Turn Texas Blue! Texas Democrat Needs help getting on ballot

[WestHoustonDem]

Gary Page needs your support!

From Page's wife
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=180&topic_id=24585&mesg_id=24585

As of this morning, Gary has raised $1500 toward the filing fee of $3125, which leaves $1625. The other option of gathering 500 signatures has proven to be very hard and frustrating work. Well meaning people volunteer to help and then don't follow through. Of the 70 signatures gathered yesterday in a 10-hour marathon session, nearly 1/2 proved to be invalid. So far, we have 200 valid signatures, 95% of which Gary collected by going door to door.

If Gary does not gain ballot access, Marchant will be most like be running unopposed as we are not aware of anyone else vying for district 24. Marchant is a staunch George W. Bush supporter and worked with him when he was governor of Texas. Marchant has said, "the two of them agree on social and fiscal policy 99 percent of the time". We are all hoping that Democrats make some in-roads into our current one party rule in 2006. There is no chance of that happening if Republicans are given a free ride.

Gary works full time as a computer programmer and I am an accountant for a small business. In addition to this, we also run a 501(C)3 Animal Rescue Organization. Gary and I are both passionate about Democratic values and desperately want to make sure that we have a choice when we go to vote for our congressional representative next November. If only 160 people could find it in their hearts to donate $10, we would have that choice. Come on Texans - we have to start somewhere and if ever there was a time when change is possible, it is in 2006.

No matter how much, your donation is very much needed and appreciated. Please go to this link in order to make a donation. The filing deadline is at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

and from Texas AG candidate David Van Os http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=180x24567:

Gary needs help to reach the filing fee. It is a steep $3100. Rachel and I made a personal donation. Please do the same.

[NoPasaran]

1. A contribution and a kick

But I hope he has at least the makings of an organization coming together for November. It's going to take more than "well-meaning people who don't follow through" to turn Texas blue.

[TXDem24]

7. Status update

Somebody had requested an update of the contributions which stands at $255 as of 12:45 CST. Thanks to all who have contributed.

In re: to NoPasaran -

You are exactly right. It takes more than well-meaning people to accomplish the task of winning this Congressional seat. This is the "Catch-22" between volunteers and paid staffers. Volunteers are inexpensive (cost-wise), but relatively inconsistent with the usual demands on their personal time. Staffers can go raise 500 signatures as part of their job, but it is just easier to pay the filing fee. Winning the race is the primary goal; just not the only one. I am a steadfast believer in party-building through running campaigns.

I have spent the year following my 2004 Congressional campaign helping to rebuild the Denton County Democratic Party. We build a team of people and used the November 2004 elections to identify major problems to be fixed, then spent the rest of the year finding and implementing solutions. The hardest nut to crack was the public perception that Democrats don't stand for anything. When we have no local candidates on the ballot (just a bunch of uncontested races), the voting public doesn't take us seriously. We need candidates to get our message and positions out to the public. The more voters we draw in, the more candidates will emerge, drawing more voters, etc ...

I can't explain why "well meaning people ... don't follow through". Complacence and apathy are difficult to overcome. But I don't have to accept it for myself.

My getting on the ballot will give people a choice in November that they would not have otherwise. That is a good thing.

I am going to use my Congressional campaign to walk the district with all of the people I met in my last campaign to build up the precincts. Basic fundamental party building.

Anything can happen in an election year. Republican scandals are surfacing monthly. If the TRMPAC scandal, or the Texas redistricting is ruled unconstitutional, or any other scandal comes to light, we would only benefit by having an opposition candidate.

Democrats are a little limited on options right now. We can wait for a "magic wand" to put us back in power, or take the fight to the streets. I choose the later.

Gary

[WestHoustonDem]

8. Is that $255 today's contributions? n/t

[Lisa0825]

2. I'll send some cash his way!

We need to get as many good dems on the ballot as we can. That's the only way we'll take Texas back. And to those of you outside of Texas, keep in mind that this is an important state nationally! If we take Texas back, we make a huge stride toward taking the country back! So give us a little help over here... it will be worth the investment.

[crispini]

3. Already contributed!

Kicked and recommended! :woohoo:

[sonias]

4. Lets help this great candidate out

He comes with the highest recommendations and is a fellow DUer.

Sonia

[WestHoustonDem]

5. Thanks everyone! Tell everyone you know who has $10 to

contribute!

[acmejack]

6. My friends are going to start to hate to hear from me!

Give...But I am incorrigible, I'll do just about anything to get the lege back!

[sonias]

9. acmejack we just have to do it

We can't stand back and say we are fighting to take Texas back if we don't get the good people willing to run on the ballot.

Sonia

[redacted]

10. K&N!

[WestHoustonDem]

11. He did it!

From another thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=180x24567#24601:

I AM IN! I have hit the mark where I can cover the rest.
(on edit) Got a little excited and forgot the tally ... $1640 ! :yourock:

Filling out the paperwork tonight to take down to Austin.
TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 24 WILL HAVE A DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER!

Thanks DU for coming through! What a great way to start the New Year!

[sonias]

12. I am so proud of us good Democrats!

We stepped up helped a fellow DUer and a good candidate to give Congressional District 24 a Democratic candidate.

And of course a big thanks to the candidate Gary Page who is willing to do the hard work to run.

:applause::applause::applause:

Sonia