April 9, 2025

County Executive Committee

County Chair

Maggie Goodman

Vice Chair / Public Relations

Position Open

Vice Chair / Operations

Position Open

Treasurer

Mary Sward

Secretary

Chris Langfeld

Communications Chair

Paul Sumrall

Precinct 102

Kevin Voelker

Precinct 201

Brenda Thomas

Precinct 302

Travis Burrer

Precinct 303/304

Laura McCarley

Precinct Chair 401

Position Open

Letter from the Chair...

Maggie Goodman

Good Day, Blanco County Democrats! It is a good day! We have good news. We had U.S. House member Greg Casar at a recent/ alternate town hall in Dripping Springs. I say alternate because it’s Chip Roy’s district. Chip wasn’t there, but 300 of his constituents were! Casar was an excellent speaker. We had a great group from Blanco and got national attention.

In Wisconsin, Democratic judge Susan Crawford defeated Brad Schimel, who received millions from Elon Musk and kept the 4-3 Democratic majority in the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Progressive Kendall Scudder is now the new Chair of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP), which needs this change. Kendall was in Blanco Co. for a fundraiser last year, and we were impressed with his energy and knowledge. Here’s a short video introducing Kendall and explaining what a TDP Chair does.

On Sunday, April 13th, Blanco County Democrats are co-sponsoring a “Where’s Chip” Town Hall with Gillespie, Kendall, and Kerr counties. Joaquin Castro, the U.S. House rep from the San Antonio area, is our main speaker. We need a good Blanco Co. turnout, so please come. Here’s the information. Invite a friend and carpool, if possible.

Let’s keep the pressure on Republicans! Some significant events are coming up, and we need you to be there. The next National Day Of Protest demonstration in Austin is scheduled for Saturday, April 19th. This is a national event. Please show up. Details will be forthcoming!

There is so much we can do, and the more we can show strength, the more people will stand up against this oligarchy that’s trying to steal our democracy. Thanks for everything you do. I know some days it’s depressing, but doing something helps you feel more in control. Doing things together is fun and allows us to experience that what we do is working. It’s time!

If you have questions or comments, reply to our email at blancocountydemocrats@gmail.com.

Take good care and enjoy the beautiful spring,

Thank you,

Maggie Goodman

BCD County Chair

U.S. Congressman Castro is in his seventh term representing Texas' 20th District in the US House of Representatives after serving five terms in the Texas House. He serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The Center of Effective Lawmaking has recognized him as the most effective Democratic House member in the 118th Congress. In this session, He introduced over 30 bills and bipartisan amendments and worked behind the scenes to move his proposals through the legislative process.

Goodwin is serving her third term as a representative of the Texas 47th District in western Travis County. She serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Insurance Committee. During this session, she filed bills to address public school funding and to provide cost-of-living increases for retired teachers. Goodwin passed Cati's Act, a drowning prevention law, and the Natalia Cox Act, a violence prevention law. To help ensure food security, she passed a law creating the Texas Food Security and Resiliency Council. Goodwin has co-authored numerous other bills.

Gene Wu represents the Texas 137th District in Houston and is in his seventh term. Before his election in 2012, Wu served as a prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney's office. In the Texas House, he serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. He also serves on the House Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice, the Committee on Redistricting, and the Appropriations Committee. His legislation focuses on improving the lives of Texas children.

Laura Bray, Kendall County Chair; Maggie Goodman, Blanco County Chair; Lynette Wedig, Kerr County Chair; Michelle Lowe Solis, Bexar County Chair; Mrs. Collier and Gillespie County Deputy Chair Jerry Vaclav are coordinating the April 13 event.

State Representative Ellen Troxclair, who declined to attend, State Senator Pete Flores, and U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, who have not replied, were also invited.

The next Blanco County Democrats Town Hall will be on May 14th at 6pm at the Blanco County Community Resource Center in Johnson City.

Important Dates...

Apr 13 / The People's Town Hall 3:00pm
Apr 19 / National Day of Protest TBA
May 3rd / Local / County Elections
May 14 / Blanco County Democrats Executive Committee Meeting 4:30pm
May 14 / Blanco County Democrats Town Hall 6:00pm
May 17 / Precinct Chair Training 10:00am-3:00pm
Jul 9 / Blanco County Democrats Executive Committee Meeting 4:30pm
Jul 9 / Blanco County Democrats Town Hall 6:00pm
Sep 10 / Blanco County Democrats Executive Committee Meeting 4:30pm
Sep 10 / Blanco County Democrats Town Hall 6:00pm
Nov 12 / Blanco County Democrats Executive Committee Meeting 4:30pm
Nov 12 / Blanco County Democrats Town Hall 6:00pm

Join the Texas Democratic Party as we build our year-round organizing machine to take on Donald Trump and Republican extremists in the Texas Capitol.

On these calls, we will:

Educate voters on what’s happening at the Lege,
Assist VDRs renew their certification so they can register voters,
Invite Democrats to upcoming events around the state, and prepare for the worst if we need to check in on our neighbors during extreme winter conditions.

We can make this Texas a Texas that works for everyone, but we can’t do it without you – we look forward to seeing you on the call!

Wednesdays

12 – 1:30 pm CDT

https://www.mobilize.us/texasdemocrats/event/751218/

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

County Chair (Maggie is our interim)

• Serves on the County Election Commission

• Serves on the County Election Board

• Supervises elections, nominations, candidates and appointments

• Sets time and place for precinct conventions

• Manages all official filings, notices

• Manages candidates

Vice Chair / Public Relations

• Holds a seat on the CEC

• Primary duties relate to emceeing at BCD events, speaking engagements, public commentary, procurement of speakers, and answering public interviews

• Maintains BCD presence on X and supplements social media posts on Facebook and Instagram with current happenings

Vice Chair / Operations

• Holds a seat on the CEC

• Coordinates various moving parts of the county party behind the scenes, specifically in areas that require VAN access, communications, events, and volunteers.

• Supports the County Chair in their duties

• Supports Vice Chair of Public Relations in their duties

• Supports Precinct Coordinator/Chairs in their duties

• Supports Monthly Programming/Events Coordinator in their duties

• Supports Communications / Editorial Team in their duties

• Employees volunteers in this effort

Precinct Chair 401

Holds a position on the County Executive Committee (the governing body of the BCD's)
Serves as a party official, elected to a two-year term in the Democratic Party Primary in even-numbered years. This position will be an appointed position to complete a term vacated by Pam Baggett.
Acts as an official liaison between the BCD CEC and their voters.
Participates in the CEC and regularly attends meetings that occur monthly during election years and bi-monthly otherwise.
Expected to learn the rules of the Texas Democratic Party and have a basic understanding of Roberts Rules of Order.
Must be registered to vote and live in Precinct 303 or 304 or sign an Oath of Affiliation to the Democratic Party.
Cannot publicly support or endorse an opposing party or non-Democratic candidate in a race where a Democrat is on the ballot. This includes donating money, soliciting votes, or serving on a campaign committee.
Encouraged to serve on multiple committees, teams or task forces of the BCD's.
Should review and be familiar with the Precinct Chair Training and Reference Manual.

Precinct Coordinator

• Supports Precinct Chairs in their duties

• Voter Activation Network (VAN) Expert

• Models Precinct Activities and Training Across All Precincts

• Manages Precinct Activation Calendar

Program Coordinator

• Manages all aspects of our Membership meetings

Editorial Team

• We're looking for a team of 3-4 volunteers to write letters to the editor to keep our local priorities on the forefront of our community newspapers.

Events Coordinator

The heart of any event takes organization. Blanco County Democrats are looking for a coordinator to manage our special events. The ideal candidate loves to entertain as much as we love to party! Plenty of people chip in to do the work, but our flock needs a point person! The first responsibilities will begin in January. WE NEED YOU!

Locate Your Blanco County Elected Officials on the Blanco County Democrats Website Here

Blanco County Democrats

P.O. Box 2223,

Johnson City, TX 78636

Email: blancocountydemocrats@gmail.com