The Wind & The Work
Saturday night saw gale force winds at our back!
Dear Fellow Democrat,
Liberals across the state and nation celebrated the ground-shifting wins in Texas' special elections Saturday night. We've seen these kinds of swings across the country this past year, but to start the year here in "red" Texas with a 31-point shift from VERY red to SOLID blue was truly astounding. It's a well-deserved victory and a huge relief to folks who have been trying to keep from despair. Taylor Rehmet's win in Tarrant County is particularly satisfying because the MAGA Republican in that race is the chief communications officer for Patriot Mobile, a MAGA phone company that has put a ton of money into RISD races (only to be trounced by our own RISD Trustee, Vanessa Pacheco!) as well as school districts across the region. To all the people who worked so hard - Taylor's campaign, volunteers from across North Texas, and the Texas Democratic Party to name a few - we are amazed and extremely grateful. We NEEDED this win!!
But Let's Be Clear... THEY WORKED FOR IT. They did all the things that it will take each of our candidates in races across the state - both state House and Senate, as well as the Federal level candidates AND judicial candidates - to win this November. The wind at our backs is only one element. The work - organized, coordinated, systemized, and well-funded - is the other critical component. Whether it's postcard writing, phone banking, texting, block-walking, or donating what you can, there is a place for everyone. We ALSO need election workers! Every piece of this puzzle is going to have to be precisely in place in order for us to take back our state and put a national check on the deranged locomotive that is the MAGA machine. Clearly, they are not checking themselves, so it is up to US to shift the balance of power and do so ourselves.
We're working on our Primary Endorsements... we plan to publish the whole list by the 10th (wish us luck - there are a LOT of candidates!), but we know we have a few local candidates who are uncontested so we can jump right in with them, keeping in mind the 31 point swing that happened in Senate District 9, in deep red Tarrant County!!
In House District 112, Zach Herbert is running against Angie Button. Last cycle, Averie Bishop came within 8 points of winning and Allred bested Cruz in this district 50 to 47! This district is ripe to flip blue, and Zach, a Marine Vet and Attorney, is the guy to do it!
Orlando Lopez for HD33 is running against Katrina Pearson (cue the villain music ~). In 2024, she ran unopposed (boo/hiss), so we don't have any numbers for that race, but again, Orlando is a strong candidate with a great ground game and he needs our help! In 2022, there was a 30 point spread and in 2024, Colin narrowed that gap by 10 points to a 20 point margin. Orlando is courageous and bright and working hard and smart.
Moving to the State Senate, Keenen Colbert is running against the crazy conspiracy theorist Bob Hall for Senate District 2. This guy has to go. Keenen is another really brilliant Marine Veteran and ready to work. In 2022, the spread was 22 points after they gerrymandered the district even more than it already was. But I believe we have the same opportunity we saw with Senate District 9 on Saturday.
People are TIRED of the drama and the lies and the high prices and bad healthcare - fill in the rest. We CAN win with our hard work. I've linked each candidate above - contact them to see how you can volunteer in the campaign or donate, or do both! You can also reply to this email and I'll find a way to put you to work!!
February 19th is our next RAD Happy Hour! We are changing to a new location this month!! After 6 years of being at Four Bullets, we have outgrown that beloved space! We'll be meeting at Northside Drafthouse & Eatery, which will hold 200+!! And I think we're going to come close to filling it this month!! We're honored to be hosting Gina Hinojosa for Governor! Vicki Goodwin for Lt. Governor! Jose Loya for Land Commissioner! And lots of judicial candidates! Please register for details - you do NOT want to miss this meeting!
As usual, we continue to show up weekly, ROARing on the bridge and with our signs! We are now FIVE months into our weekly protests, and they continue to be a fun and effective way to be inspiring to others and to lift our spirits in community. You can join the ROAR Bridge Brigade on Thursday evenings from 3:30 - 5:30 and Saturday mornings from 9-10 on the Collins Blvd Bridge over I-75 (park at Cafe Max on the east side and walk up!); they are always happy to have more hands to hold the banners and flags and wave at the honking cars on Central! We also meet every Saturday morning from 10-11 on the southeast corner of Campbell & 75 to let our community know that there is a resistance in Richardson! Join Us!
I TRULY believe that we can flip Texas and when we do, we will not only save Texas from this insanity, but the country and the world. We just saw what happens when Democrats put their efforts and money into winning... WE WIN. If it happened in Tarrant County, it can happen in Richardson. Let's meet the moment and work to win!
~ See You Soon ~
**************************************************
Once again, if you haven't done so yet, we invite you to join or renew your membership in Richardson Area Democrats. Your suggested donation of $10/month will help us continue to build this inclusive community! Thanks for all you do.
