Newsletter

April 9, 2024

Notes from the Chair...

Gloria Campos

Greetings fellow Democrats!

First, a BIG thank you to all who attended our highly successful fundraising event for Democratic US Senate Candidate Colin Allred on Thursday, April 4th at the Johnson City home of co-host Steve Bartlett, former GOP Congressman.

We raised more than $25 thousand dollars!

Many thanks to our Host committee:

Matt Angle, founder/director of the Lone Star Project

Mike Barnes

Gail & Steve Bartlett

Bonnie Baskin & Bob Elde

Gloria Campos Brown

Kathy & Steve Carriker

Rick Cofer

Dottie & John De La Garza

Chris Harte

Sam Millsap

Tammy Patterson & Wendy Barber

Paul Sumrall & Michael Orsak

Mary & Arvid Sward

A reminder that we will have a Democratic primary runoff election for Justice, 3rd Court of Appeals, Place 2 . Early voting is May 20-24 and election day is Tuesday, May 28th . The race pits top vote getter Maggie Ellis against incumbent Edward Smith. Maggie Ellis carried 50% of the vote in Blanco County. Registered voters who did not vote in the Republican primary are eligible to cast a ballot.

Our primary turnout was less than 5% so even if you skipped the primary please consider coming out for this runoff which comes at considerable expense and energy to our party & our unsung heroes, elections workers. All primary polling places will be open except Round Mountain. Early voting sites will have extended hours.

Blanco County Democrats would also like to invite you to our next fundraiser Friday, April 19th for TXSD25 Democratic candidate Merrie Fox who will face GOP State Senator Donna Campbell in the November Election. Join us for a sumptuous paella dinner at Little Chihuahuas Ranch in the Johnson City home of Paul Sumrall & Michael Orsak. Details on the event are featured below, look for Chihuahuas!

Also-Highland Lakes Democratic Women will host a multiple-county candidates forum Saturday, April 20th from 2pm-4pm at the La Quinta Inn and Suites, 501 FM 2147 in Marble Falls, Texas. Nine candidates are confirmed including 3 of our State candidates: the aforementioned judicial candidate Maggie Ellis, TXHD 19 candidate Dwain Handley & TXSD 25 candidate Merrie Fox. Refreshments will be served.

Stay tuned for more runoff news and information on our next CEC/Blanco County Democrats General meeting Wednesday, May 8th at the Community Resource Center in Johnson City. Speaker is to be announced.

Finally, if you are interested in representing Blanco County Democrats June 6-8 at the State Democratic Convention in El Paso, please contact Chair Gloria Campos Brown glocam54@yahoo.com no later than close of business Monday, April 15th. Hotels are booking up fast.

Happy Spring everyone! We hope to see you at our next meeting

May 8th in Johnson City and remember to vote!

Upcoming Events...

Both the April 10th, 2024 Business Meeting and General Meeting have been canceled.

Business Meeting

Open to all BCDs

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 4:30 PM

Johnson City CRC

General Meeting

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Johnson City CRC

Paella with Merrie Fox for Senate at Little Chihuahuas Ranch April 19th!

Please join your hosts Memphis, Maisel, Periwinkle, Cora, Poncho and Jenner in support of Merrie Fox for Senate on Friday, April 19th at the Little Chihuahuas Ranch!

Evening Flow

6:00pm - Guest Arrival

6:40pm - Merrie Speaks

7:00pm - Dinner

Spring salad with orange garlic vinaigrette

Seafood Paella

Chicken/Sausage Paella

Rustic Bread Cubes

Texas Sheet Cake

Gluten Free Brownies

Please RSVP for the event HERE.

Seating is by contribution only.

Please make your contribution

(suggested $100 per person) by visiting

Merrie Fox's ActBlue page using the link below.

CONTRIBUTE HERE

Dr. Merrie Fox is a veteran educator, having worked in public schools for 31 years as a teacher and campus principal. She retired in June 2023 and serves as the Executive Director for Circle Arts Theatre in New Braunfels.

Dr. Fox earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1992, majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in biology; a Master’s degree in 2003 from Texas State University in Education Administration; and a Ph.D. from Northcentral University in 2018 with a focus on Educational Leadership. During her tenure as a public school principal, all three of her campuses were rated as ‘Recognized’ or ‘A’ schools under the Texas school accountability system. In 2009, she was selected by Raise Your Hand Texas, a non-partisan organization that advocates for public education, to attend a Summer Institute at the Principals’ Center at Harvard. In 2018, she was selected to serve as a Principal Advocacy Fellow for the 86th legislative session.

Dr. Fox has lived in the Texas Hill Country for more than forty years. She and her wife, Lisa, have raised two children who graduated from Comal ISD. She volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Promise, and Riverside Pride. She is an active member of her church choir and in her free time, she enjoys playing cards and laughing with family and friends, attending the theatre, listening to live music, and kayaking the beautiful hill country rivers.

Can't attend? Hit the Contribute Here link and chip in! Let's unseat Donna Campbell!

Important Dates...

~~April 10 /~~ ~~CEC & Regular Meeting - Blanco~~ CANCELLED
April 15 / Last day to register as a State Delegate
April 19 / Paella with Merri Fox @ Little Chihuahuas Ranch - Johnson City
May 8 / CEC & Regular Meeting - Johnson City
May 17 / Last day to apply for vote by mail
May 20-24 / Early voting for Primary Runoffs
May 28 / Runoff Election Day
June 6-8 / Texas Democratic Convention - REGISTER
June 12 / CEC & Regular Meeting - Blanco
July 10 / Regular Meeting - Johnson City
August 14 /CEC & Regular Meeting - Blanco
September 11 / CEC & Regular Meeting - Johnson City
October 7 / Last day to register for vote by mail
October 9 / CEC & Regular Meeting - Blanco
October 21-November 1 / Early Voting
October 25 / Last day to apply for vote by mail
November 5 / Election Day!
November 13 / CEC & Regular Meeting - Johnson City
December 11 / CEC & Regular Meeting - Blanco

Become a Sustaining Member of Blanco County Democrats and make a difference 365 days a year!

Looking Back....

Colin Allred for US Senate

Blanco County Democrats hosted more than 75 guests for a chance to meet Colin Allred, candidate for US Senate against Ted Cruz, in Johnson City on April 4th.

This opportunity came with a huge challenge to raise much needed funding in support of Colin's bid to unseat Ted Cruz, and Blanco County DELIVERED! The effort raised over $25,000!

Blanco County resident Steve Bartlett, former Mayor of Dallas and Never Trump Republican hosted Blanco County Democrats for this event.

Colin spoke about issues facing all Texas voters, the many ways in which Ted Cruz has failed Texas, and took questions from Blanco County voters.

Thanks to Blanco County Democrats CEC member Brenda Thomas for her leadership as we welcomed Colin Allred to Johnson City.

It was an energetic, happy crowd that welcomed the chance to hear Colin in person, and encourage him in his efforts to retire Ted Cruz.

Beautiful setting for such a engaging afternoon.

Colin visited with Lucy Baines Johnson at the LBJ Boyhood Home in Johnson City on his way to our fundraiser.

Special thanks to our Colin Allred Host Committee:

Matt Angle, Lone Star Project

Gail & Steve Bartlett

Bonnie Baskin & Bob Elde

Gloria Campos-Brown

Kathy & Steven Carriker

Rick Cofer

Dottie & John De La Garza

Chris Harte

Sam Millsap

Tammy Patterson & Wendy Barber

Paul Sumrall & Michael Orsak

Mary & Arvid Sward

Our social media team asks that you visit our LinkTree and follow us on all of the platforms listed on our page.

Blanco County Democrats

P.O. Box 2223,

Johnson City, TX 78636

Email: blancodemocrats@gmail.com