Everybody said it! Sunday night’s Johnson Richards Bentsen Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel was the best TCDP event ever! And we raised nearly $300,000 ($287,450 to be exact)! Honoree Ben Barnes and U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi drew a remarkable crowd and generous donations.

From the VIP reception to the dinner to the after-party and the after after-party, venues were packed and filled with enthusiasm. In typical Austin style, the revelers turned out in everything from diamonds to denim, from black ties to motorcycle jackets.

Cappy McGarr, a top Democratic donor and humorous Texas toastmaster, had to shout above the joyous crowd in the ballroom to begin the evening’s program. After Pastor Anthony Mays’ invocation, we watched a beautiful tribute video to Governor Barnes that included praise from Vice President Joe Biden.

TCDP Chair Andy Brown, who is running for reelection, gave the official welcome, announcing that 652 loyal Democrats had packed the ballroom, raising nearly $300,000 for our 2012 Coordinated Campaign.

McGarr presented State Senator Kirk Watson with an Ann Richards-style white wig, but Watson wisely escaped being photographed in it. Instead, Watson got the political juices flowing with a harrowing recap of Governor Perry’s absentee leadership and the “brutal” legislative session of 2011.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who still doesn’t know what district he’s running in thanks to the Republican legislature, received a rousing reception. As he updated the room on the current redistricting mess, Doggett recognized State Rep. Joaquin Castro, who briefly challenged him in the Austin-to-San Antonio District 35 (as Doggett says, a district that “connects the Alamo to the Alamo Drafthouse”). He also acknowledged Joaquin’s twin brother, Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio, and their remarkable activist mother Rosie Castro. It was a “big tent” moment cheered by all.

U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, a long-time friend of Governor Barnes, immediately warmed to the Texas crowd and proved her familiarity with each of the dinner’s namesakes. She ticked off President Johnson’s historic signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Senator Lloyd Bentsen’s dedicated mentoring of young Democrats and her own deep admiration of Governor Ann Richards. Pelosi passed on Governor Richards’ joking advice to her when she was running for office: “Get your hair done every day.” Before introducing Barnes, Pelosi spoke passionately of the urgency of electing Democrats this year and the importance of reelecting President Obama.

Pelosi was followed by the legendary Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes, who surprised the crowd with two emotional stories. First, he recalled being invited to the White House as a young Texas legislator when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. He recalled that Johnson warned of the repercussions Southern politicians who supported the act would face. And LBJ prophetically said the young Barnes would live long enough to see a black man nominated for President, adding, “And when that happens, I want you to get out there and work your butt off.” Barnes, of course, did just that.

Barnes also had people diving for tissues when he recalled his dying father’s wish that his son stay true to the Democratic Party. Like many men of that generation, Barnes’ father was a devoted supporter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and passed on his passion for progressive causes to his son. When Barnes spoke of holding his father’s calloused hand as he died, the ballroom fell silent – except for the muffled sniffles.

After the cheers and tears, TCDP executive director Laura Hernandez introduced the candidates in attendance (including current office holders running for reelection) who will benefit the most from this “filing day dinner.” With this magnificent event, we are ready to get to work on a Coordinated Campaign that will support Travis County’s proudly blue status and bring even more loyal Democrats into the fold. We’re fired up and ready!

(diane@traviscountydemocrats.org)