Change in Williamson County

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Sat Jan 05, 2008 at 01:56 PM CST

Eye on Williamson reported yesterday on a Democratic gathering of over 100 at a forum in Round Rock where candidates from the US Senate to the local level all had a change to speak and mingle with the crowd. There is of course the hotly contested state house race in district 52 where Diana Maldonado is running a great race to win over Mike Krusee's now open seat.

Today, Rick Noriega was invited to speak at a forum of over 130 in Sun City, a planned retirement community (not what one typically things of as a hotbed of Democratic activity but standing in that ballroom you could have fooled me). When he asked how many folks in the room has served their country in the armed forces, at least  1/3 of the hands went up. It was certainly refreshing to see a Democratic candidate connecting with them as he shared his story, explaining his background, and most particularly his experiences as a soldier and public servant. When you hear him on the trail, you understand the deep commitment he has to this race and the reality of our turbulent world (which he's seen first hand in Afghanistan, the Texas border, and in Houston post-Katrina) and how that's motivates him in running for this office.

We're seeing that everyday now. One can even look to a couple hours ago, when it was reported that an Iraqi soldier, who on a joint mission with American troops, opened fire (purposefully) on his own patrol, killing 2 U.S. soldiers.

The issues of this race are very real and the need and hunger for change was present in those events in Williamson County. And it's not just Democrats, it's the sizable "independent" portion of the electorate which is quickly shedding that mantle as it joins with Democrats on the issues and in the voting booth.

Many might not be aware of this, but if you look at the raw votes that Chris Bell and Tony Sanchez received in their respective races for Texas Governor in 2006 and 2002, there are six countries where Bell actually increased the Democrat raw vote over Sanchez. The largest increase among those six was Williamson County (the other five being Collin, Bastrop, Blanco, Borden, and Lee). In order to win elections like HD-52 and especially statewide, Democrats must prove they have the candidates and message to talk to suburban and ex-urban voters. We've seeing that change in the electorate and with candidates like these, we'll see that change on Election Day as well.  

T. Don Hutto, Vigil X, This Saturday

by: wcnews

Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 11:06 AM CDT

ACLU Challenges Illegal Detention Of Children At T. Don Hutto

by: wcnews

Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 03:04 PM CST

Here's the link to the press release:

Williamson County Election Problems

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Sat Nov 18, 2006 at 06:24 PM CST

As far as we can tell from the WillCo records, Karen Felthauser still only lost by 1,664 votes though the Sec of State says it is 2,244.

Come Join The Stonewall Democrats of Williamson County For National Coming Out Day!!!!

by: refinish69

Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 05:57 PM CDT

Help Turn Williamson County Blue

by: refinish69

Sun Sep 03, 2006 at 07:36 PM CDT

Texas Needs Your Help

by: refinish69

Tue Aug 29, 2006 at 08:40 AM CDT

cross posted @ BooMan Tribune,BurntOrange Report, Daily Kos, Texas Kaos, My Left Wing, Refinish69,Texas Needs Your Help Podcast

The first pan of brownies is in the oven

by: refinish69

Sat Aug 12, 2006 at 06:30 AM CDT

Williamson County Democrats Open House

by: refinish69

Mon Aug 07, 2006 at 09:32 PM CDT