lamar Smith raises will likely be spent to help Republican congressional candidates all across the country. And Kinky Friedman is part of the sales pitch to potential contributors.
This would be more disappointing if it was more surprising. Has anyone heard of Kinky raising money for Democrats since he lost the primary? I am not saying he hasn't -- just that I sure haven't heard about it. The sad truth is that Kinky Friedman has a nearly three decade pattern of political behavior, and this latest episode fits right into it.
(Remember, after the close of the polls next Tuesday at 7pm there are precinct conventions! Not as busy or sexy as the 2008 presidential caucuses but important for the structure of our party. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Big tip of the hat to MarkCamann
Purposes of a resolution 1. To memorialize someone recently deceased.
2. To congratulate a person or group.
3. To amend the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP).
4. To amend the TDP Platform.
5. To urge Democratic elected officials, especially in the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress, to advocate certain positions on policy issues. As the delegates assembled at the state convention are the highest authority within the TDP, such resolutions should carry weight with elected officials as the consensus of the grassroots of the party.
Earle becomes the first Democrat to file for Lt. Gov. Phillip wrote recently that former ALF-CIO executive vice-president Linda Chavez-Thompson of San Antonio was planning on running for Lt. Gov. Austin deli owner Marc Katz announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination earlier this year but has yet to file.
It is unclear at this point how Earle's decision may affect the plans of Chavez-Thompson. If she does decide to run, the long time union leader with a compelling life story should not be underestimated.
The dynamics of a potential primary can be put on hold for now, however. At this point, Ronnie Earle, a well-respected prosecutor with a record spanning over three decades, is the only current Democratic candidate who has filed to take on incumbent David Dewhurst.
Irving resident Loretta Haldenwang has filed for the Democratic primary in State House District 105, running on an agenda that positions Texas for an economic comeback.
Topping her priorities are incentives to attract more math and science teachers to the classroom, tackling local transportation issues, and freeing up more money for middle class families by taking on rising utility rates, the highest homeowner's insurance rates in the country, and the skyrocketing cost of college education.
Haldenwang, a partner in a Dallas venture capital firm and former outreach director of the Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will be challenging incumbent Republican Linda Harper Brown, who escaped defeat in 2008 by a mere 18 votes.
Loretta's focus on economic issues and her commitment to bringing regular people into the process has won her the support of Dallas County elected officials such as District Attorney Craig Watkins, statewide organizations including Annie's List, and many local leaders including Hon. Pauline Medrano and House District 105 precinct chairs including Joe Ramirez, Mary Richarte and Shirley Layton.
Since beginning her campaign, Loretta has held four town halls across Irving, and her volunteer block walk program has met with voters at over 1,100 doors. During these encounters, Irving voters have said that they're ready for change, and for representation that will put the needs of Texas families back on the agenda in Austin.
"Since last August I've been conducting a listening tour across our community. Irving families are fed up with Austin politicians that put special interests ahead of middle class families," Loretta noted.
Prior to her career in business, Haldenwang served as a District Director for Democratic State Representative Joaquin Castro, a position that gave her an in-depth knowledge of the legislative process.
"I saw first-hand what happens when the lobbyists run the show. We can make a difference if we bring the voices of North Texas families to the table," Haldenwang said.
House District 105 is a critical race for Democrats seeking a majority in the Texas House in 2011. Linda Harper Brown's right wing voting record has put her at odds of the needs and desires of her constituents, creating an opportunity for a strong, progressive candidate to change this district from red to blue.
What may have seen impossible in the immediate wake of her third-place finish in this spring's Austin Mayor race, may actually end up happening. The Statesman's Jason Embry has reported that Carole Strayhorn has had discussions with Texas Democratic Party Chair Boyd Richie about seeking the party's nomination for comptroller.
Strayhorn, who has run for office as a Democrat, Republican, and Independent, has served as Mayor of Austin, railroad commissioner, and, before incumbent Susan Combs took office in 2007, comptroller.
The Statesman's Gardner Selby had previously reported that Strayhorn had contacted Houston Mayor Bill White, the leading Democratic candidate for governor, about her possible candidacy for comptroller.
“We will rely on our voters to consider each candidate’s record and decide if they have the Democratic credentials they want in a nominee. Our role is to run a fair primary.”
While former Congressman Nick Lampson said he was considering running and State Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) briefly thought about entering the race, no Democrat has decided to challenge Combs yet.
If Strayhorn decides to run, she will have a lot of explaining to do for her Republican past and, given the frequency of her attempts at electoral office, she will have to also prove that she truly wants to be comptroller. Despite her negatives, she has won at least four or five statewide elections, and certainly has higher name ID than probably any other potential rival to Combs, whose campaign has $4 million on hand.
OK, I realize there aren’t 12-step programs for readers, but there are support groups to encourage the practice. I currently serve on the Board of Bookspring because literacy and reading have played an important role in my life. From watching my parents study at nights to finish their college degrees, to grabbing a book myself and imagining a world beyond my hometown of Lorena, population 800, I know firsthand that books are critical to developing a child’s imagination.
But sadly, 61% of low-income children have no age appropriate books in their home. That’s why I hope you’ll join me on December 14th for our campaign fundraiser and book drive.
Please make sure to bring along a new or gently used children’s book and we’ll deliver them to Bookspring to help support their efforts to promote literacy and a love of reading here in Central Texas.
If you are reading this post, but feel like you don’t know enough about my campaign, I hope you’ll bring a book and just come on by to visit and learn about my desire to serve Travis County. You can also read more about my journey from a small town with no lawyers, to being named a “Rising Star” in Texas Law & Politics Magazine by clicking here.
Not only do I credit reading for giving me the inspiration to be the first in my family to graduate from law school, but I also met my husband while I was running a literacy and mentoring non-profit. We probably owe our marriage to a fifth-grade mentee of mine named Mikey who initially suggested to Kurt that he ask me out. Thankfully our marriage has been light on horror and tragedy. It has been equal parts romance, comedy and adventure – and now the mystery and suspense of raising three kids.
As a woman who went to college on loans and scholarships, worked my way on to the Texas Law Review, and earned a spot as a partner with a major Texas law firm, I know what it’s like to be underestimated. But when kids are growing up without books in the house, they’re not just being underestimated — they’re being counted out. I hope you’ll join us in this effort to put a book in more children’s hands this holiday season.
Alicia Perez, the former the former exeuctive manager of Travis County administrative operations, has recently begun building support for a Democratic primary challenge to incumbent Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe.
If Perez does decide to enter the race, she may find it difficult to prove to voters that her candidacy is about something more than personal revenge against Sam Biscoe and the rest of the Commissioners Court. I am not an expert on the events surrounding her firing, but its aftermath has been a huge waste of county time and resources. Some have said that Perez has also recruited candidates to run against the incumbent Democratic commissioners who had voted to fire her.
With the filing deadline looming in January, Perez will have to make her decision soon. If she does enter the race, she will face a clear uphill battle against Biscoe, a three-term incumbent who is widely respected and has strong Democratic credentials. But the entry of Perez, and everything that would likely come with it, would certainly make the race interesting.
Update: The Statesman spoke with Perez in response to this post and she stated she would not be running.
“I’m not saying that I would never do it,” Perez said of running for the county judge seat. But, “I’m trying to put (the firing) behind me.”
Whether Perez will ultimately decide to run herself, or instead focus on supporting the candidates she has recruited to run against incumbent county commissioners, she could have an input on next year's primaries in Travis County.
