Message from the Chair:

Jan Soifer, TCDP Chair

TCDP Stars at State Convention

June 11th, 2012

Fellow Democrats,

What a great convention! Almost 300 delegates attended the SD14 Caucus. While the physical blows of the “Fighting Fourteenth” remain in past history, we proved once again that we are a lively, involved group, and we are not afraid to make our voices heard. It was inspiring to see that we have so much energy going into this crucial election season. We will need it this fall as we face unprecedented challenges from big corporations taking advantage of their new ability to influence elections.

I am proud of the amount of money that we have raised since I became Chair in 2008. But I am more proud of what we have been able to do with that money. We have invested in more grassroots organizing and campaigning than ever. Our 21-Precinct Project from 2010 shows that with a little bit of money to support it, grassroots, door to door, campaigning works.

Laura Hernandez and I spread this message at a workshop on County Party Fundraising held on Friday at the convention — the delegates from around Texas who packed the room were eager to learn about the successes we have had in Travis County, and how they can duplicate those results statewide. This is critical to achieve our goal of taking back Texas for the Democratic Party. I’m told (by our roving reporter Diane Holloway) that there was considerable buzz and awe all weekend about the strength of our county party.

If you did not attend, I’m sure you’ve seen reports on our State Convention — and I hope you compared the mood and substance of Texas Democrats to the Republican gathering in Fort Worth. While they were booing each other and cheering attempts to exclude many of their fellow Texans, we were celebrating inclusion, diversity and outreach.

All of our convention speakers, from Mayor Julian Castro’s keynote to new TDP Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa’s closing address, focused on the issues we hold dear: equal rights for all, equal pay for equal work, women’s rights, health care, education and support for our veterans.

Congratulations to all of our national delegates elected from Travis County in SD 14, SD 21, SD 24 and SD 25 and Travis County. Click here to see their names.

And congratulations to the party officials elected from Travis County:

Rene Lara (TDP Secretary), Katie Naranjo (DNC), Glen Maxey (DNC), Dennis Speight (DNC) and Nick Chu and Susan Shelton (SDEC 14).

Most of all, congratulations to our new State Party Chair, Gilberto Hinojosa. Chairman Hinojosa is the first Hispanic chair of either major political party in Texas. This, of course, follows the election of the first African-American President in our nation’s history in 2008. If you look at our Party’s stance on the issues, and these two great leaders, the contrast between the two parties could not be more stark. The Democratic Party, without a doubt, represents the future of Texas.

With Houston behind us, we are ready to begin the work of our Coordinated Campaign. Please stay in touch with us — through this newsletter, our web site and our social media sites — for the many opportunities to join us. You can volunteer, become a sustaining member and check our calendar for specific events.

While we’re on the subject of participation, I hope you will join me this Thursday for a fundraiser for the co-chair of the 2012 Women’s Outreach Project, Representative Dawnna Dukes. Representative Dukes fights hard for rights for all Texans, in particular for funding for the Women’s Health Program and Planned Parenthood, and I hope you will join me in showing her that we appreciate her hard work. The event is at Congressman Doggett’s House this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Please click here for tickets and sponsorship information.

Be sure to read today’s interview with Constable Danny Thomas, who reminisces about his family’s Juneteenth celebrations, in “On the Record With Diane Holloway.” And I hope you will join us as we march in the Juneteenth Parade on June 19th. See you on then!

Sincerely,