January 16, 2020
Your Weekly News from the Collin County Democratic Party
The Union Needs You
by Manu Lail, Assistant Vice Chair, Collin County Democratic Party
We the People
Our country is facing some major problems. Our leaders continue to spend trillions of dollars on unnecessary wars. Our healthcare system is the most expensive in the world. And, carbon emissions continue to destroy the world’s climate. 
 
When Washington prepared his farewell address, he cautioned the electorate about the dangers to our Union: regionalism, partisanship, and foreign entanglements. Fast forward to today, and our Union is divided through gerrymandering, extreme partisanship, and we have been entangled in wars and Russian influence in our elections for years. Instead of protecting our Democracy, the Republican Party has been instrumental in becoming the catalysts towards destroying our Union. For decades we have watched their unwillingness to work across the aisle and acknowledge the existence of those who have differing opinions. Mitch McConnell has hundreds of bills sitting on his desk collecting dust, he’s focused entirely on changing the judicial landscape to favor his agenda and has firmly sided against calling first party witnesses to the President’s impeachment trial.
 
Washington’s fears are now a reality that we must face. Our country needs us. Future generations will be looking back at this crucial time in our Democracy and raise the question: What did you do for our country in that most important time?
 
Individually, the monumental task of righting the wrongs in our Democracy can seem daunting, however I have great faith in our electorate when we work together. The Democrats in Collin County have a unique opportunity to be on the right side of history by registering more voters, volunteering for our candidate campaigns, and getting out the vote. All of us must band together and work in a unified strategic direction to ensure Collin County turns blue. 
 
Go to the Collin County Democratic Party website: collindemocrats.org and click on “Get Involved” today. Become a sustaining donor to the Party. Join the movement in 2020 to right the wrongs in our Democracy by helping to elect candidates to office who will work to unify our country, listen to the electorate, and solve the issues our communities face.
 
Let’s work together to make this a more perfect Union.

Comments? Click here .
Note: T he opinions expressed are those of the author
and do not necessarily represent the view or positions of CCDP.
The Ann Richards Dinner – The Room Where It's Happening
“I came late to Collin County Democratic Party,” Billye Johnson admitted. “I had always voted the Democratic ticket but this election threw me for a loop. After the 2016 election, I spent a month in misery fueled by chocolate and pasta. Then I attended an information session with the CCDP and it pulled me out of my post-election depression.”

Attending the Ann Richards Dinner seemed like a natural progression for supporting the Democratic Party in Collin County. Keith Ellison, the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, was the keynote speaker and his words inspired everyone in the huge room to work harder to get Democrats elected. While the Ann Richards Dinner always drew respectable crowds each year, the 2017 event attracted over 600 attendees who were ready to fight and win.

Keith Ellison fired up the crowd to work hard, contribute and make that huge difference. Everyone who attended that night remembers his stirring words – “You can’t win broke.”
“We were ready to do what it took to get out the votes and support the candidates with our funds and our efforts,” Billye recalls. “We were in a war to save our nation and we were ready to fight.”

The Ann Richards Dinner is the biggest fundraising event for CCDP. With your help we will work to turn Collin blue. Join us at the Ann Richards Dinner on April 18 and be in the room where it happens in 2020.

For more information and tickets, click here: txdp.cc/ardtickets
Vote-a-Palooza Event
C CDP will repeat its successful VOTE-A-PALOOZA EVENT all day Monday, February 3rd , which is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the March 2020 Primary. Come join in the fun and bring friends and family that need to REGISTER.

NOTE: VDRs, let us know if you help register people to vote! E-mail VDRLead@collindemocrats.org  with the time of your desired shift.

When: February 3, 2020
Office open 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight

Where: CCDP Office
1915 Central Expy #150 Plano, TX 75075 [ Map ]
Thanks to our Treasurer
By the time you read this our faithful, conscientious, and hard working Treasurer, Diane Bolak , will have filed another round of campaign finance reports with the Texas Ethics Commission and the Federal Elections Commission. Few people understand that she is personally liable for the timeliness and accuracy of these reports, or of the time it takes to prepare them - and all as an unpaid volunteer.

Please join us in thanking Diane the next time you see her!
T Minus 26 Days
Voter Registration Deadline - February 3
February 3 is the voter registration deadline for the Primary Election.

Early voting starts February 18 and goes to Feb 28. Election Day is March 3.

If you or someone you know needs to register, email vdrlead@collindemocrats.org. 
We are Hiring - Primary Election Workers
We are Hiring Election Workers!  
We are still hiring clerks and judges in anticipation of a record turnout in the 2020 Primary, especially for Election Day, March 3 rd . These are paid positions. On Election Day, all workers are paid $12 per hour. We are continuing to enlist clerks for Early Voting. Although the need is not as great, we do want to have some substitutes ready.
 
To sign up : E-mail elections@collindemocrats.org  or call the Primary Administration Team at 469-609-0539. Specify your desired role as Clerk or Judge/Alternate Judge. You can specify the area of the County you prefer to work in. Listed here are polling locations where we have the greatest need to fill spots for Election Day, March 3 rd .  
 
ELECTION DAY March 3 rd POLLING LOCATIONS THAT STILL NEED WORKERS

  • Aldridge Elementary School - Richardson   
  • Anna City Hall
  • Armstrong Middle School - Plano
  • Benton Staley Middle School Frisco 
  • Bethany Elementary School – Plano
  • Blue Ridge ISD
  • Carpenter Middle School – Plano
  • Celina ISD Admin 
  • Christ Fellowship Church - McKinney
  • Christ the Servant Church – Allen 
  • Christ United Methodist – Plano 
  • Clark High School - Plano
  • Collin College – Preston Ridge- Frisco
  • Dowell Middle School – McKinney 
  • Evans Middle School – McKinney (replaces Gay Library)
  • First Baptist Church – Princeton 
  • Haggar Elem. School - Dallas 
  • Miller Elem. School – Richardson 
  • Renner-Frankford Library – Dallas 
  • Royse City ISD
  • Stonebridge UM Church – McKinney
  • Terry Pope Admin - Nevada
  • Woodcreek Church – Richardson 
  • UTD Callier Center
  
Training is provided at the Collin County Elections Office, 2010 Redbud in McKinney [ Map ]. We will send you the Training Schedule for both Election Law and Voting System Training when we confirm your appointment. It is very important that you attend training, especially because we have a new Voting System. 

Carpooling is available from the Party Office in Plano (972-578-1483). 
Sharon4TX House Party
Come out and meet Sharon, talk about the issues, and enjoy friendly conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

When: Thursday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Address provided upon RSVP
RSVP Options: Mobilize or Facebook Events
Richardson Area Democrats - Meet the Candidates
Ramos, Chambers, Hernandez, and Ramirez
Let's get this 2020 party started! Richardson Area Democrats is excited to host FOUR Democrat women running for office.

Come join us and meet Texas State House Representative Ana Maria-Ramos (HD 102), candidates for Texas State House Representative Brandy Chamber (HD 112) and Rocio Hernandez (HD 67), and candidate for US Senator Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez.

When: Thursday, January 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Communion Neighborhood Cooperative, 514 Lockwood Drive, Richardson [ Map]
Anna-Melissa Democrats
Winter Candidate Forum
Please join Anna-Melissa Democrats for their first candidate forum. Light refreshments will be provided.

When: Sunday, January 12th at 5:00 p.m.
Where: 1108 Foxtail Drive, Anna 75409 [ Map]
January Judge-a-Palooza (Plano Dems Monthly Meeting)
Join the Plano Area Democrats for their monthly meeting on January 18th. This month we will be joined by several Texas Supreme Court candidates in addition to local judicial candidates. There will be a panel discussion followed by audience Q & A.

When: Saturday, January 18th (Doors open at 11:00 a.m. and the meeting starts promptly at 11:30 a.m.)
Where: El Noa Noa, 1915 Central Expy, #150, Plano, 75075 [ Map ]
RSVP: Mobilize
Frisco Democratic Club General Meeting
FDC January General Club Meeting. The first meeting of the most important election year of our lives. Come out and join us to hear what's going on as we prepare for the primary election, a city election and a general election in 2020.

FDC welcomes a number of statewide and local candidates, highlighted by our keynote speakers, U.S. Senate candidates - Houston City Councilwoman, Amanda Edwards and Senator Royce West, to Frisco.

When: Sunday, January 19th at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q, 9828 Dallas Parkway, Frisco [ Map ]
Democratic Club at Heritage Ranch Candidate Forum 2020
When: Sunday, January 26th , 2020 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Heritage Ranch Country Clubhouse, located at
465 Scenic Ranch Circle, Fairview, TX [ Map ]
Texas State House District 67
Candidate Forum, Saturday, February 1st
Are you still deciding who your HD 67 candidate will be? Do you want to ask the candidates questions? What issues will be most important to you in 2020?

You don't want to miss the Plano Area Democrats and WOW Dems HD 67 candidate forum! Our moderator is civil rights activist and former Texas Senate District 8 candidate Mark Phariss. Join us on Saturday, February 1st at 1:00 p.m. at the Collin College Spring Creek Conference Center.

There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP at the link below!

However - it does cost Plano Dems to host events at Collin College! The RSVP page includes a link to donate to help offset the cost of the forum. Please consider donating $10-$20 to help us pay for this event, and to help Plano Dems keep bringing you candidate forums!

When: Saturday, February 1st at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Collin College-Plano Campus Living Legends Conference Center, 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano 75074 [ Map]
RSVP: Mobilize
All in the County
WOW Dems General Meeting
Featuring speakers Chris Tackett and U.S. Senate Candidate Amanda Edwards!

When: Thursday, January 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Collin College's Preston Ridge Campus, Room C105 in Frisco [ Map ].

Our service project for January is Minnie's Food Pantry . Please bring the following items that the pantry needs:

  • Pasta sauce
  • Hamburger Helper Meals
  • Mixed vegetables
  • Jelly
CCDWD Meeting January 20, 2020
(One Time Venue Change)
You don't have to live in Collin County to participate... Light refreshments available. For this meeting only we'll meet at the Collin County Democratic Party Office located at 1915 N Central Expy #150, Plano, 75075 [ Map ].
RSVP: Mobilize
Better Angels: Reuniting America
Join Better Angels and Friends of the Allen Public Library to see how to effectively discuss divisive issues and build a stronger republic. Better Angels: Reuniting America is a 50-minute documentary about what happened before, during, and after a “lively” Better Angels Red/Blue workshop where Democratic and Republican voters gathered to discuss potentially divisive issues with understanding and respect.

When: Sunday, January 26th at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Allen Public Library Auditorium, 300 N Allen Dr., [ Map ]
Women Organizing Women Democrats 2020 Women of Courage Gala
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote at the Women Organizing Women Democrats 2020 Women of Courage Gala and Casino Night on Saturday, February 29 at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano. We will donate 100% of our profits to our endorsed candidates of 2020.

When: Saturday, February 29th from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Where: Gleneagles Country Club in Plano [ Map ].

You’ve got until February 5th to buy your ticket at our early bird price and then until about a week before the event to secure your ticket, so go to our website wowdems.org/2020Gala and buy your tickets today!
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, January 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 218 E Louisiana St, McKinney [ Map]
Why: Meet and greet with Dana Huffman, candidate for Judge 469th District Court.

Allen - Pinstack (New Location)
When: Friday, February 7 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 635 Central Expressway North, Allen [ Map]

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

Plano - Rugby House Pub
When: Friday, February 14, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 8604 Preston Rd #100, Plano [ Map]

Wylie - Josephine's (New Location)
When: Friday, February 14, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 960 W Farm to Market Rd 544, Wylie [ Map]


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