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IN THIS EDITION:

1. Chair Talk
2. Next Meeting
3. Important Dates
4. Upcoming Events
5. BCDs in Action
6. Feature
7. Blanco County Executive Committee

1. Chair Talk...

Hello, fellow Democrats.

Welcome to 2026! I hope your holiday season was wonderful. If you were with family or friends or enjoyed the quiet of our beautiful Texas Hill Country, here we are in a new year. And, we have reason to be hopeful because millions of people across the country (including YOU) have refused to surrender to this administration’s bullying. This year has seen some of the largest street protests in American history. Amanda Litman, a founder of Run for Something, a group that trains young progressives to seek local office, said that since the 2024 election, it has seen more sign-ups than in all of Trump’s first four years. Just this month, the Republican-dominated legislature in Indiana, urged on by voters, rebelled against MAGA efforts to intimidate them and refused to redraw their congressional maps to eliminate Democratic-leaning districts. Trump ends the year weak and unpopular, his coalition dispirited and riven by infighting. Democrats dominated in the November elections, and many reporters predict the Democrats will win the US House in the 2026 elections, even with all the money and voter suppression the Republicans are throwing at it. This is huge! TX Democrats have a person in every state and national race in ALL 254 counties! 

But Trump is still a supremely dangerous one, especially as he comes to feel increasingly cornered and aggrieved. That’s where you and I come in. We can’t take anything for granted about this election, and early voting starts on February 17th. Our greatest fault as Democrats is that we don’t vote. I want to challenge everyone to get one person who usually doesn’t vote to the polls. If they need a ride or babysitter, we can help. If they say, My vote doesn’t matter, say, YES IT DOES! If they don’t know the candidates, I’ll send a list. If they say I’m not registered, go to the library and get a voter application. Tell everyone to vote in every race. We have 13 Propositions on the ballot. They don’t make law, but they represent what we stand for. Don’t give up. Don’t take anything for granted, and we will win in the state and nationally. If you have other questions, come to our Town Hall meeting on January 14th to meet Joe Jaworski, who is running for TX Attorney General.

On the local level, we have started an initiative called Common Ground. The premise of Common Ground is that we are not so different, and by doing good together, we appreciate that we are not alone and have more in common than we once thought. Our first project is to build an outdoor food pantry in Bindsell Park, where people who need help with food can take what they need, and people who have extra can donate non-perishable food items. We spoke with the Mayor, the City Commissioner, and the Chief of Police, who agreed that this is an excellent project that could create more opportunities for community members to be together and get to know and relate to one another. It passed unanimously at the last City Council meeting and will soon stand across from the Free Little Library at the park's front entrance. We plan to write an article for the paper about the project and hold a ribbon-cutting when it’s fully installed. We’ve already gotten volunteers to build and fund this project. As we exhibit that community is important to Blanco Democrats, we build trust and respect, and then dialogue.

Thanks, y’all!

Maggie

2. Next Meeting

3. Important Dates

• Saturdays @ 9am / Downtown Dripping Democracy Defenders
• Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays Powered by People New Volunteer Training
• Daily / Postcards to Swing States - Easy volunteerism from home! 

• Jan 1 / First day to request a regular Vote By Mail ballot for all elections
• Jan 14 / BCD County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00pm-5:30pm Johnson City
• Jan 14 / Town Hall with Joe Jaworski for Texas Attorney General 6:00pm
• Jan 25 / Last day Vote By Mail requests must be received
• Feb 2 / Last day to register to vote
• Feb 11 / BCD County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00pm-5:30pm Blanco
• Feb 11 / Town Hall TBD 6:00pm Blanco
• Feb 17 / First day of Early Voting for the General Primary Election
• Feb 21 / Saturday Early Voting from 7am-7pm at the Blanco County Annex / Hoppe Room in Johnson City
• Feb 22 / Sunday Early Voting from 9am - 3pm at the Blanco County Annex / Hoppe Room in Johnson City
• Feb 26 / Blanco County Democrats Annual Fundraiser
• Feb 27 / Last day of Early Voting
• Mar 3 / General Primary Election - All precinct locations open 7am-7pm
• Mar 14 / Blanco County Democratic Convention TBD

4. Upcoming Events

Click the image to RSVP!

5. BCDs in Action - December

Thank you to everyone who brought donations for our Blanco County food pantries, to Travis for delivering them for us.

As a proud GEM (Give Every Month) member of Blanco County Democrats, I am thrilled to support our local party through consistent, recurring contributions.

This monthly giving program provides the organization with reliable, predictable funding that makes all the difference in a rural Texas county like ours. Instead of relying on sporadic one-time donations, the steady stream from GEM members allows the Blanco County Democrats to budget effectively, plan voter outreach efforts months in advance, and invest in the long-term work needed to build Democratic strength here.

Knowing the funds are coming in every month empowers the team to forecast resources for critical activities—whether it's focusing on voter registration, organizing community events, sending targeted mailers, or preparing robust get-out-the-vote operations in upcoming election cycles. This stability translates directly into greater impact: more doors knocked, more neighbors engaged, and stronger chances of turning Blanco County blue.

Being part of GEM feels empowering—my small monthly gift adds up to meaningful, sustained support, and I love knowing exactly how it helps fuel real local progress. If you're passionate about Democratic values in Blanco County, I highly recommend joining the GEM program.

Together, our consistent commitment is building a stronger foundation for tremendous results in every election ahead!

-Paul Sumrall

6. Feature: Texas 2026

U.S. Senate Race

The 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas presents one of the Democrats' strongest opportunities for a high-profile gain, given internal Republican divisions and the GOP nominee's potential vulnerability. Incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn is seeking a fifth term. Still, he faces a competitive primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, both of whom criticize Cornyn for not being sufficiently aligned with President Donald Trump. This infighting could weaken the Republican candidate in the general election, especially if Paxton wins the primary—his history of legal controversies (including an ongoing FBI investigation and impeachment acquittal) might alienate moderate voters. On the Democratic side, the primary features U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (a strong fundraiser with over $6 million on hand and national visibility from her outspoken style) against state Rep. James Talarico (emphasizing unity and grassroots appeal). Democrats view this as winnable if national "Trump fatigue" sets in during the midterms, potentially narrowing the gap in a state where no Democrat has won a Senate seat since 1988. Early predictions favor Republicans, but a Paxton nomination could make it competitive, with some observers noting Texas could fall within the margin of error.

Gubernatorial Race

Democrats could make inroads in the governor's race, though incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott remains a heavy favorite as he seeks a fourth term. The Democratic primary includes state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (leading in early polls), former state Rep. Chris Bell (a 2006 gubernatorial candidate), businessman Andrew White (son of former Gov. Mark White), and rancher Bobby Cole. Abbott's vulnerabilities include backlash over issues like school vouchers, border policies, and abortion restrictions, which Democrats aim to leverage in urban and suburban areas. High Democratic turnout from a full statewide slate could add 2-3% more votes, translating to thousands in a close race, though Abbott's strategist dismisses this as a "gimmick." This race could serve as a bellwether for Democratic momentum, similar to Beto O'Rourke's narrow 2018 loss that boosted down-ballot turnout.

U.S. House Districts

With all 38 congressional seats up, Democrats' best House gains lie in holding vulnerable seats and challenging in competitive districts, despite a GOP-favorable redistricting map approved by the U.S. Supreme Court that could add up to 5 Republican seats. Key opportunities include:

• TX-28 (Lean Democrat): Incumbent Henry Cuellar (D) holds a slim edge in this South Texas district.
• TX-15 (Likely Republican): Monica De La Cruz (R) is favored, but Democrats could compete in this border-area seat with strong Hispanic turnout.
• TX-34 (Likely Republican): Vicente Gonzalez (D-turned-R? Wait, ratings show Likely R; potential flip target in South Texas).
• TX-35 (Likely Republican, Open): Formerly held by Greg Casar (D); redrawn as GOP-leaning, but Democrats predict a hold with high engagement.
• Other notables: TX-33 (Colin Allred running as a Democrat in a redrawn district), TX-18 (Al Green defending after the redraw), and open seats like TX-9 and TX-21 with crowded GOP fields.

Nationally, Democrats have a strong chance to retake the House, and Texas flips could contribute if midterm dynamics punish the Trump administration.

State Legislature and Down-Ballot Races

Democrats' full-slate strategy—fielding candidates in all 150 House, 31 Senate (15 up), statewide judicial, and State Board of Education races—aims to break the GOP's trifecta by boosting turnout in rural and red areas. Currently holding 64 House seats (to Republicans' 86) and 12 Senate seats (to 19), gains could narrow margins or flip the House, especially with gerrymander challenges. Key down-ballot: Sarah Eckhardt (D) for Comptroller; open Attorney General race (crowded GOP primary after Paxton's Senate bid) offers a shot. Judicial races (e.g., 4 Supreme Court seats) could see upsets with increased voter engagement.

Broader Factors Enhancing Democratic Chances

• Turnout and Organization: Recruiting "everyday Texans" (e.g., educators, veterans) for 104 races, backed by rallies, texts, and calls, could replicate 2018's surge.
• Demographic Shifts: Growing urban/suburban populations in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Hispanic voters in border districts.
• National Midterm Dynamics: Polls show Democrats with advantages for congressional control, potentially spilling into Texas amid economic or policy backlash.
• Challenges: No statewide wins since 1994, gerrymandering, and GOP resources remain hurdles.

Overall, Democrats' best paths involve exploiting GOP primaries, maximizing turnout via the full slate, and targeting Senate, select House districts, and state House seats. Success depends on candidate quality and national trends.

7. Blanco County Executive Committee

County Chair

Maggie Goodman

Vice Chair / Membership

Wendy Barber

Treasurer

Tammy Patterson

Secretary

Brenda Thomas

Communications Chair

Paul Sumrall

Precinct 102

Kevin Voelker

Precinct 201

Brenda Thomas

Precinct 302

Travis Burrer

Precinct 303

Laura McCarley

Precinct Chair 401

Susan Waller

Locate Your Blanco County Elected Officials on the Blanco County Democrats Website Here