Message from the Chair:

Jan Soifer, TCDP Chair

One week until our Judicial Celebration!

September 10th, 2012

Fellow Democrats,

Today we recall one of the worst days in our history, and we honor the men and women who lost their lives to the terrorist attacks. We should also honor the strength of our democracy and the freedom of expression that perseveres in this country as we enter the final two months of an exciting election year.

The 2012 Democratic National Convention was inspiring. I will never forget the great speeches from Mayor Julian Castro, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, and, of course, President Obama’s acceptance speech in Charlotte. The Convention was alive with energy and excitement — I am confident that this energy will help carry us through to victory in November. I also want to congratulate the Texas Democratic Party, and Glen Maxey in particular, for running the logistics so smoothly for the Texas Delegation.

Naishtat, Brown, Elfant

Here at home we are only a week away from our Senator Ralph Yarborough Judicial Retirement Celebration on September 18^th — this year toasting Judge Mike Lynch. We still have tickets available for this Headliner’s Club event, so click here to get them. It’s going to be a special evening!

Besides honoring Judge Lynch’s two decades of service, we will also recognize Chief Justice Woodfin “Woodie” Jones and Justice Diane Henson of the Third Court of Appeals. As the only two Democrats on the six-member court, they have done amazing work on behalf of the 24 counties that make up the district. Justice Henson particularly needs our help — she is the only incumbent Democrat up for election on the Third Court this year.

The Third Court of Appeals is important for many reasons, in part for its scope in holding appellate jurisdiction over both civil and criminal cases from dozens of lower courts. But it’s also important to us because it is based in Austin and often deals with cases involving state and local government.

In recognizing Jones and Henson, we also focus on registering lots of voters in Travis County — and turn them out — so that we can bring the Third Court into a Democratic majority. Judicial races sometimes don’t attract the attention of other elected offices, but we can break the Republican majority on the Court by turning out enough Democrats to re-elect Justice Henson and electing Judge Andy Hathcock, Karen Watkins and Bryan Case. We can do this with your help!

The funds raised from our Judicial Retirement Celebration will help fund our Coordinated Campaign, including the judicial races, so that we can register and turn out Democratic voters in record numbers in November. Travis County is a beacon for Democrats throughout Texas, so let’s make sure our light shines bright for this election!

Sincerely,