LATEST NEWS
Dallas Democratic Party Launches Mega-Walk Saturdays
Dallas, Sept. 22, 2008 - The Dallas Democratic Party will launch precinct Mega-Walks from its Coordinated Campaign office every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from this Saturday, Sept. 27, through the end of the campaign. Walkers will be given comprehensive training and supplies and lunch will be provided. The Coordinated Campaign office is located at The Centrum Building, 3102 Oak Lawn Ave., on the fourth floor. Click here for a map. FREE parking is available in the garage under the building, with access to the garage on Welborn St. Take the garage elevator to Level 1, then find the Office Tower/Diesel Fitness lobby and use the elevators there to go to the fourth floor. Visitors may need to ask the security staff to punch in the elevator key to get to the fourth floor, or they may call the office phone at 214.523.8080.
Volunteer and Phone Bank from the New Oak Lawn Coordinated Campaign Office
Dallas, Sept. 22, 2008 - The Dallas County Democratic Party invites volunteers to help get out the vote from its new Coordinated Campaign office during regular office hours. The office is open Mon.-Thurs., 12noon-9pm, Friday 12noon-6pm, and Saturday 1-7pm. Phone bank hours are 6-9pm Mon.-Thurs. and on Saturdays from 1-7pm. Building Access: Park FREE under the building (off of Welborn Street). Use the garage elevator to go to Level 1. Find the Office Tower/Diesel Fitness lobby and use the elevator to go to the fourth floor. Ring our doorbell. You may access the fourth floor yourself until 6pm. After 6pm and on Saturdays, ask the security staff to enter the elevator key to get to the fourth floor, or call our office at 214.523.8080. Click here for a map.
State Representative Allen Vaught earns Dallas Morning News Recommendation
Dallas, Sept. 22, 2008 - Incumbent State Representative Allen Vaught, who represents House District 107, earned the recommendation of The Dallas Morning News today, adding to a string of Democratic candidate recommendations by the Dallas newspaper.
According to the News, "Democrat Allen Vaught, 37, deserves a second term for several reasons. The East Dallas attorney's studious, measured approach to problems is exactly what the rambunctious House needs. And the Iraq war veteran's ideas seem more in line with what Texas needs to build a strong future than his GOP opponent."
Democrats for Tax Assessor/Collector and Civil Judicial Posts Earn Dallas Morning News Recommendations
Dallas, Sept. 19, 2008 - Four Democrats recently earned recommendations from the Dallas Morning News: John Ames for Dallas County Tax Assessor/Collector, Judge Lorraine Raggio for 162nd Civil District Court, Ken Molberg for 95th Civil District Court and Eric Moye for 14th Civil District Court.
The Dallas Morning News noted that "Mr. Ames, of DeSoto, has been that city's tax assessor-collector since 2000...he impresses us as competent and keener on the need to customize services to the differing needs of taxpaying entities."
Noting Judge Raggio's "experience on this bench since 2005 and her previous appellate work - not to mention a master's degree in finance and background in banking," the News stated that "Judge Raggio is fair and thorough, and she should be returned to the bench."
Molberg also received a strong review by the News editors, who expressed confidence that he is "the best choice for this open seat" and will make the transition to "effective and impartial judicial leadership."
Moye, a former Civil District Judge in Dallas, earned high marks for his experience and his "more serious vision" for the court. The News noted that, "Mr. Moye, a 54-year-old Democrat, outshines his 39-year-old GOP opponent. Mr. Moye has practiced law significantly longer, and once served as presiding judge of the 101st Civil District Court. He has experience that the younger Republican can't match."
Three Democratic Criminal District Judges Earn Dallas Morning News Recommendation
Dallas, Sept. 2, 2008 - Three Democratic candidates for Criminal District benches have earned the recommendation of the Dallas Morning News. As reported in the paper today, Judge John Creuzot, Judge Don Adams, and associate Judge Gracie Lewis all received the nod for judicial service due to their extensive experience and qualifications.
The Dallas Morning News editors commended Judge Creuzot for his innovations over the last 17 years of service, including his nationally-renowned DIVERT drug court. He also won praise for his "calm judicial temperament and work ethic."
The editors noted that Judge Don Adams has been an "effective and fair judge" and revealed that even his opponent admitted in the interview that "we [the editors] couldn't go wrong by recommending Judge Adams."
Gracie Lewis, a 13-year associate Judge, was recommended on the basis of her experience, passion for the law, and "more thoughtful perspective" on what it means to be a jurist.
Dallas Democrats Dominate Countywide Fundraising with Election Fast Approaching
DALLAS, July 18, 2008 - Democratic candidates running for countywide offices in Dallas filed legally required finance reports on July 15. The reports, which are publicly available from the Texas Ethics Commission and the Dallas County Elections Department, show a strong Democratic fundraising advantage as the 2008 general election begins.
The eight countywide Democratic candidates - judicial candidates Eric Moye, Ken Molberg, Judge Lorraine Raggio, Judge Don Adams, Gracie Lewis and Judge John Creuzot, Sheriff Lupe Valdez and tax assessor/collector candidate John Ames - raised roughly $417,000 in this reporting period, well ahead of the $135,000 reported by their Republican opponents. Molberg currently leads all countywide candidates in cash on hand.
"Dallas County residents have seen the accomplishments of our Democratic sheriff, treasurer, clerks and new Democratic judges, and donors are responding positively. These results show confidence in our great slate of candidates and our successful officeholders," said Democratic Party Chair Darlene Ewing.
As the traditional Labor Day start of the general election season approaches, Democratic countywide candidates enjoy an almost 5 to 1 financial advantage over the Republican slate. Democratic candidates reported a cumulative $399,000 in cash on hand, while the seven available Republican reports only listed $84,000 in available funds.
Adding to the strong Democratic showing is the cash on hand advantage held by the local party over its Republican counterpart. Based on available state and Federal filings, the Dallas County Democratic Party has $145,000 in cash on hand, compared to the $77,000 in reserves held by the Dallas County Republican Party. Together with candidate holdings, the Democratic slate held a $544,000 to $161,000 advantage as of July 1, 2008.
Party holdings are important, as the Dallas County Democratic Party will again be running a carefully-planned coordinated campaign, similar to the effort that led to 2006's dramatic Democratic sweep.
While Republican numbers will be higher when Tax-Assessor Collector David Childs's form, now two days overdue, arrives at the County Elections Department, it is clear that the Democratic Party will begin the 2008 general election season with a substantial financial advantage.
"In 2006, our coordinated effort was outspent by the Republican incumbents, but we were still able to achieve victory. We are confident that our present finances, which represent the wide and deep support our candidates are receiving from the electorate, will enable us to turn out Democratic votes in record numbers this November," said Ewing.
Dallas County Democrats Launch 2008 Coordinated Campaign
DALLAS, June 2, 2008 - The Dallas County Democratic Party announced today its plan to mount a countywide coordinated campaign for the 2008 cycle. The Party's coordinated effort in 2006 helped Democrats win every countywide contested race, leading to sweeping changes in local government and in the courts. This cycle, Democrats will build on the momentum swing that began in 2004 and 2006 with the advantage of having several incumbents in countywide and state offices running for re-election.
"We had a tremendous year in 2006 by coordinating our efforts and reaching out to voters with a message of positive change in the direction of our government," said Darlene Ewing, Dallas County Democratic Party Chair. "This cycle is about extending the call for change, from the local courthouse to the White House. We will continue to listen to the voters of Dallas County and bring them leadership that responds to their needs."
Dallas Democrats expect to re-elect a number of incumbents who are in contested races in 2008, including U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, State Rep. Allen Vaught, State Rep. Kirk England, State Rep. Yvonne Davis, Judge Lorraine Raggio of the 162nd Civil District Court, Judge Don Adams of Criminal District Court 2, Judge John Creuzot of Criminal District Court 4, and Sheriff Lupe Valdez. Democrats are in good position to win several additional countywide races including John Ames for Tax Assessor/Collector, Eric Moye for 14th Civil District Court, Ken Molberg for 95th Civil District Court and Gracie Lewis for Criminal District Court 3.
Jeff Dalton, a Dallas Democratic consultant who is a veteran of nearly a dozen successful area campaigns, has been selected to direct the 2008 coordinated campaign. A robust voter contact program that includes precinct walks, phone banking, direct mail, advertising and community outreach is planned. Campaigning has already begun and will continue throughout the summer and fall.
"Dallas County has been turning blue for a few cycles. We did very well in 2004, 2006 was obviously a sea change, and we just witnessed a Democratic Primary of historic proportions in 2008, so the excitement level is very high," said Dalton. "Our task this cycle is to keep delivering on the changes citizens want, and we will all work hard as a team throughout the county to make that possible."
Democrats also expect to be competitive in a number of contested races for national and state legislative office. Those races include Robert Miklos for Texas House District 101, Carol Kent for Texas House District 102, Bob Romano for Texas House District 105,
Emil Reichstadt for House District 108, and Sandra Vule for Texas House District 112. Eric Roberson is running for U.S. House of Representatives in the 32nd Congressional District. Rain Minns is running for Texas Senate in District 16.
Additionally, Dallas area Democrats are challenging for several higher court positions. Judge Jim Jordan, currently of the 16th Civil District Court in Dallas , is running for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Judge David Hanschen of the 254th District Court in Dallas is running for 5th District Court of Appeals, as are local attorneys Tina Yoo and Don Chae.
Dallas Democratic incumbents who are running without major party opposition in 2008 include State Sen. Royce West, State Rep. Terri Hodge, State Rep. Rafael Anchia, State Rep. Roberto Alonzo, State Rep. Helen Giddings, State Rep. Barbara Mallory-Caraway, County Commissioner John Wiley Price and Constable Jaime Cortes.
ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, November 4, 2008