Fort Worth attorney Steve Maxwell, a life-long Democrat, has taken steps towards formally running to be the Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair. He will challenge the only other declared candidate in the race, Labor lawyer Rod Tanner.
I've known Steve for quite some time. He is a great lawyer, a great Democrat, and has been a wonderful friend of mine, and a wonderful friend to the Mid-Cities Democrats over the years. He has been a precinct chair in the past and worked on numerous Democratic campaigns and causes throughout his life.
Mr. Maxwell would bring an energy and passion to our county party that we haven't seen in quite some time. He is a roll up your sleeves, team building, all-inclusive type of a leader that would fit perfectly with where the Tarrant County Democratic Party is heading.
What I admire most about Steve's philosophy is that it centers around leveraging off of the successful work accomplished here in the county the past few cycles, embrace and work closely with the grassroots talent and energy bubbling up throughout Tarrant, mentor, train, and empower young Democrats to take leadership roles within our Party, recruit and support candidates, as well as build a strong and vibrant Party for the future.
I'm a precinct chair in North Arlington, along with Vice President of the Mid-Cities Democrats. Not only will I sign Maxwell's petition, I hereby formally endorse him to be the next Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair.
The Mid-Cities Democrats fundraising challenge on behalf of Dan Barrett's race in House District 97 has been met, and in just THREE days time! Thanks to all who donated towards this effort. Because of you, Dan will receive $1000 from the Mid-Cities Democrats this weekend when we block walk for him, and more than $500 from individuals all over the state through online donations.
The important thing is we have to keep up the momentum! If you haven't donated yet, considering doing so on Act Blue today! Your donation will go a long way towards securing another Democratic victory heading into 2008.
Dan Barrett participated this week in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. Although I didn't attend, reports from many who did tell me that he received the loudest applause from the audience to his answers, was charismatic, commanded the stage, and truly set himself apart from the rest of the Craddick-loving pack. Vintage Barrett if you ask me.
If you are in North Texas and want to help send another Democrat to Austin, come block walk with Dan Barrett this weekend.
The Mid-Cities Democrats will be hosting our 3rd Annual Independence Day picnic on Sunday, July 1st from 12noon- 4pm.
Guest Speakers this year include:
* State Representative and Lt. Colonel Rick Noriega
* State Senator Royce West
* State Representative Marc Veasey
* Hank Gilbert, 2006 Candidate for Agricultural Commissioner
* Patrick Nolan, Iraq War Veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star for Valor
The MCD picnic is always a star-studded affair that honors our men and women in uniform, while also celebrating the founding of our country.
Last year's picnic drew over 200 Democrats, prompting the Dallas Morning News to declare, "Apparently there are Democrats in heavily Republican Tarrant County." You bet there are!
Considering Representative Noriega is part of a grassroots draft movement to Stop John Cornyn, it will be interesting to see and hear him in person. I'm not aware of any other real public appearances Noriega has made since Mikal Watts has begun traveling the state, and he too was invited to our picnic. We never heard back from Watts. I'm very interested to hear what Noriega says.
This Saturday, June 30th from 5:30pm-7: 30pm in Southlake, Texas, the Mid-Cities Democrats will be launching our new and innovative fundraising program geared towards creating a candidate fund that will lay a financial foundation for men and women to step forward and be torchbearers for our Party in Tarrant County.
Our goal is to get 100 people to donate $100or more toward the building of a fund that promotes active campaigning and active fundraising on the part of the candidate; as a result, they will be rewarded with matching funds through the 100 for $100 program. No blank checks, you must be an active messenger for our Party.
For the first time in a long time we have viable races in our territory that will allow Democrats to run aggressive and competitive campaigns. One example?
In lieu of watching the train wreck last night know as the South Carolina Republican debate, I had the opportunity to attend a John Edwards fundraiser in downtown Fort Worth last night.
Let me say how great it is to finally have a prominent candidate running for the Democratic nomination for president come through Cowtown. It’s been a long time, too long in fact.
I’ve seen John Edwards a number of times now and I must say that I like him a lot. Out of all the candidates I’ve met thus far in Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, and Edwards, I would say I lean towards the son of a mill worker. Don’t take that to the bank as an endorsement either, it’s nothing more then a straightforward opinion based on my interaction with the three I’ve had the chance to meet.
I find Edwards’s cordial, passionate, full of positive energy, and focused on the issues he cares most about (poverty, Iraq, and health care). I feel a genuine desire on his part to really correct what he felt was a bad decision in authorizing the War in Iraq, but of course that is an easy thing for him to do considering he is not in congress anymore. That said, I think it is genuine, he really felt like he made a bad decision. And I love the fact that he admits his mistake, isn't that refreshing after seven years of George W. Bush and his, “I can’t think of any mistakes I’ve made,” attitude?
John Mortiz of the Star-Telegram had a great article over the weekend detailing how influential Democratic representatives of the 8oth legislature have been thus far.
Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, noted the success of his caucus's efforts to deliver pay raises for teachers without the traditional Republican staple of performance benchmarks. But that isn't all either, the success of expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program, despite Republican colleagues wishing to kill it, and halting a private-school voucher push, all demonstrate that for the first time in a long time there is actual cohesive and constructive minority party influence on the legislative process.
