Crystal Brown

cbrown@weatherforddemocrat.com

Democratic candidates for state and national offices gathered at Hall Middle School Saturday for the third annual Old-Fashioned Democratic Rally hosted by the Parker County Democratic Party.

Among those present were U.S. Senate candidates John Sharp and Bill White, Texas Governor candidates Hank Gilbert and Felix Alvarado, and Jeff Weems who is running for Texas Railroad Commissioner.

“We democrats have a lot to rally about,” said Sergio Deleon as he introduced Sharp.

Sharp said Democrats in Texas have a great advantage this year because if elected, he will stand by the Democratic candidate for governor, which has historically boosted those candidates success. He also spoke highly of the need to have both parties representing Texas in the U.S. Senate.

He also touched on the economy and health care and said if a consumer can’t afford to purchase a product like a new truck, then what is the use of the government handing out tax breaks to the manufacturers.

“We need to help out middle class families,” Sharp said. “That’s what the country is built on. Is it no wonder the middle class has stopped spending after being treated like an ATM machine by Washington.”

Houston Mayor Bill White, also running for the U.S. Senate, spoke about his track record in Houston such as job growth, drop in crime rates and, use of affordable renewable energy. He said he can expand that to a state and national level. He said Texas needs a senator who will speak up for the future of Texas and break down barriers.

“Wouldn’t it be great if our state has a U.S. senator that stood up and voted for what is right for Texas and not just for the right wing part,” White said. “I’m a vote for Texas, not special interests. It’s a new day in Texas politics.”

On the state level, Gilbert and Alvarado spoke about their campaign for the governor’s seat and Dorothy Wing spoke on behalf of Tom Schieffer, also vying for the top Texas seat.

Gilbert said he is running because the state is in need of true leadership, someone who is on the field making the plays and not leading from the sidelines like in the past.

“I’m just someone who got fed up, sick and tired of politicians,” Gilbert said. “We’ve got to win back the Texas house this cycle. We are at a time that we cannot take four more years. We are not a kingdom, we are a state.”

A former high school educator, Gilbert discussed his plans to develop seven new tier one universities in the state, start a universal prekindergarten program starting at age 3, increase vocational job training in high school and to eliminate the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test. He also discussed teacher raises and lifting the raise cap from 20 years to 30 years for public school educators.

“If we start developing their minds at age 3, we don’t have to worry about as many drop outs in high school because their minds are ready to learn,” he said. “And eliminate the TAKS. As a past educator, I think it’s ludicrous for one instrument to decide a child’s future. If they can’t pass that test they drop out.”

Alvarado continued the message of change started during President Barack Obama’s candidacy. He encouraged the Democrats in the room to ask local Republicans if they are better off today than they were 10 or 15 years ago, and make them think about where they place their vote.

“We need friends in Washington, and right now you don’t have friends in Washington,” Alvarado said. ‘If you want to know what the Republicans are putting emphasis on I can take you to Lockheed Martin and look at the beautiful $10 million gate. Don’t you think we could have used that money somewhere else?”

Wing spoke briefly about the Shieffer’s qualifications and pledged her support.

“He is a life long Democrat,” Wing said. “He was first elected to the state legislature when he was 25 years old. He has voted in every Democratic primary since old enough to vote and he’s endorsed by the state house of representatives. Thank you so much for being here. I love my Parker County Democrats.”

Also speaking at the event were Weems, Tarrant County Democratic Party chairman Steve Maxwell on behalf of Attorney General candidate Barabara Radnosfky, candidate for the 233rd judicial court Tom McKinzie and candidate for Congressional District 26 Neil Durrance.

For more information on the Parker County Democratic Party visit www.parkercodemocrat.org.