Message from the Chair:

Jan Soifer, TCDP Chair

Castro, Obama, Begala, Olympics — Whew!

August 6th, 2012

Fellow Democrats,

Lazy dog-days of summer? Not for us! We’re already moving at warp speed through the sizzling summer.

Congratulations to San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro for being tapped to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. He is the first Latino to be chosen for this huge honor, and Texas Democrats are excited. We will be cheering for him at our watch party when he speaks September 4, so look for details soon.

Congratulations also to our Democratic Primary Runoff winners. Now that the ballot is finally set for November, we can all focus on the TCDP Coordinated Campaign. Last Saturday, we hosted a phone bank at our campaign headquarters with more than 25 volunteers — who made more than 2,500 calls. OFA also hosted the President Obama Birthday Phone Bank the same day, and they made thousands of calls at locations around the city. These were great events, and there will be many more.

In today’s “On the Record with Diane Holloway,” be sure to read our interview with CNN analyst Paul Begala, a UT alum and homegrown Democrat who cut his campaign teeth as an undergraduate working on the re-election campaign of then State Senator Lloyd Doggett. He serves up some insightful and stinging comments about the embarrassing right-wing lurch in Texas under Governor Perry and his cronies.

On a happy note, I’m proud to award the Gold Medal in our TCDP Olympics to Whitney Bodman. Thanks for carrying the torch for us in recruiting Sustaining Members. She receives two complimentary tickets to our Senator Ralph Yarborough Judicial Retirement Reception at the Headliner’s Club on September 18. This promises to be another memorable event for us. This year we have the honor of celebrating retiring Judge Mike Lynch. Click here for more details and get your tickets today before they’re gone!

As our Coordinated Campaign speeds along, I hope you will keep up the good work in helping us with your volunteer time and donations. And tell your friends to join us for any of the many activities you can find on our Calendar each week. Lots of fun, lots of opportunities. The 2012 ballot is populated with great Democratic candidates, from top to bottom, and we plan to win all of the races. With your help, we can.

Sincerely,