November 14, 2019
Your Weekly News from the Collin County Democratic Party
NOTICE TO ALL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES AND CLUBS: There will be no Rally published on November 28 (Thanksgiving). This means if there is an event between November 23 and December 5, the last chance to publicize it will be in the Rally that will be sent on November 21. The deadline for that Rally is November 18 at 5 p.m. Please plan accordingly. As usual, all publicity requests should be send via pub form located at  txdp.cc/publicity .
What is a County Commissioner?
by Mike Rawlins, County Chair
Sadly, most people pay less attention to county government than city government (and they generally pay very little attention to the latter!) A few people know that a County Commissioner is a member of the Commissioner’s Court, presided over by the County Judge, and that it has something to do with county government. But most people couldn’t tell you exactly what a Commissioner does, and it’s probable that more than a few people are confused that the "Court" isn't a Court of Law.

The Commissioner’s Court is the overall governing body of the county. According to the Texas Association of Counties , the Commissioner’s Court:

  • Adopts the county’s budget and tax rate
  • Approves all budgeted purchases by the county
  • Fills vacancies in elective and appointed offices in the county
  • Sets all salaries and benefits
  • Has exclusive authority to authorize contracts
  • Provides and maintains all county buildings and facilities

The court also has broad oversight over all aspects of county government including:

  • Maintenance of county roads and bridges
  • Funding all county departments including the county jail
  • Is the ultimate authority for overseeing elections, including appointing an Elections Administrator and election judges, redistricting electoral precinct boundaries, and setting boundaries for County Commissioner, Constable, and Justice of the Peace precincts, and voter registration
  • Providing for emergency management
  • Providing health and safety services
  • Collecting property taxes 
  • Governance of and providing services to unincorporated areas of the county
  • Issuing vehicle registrations and transfers

A County Commissioner is intended to be a full time position with a professional level salary. Service as a City Council member, mayor, or similar level manager in private industry (with familiarity with local government issues) is useful experience for potential future Commissioners.

The county is divided into four County Commissioner Precincts as noted in the map. Precinct 1 in the northwest part of the county, and Precinct 3 in the northeast part of the county will be on the ballot in 2020. If this position interests you, or you know a Democrat who might be a good fit, please contact us.

--- Mike Rawlins, County Chair
Mark Your Calendars for Fifth Debate Watch Party
Wednesday, November 20th is the date. Atlanta is the location. Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, Kristen Welker and Ashley Parker are the moderators. You don't want to miss this one!

Please RSVP for the location of your choice. This will help us get a good head count to give each venue. Be ready to enjoy conversation with like-minded friends who want to hear about real issues that affect our communities! No cost to attend. Food and drinks available for purchase. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.

McKinney - Host Julie Luton
Delaney's Irish Pub & Scratch Kitchen
150 Eldorado Pkwy #120 McKinney, TX 75070 [ Map ]

Wylie - Host Dick Hildenbrand
Josephine's Neighborhood Bistro
960 W Fm 544, Wylie, TX 75098 [ Map ]

Plano - Hosts Billye Johnson and Barb Walters
Rugby House
8604 Preston Road, Plano, TX 72024 [ Map ]

Allen - Host Deborah Angell Smith
Cafe Del Rio
401 Central Expy S, Allen, TX 75013 [ Map ]

Anna-Melissa - Host Suzie Miller
1108 Foxtail Dr Anna, TX 75409 [ Map ]
McKinney Home for the Holidays Festival

Come join the CCDP at our booth at the McKinney Home for the Holidays Festival, November 29, 30 , and December 1 , 2019!

Check here  for details. It's FREE frosty fun for the whole family. Stop by and say Hi to your favorite candidates, or REGISTER TO VOTE, or come and help volunteer at the booth. The festival runs from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Click here to volunteer!
Election Administration Volunteers Needed
Would you like to be engaged in the coming record-breaking Collin County Democratic Primary? We need volunteers who will work with party staff in administering the March 3 Primary and May 26 Runoff Elections . Activities will include recruiting election workers, processing candidate filing petitions, double-checking ballot proofs, scheduling training, answering questions from workers and voters, supporting the district or county conventions and a myriad of other tasks.

Please respond if you can contribute 2 or 20 hours per week (or anything in between). Particularly welcome will be people who can be “on call” for peak workloads, such as receipt of multiple candidate petitions or quick turnaround ballot proofing.

Work will begin this November and continue through June of 2020.

Election administration volunteers may also become paid polling place workers when voting is underway. Volunteers may get preference for some of the better 2020 polling place assignments as well as build qualifications for applying for paid administration work in the 2022 or future cycles.

If you can serve or have questions, please contact party elections administration at elections@collindemocrats.org .
Collin County Campaign Events
Block-Walk for Manu Lail
What: Join Team Manu for a Block Walk to Win!
When: Saturday, November 16 10:00 a.m.
Where: Meet at El Noa Noa Restaurant 1915 N. Central Expressway, Plano. [ Map ]
RSVP Here
Sean McCaffity for Congress Campaign Kickoff
What: Please join us for Sean McCaffity's campaign kick-off event as he runs for United States Congress
When: Saturday November 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: 9 Prestige Cir. Allen, TX 75002 [ Map ]
RSVP Here
Meet & Greet with Rocio Hernandez for HD67
What: Get to know Rocio! Candidate Meet & Greet in Allen, TX.
When: Sunday November 17 at 3 p.m.
Where: The home of Nejat Ahmed 958 Panther Ln Allen, TX 75013 [ Map ]
RSVP Here
Judge Craig Smith for 5th District Court of Appeals Campaign Reception
What: Campaign Reception for the Re-Election of Judge Craig Smith,
5th District Court of Appeals
When: Thursday, November 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: 10401 Lennox Lane in Dallas [ Map ].
RSVP Here
Dallas Reception Supporting Collin County Judicial Candidates
What: Dallas Reception for Collin County Judicial Candidates
When: Wednesday, December 4th , 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hamilton Wingo, LLP, 325 N. St. Paul Street Suite 3300 Dallas, TX 75201 [ Map ]
No RSVP Required.
Campaign Reception for Christy Albano
for Collin County 468th District Court
What: Campaign Reception for Christy Albano for 468th District Court
When: Thursday, December 5th 5:30 p.m.
Where: To Be Determined
Other Upcoming Events
Plano Area Dems November Meeting with Chris Bell
What: Plano Area Dems is hosting Gabriella Castillo from RAICES (The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Immigrant Resources) and Chris Bell, former Houston area Congressman and current candidate for US Senate, will be speaking about his plan to unseat John Cornyn.
Where: 1915 Central Expy #100 Plano, TX 75075 [ Map ]
When: Saturday November 16 at 11:30 a.m.

RSVP Here
Frisco Democratic Club General Meeting
What: "Turning Texas Blue! Observations from a Texas Democrat Road Warrior"....Hear from 2018 Democratic Party candidate for Lt. Governor, Mike Collier as our keynote speaker!
Wher e: Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q 9828 Frisco, TX 75034 [ Map ]
When: Sunday November 17 at 5:00 p.m.

RSVP Here
CCDWD Meeting Last Meeting of 2019!
What: CCDWD Meeting, Last meeting of 2019!
Where: REACH of Plano, 720 E Park Blvd, Suite 104, Plano 75074 [ Map ]
When: Monday November 18 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m.
RSVP Here
Women Organizing Women Democrats General Meeting
What: Featuring U.S. Senate candidate Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, Texas Family Project, and Dallas County Judge Staci Williams
Where: Collin College Spring Creek Campus Rm C103 at 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano [ Map ]
When: Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m.
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.

McKinney -  Mellow Mushroom
When: Friday, November 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 218 E Louisiana St, McKinney [ map]

Allen - Cafe Del Rio
When: Friday, December 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 401 Central Expy S, Allen [ map]

Frisco/Little Elm - The British Lion Pub
When: Friday, December 6, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: 5454 Main St #123, Frisco [ map]

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

When: Friday, December 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 2600 W, FM 544, Wylie [ map]

While drinking liberally, always remember to drink responsibly, and make liberal use of designated drivers. Drinking and driving is reckless and irresponsible, like a neocon war or corporatist tax cut. Liberals, don't do it!