Message from the Chair:

Jan Soifer, TCDP Chair

Come celebrate Mayor Castro’s DNC Keynote!

August 27th, 2012

Unlike the current right-wing gathering of Republicans in Tampa, Democrats gathering in Charlotte next week will represent the true diversity of America.

And San Antonio’s Mayor Julián Castro will deliver the keynote address — the first Latino to do so. Texas Democrats heard him give the keynote at our State Convention in June; now the rest of the country gets to be inspired by him, too.

It will be a moment to celebrate, and I want to personally invite everyone to join us Tuesday, September 4, at 7 p.m. at the Coordinated Campaign Headquarters (2406 Manor Road) for our DNC Watch Party. We will have food and phone banking in support of the good Democrats on the ballot in Travis County.

And, of course, we will watch and cheer for Mayor Castro. He’s only 37 years old, but the Harvard Law grad (and twin brother of State Rep./U.S. Congressional Candidate Joaquin Castro) has already stirred up a great deal of excitement about his political future.

The selection of Mayor Castro signals that the Democratic National Committee recognizes the importance of the fast-growing Hispanic population in the country. It also indicates that shifting demographics will propel Texas into the “D” category sooner rather than later.

The youngest mayor of a Top 50 city, Castro has been a strong champion for public education since he was elected to the San Antonio City Council. His recent ballot initiative to direct a portion of the sales tax revenue to fund full-day pre-kindergarten in San Antonio garnered national attention and is expected to be approved in November. Mayor Castro’s keynote, highlighting both his personal story and his vision for the future, will be a proud moment for Texas Democrats, and I hope you will come to our DNC Watch Party and share it with us.

And don’t forget to get your tickets to our Senator Ralph Yarborough Judicial Retirement Celebration! On September 18^th, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., we will honor Judge Mike Lynch, who is retiring from the 167^th District Court. (Next week’s “On the Record with Diane Holloway” will feature an interview with Judge Lynch.) This fundraiser will help us elect Democrats throughout Travis County, so be sure to reserve your place at this important event.

Sincerely,