THOUGHTS ON THE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY WITH A FOCUS ON HARRIS COUNTY

Regarding the Texas primary yesterday with a focus of Harris County--

Thank you to everybody who volunteered for any Democratic Party candidate or for any Democratic Socialist endorsed candidate. (Democratic Socialists cross-endorse candidates who are running as Democrats.)

Thanks to everybody on all sides of the aisle who worked a poll as a precinct judge, alternate judge or clerk. 

Politicians are rarely leaders. We are the leaders. 

Thanks to the good people I met who are not advancing to a runoff or to the general election. Defeated U.S. House # 2 candidates Ali Khorasani and Silky Malik are both ready for public office right now. I hope both find another race to make soon if that is what they want for themselves. 

I often question the legitimacy of a society like this to confer any honor of merit. If you lost, it is not a reason for despair-- It is just yet another reason to stay your course and not give up. If you can look yourself in the mirror after your campaign, then you have done the right thing. 

I'm glad that Cory Sepolio won the 269th Civil Court nomination and that Lashelle Scott has won the precinct exec. position in #559.

I'm happy for my friend Jon Rosenthal for his uncontested primary win in Texas House #135. Jon is going to win in November. 

Years of hard work has paid off for my friend Bill McLeod with his uncontested primary win for Civil Court at Law #4. Bill is also going to win in November. 

It is good that People First Fran Watson has made the runoff for Texas Senate #17. I look forward to supporting Fran in the runoff. 

It is good to see Democratic Socialist endorsed Franklin Bynum for Harris County Criminal Court #8 with his uncontested Democratic Party primary win. Mr. Bynum has enthusiastically discussed his progressive outlook and his race is an important one for November. 

I thought Sarah Davis would lose her Texas House #134 Republican primary. I was wrong. As the November campaign for this spot begins, I again please ask why anybody on our side believes Rep. Davis is hopeful in any way. 

Rep. Davis voted for racist SB 4 and has consistently opposed the expansion of health care for Texans. I hope there is an energetic and visible campaign by Allison Sawyer to defeat Rep. Davis in November. 

In U.S. House #2, where I live, I believe Democratic nominee Todd Litton can win. He has my support. May Mr. Litton show courage and imagination in this race. I know that this is what I'll be encouraging Mr. Litton to do between now and November. 

Regarding the U.S. House #7 runoff, I will not be spending the next two months debating this race on social media. My main concern for every race up and down the ballot is that we elect Democrats who will stand with us as we confront the prospect of authoritarian government and the rise of white supremacy in our nation. We cannot tear each other apart. 

We must elect Democrats who will be brave in a Constitutional crisis. Trump is just not going to sit back and allow his family and his people be indicted or allow his Presidency to be threatened by Robert Mueller. Any Democrat not talking about the courage needed for the days ahead is missing the main issue in front of us right now. 

Our progressive coalition is fragile enough on the best days. This race is not worth the potential of long-lasting fractures to our ability to protect ourselves. 

Let your conscience be your guide. For myself, I won't be assessing the candidates in #7 as much as l'll be assessing my fellow activists, Democratic Party partisans, interest group leaders and concerned citizens, about who will be brave when the crisis arrives and about who may be more so about themselves.

We are the leaders. If we set the tone, the candidates will follow. 

Peace and good luck to all of us.

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