To many voters, it might seem like a long time until November 2nd, seeing as it's still more than six months away. But to county parties organizing to win crucial races this fall, Election Day is already fast approaching. Thus, now is a good time to highlight some of the great organizing that's going on in crucial areas of the state.
Case in point: Hays County, Austin's neighbor to the south. Hays County can serve as a great model for how our rapidly growing and Democratic-trending counties can organize via traditional and new methods to turn Blue and accelerate the partisan change that is coming to Texas.
Hays County is usually considered to be a genuine "swing" county. In 2008 Barack Obama received 48% to John McCain's 50%. In 2006, Bill Moody bested Don Willett 48% to 46%. In 2004, Jan Patterson received 51% to Bill Green's 49%. Every cycle, there are razor-thin margins in Hays County. But most importantly, over the past few cycles Democrats have really been closing the gap in our top-ticket races. It's not wide-eyed optimism to think that Bill White has a very strong chance of carrying the swing county this November, especially given the immense organization already going on.
Importantly, Hays is also one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, as are many of our suburban/exurban counties along the IH-35 corridor. Thus, work on the ground can pay off exponentially, as the county both increases its volume of voters and expands its Democratic voting strength. It's a win-win for Democrats, thanks to the hard work of local activists committed to moving Hays from "swing" status to reliably Democratic.
This cycle, just about every race on the ballot will be hotly contested by both parties, with the Democrats looking to run hard to hold the Sheriff and County Judge positions, as well as several key County Commissioner districts. (In fact, there were even spirited Democratic primaries for many of these seats, which is an even better sign -- we're growing an even bigger farm team of potential Democrats to run and win in crucial races.)
The HCDP is in good hands, thanks to their fantastic county chair, Katie Bell Moore. The several Democratic clubs in the county are also hard at work, organizing forums and events to give candidates a chance to interact with key activists and garner support for their campaigns.
This year they're expanding even more with a new media coordinator, and there's talk of vastly ramping up their fall campaign efforts too. Local activist Amanda Domaschk also started a website, Hays County for Bill White, to help organize local volunteers and spread the word about events in the area. And the Texas State Democrats are working hard on their 30,000-student campus to organize, as evidenced by the BBQ they're holding today at the Hays County Courthouse. That group is really working hard to expand its reach and support their Democratic candidates.
Now, Hays County has been reliably re-electing Dripping Springs native and Democratic State Representative Patrick Rose since he knocked out Rick Green (pun totally intended) in 2002. Thanks to post re-redistricting, they're also lucky to be represented by Congressman Lloyd Doggett in the House, who also puts in serious time addressing the needs of Hays County. Both candidates are a great boon to the county, working hard to attend events, reach out, and spread the positive message that Democrats work harder for the people of Texas.
Hays isn't the only area county worthy of praise: Bastrop is looking incredibly strong with their organizational efforts to support Pati Jacobs for HD-17, and Williamson County continues to expand their efforts to help keep Rep. Diana Maldonado in HD-52. It's great to see Democrats organizing locally to help take extra advantage of the population boom and demographic changes that will have long-term positive impacts on our state.
And if you're in the area, stop by the BBQ today and see what's going on in Hays County for yourself!
Despite breathless media reports of divided Democrats, it is the Republican Party that is suffering deeper organizational divisions that may come home to roost this November.
BOR has reported recently on Tea Party primary challengers to incumbent Texas Republican Congressmen. Here in Central Texas, that division is going even deeper, with Tea Party challengers to many of the elected party officials in the Hays County Republican Party.
I'm not talking about State Reps or Judges... I'm talking about Precinct Chairs. Tea Party activists are primarying sitting Republican precinct chairs in Hays County. There's also a Tea Party challenger to Hays County Republican Chair Bud Wymore.
It kinda gets better. The Ellis County Observer, basically a blog for the "Ron Paul!!" crowd out of Midlothian, has endorsed in the Hays County GOP primary and stated its preference for particular precinct chairs. (Note: Ellis County and Hays County are about 3 hours apart on I-35. Just saying.) In each case, the Ellis County Observer has endorsed the Tea Party, anti-establishment Republican candidate.
So in case you are voting in the Hays County Republican primary and want to know how to cast a ballot for more dysfunction, here it is:
Hays County Co Chair - CLARK REGAN
Hays GOP Precinct # 116 - ROB ROARK
Hays GOP Precinct # 225 - DAVID CROWELL
Hays GOP Precinct # 330 - SEAN BOLOCK
Hays GOP Precinct # 337 - CRAIG YOUNG
This is more than an amusing side note to a busy primary season, however. Precinct chairs are the heart and sole of a grassroots party organization. They knock on the doors, participate in the phone banks, and do the work that makes a difference in close elections. Hays County is largely considered to be a bellwether county in Central Texas. If the party activists are largely taken over by Tea Party and Ron Paul folks who won't work for more "mainstream" conservative Republicans, it could make a difference in the upcoming election.
After all, any Tea Party activist who would do the work for the more compromised "moderate" Republicans would be giving up on their core values of liberty. The Tea Party movement is founded on grassroots activists showing their independence from a compromised Republican Party that has sold out our rights to the highest corporate bidders. Whether the Citizens United decision or the bank bailout, so-called "conservatives" like Kay Bailey Hutchison are really just shills for the corporate overlords who want to take away the individual liberties that Tea Party activists hold so dear.
Of course, the real threat is if Debra Medina squeaks into a run-off against Rick Perry. Then these now-entrenched activists will be ready to snap into action, and do all they can to push their Tea Party Hero into the general election.
But take heed, folks. The Tea Party is getting organized on a local level. What that will mean in the Republican Primary at the top and bottom of the ballot remains to be seen.
(This is ridiculous. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
In western Hays County, at around 8PM Sunday night 19 October, thugs trashed my car while I was having dinner with some friends.
My "Obama 08" bumper sticker was torn off the right rear bumper, a 20-lb rock was dropped through the back window, 2 stolen Obama yard signs were shoved through the gaping hole in the window, and a cryptic almost "OBAHA" (or something...) was scrawled in orange spray-paint on the drivers side front and back doors and windows.
I am considering driving it around Austin town just like this until election day as a political statement. What say you?
Ramus was held at the Hays County Jail and was released later yesterday after posting a $5,000 bond, according to Hays County Sheriff’s Lt. Leroy Opiela. Deadly conduct, a Class-A misdemeanor, comes with a punishment of up to one year in jail, a fine up to $4,000 or both, Opiela said.
The call came in just before 11 a.m. yesterday, Opiela said. Ramus’ neighbor on Old Bastrop Highway, Carolyn Logan, said she was on her riding lawn mower when Ramus came over with what she said looked like a rifle.
Ramus denies pointing the gun at Logan. He said he had been cleaning the gun on his porch and with the gun in his hand went over to tell a worker on Logan’s property not to push dirt on to his property. He said he wasn’t threatening, angry or provoking.
Ramus said the gun was not loaded when he went over to Logan’s property. Opiela said sheriff’s officials found the 12-gauge shotgun fully loaded.
Ramus is running against Democratic incumbent Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe.
Texas State Students for Obama will be meeting at the LBJ Student Center this Wednesday at 6:30 PM. We will be meeting in the bottom floor of the student center in Boko's Living Room. Both students and non-students are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Please email Eric Heggie at eric.heggie@gmail.com or call Eric at 512-216-0844 for details.
Hey guys. We are going to begin our phone bank in San Marcos on Friday at 4:30 PM. We are going to be calling local numbers here in the county and if enough people show up we will also phone bank into Louisiana for Obama.
The HCDP is in good hands, thanks to their fantastic county chair, Katie Bell Moore. The several Democratic clubs in the county are also hard at work, organizing forums and events to give candidates a chance to interact with key activists and garner support for their campaigns.
