Tex. Dem. Party Chair candidate - Charlie Urbina-Jones

Statement by Charlie Urbina-Jones, candidate for Texas Democratic Party Chair, 2006

Mar. 16, 2006
posted at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=180x28612

Charlie Urbina-Jones: The Texas Agenda

Edited on Thu Mar-16-06 06:15 AM by PDittie
To the Democrats of Texas
RE: Our Future

I sent the following email to the SDEC & Leadership of the Party. While they will decide the interim Chair on April 22nd I still want to hear from you.

Regardless the outcome I will be a candidate at the State Democratic Convention in Ft. Worth. But until then let's have an honest discussion on what we want, as Democrats, to do and where we want to go.

It is time that our voices be heard, it is time that the Party start listening, it is time that WE take OUR PARTY BACK. We are the People's Party! and it's time we act like.

Email me because I want to hear from You! And I want to know: WHAT DO YOU WANT THE PARTY TO BECOME!

In the spirit of Justice, Equality & Freedom -

Charlie

“Having a vision is great but having a plan is even better…”

Since November I’ve been traveling all over Texas talking with the People and listening to what they think the Texas Democratic Party needs. I’ve done this because I believe in the Texas Democratic Party. I believe that the People are the party and without the People we lose who we are as a party… it’s time we give the party back to the People.

The Texas Agenda is a collection of the insight and ideas we’ve heard from Democrats all over Texas. It’s an outline of the things I hope all Texas Democrats will help me with when I become State Party Chair. Keep in mind the Agenda will keep growing as you contribute new ideas because without you the party does not exist. It is you the People who are the heart and soul of the Texas Democratic Party.

* Our party should be run from the ground up not the top down. For this state to turn blue we need to win at the local level first. We need to build a strong foundation to support all Democratic candidates regardless of what they’re running for.

* As Democrats we must ensure that all local parties have the necessary resources they need to do their job at the grassroots level, whether it is getting basic office supplies, improving technological resources or providing information for walk lists, phone banks etc.

* As Democrats we must mount a coordinated campaign to help our statewide Democratic candidates defeat the Republicans in November. We can do it and we can win!!

* We need to ensure that every candidate has full access to all resources and technology available from TDP along with the full support of our staff year-round.

* “Our Diversity is Our Strength”, our leadership should reflect this and we should embrace and protect the views of all Democrats. I believe that every Democrat has full and equal ownership of our party.

* We believe that every Democrat should have the opportunity to run if they choose to do so. I intend to offer regular regional candidate training/informational sessions so that regardless of how much candidates can raise they have the basic tools they need to run competitive campaign.

* We need to encourage and support more women to run for elected office. With over 50% of the Texas population being female I believe our elected leadership should reflect this. We will aim high and elect women to the courthouse, the statehouse and eventually the White House.

* We need to find alternative financial resources (from the grassroots to large donors) and keep enrolling sustaining members; many people do not give because they are not compelled to. We need strong leadership, a strong message and an effective statewide infrastructure.

* As Democrats we need to encourage and empower our youth, they are our future. We must mentor and guide them for the benefit of the state and national party.

* With our environment in danger we need to promote business savvy, eco-friendly ideas for legislation in Texas and in DC. We must protect our natural resources now and ensure they exist for our future.

* We need to run a fiscally responsible party, we need to update our procedural process, encourage more dialogue from everyone, use our resources efficiently as well as effectively and be honest with Texas Democrats.

* With a country that has over 1,600 registered religions; 250,000 churches, temples, mosques and synagogues- we are without a doubt a country of faith. We need to protect the rights of all Texans and ensure the ability to pursue our own personal beliefs.

* As Democrats we need to ensure our current elected officials have a way to communicate so they can work together on legislation, local programs, and statewide initiatives. We’re a family; we need to work together as a team and more importantly as Democrats!

* As a party we need to ensure that Democrats from across the state have access to proper assistance in the field.

* As individual Democrats we need to promote, follow and encourage the ideas we support in our Platform. This is who we’ve decided to be, this is our plan…let’s follow it.

As Democrats we need to ensure JUSTICE, EQUALITY & FREEDOM for all Texans.

If you honor me with the opportunity to serve you and this great party I pledge to protect, fight and help restore our government back to the People of this great state.

In the spirit of Justice, Equality & Freedom,

Charlie Urbina-Jones

Candidate for Texas Democratic Chair

To add your voice to the Texas Agenda post a comment to the website www.UrbinaJonesforTexas.com (coming soon) or email: with Texas Agenda in the subject line.

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Another letter from Charlie Urbina-Jones
Mar. 16, 2006
To the SDEC Members & Texas Democratic Leadership:
RE: Our Future

Since November I have been traveling throughout Texas listening to the People of our Party. I have heard the frustration, anger and disappointment but I have also heard the hope. For too long our party has fought amongst itself, ignored the grassroots and cherry picked who we support. This is not the Democratic Way!

I want to offer the People and the Party another possibility. A chance at turning Texas Blue, at restoring our Party and our government back to the People. I've heard the repeated call for a "Democratic Party" to be created in Texas but the truth is we have one and what we need is an internal revolution to bring us back to our roots.

I asked each Democrat I met on my travels "what do you want the Party to be, what do you want the Party to do" and each time I was answered with silence. Apparently they'd never been asked that question before and that's a scary thought. When did we stop listening to our most important asset? The People are the heart and soul of the Democratic Party and I feel that until we get back to this, we may be lost.

Our website will be up next week (UrbinaJonesForTexas.com), I say our because this site belongs as much to the People of this party as it does to me. If you're like me youï¿∏re not just in search of a vision, for the Texas Democratic Party, but you want a plan of action to go with it. This is what the website is about; this is what our campaign is about and this is what the TDP needs: the vision of its People with a plan to implement your vision throughout Texas. A list of supporters from all over Texas will be on the site, if you would like to become a supporter please email or call me. I want you to know me and have the opportunity to personally ask the questions.

I've attached what I call the Texas Agenda, a collection of insight and ideas from Democrats all over Texas. Email me, call me... because I want to hear from You! And I want to know: WHAT DO YOU WANT THE PARTY TO BECOME!

In the spirit of Justice, Equality & Freedom-
Charlie

Charlie Urbina-Jones
Candidate for Texas Democratic Chair

http://UrbinaJonesForTexas.com