Convention Caucus a Success

The convention is over and now we debrief. The Coalition caucus was a tremendous success with about 35 people in attendance. It was wonderful to add members from Amarillo and El Paso. Below are minutes taken by Cass Callaway acting secretary. I'd like to see some comments on the caucus. Talk to me. Sue. W.

West Texas Coalition of Democrats Caucus Meeting Minutes
2004 Texas Democratic Convention – Houston, Texas
Friday, June 18, 2004 – 11:00 AM


The meeting came to order shortly after 11:00 AM, in Room 318 of the Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

Sue Weninger, Treasurer of WTCD, presided over the meeting and Cass Callaway assisting.

Officers Pam Brink, Linda McGonagil, and Linda Shoemaker were absent.

Weninger began with several introductions and a personal greeting.

The previous meeting minutes were read and recorded, with Kathy Hall making the motion for approval of the minutes, Irma Guerrero seconding.

The motion to approve the previous meeting minutes passed.

Weninger then began to read President Pam Brink’s message. Weninger paused for a question and discussion on how WTCD could assist a group of El Pasoans in their effort to aid New Mexico in November. Several attendees supported the idea of helping win NM’s electoral votes, instead of a Texas presidential election battle. Other attendees argued resources and labor should remain in West Texas, and not to go to NM in order to build Democrat chances in 2006 and beyond. Weninger wrapped up the discussion by pledging WTCD support for both strategies, including mail lists, names of important point people, and other WTCD institutional support.

The meeting then heard candidate Roland Graves speak about his run for the Texas House of Representatives.

Returning to the President’s Message, Weninger fielded questions from the crowd about blogging. Weninger solicited blog editors, with Kathy Hall, Johnnie Jones and Vickie Smith accepting to write the blog for one day each week.

The meeting then heard from Jeff Benson, campaign manager for Congressman Charlie Stenholm.

Weninger then returned to the President’s message, urging the attendees to support Betty Richie for DNC.

Weninger then reported on the 2002 West Texas Caravan.

During Weninger’s report, Linda DeLeon requested that she and a paper doll be photographed, the paper doll, representing a young woman who was unable to make it to the Convention. DeLeon was traveling with the doll and sending the pictures home to the unfortunate young woman who couldn’t make it to Houston.

Then, Weninger presented John Jones, candidate for SD 31 Committeeman for a few words, then Roberta Hicks, candidate for SD31 Commiteewoman, then Ron Michulka for SD28 Commiteeman. John Jones also presented his opponent who was absent, George Dowlen for SD31 Committeeman.

Weninger then held officer elections, with Mary Hatfield as nominations chair.

Pam Brink was elected President.

Linda McGonagil was elected Vice President.

Martha Hulsey was elected Secretary.

Sue Weninger was elected Treasurer.

All officers were unopposed.

After elections, Weninger offered the floor for announcements. Mary Nell, a former candidate for Congress in West Texas, encouraged everyone to seek office, to demand a Democrat voice in every election. Nell described how much she enjoyed her Congressional run, with the help of Pam Brink, and how she didn’t regret running, even after a tough loss.

Sue Weninger commented that another purpose of the WTCD will be to identify candidates for office from West Texas. She said that we would work hard to find a gubernatorial candidate, and that “we don’t know who she is yet, but we’ll find her.”

After Nell, Cass Callaway spoke, to acknowledge the changing of the tides in West Texas, and to encourage everyone to make their presence known. Democrat visibility, he recommended, is effective, citing a recent Senate runoff election where visibility boosted turnout in rural counties.

Then Weninger accepted a motion to adjourn, and closed the meeting.


Meeting minutes recorded by Cass Callaway. For questions or
clarifications, please email c_callaway@yahoo.com.