March 12, 2020
Your Weekly News from the Collin County Democratic Party
Thanks for Voting!
By Mike Rawlins, Newly Re-elected Collin County Democratic Chair
We’ve completed yet another record turnout for the Democratic Primary. After all of the votes have been counted, we doubled the 2016 turnout and even eclipsed the record 2008 turnout. Our sincere thanks to all who voted, and particularly those who waited in line on Election Day (those problems are being addressed. Please see our blog post on that: https://www.collindemocrats.org/lines-at-polling-places-tuesday/ )

We also thank all who ran, regardless of whether they won or lost. And, we thank our Primary Election administration staff and poll workers who put in long hours during both early voting and Election Day.

Every election has winners and losers, and something new to most local Democrats is learning to accept the loss of our picks in the primary. And it was particularly frustrating for those who voted early and then discovered that their pick for President had dropped out by Election Day. Your votes counted anyway, since all of the Presidential candidates still had a chance to pick up national delegates and all of our local candidates stayed in until the end.
And, I am honored to have been elected to serve you for another term as County Chair. With a narrow win, I know that many of you preferred a change in leadership. I will do my best to address your concerns and win your trust, regardless of who you voted for.

We do have a runoff on Tuesday, May 26th for the nominations for the 3rd Congressional District, Railroad Commissioner, and House District 67. Please mark your calendars.

But for the most part, it’s time for us to put the primary contests behind us and set our sights squarely on winning in November. This truly is the most important election of our lives. Texas is in play, and Collin and other suburban counties are ground zero. For the sake of not only all of what is embodied in our platform, but also for the preserving democracy itself, we simply must win. Losing is not an option.

To comment on this editorial,  click here .
Ann Richards Dinner
Growing up, her mother taught her that even though they were on welfare, “there are still people poorer than us and we have to make a difference.”
 
Kathy still believes that today.
Kathy LeMay is the founder, president, and CEO of Raising Change, a fundraising organization that works to advance social change agendas and generosity worldwide.
With your help, this November we’ll have blue victories to cheer in every part of Collin County. But we have no time to waste if we’re going to flip our county and save our country.

We’re depending on you this year. Our country depends on you. No matter who you are, you can help defeat Trump, repair our country, and build something better. No matter where you are, 2020 is waiting for you to be part of the change we desperately need.


Our Ann Richards Dinner is April 18th this year. Our keynote speaker, Kathy LeMay, understands what it is like to work hard for a difficult outcome. Growing up, her mother taught her that even though they were on welfare, “there are still people poorer than us and we have to make a difference.”
 
Kathy still believes that today.
 
Since then Kathy has traveled the United States and the world listening to, learning from, and raising money for those who have survived war, genocide, gender-based violence and climate-induced disasters. Her motto is this incredible Teddy Roosevelt quote, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
 

We’re so excited to have Kathy as our 2020 Ann Richards Dinner keynote speaker as we prepare to empower our community to change Collin County, Texas, our nation, and the world. To get your ticket: txdp.cc/ardtickets .
We'll see you there,

Carrie Petersen and Karen Hearne
Ann Richards Dinner Co-Chairs
Collin County Democratic Party

Purchase your tickets today for the Ann Richards dinner at: txdp.cc/ardtickets
Super Tuesday Voter Turnout
A complete breakdown of the Collin County election results are available here .
“Our voters are ready for change, and our party is fired up. Our Democratic candidates fight for better schools, lower healthcare costs, stronger communities, and a better Texas. We’re proud to see all of them running this year.”

~ Mike Rawlins, Collin County Democratic Chair
Turnout for Tuesday’s Primary Election has shown the world what Collin Democrats have known for years. Collin County is ready to turn blue. County Chair Mike Rawlins, said, “our voters are ready for change, and our party is fired up. Our Democratic candidates fight for better schools, lower healthcare costs, stronger communities, and a better Texas. We’re proud to see all of them running this year.”

The Election Results are In

These are Collin County Democratic nominees for November:
  • CD4: Russell Foster for Congress 4
  • HD33: Andy Rose For Texas State House of Representatives 33
  • HD66: Sharon Hirsch for Texas House of Representatives 66
  • HD70: Angie Bado for Texas House of Representatives 70
  • HD89: Ray Ash for Texas House of Representatives 89

Collin County District Judges:
  • Sam Johnson for District Judge - District 366
  • Penny Robe for District Judge - District 380
  • Tonya J. Holt for District Judge - District 401
  • Theresa Bui Creevy for District Judge - District 416
  • Christy Albano for District Judge - District 468
  • Dana Huffman for District Judge - District 469
  • Michael Payma for District Judge - District 471

Criminal Court of Appeals Judges:
  • Elizabeth Davis Frizell for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3
  • Tina Clinton for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4
  • Brandon Birmingham for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9

County Offices:
  • John Turner-McClelland For Collin County Tax Assessor Collector,
  • Courtney Brooks for Collin County Commissioner, Pct. 1,
  • Dianne C. Mayo for County Commissioner Precinct 3

Mike Rawlins was re-elected Collin County Democratic Party Chair

State Offices:
  • Amy Clark Meachum for Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court
  • Kathy Cheng for Texas Supreme Court Judge - Place 6
  • Staci Williams for Texas Supreme Court Judge - Place 7
  • Gisela D. Triana for Texas Supreme Court Judge - Place 8
  • Bonnie Lee Goldstein for 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, Place 3
  • Craig Smith for 5th District Court of Appeals, Place 6
  • Dennise Garcia for 5th District Court of Appeals, Place 8

There will be Runoff Elections on May 26th , for these primary races:
Collin County:
  • CD3: Sean McCaffity and Lulu Seikaly
  • HD67: Tom Adair and Lorenzo Sanchez
Statewide Runoffs:
  • US Senate: MJ Hegar and Royce West
  • Railroad Commissioner: Chrysta Castaneda and Roberto Alonzo
Let's Register Those Future Voters
by Sharon Stark and Barb Walters, your VDR Co-leads
We have four more elections this year! Yes, FOUR! A lot of future voters will turn 18, or move into Collin and surrounding counties this year. Opportunities to register them are all around us.

The next Voter Registration Deadline is Thursday, April 2nd, 2020.

  • City/School Elections are Saturday, May 2, 2020
  • Primary Runoff Elections are Tuesday, May 26, 2020
  • City/School Runoff Elections are Saturday, June 20, 2020
  • The General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Since January 1st, 2020 our VDR (Voter Deputy Registrar) team has registered at least 350 voters which contributed to the vdrlead@collindemocrats.org 620,000 registered so far in Collin County in 2020.

We have registered at office buildings, high schools, markets, mosques, in our neighborhoods, at the doctor’s office, colleges, and so on...

But, we need to make that 500 per MONTH. We need VDR team leaders across the county to seek out Dem friendly Voter Registration locations and get them scheduled to host a Voter Registration Drive.

Checklist:
1. Volunteer to become a VDR team lead.
2. Become deputized as a Voter Registrar.
3. Scope out venues to hold Voter Registration Drives
4. Get your friends and family interested in registering voters.

Contact us at vdrlead@collindemocrats.org to learn more about these opportunities. Thanks!
Office Manager Wanted
The Collin County Democratic Party is hiring an Office Manager.

About Us:
The Collin County Democratic Party is a diverse and inclusive county organization of the Democratic Party of Texas, and is organized to promote and support the nominees of the Democratic Party in all national, state, and local elections. We seek to educate the public on the ideals of the Democratic Party and the qualifications of our nominees for office and encourage individuals to register to vote, join the Party, and become active. 

Supervisory Duties:

  • Oversee day to day operations of the Party office, including staffing office with volunteers, setting office hours, dealing with contacts from the public including phone calls, emails, and walk-ins
  • May assist with supervision of Party Volunteers in accordance with CCDP Guidelines.

General Duties:

  • Train volunteers in office procedures and oversee compliance to ensure integrity of meeting requirements of a political party.
  • Provide office support for field programs
  • Provide office support for Party committees as needed
  • Develop and oversee special in-office projects as appropriate
  • Coordinate with the Executive Director, who will provide projects for office volunteers and help ensure their success
  • Other duties as assigned by the County Chair

Desired Skills/Experience:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required; Associates degree in office administration or related field preferred and at least three years of administrative and clerical experience required
  • Demonstrated commitment to the Democratic Party
  • Excellent organizing skills - detail oriented
  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Proven people skills and the ability to work with volunteers in a diverse and dynamic environment
  • Proficient using Microsoft Office and Office 365
  • Basic Constant Contact skills, including managing contacts and creating simple email campaigns, is a plus 

Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

Salary:

Negotiable and commensurate with experience. Please submit salary expectations in cover letter. Relocation assistance is not available. 

Application and Interview Process:

To apply, email a cover letter expressing interest in the position (reference: Office Manager) with salary expectation and resume. One or more professional references desired.

Send applications to  vicechair@collindemocrats.org . Deadline for applying is Sunday, March 22nd , 2020 .

Start date is tentatively April 1, 2020 .
Collin County Upcoming Events
Frisco Democratic Club General Meeting
FDC March 2020 General Club Meeting. The second meeting of the most important election year of our lives. Join us to hear about the primary election results, a look forward to the city council and school board elections in May and the Frisco Municipal Forum that FDC is hosting on 3/31.

When: Sunday, March 15th , 5 p.m.
Where: Rudy's Country Store and BBQ
9828 Dallas Parkway
Frisco, TX 75034
RSVP here .
CCDWD Meeting -- March 16th at REACH of Plano!
Collin County Democrats with Disabilities Meeting. You don't have to live in Collin County or have a disability to participate. We welcome allies and advocates!

When: Monday, March 16th , 5:30 p.m.
Where: REACH of Plano
720 E Park Blvd, Suite 104
Plano, TX 75074
RSVP here .
Yes, We Can Talk Politics
Drinking Liberally and Living Liberally are informal, inclusive progressive social groups. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.

Plano - Rugby House Pub
When: Friday, March 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 8604 Preston Rd #100, Plano [ Map ]

Wylie - Josephine's (New Location)
When: Friday, March 13 , 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 960 W Farm to Market Rd 544, Wylie [ Map ]

McKinney -  Mellow Mushroom
When:  Friday , March 20 , 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 218 E Louisiana St, McKinney [ Map ]

Allen - Pinstack (New Location)
When: Friday, April 3 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 635 Central Expressway North, Allen [ Map ]

Frisco/Little Elm - Rotolo's Craft & Crust
When: Friday, April 3 , 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 9250 N Dallas Pkwy #130, Frisco [ Map ]

Please drink responsibly and use liberally designated drivers. Like a neocon war or a Wall Street tax cut, drinking and driving hurts real people. Don't do it!