Monkey-brained Musings
Monday, June 21, 2004
Texas Democratic Convention
The Democratic Convention in Houston this weekend marked a resurgence of Texas Democrats. The convention had the most attendees of any of the last three that I have attended, many of them at a convention for the first time, and there was an energy and excitement present throughout the convention. When I left late Saturday evening after the platform was approved around 5:30, more attendees were present than previous conventions have had after lunch on Saturday. Many of the new attendees were Dean supporters, there to promote their ongoing effort through Democracy for Texas. Many were also the surprisingly well-organized supporters of Dennis Kucinich.
SD 14 Caucus
The contest for the female representative to the State Democratic Executive Committee from the SD 14 portion of Travis County pitted a new activist against one of the party’s old guard. Fran Vincent, an active and energetic supporter of Howard Dean, ran against the current SDEC representative Anne McAfee. With three candidates in the race, Fran won on the first ballot. The only time that happened when multiple candidates were standing for an office. Anne received a standing ovation in thanks for her service.
The contest for the male SDEC representative saw Rich Bailey who had worked on Dean’s Texas campaign running against Fidel Acevedo. Both appealed for more grassroots organizing and further efforts to bring in new voters. Rich was elected. The current representative, Frank Ortega, will continue to serve on the SDEC for the Tejano Democrats.
In the election of national delegates, the Dean supporters succeeded in filling two of the three slots for male delegates and the alternate’s slot. Update 1: Burnt Orange Report notes that approximately one-quarter of the Texas delegates to the national convention in Boston are Dean supporters. Update 2: Rich Bailey was elected as the SD14 SDEC representative.
The Democratic Convention in Houston this weekend marked a resurgence of Texas Democrats. The convention had the most attendees of any of the last three that I have attended, many of them at a convention for the first time, and there was an energy and excitement present throughout the convention. When I left late Saturday evening after the platform was approved around 5:30, more attendees were present than previous conventions have had after lunch on Saturday. Many of the new attendees were Dean supporters, there to promote their ongoing effort through Democracy for Texas. Many were also the surprisingly well-organized supporters of Dennis Kucinich.
SD 14 Caucus
The contest for the female representative to the State Democratic Executive Committee from the SD 14 portion of Travis County pitted a new activist against one of the party’s old guard. Fran Vincent, an active and energetic supporter of Howard Dean, ran against the current SDEC representative Anne McAfee. With three candidates in the race, Fran won on the first ballot. The only time that happened when multiple candidates were standing for an office. Anne received a standing ovation in thanks for her service.
The contest for the male SDEC representative saw Rich Bailey who had worked on Dean’s Texas campaign running against Fidel Acevedo. Both appealed for more grassroots organizing and further efforts to bring in new voters. Rich was elected. The current representative, Frank Ortega, will continue to serve on the SDEC for the Tejano Democrats.
In the election of national delegates, the Dean supporters succeeded in filling two of the three slots for male delegates and the alternate’s slot. Update 1: Burnt Orange Report notes that approximately one-quarter of the Texas delegates to the national convention in Boston are Dean supporters. Update 2: Rich Bailey was elected as the SD14 SDEC representative.
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