Message from the Chair:

Andy Brown, TCDP Chair

New primary date, New Year’s Resolutions!

December 20th, 2011

Fellow Democrats,

Democrats, Republicans and the three-judge panel in San Antonio agreed Friday on a combined April 3^rd primary date. This, of course, is contingent upon the Supreme Court, which hears arguments on January 9^th, and the D.C. and/or San Antonio federal courts coming up with approved maps.

Details about the primary agreement are covered, as always, on Michael Li’s redistricting web site: http://txredistricting.org. So once again, we wait to see how Travis County will be carved up, and we hope for the best.

In the meantime, I hope everyone will have a safe and happy holiday. And because we are skipping next week’s newsletter for the TCDP’s own holiday break, I leave you in 2011 with these TCDP Resolutions for 2012!

1. Host the best JBR Dinner ever! This is only the second one we’ve had, but I know with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi as our guest speaker and Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes as our honoree, it will be the best. Individual tickets are now available, get them here!

2. Survive the chaos of redistricting and the impact it will have on the primary process. There’s a lot to digest, but we’ll be ready for whatever comes our way.
3. Double the number of Sustaining Members from 2011. It’s only $10 a month, and now more than ever before your financial support is needed for victory in 2012. Click here to become a Sustaining Member today.
4. Register more people to vote in the Democratic primary. If you are not deputized, watch our calendar for dates when you can drop by the Travis County Tax Office and be sworn in.
5. Increase our turnout for the primary and the general election. We’re fired up; we can do this!
6. Make sure young voters are actively engaged throughout the election season. We are fortunate to have several universities with active student Democratic clubs, and we plan to take full advantage of their youth and energy. Huston-Tillotson University students recently started their first-ever chapter of the University Democrats, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Black Austin Democrats, and we look forward to helping that organization grow.
7. Organize and execute our 2012 Coordinated Campaign in such a way that it is the model throughout the state. We’ve always done well, but it’s time for us to do even better.
8. Bring President Obama back to Austin! The President has come here several times, and he always says how much he loves Austin. I know we’ll want to see him again during the election season.
9. Grassroots rules! Train and release into every neighborhood in Travis County hundreds of dedicated grassroots campaigners. We will continue to join forces with OFA in these tried-and-true grassroots efforts.
10. Be proud and grateful that we remain blue — and make sure we stay that way.