September 2022 Newsletter
Editor’s Note:
Y’all, I am blown away by the positive response from everyone who has reached out about our first newsletter. It means so much to me personally to hear things like “I don’t like political emails but this newsletter was great!” and “That was such a fun read” and “I’m your mom and a subscriber!” (hi mom). I had a distinct vision for this newsletter to be something to bring you joy and help you to feel empowered in these trying times. I love that you love that vibe, we’ll definitely keep that going. <3
Fair and Parade Recap
Our booth and float were a huge hit this year. We had many many new faces stop by and introduce themselves, as well as long time friends and supporters. “Guess the Democrat” had 53 entries! Our incredible fair volunteers had lots of fun decorating and being a positive blue presence in our community.
The fair parade was well attended even had State Senate Candidate Josh Tutt (spoiler alert, check out his interview in this very newsletter) on the float! Many thanks to Patty Reid and Cecil Webster for coordinating the booth and the parade float.
Congrats to our winners:
Kim- Bugle Boy passes
Sherri- American flag with pole
Jasmine- Las Fuentes gift certificate
My Interview with State Senate District 18 Candidate Josh Tutt.
I have had the privilege of getting to know Josh these past few months. He is an incredible candidate who has spent a LOT of time getting to know his constituents in his district. As an elder millennial I am pleased as punch whenever someone my age or younger takes a leap and gets involved in politics. I recently emailed him some questions for an interview so the rest of the county can get to know this amazing candidate.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became involved in politics.
There are several 'firsts' for my journey into Politics. The first time I realized how much politics impacts my personal life was when the Supreme Court decided Obergefell v. Hodges, which granted my husband and I the right to be married in Texas. The first time I ever showed up for a political event was after Robert Mueller's investigation was jeopardized by the Trump Administration in November 2018, which motivated me to attend my first protest. In January 2020, I became a VDR in Brazos County for the first time to do voter registration at the Texas A&M campus in College Station with the Young Dems BCS group. And I first decided to run for office when I woke up cold in my bed during the Texas Blackout of February 2021. I filed the first paperwork as a candidate in March 2021.
What do you think is the biggest difference between yourself and your opponent?
The biggest difference between myself and my opponent is surely our motivations. She's been a career politician in the Texas Legislature for over 20 years now, fueled by major donations from the gas & oil and health insurance industries. Her motivation is to continue her career of passing legislation that pleases her donors and advances her legislative resume. My motivation is to offer a choice to our neighbors for the first time in a long time. As a first time working class candidate, I don't have the massive campaign funding that she has built up over decades. She seeks to maintain the status quo and maintain our current trajectory of regressive GOP politics. I seek to break the status quo in order to create the progress we deserve to see here in Texas.
What State Senate Committee would you love to be on?
I hope to serve on the Senate Committee for Education, to give teachers, education professionals, and students a voice and a listening ear in the Texas Senate.
Your State Senate district is massive, geographically speaking, what is the one issue that keeps coming up as you talk to different people within the district?
Everywhere I go across the district, I always talk with folks about their experience during the Texas Blackout. Everyone has a story, some better than others. I've heard stories of children, even infants, shivering in their own homes. Pet owners losing their beloved companions as fish and reptiles froze. Elderly neighbors falling in the dark or unable to reach a warming center. Extensive property damage from frozen pipes bursting. Anxiety during the heat of the summer about what happens if the power goes out again. We need the state government to prepare our grid for the future. Not just for future winter storms or summer heat, but for our rapidly growing population.
What is the best meal you’ve had on the campaign trail and where did you get it?
It's hard to pick a favorite meal from the campaign trail, but it might just be the fresh caught blackened redfish I had in Rockport, Texas. My husband is from Ingleside, Texas, which is nearby. We always like trips to the coast, and the seafood is always excellent when you're close enough to smell the salty sea air.
Thank you, Josh, for agreeing to be our inaugural candidate interview! For those of you unfamiliar with him and his campaign here is the link to his website:
Tutt for Texas, where you can find out more about him, get some super sweet merch (I have a pin but am holding out for a coffee mug), follow him on socials (his TikTok friendship with Kelly Krout running for Lt Governor in Arkansas is a JOY), and most importantly, support him with your dollars.
Must be the Season of the Vote...
Election Szn is upon us and this newsletter is here to help you get your vote and other folks’ votes out there. Our October Issue will hit the voting stuff hard and heavy but for September here are some things you need to be knowing and doing now.
Hey, can I get an absentee ballot?
Maybe! Glad you asked either way tho cause the deadline to apply is October 28.
The nitty gritty, you gotta apply first. Here are the 5 reasons you can apply to vote by mail in Texas :
- Be over 65 (no shame, do you know who else is over 65? Half of the US Senate)
- Be sick or disabled
- Be out of the county on election day AND during the early voting time frame
- Be expected to give birth either 3 weeks before or after Election Day
- Be confined in jail or other civil commitment, but otherwise eligible.
Source: https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/voter/reqabbm.shtml
If one or more of those describes you, now is the time to be asking for your vote by mail ballot! My personal favorite league, the League of Women Voters, has a great website and videos to help you request a mail in ballot, fill out the ballot request, and complete your mail in ballot once it’s received!
How to Vote by Mail TEXAS STYLE (thanks to the League for these videos)
Request a mail in ballot and; how to fill it out:
Fill out the ballot request, complete your mail in ballot once it’s received:
How to track your ballot by mail:
I’m busy and don’t want to watch a bunch of videos.
You’re never too busy for democracy in action, my friend. But I will help you out with this. First you have to apply to vote by mail. You can get this application from lots of places. You need to do this ASAP (picture me saying this in my Mom Voice).
1. League of Women Voters Website (this is a PDF)
2. Call the Fayette County Elections office (if you live in our county) at 979-968-6563. Terri and her amazing staff will be happy to mail one to you.
3. Texas Democratic Party Website
4. Texas Secretary of State website has both a request form link and the PDF
Once you have completed your application you will return it to your Elections office either in person or by mail. In Fayette County that address is:
Fayette County
Elections Administrator
Terri B Hefner
275 Ellinger Rd Suite A
La Grange, TX 78945.
Source: https://www.co.fayette.tx.us/page/fayette.Elections
If you prefer to drop off your application you must be the one to drop it off. Aunt Eula Mae can’t drop if off for you on her way to the HEB to make groceries.
Ok, I’ve done that. Now what?
Time to sit back and relax for a bit! The Election Administrator’s office is in the process of mailing out ballots. Watch your mailbox for them!
I’m fine voting in person, I just want to make sure I am registered to vote.
I got you, fam. Check the My Voter Portal. It’s fast and easy. I just checked and I’m all set!
Crap. I am registered but my information is outdated.
No worries. Life is busy! You can click on this link and change your address and/or update your name online.
I don’t know how to tell you this but I am not registered to vote.
Happy to help with this. You can register directly on the Secretary of State, by going to the county elections office and asking for an application, as well as by emailing us at chair@fayettetxdemocrats.org with any questions.
(mom voice again) You really really need to get on this because the deadline to register to vote is October 11. Do not let this opportunity pass you by.
Signs signs everywhere a sign
Do you want a Beto sign for your yard? We got the hook up. Email us at chair@fayettetxdemocrats.org
Quick and Dirty Dates to Remember:
10/11/2022 – Voter Registration Deadline for November 8th Election
10/13/2022- Fayette County Monthly Zoom meeting (link on website)
10/24/2022 – Early Voting Starts
10/28/2022 – Last Day to Apply for an Application to Vote by Mail
11/04/2022 – Early Voting Ends
11/08/2022 - Election Day
I hope everyone is having a fantastic September. I want to extend my thanks to each of you for supporting both democracy and this newsletter. As always, you can send any comments/questions/concerns/ideas to fayettetxdemocrats@gmail.com See you next month!
Very informative, laughter filled and well put together newsletter. Thank you for an informative democratic party newsletter.
Thanks, Deanna, for another great newsletter!