The primary filing period is over and many of the counties in The 134, even larger ones like Tom Green and Lubbock, had no one file to run for any local office as a Democrat. In those counties, the Republican primary is the election.
This is not necessarily a bad thing for 134 Democrats. As we continue to say, changing The 134 is the work of generations, not one election. It is also the work of a large community, working together to achieve a common goal. The fact that there are few Democratic candidates across The 134 has one distinct advantage--it expands the meaning of local into a regional, not just an individual, precinct or county race.
There are plenty of Democratic candidates running in The 134. They just may not be running in the county where you live. If we redefine what "local" candidates mean to include something broader than in our home county, then the guy running as a Democrat for Constable or J.P. two counties away is your local candidate. Send them money, volunteer to help with their campaigns, take a Saturday and drive over to walk a neighborhood, make calls from the comfort of your own home to that town that is 50 or even 100 miles away.
The concept is simple. It is just a good old-fashioned barn raising--neighbor helping neighbor. Help the county next door elect their good Democratic candidate this year, then one day, in the fullness of time, they will help you elect yours. This is how change will bloom and grow, not all at once, but one county, one race at a time. It may not be in your county this time, but eventually it will be.
That is why we are in the process of compiling a list of all the local Democratic candidates in The 134. We will be promoting every one of them over the next several weeks. Follow our blog and find the one you can help. If you know of a candidate we should include, send us their campaign information, including website, social media and ActBlue information so we can be sure to add them to the list.
Grab your tool belt, hop in your pickup and get to work.
I am a science and history educator who lives in Llano County. I am creating a slide presentation to deliver to rural Texas voters as a reminder of the contributions made by Texas Democrats to rural Texas - I.e., the Highland Lakes and rural electrification; widely used programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security; agricultural loan and investment programs. At the suggestion of the Llano Democratic Club, I have been attempting to reach Jon Mark Hogg and The 134 PAC to receive your input on this presentation. I have not heard back from anyone. Please contact Mike Albrecht at 512-497-2803. Thanks.
For help filing in future, online help: Digital4Dems.com phone: 847-331-2595. For help with county chair go to the TDP website. You can take online course to qualify. Our small county has a chair, but she is strapped for time. Our most active members are over 65 and still working. We also have a technology gap which makes it hard navigating TDP. The 2020 VAN list has lots of info it hasn’t in past, which will help us reach out to the young Dem voters.
Dawson County doesn't even have a county party chairman. Our local paper had a story on 12/11 about dems that wanted to run in the primary but local election officials told them to "just call Austin to file". So maybe we need a primer on just getting local officials appointed. Pretty sure it's the same in surrounding counties 😣
Thanks for this article. I have always thought that the small counties surrounding each other should network to help each other. Meeting, block walking, calling, & texting for promoting Democratic candidates on all levels. It’s a great morale booster when people of like minds can ban together for the common good of our communities.
I spent a ton of energy and time researching and thinking about it. I really wanted to do it, but the wife was/is so sure of problems that I couldn't impose it on her. She really fears the menacing aspect of politics out here (Trump train, anyone?) more than I do, so I couldn't force the issue.