Should I run for precinct chair?

[WestHoustonDem]

I attended the HCDP Precinct Development Workshop on Saturday and came back really pumped. I contacted the current precinct chair about becoming an organizer and he's been less than forthcoming, although he did approve my request for access to voter registration data.

He said "what exactly did you wish to organize?
This precinct is heavy Republican, and is not a good candidate from voter registration, etc."

A couple of precinct chairs that are also members of the PPC are urging me to run against him and I'm leaning towards doing it. I've never run for anything and the whole concept makes me nervous.

So fellow DUers, what do you think?

[mcscajun]

1. Go for it!

All positions on the ballot should and must be challenged, if only to give hope to other Democrats, give them someplace to PUT their vote for a change, and encourage more to run.

[acmejack]

2. Absolutely!

We need to get everyone we can in as chairmen. The deadwood in our party needs to go. This a great time to do so, people in my precinct are already more active now than ever in my memory. It is an exciting time to help make good things happen!

We are all aware of the problems and need to be thinking about what we can do, instead of why we shouldn't bother!

Good luck!

[crispini]

3. YES!

Even a heavily Republican leaning district can and should be "worked" with phone banks, door to door contacts with the voters, etc. We had a group here in Dallas that "worked" their precinct and changed it from 22% Democrat to 33% Democrat. In other words, from 1 in 4 to 1 in 3! That's pretty good! That kind of turnout can really make a difference in your countywide races.

[Sweet Freedom]

4. Yes, of course you should.

Regardless of the outcome, a challenge is always a rewarding experience that makes you a smarter and braver person!

Do it! Even if you aren't the next precinct chair, how could you possibly regret the experience?:patriot:

And if you do win, how cool is that?

C'mon, you know you want to!!!!

[Lisa0825]

5. do it!!!:-)

and I can say "I knew her before she was a big shot!" :evilgrin: :patriot:

[WestHoustonDem]

11. LOL, I'll never be a big shot

[sonias]

6. Hell yes!

We need good precinct chairs all over Texas. Please step up to the plate WestHoustonDem, you'll be great! Every little bit helps. Doesn't matter if the precinct is repuke, there are at least some Dems out there and they need to know they are not alone.

You'll have PPC support so you have a good group to back you and help.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

Sonia

[WestHoustonDem]

12. Thanks. I know I'll have both PPC and DFH/DFA support

[NoPasaran]

7. Yes!

Precinct chairs who have talked themselves into doing nothing need to be replaced with fresh, enthusiastic blood.

Damn, I guess that means I need to run against my precinct chair too.

[WestHoustonDem]

13. If you run, I'll run. NoPasaran. How's that? n/t

[NoPasaran]

14. It's a deal!

Here's a link to the form...
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/a2-1pm.pdf

[WestHoustonDem]

15. Okay then!

[sonias]

22. Oh my we have a precinct fight!

We have you on record NoPasaran, you have to run now. Of course we'll help you. Need to canvas your precinct, block walk it. You know we're going to do them anyway.

Good luck!!!

My precinct chair woman is the best, so I'm not going to run unless she decides to step down one day. I have a good precinct.

Sonia

[merci_me]

8. Yes, if for no other reason than

I know your precinct chair and I hope it would piss him off to the point that he'd stop showing up at the WHDC potlucks were people are trying to eat. (and he can take his wife and kid with him)

Edited to add.......Does this mean they aren't going to be moving after all? DAMN!!

[crispini]

9. LOL!

:rofl:

[WestHoustonDem]

10. Mary ROFLMAO, he is unappetizing at best!

I don't know if they still plan to move. If they do, I'll definitely run. I'm questioning if I should run against him and all the feedback I'm getting says I should.

[WestHoustonDem]

16. Ok, I'm going to do it!

I offered a deal to NoPasaran and he will run too.

Thanks for helping me with the decision!

[Geoff R. Casavant]

17. Well, I just added you to my buddy list

I look forward to seeing regular updates on your campaign and victory.

[WestHoustonDem]

19. Thanks Geoff. I'll keep you updated!

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

18. Go for it, but if you don't...

Keep calling him to offer your volunteer work. Maybe you can complement each other with different skill sets. Make yourself a pain so he'll either get off his butt, or let you take over.

And what a defeatist attitude he has about Democrats in a Repube precinct. Every Democratic vote in your precinct is worth just as much as any other when it comes to electing your representatives. Sheesh!!:freak:

[WestHoustonDem]

20. That's how it started. I contacted him about being a precinct

organizer and had no intention of running against him. But his emails were borderline rude and very skeptical, despite my reputation locally and the fact that I've worked with his wife on the Kerry campaign.

So now I'm going to run.

[WolverineDG]

21. good for you!!

chances are, everyone else is fed up with him & will be willing to cast their vote for you! :)

dg

[johncoby2]

23. Run damn you. Run. Run like the wind!

EOM. What ever the hell it was.

[lavenderdiva]

24. Run WHD, RUN!!!

I am thrilled for you and this opportunity!!! You will be a fantastic chair! Get them stirred up and pumped up! Go WestHoustonDem! :bounce: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause:

[Catherine Vincent]

25. I think you should do it!

We need as many Democratic chairs in Houston as we can. Good luck!

[txaslftist]

26. LOL... you have to run?

They begged me to volunteer for precinct chair. I wish I lived in Houston where there are actually Democrats. Sigh.

[WestHoustonDem]

27. I have to run because the current chair doesn't think the precinct

is worth working.

[PDittie]

28. As we have discussed

YES!

[theboz]

29. Let us know how to help

I haven't really affiliated much with the Democrats here in Houston other than the Oilpatch Dems group, but I'd be glad to help you if I can.

[WestHoustonDem]

30. Thanks theboz! I'll hold you to that.

You will find that in addition to OPD, there are some good groups within the Harris County Democratic Party that are determined to return it to its progressive roots. We need more people like you to get involved in DFH, PPC, etc, to further the effort.

What part of town are you in? What precinct? If your precinct chair is vacant are you willing to jump in?

[theboz]

31. Good question

I just moved recently (not far from the Galleria), so I'm not sure what precinct yet.

Also, I don't know how much of a commitment being a precinct chair would involve so I'd cautiously say that I can't do it, but if it doesn't take as much time as I think it would then I possibly would be able to. Also there's the fact that I am registered as an independent rather than a Democrat, but that's easy enough to resolve if I needed to change.

[crispini]

32. Ummm.... Texas doesn't register voters according to party.

I think the prerequisite for being a precinct chair is simply having voted in the Democratic primary in the preceeding election. :D

[derby378]

33. OK, guys...

...now you've got me thinking about running for Precinct Chair, too!!

Still thinking about it, though, but I admit it's pretty tempting.

[WestHoustonDem]

34. Go for it Derby! We'll be the freshman class! n/t