Tag Archives: sylvia garcia

Democrats Sweep Harris County!

Posted on November 8, 2018 | Comments Off

Most countywide Democratic candidates in Harris County knew they looked good after the early voting tally was released. But it was the race for Harris County Judge that had many on the edge of their seats until Lina Hidalgo was suddenly leading 11-year incumbent Ed Emmett by 6,000 votes. Things got a little more comfortable a little later, then, Hidalgo became the first Latina to be elected to the County’s executive post.

No doubt there were Democrats who were supporting the Republican, given that Hidalgo didn’t enjoy the extra percentage margin that some of the other Democrats enjoyed. Some of our Latino statewides were going through something similar for some reason.

Congrats to Lina Hidalgo. She came out strong when she announced her run, whether the issue was flood control and response, County services, bail and justice reform, or even immigration. So strong that she was left with no opposition in the Primary. Bottom line: Hidalgo held progressive policy positions on these issues, while Emmett did not. So, Democratic naysayers, please stop insulting voters’ intelligence and that of the County Judge-elect. We know which political party is on the side of the people, especially locally.

The Harris County Commissioner’s Court now has a Democratic majority as former County Sheriff Adrian Garcia defeated incumbent Jack Morman by around 1800 votes. The outcome wasn’t final until the very end as Garcia was able to overcome a gerrymandering play that changed Precinct 2 to a Republican-opportunity district. A good and disciplined ground campaign defeated Morman’s negativity and attacks-based campaign.

For those naysayers, a reminder that a Democratic majority at County will actually address the issues that are important to the people. We need action, not just a pat on the head during a hurricane to make us feel warm and fuzzy.

Kudos should go to Penny Shaw who turned Precinct 4 into a more palatable challenge against Republicans. Penny worked hard from Day 1 and deserves Democrats’ thanks for running.

Along with new faces in black robes on the bench and new administrators like Diane Trautman as County Clerk, Marilyn Burgress as District Clerk, and Dylan Osborne as County Treasurer, Harris County has two new Congresswomen in Sylvia Garcia and Lizzie Fletcher.

While Garcia’s road to victory was a little easier and more about ensuring turnout to bolster the bottom line, Fletcher’s team ran a strong field campaign to earn every vote to take out the Republican incumbent. Attacked often on immigration and Nancy Pelosi, Fletcher kept a disciplined message on health care and took it to the finish line.

No doubt, the Beto effect helped turn counties blue or bluer, but in races that were in tough to win districts, it was the field campaigns that put them over the top.

Other surprises included victorious finishes in HD132 (Gina Calanni) and HD135 (Jon Rosenthal) out in the ‘burbs. Adam Milasincic came up 80 votes short in HD138 (Spring Branch) which tells me that district can be taken in 2020. Adam didn’t run away from right-wing attacks on immigration and held his own against an entrenched Republican. Out in Pasadena’s HD144, State Rep. Mary Ann Perez won re-election in huge fashion due to another excellent field campaign.

Update from Milasincic campaign: Unofficial totals show us behind by 137 votes out of 48,000+ counted so far. We have learned that provisional and some mail ballots remain under review.

While Beto was the lead Democrat in the bunch, closer to the bottom of the ballot was Richard Cantu who soundly defeated his opponent by posting Beto-like percentages. So, I don’t know why some losers are complaining about being close to the bottom of the ballot. Richard did great!

It is pretty embarrassing that some would simply blame straight ticket voting. You know, people actually think about Party AND policy when they go into the booth. Most of us actually went back to check our selections since Stanart’s relic voting machines were switching Beto to Cruz, according to reports. To insult our intelligence after losing, well, folks doing that need to hunker down.

Congrats to the Party, the campaign pros, the volunteers, and the voters! Harris County is blue!

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Posted in Accion, Cultura, Democratic Stuff, Elections

Tagged Adrian Garcia, ed emmett, Harris County, harris county democratic party, lina hidalgo, lizzie fletcher, sylvia garcia

Little Joe Headlines Houston GOTV Event

Posted on October 14, 2018 | Comments Off

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Around 200 East End voters and activists attended a Get Out The Vote Rally at the East End Events Center on Saturday afternoon. Headlining was the legendary Little Joe y La Familia, with Dallam County Band opening the event with some toe-tapping country tunes.

Little Joe has endorsed Lupe Valdez for Texas Governor and was part of this event which also showed off Sylvia Garcia for Congress, Lina Hidalgo for County Judge, and Adrian Garcia for County Commissioner, Pct. 2. But beyond the political speeches, it was good mix of multi-generational fun and celebration of cultura–all a great combo when it comes to Latino GOTV.

There was no doubt as to the progressive nature of the event–the Harris County Democratic Party was among the driving forces behind the event, so Party Chair Lillie Schechter deserves kudos for this. But it was the candidates and their stories which energized the crowd. Whether it was farm worker kid Lupe Valdez going through the ranks to become Dallas County Sheriff or Lina Hidalgo’s trek from a drug-torn Colombia to the United States and a life of public service, the crowd was energized by all of the candidates.

Little Joe Hernandez, the King of the Brown Sound, also spoke on the importance of this election, giving a rousing endorsement of Valdez while also declaring victory after viewing Valdez’s debate performance against Greg Abbott. “I had never been prouder of a candidate for representing us and fighting for us. As Dolores and Cesar said, “Si, Se Puede!”

Valdez spoke regarding the uphill battle, as Abbott is running anti-Latino ads on TV paid for by wealthy friends who then get appointed to choice positions in the government. “This campaign will be fought, not bought,” has become theme for all Democrats. Valdez added that she’s fought uphill battles all her life–in life, in the military, and in politics. “One more battle is nothing!”

Lina Hidalgo reiterated her theme that she’ll show up to work as County Judge every day, and not just when it floods, noting that the people of Harris County need a proactive leader that gets ahead of problems, rather than waiting for problems to arise.

Adrian Garcia, vying to upend an entrenched Republican who has cut various program that benefited families and the community stated that his opponent and the current administration play off the same sheet of music and that new leadership is needed. He also pointed to the campaign of Penny Shaw, running in Pct. 4, as a need for change and a new majority in Harris County.

Leading the charge was State Senator Sylvia Garcia, who for all intents and purposes, will become the next Congresswoman of the 29th District. Still, she hasn’t stopped getting out the vote for Democrats. “Vote Straight Democrat and we’ll elect the right people–all of them,” she stated. It should also be said that she arrived after an afternoon of blockwalking in the East End.

Also at the event were judicial candidates Raul Rodriguez and Alex Salgado; Richard Cantu for Harris County Dept. of Education Trustee; Carol Alvarado for HD145 and SD6; among other elected officials.

Hopefully, this is the first of many GOTV events targeting Latinos.

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Posted in Accion, Cultura, Democratic Stuff, Elections, Harris County, Historia, History, Las Mujeres, Local Politica

Tagged Adrian Garcia, Democrats, Harris County, latino gotv, lina hidalgo, Lupe Valdez, sylvia garcia

Little Joe Endorses Lupe Valdez for Texas Governor

Posted on October 13, 2018 | Comments Off

The King of the Brown Sound, Little Joe Hernandez, has endorsed Lupe Valdez for Texas Governor. In fact, he proudly supports his prima. In a video released (above) by the campaign, Hernandez explains his reasons, the one resonating the most, “This race will be fought, not bought,” an obvious hit at the price tag hanging from Greg Abbott.

Little Joe y La Familia is performing today at a rally in support of Lupe Valdez, Sylvia Garcia for Congress, Lina Hidalgo for County Judge, and Adrian Garcia for County Commissioner, Pct. 2 at 2:30PM at the East End Event Center on Dahlia Street.

I’ll tell the Latino community this: There are a few Dem insiders still stewing over Valdez’s Dem primary win, and there are apologists for the right who simply won’t support her or donate to her campaign while giving to others. And there are others raising and sending money to candidates in other states. It’s up to us to spread the word about Lupe Valdez. Es Nuestra and she’ll fight for all communities.

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Posted in Accion, Cultura, Democratic Stuff, Elections, Local Politica

Tagged Adrian Garcia, lina hidalgo, little joe, Lupe Valdez, sylvia garcia

Run-Offs, Victories, and Tear-Jerkers

Posted on March 7, 2018 | Comments Off

I’ll just comment a little on some of the races that were on my radar.

CD29

Congrats to State Senator Sylvia Garcia on a decisive victory based on a disciplined campaign that surged from beginning to end. This, despite a big money newbie who came in from Beaumont to challenge her. Ultimately, all that big money guy did was take the oxygen out of the other challengers who were mostly ignored in the race. There are a couple in there with a lot of potential, so, they should keep active in the local scene and the Party. I wasn’t worried about the Senator as she had a pretty great team of campaign workers doing the GOTV.

SD6

With Senator Garcia’s victory, she will have an easier fall campaign since CD29 is a Dem seat. Eventually and some time after she wins CD29, the Senator will resign her SD6 position, and already State Reps Ana Hernandez and Carol Alvarado have announced their intentions to run for the seat. Of course, a special election date will not be set until that resignation and at the Governor’s leisure. Best guess: May, 2019? Thankfully, neither Hernandez nor Alvarado will be required to resign and will serve during the next Lege session. So, stay tuned.

Rabeea Collier and Judicial Campaigns

Rabeea Collier, running for the 113th Civil District Court, achieved quite a victory with 73% of the vote, defeating an inexperienced, yet self-funded, lawyer. Rabeea will be among some great lawyers in the running to serve Harris County in various courts. Among the winners yesterday were Lauren Reeder, Cory Sepolio, Christine Weems, Barbara Stalder, David Fleischer, Raul Rodriguez, etc. We’ll have the long list soon.

My best wishes to Kathy Vossler, Fred Cook, Harold Landreneau, Juan Aguirre and Tracy Good. You all ran great races and are great lawyers whom I will always respect and support in your future campaigns.

Countywide Run-Offs

There is still voting to be done on May 22 as Democrats decide in several run-off races. For District Clerk, Marilyn Burgess, who came quite close to winning outright, will take on Rozzy Shorter. For County Clerk, it is Diane Trautman versus Gayle Young Mitchell. For County Treasurer, Cosme Garcia and Dylan Osbourne. And for At-Large Trustee of HCDE Richard Cantu and Josh Wallenstein. I’ve decided in three of the races, but I’ll need to be convinced about the race for treasurer.

By the way, my friend Nile Copeland (3rd place in the Treasurer’s race) had a good enough showing to be asked whom he is supporting in the run-off. Now that he can buy me tacos again without having to report them, I may just ask him.

The Commishes

Congrats to my long-time friend Adrian Garcia on a big win versus a few challengers. He’s the one candidate that can re-take Precinct 2 for the good guys. And what a showing by first-time candidate Penny Shaw in Precinct 4–75%. She earned every vote because she was everywhere, coordinated various events, and created relationships every step of the way. On to November!

Other Run-Off Races

I have all the love and respect for Jim Cargas and Dorina Papageorgiou for all they have done in CD7. Unfortunately, politics can be like kids with new toys at Christmas. Look at all the new candidates!!! Let’s open them up and see what they give us! And they gave plenty of ads, mailers, etc. So, it’ll be Moser vs Fletcher in the run-off. I’ll have to ask my sis whom she is supporting. And Nile Copeland, too!

In SD17, Fran Watson kept the race close in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties to make it into a run-off with Rita Lucido. Good luck to Fran!

THE GOV

What a showing by former Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez with 42% against all those other politically inexperienced candidates. I was impressed with some great showings in South Texas, plus Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, El Paso, and Travis. She shouldn’t ignore Harris County, though, and do everything to cut into her opponent’s local margin. Oh, yeah, I still support Lupe Valdez for Governor.

The End of the Ballot

I heard a lot of chatter from a few political folks who didn’t like the end of the ballot survey questions–that’s all they are, a survey. Hell, I like them. And, apparently, so do the voters. While some of our candidate races had 15 to 20% undervotes, the ballot questions had less than 6% undervoting. I don’t mind if Dem voters talk to us since most of them won’t go to the county and district conventions to form the platform. And if we get some surprise answers we don’t want to hear, well, that just means the Party needs to work harder to ensure we stay true to our values and issues.

See you at the races!

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Posted in 2018, Democratic Stuff, Elections

Tagged democratic primary, Harris County, houston, Lupe Valdez, sylvia garcia, Texas, texas governor

Looking Forward To The 2018 Dem Primary

Posted on December 6, 2017 | Comments Off

Well, looks like all the excitement (and panic) over the race for Congressional District 29 has subsided as current and former officeholders who contemplated running for the seat decided to either run for re-election to their respective seats, or, go in a different direction.

State Reps Armando Walle (140) and Carol Alvarado (145) have decided to run for re-election. Both have served for multiple terms and are considered leaders at the Capitol who will be needed to take on an expected right-wing onslaught of bigoted bills. Of course, both may also be thinking of the free-shot at running for SD-6 without the need to resign if/when Sylvia Garcia is elected to Congress, which we’ll know after the Dem Primary since the district usually goes Democratic in November.

Former Sheriff Adrian Garcia has also decided to go in a different direction and challenge right-winger Jack Morman for County Commish Pct. 2, which covers East Harris County. As much as Adrian Garcia and I have debated on some issues, I’ve always been a fan of his. I think he can run hardest toward November, as well as excite the electorate to vote down-ballot.

Harris Democrats have been updating a page containing folks running for judicial positions. There are a few candidates in contested races that I’m supporting, including Rabeea Collier for the 113th District Court; Fred Cook for the 189th District Court; and Raul Rodriguez for County Criminal Court #13.

I’ve known Rabeea for over a decade, which is most of her legal career. We both organized in the Kingwood/Humble area as activists trying to increase the Democratic bottom line. As an activist, she has worked hard to turn Harris County blue. As an attorney, she zealously represents her clients. She has put in the sweat equity over the years and deserves to be our nominee.

Fred Cook first ran for judge in 2008 in a very contested race in which Judge Steven Kirkland was the victor. I supported Fred back then and we both supported Kirkland afterwards. When I heard he was running again, I felt it was about time.

Raul Rodriguez has run for positions at different times, while also putting in time volunteering in various activities. I mean, whenever I go to something in the community, Raul (and wife Pati) are there! Raul deserves to be our nominee in November. He’s experienced and has a sincere connection to the community.

There will be more to come as more candidates file, especially the statewides. I’m hoping Sheriff Lupe Valdez of Dallas files for Governor, otherwise, I won’t be left with any good choices and I may just skip the race entirely (or hold my nose in November). And I really hope Little Brown Trust Fund Baby gets a challenge for Land Commish.

Stay tuned!

UPDATE: And within an hour of this post, this just in:

#BREAKING: Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez to officially announce she’s running for governor this morning in Austin. pic.twitter.com/dWwVZOao3J

— Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) December 6, 2017

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Posted in 2017, 2018, Accion, Cultura, Democratic Stuff, Elections, Harris County, Texas Lege

Tagged 2018 Elections, Adrian Garcia, democratic primary, Fred Cook, Harris County, Rabeea Collier, Raul Rodriguez, sylvia garcia

State Senator Sylvia Garcia Hosting Supply Drive for Refugee Relief

Posted on July 29, 2014 | Comments Off

From the Inbox:

HOUSTON, TX – Senator Sylvia Garcia is asking the public for help with collecting supplies for the thousands of women and children refugees who are detained in South Texas after seeking asylum from violent conditions in Central America.

In the Rio Grande Valley where many of the refugees are entering the United States, a group of non-profits have formed a coalition called, South Texas Refugee Response, to provide women and children with basic necessities while they are being processed by Border Patrol.

Senator Garcia is asking the general public and non-profit and faith based organizations from the Houston area to support South Texas Refugee Response, “While there has been much talk about the best course of action to address the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in South Texas, folks from the Rio Grande Valley are stepping up in a big way and giving women and children refugees a place to rest, access to showers, a few changes of donated clothes, meals, and items for their young children. They aren’t waiting on an act of Congress, they are doing something to help people now, and they need our support.”

The supply drive will be held from July 30^th to August 15^th.

The following Items Are Needed (All Items Must be New or Unused):

Women’s Walking Shoes (sizes 6-7), Men’s Walking Shoes (sizes 7-9) Children’s Walking Shoes, Backpacks, Sweaters/hoodies (small/medium sizes for adults and children), Women’s Clothing (sizes 0-8), Women’s Deodorant, Sippy Cups, Pedialyte, Newborn Nido (zero) formula, Hairnets, Soup Bowls, Disposable Spoons, Clorox, Mops, Lysol, Large Trash bags, Ziploc Bags (various sizes)Women’s Bras (32-34 cups, A, B, C) , Women’s Cotton Underwear (sizes 7 and under) Children’s Cotton Underwear.

Drop Off Locations and Times:

Senator Garcia’s Polk Office 5425 Polk Street, Suite 125, Houston, Texas 77023 M-F 8:30am-5:30pm

Senator Garcia’s East Harris Office 13301 East Fwy, Suite 304, Houston, Texas 77015 M-F 8:30am-5:30pm

Casa De Alabanza Church 10264 North Freeway, Houston, TX 77037 M-Sat 9am-8pm

St. Patrick Catholic Church 4918 Cochran St, Houston, TX 77009 M-F 9am-6pm

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 1510 Pannell St, Houston, TX 77020 M-F 9:30am-4:30pm

Financial Contributions Can Also Be Made:

Catholic Charities: http://www.cdob.org/catholic-charities135/donate-now

The Rio Grande Valley Food Bank:

https://foodbankriogrande.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/2309/Default.aspx

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Posted in Accion, DC Promo, Sensible Immigration Reform

Tagged child refugees, supply drive, sylvia garcia

Event: Meyerland Dems to Feature VRA Discussion, MALDEF

Posted on August 13, 2013 | Comments Off

My great neighbors at the Meyerland Area Democrats have announced that they will hold yet another informative meeting. The war on the Voting Rights Act is definitely in progress and MALDEF is among the groups defending against those who would deny American citizens the basic right of voting.

Here are the details of the event. I hope to see you there! Click on the link to RSVP.

Meyerland Area Dems:

Our August 19th meeting will feature Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund Counsel Celina Moreno. Special guest State Sen. Sylvia Garcia will also appear to give a brief overlay of the war on voting rights in Texas (should special session matters dictate she may not make it).

Moreno will discuss the most critical issue facing minorities and all of us in Texas: the right to vote. She will explain the current landmark court case MALDEF is part of in federal court in San Antonio. This lawsuit seeks to remedy the maps from redistricting which currently deprive minority voting strength. She will explain the new landscape for the Voting Rights Act, as the Roberts court has struck down the heart of this essential law, and what MALDEF is doing to protect voters. Most importantly Moreno will inform us of new tools we will be able to use to stop disenfranchisement.

Attorney Celina Moreno analyzes legislation and advocates for the protection and promotion of Latino civil rights in the areas of political access, education, immigration, employment and access to justice for that Region. Ms. Moreno has testified in numerous state legislative hearings on issues ranging from public school finance reform to immigrant rights. Prior to joining MALDEF, Ms. Moreno served as an attorney and Equal Justice Works Fellow at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA), where she directed the organization’s School-to-Prison Pipeline Project, seeking to obstruct the forces channeling students from schools into the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems.

Celina Moreno received a Bachelor’s of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, a law degree from the University of Houston, and a Master’s of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts PROMPTLY at 7 p.m. There is no charge to attend, but attendees pay for their own food and drinks. We meet at Fadi’s Grill, 4738 Beechnut Houston Tx 77096!

See all you of you there,
Art Pronin
Pres, Meyerland Area Dems

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Posted in 2013 Categories, DC Promo, Democratic Stuff, Elections

Tagged maldef, sylvia garcia, voting rights, VRA

Kroger’s, Macy’s Opposed Equal Pay Law; Sen. Garcia Cancels Macy’s Appearance

Posted on August 7, 2013 | 1 comment

It was quite disappointing to hear that two of my favorite stores, Kroger’s and Macy’s, lobbied and sent a letter to Rick Perry asking him to veto the Equal Pay bill passed by a bipartisan Texas Legislature. Rick Perry responded by vetoing the bill.

The bill, authored by State Senator Wendy Davis and State Rep. Senfornia Thompson, would have given legal standing to women who are paid less for doing the same job as a man.

Progress Texas is asking Texans to sign a petition and to join a boycott of Kroger’s and Macys until they reverse their position on the Texas Equal Pay Law.

Your opposition is infuriating. It is shameful that while you are busy convincing Moms and Millennials to spend money on clothes and lunch boxes at back-to-school sales, you are advocating behind their backs to deny women equal pay for equal work.

In response to the news of Macy’s involvement, State Senator Sylvia Garcia (Senate District 6) cancelled an appearance at Macy’s in the Galleria which would have commemorated the 2013 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday.

“While I strongly support the tax free weekend that allows parents struggling to provide clothing and supplies for their children before they return to school, I was dismayed to learn that Macy’s and Kroger would oppose equal pay for equal work. As a co-sponsor of the legislation and supporter of equal rights, I am supporting the call to boycott until these stores reverse their position and declare their support for equal pay, ” stated Senator Garcia.

Additional background (below).

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in 2013 Categories, Accion, Elections, Las Mujeres, Local Business, Texas Lege

Tagged boycott krogers, boycott macys, equal pay law, sylvia garcia, texas lege

The #SWTW Rally: We Need More of These

Posted on July 10, 2013 | 2 comments

Standing among over 1100 women’s rights activists, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one cheering on Wendy Davis and some of my favorite State Senators while also thinking about what the hell the Republicans were doing in Austin at the same time.

Whether it is Laubenberg, et al’s downright lies about caring about women and what they now term the “pre-born” or what else is to come from Dewhurst and the Republicans in the Senate later this week, boottom line, as much as we were fighting for women’s rights, yesterday’s rally at Discovery Green was also about gassing up our campaign bus for a real statewide campaign in 2014.

Whether Democrats reach that campaign potential is still to be seen, but there is no doubt that the Senators on stage last night, as well as those in the House who have stood up against the Republicans on behalf of women, have shown us that we have a strong bench of prospects–that’s if they want to take on what would be an enormous feat in 2014. Yes, I’m a realist, but I’m one of those dangerous realists who would take a chance, anyway, rather than simply sit back and wait. Nothing gives energy to dormant voters than candidates willing to stand up and fight.

Anyway, if you weren’t at Discovery Green last night you missed an energetic rally. And as someone who got to play the part of “media” last night, the energy was definitely there–from the people and the politicians. I hadn’t felt anything like it in a long time, and, it is safe to say that, these kind of events need to happen for multiple issues during the next year-and-a-half.