Inside This Issue:
- HCDP Party Chair Announces Resignation, Effective June 16
- Join us at the HCDP Road to 2022 Fundraiser on June 23
- Pride Sign Competition Winner Announced
- CEC Set to Elect New Party Chair June 27
- June 12 Pride Run Cancelled
- Gov. Abbott Calls for Special Legislative Session
- On Our Blog: Fighting Voter Suppression in Texas: An Interview with Christian Menefee
- HCDP Bid on Blue Auction a Success
- Inside the Fight Against Permitless Carry
- Thank You to Our AAPI Heritage Month Guest Speakers
- Help Support HCDP Through Our Membership Program
- Voter Registration Best Practices Training - June 10
HCDP Party Chair Announces Resignation, Effective June 16
The Harris County Democratic Party on Friday, May 28, 2021 announced that Lillie Schechter will be stepping down as HCDP Party Chair on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Schechter was elected in 2017 and is leaving her position after four years of service.
“When I first decided to run for Harris County Democratic Party Chair, one of my goals was to lead the party through one midterm and one presidential election and now here we are,” Schechter said. “Over the last four years we’ve really revitalized the party and I will always be proud of the work we’ve accomplished, but now it is time to let someone else lead us to our next victories!"
Join us at the HCDP Road to 2022 Fundraiser on June 23
The road to 2022 is underway, and the Harris County Democratic Party wants you to be a part of the journey! Celebrate the accomplishments of the Harris County Democratic Party under Lillie Schechter's leadership and help HCDP build upon these victories for the 2022 election! Four years ago, Lillie hosted her first fundraiser at Chapman and Kirby which laid the foundation for rebuilding the party and electing Democrats up and down the ticket.
Let's keep the momentum going! Purchase your ticket for $20.22 and receive a free drink on us.
HCDP Road to 2022
Chapman & Kirby, 2118 Lamar St
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Pride Sign Competition Winner Announced
We believe Pride is a celebration of love for people of every gender, orientation, and identity. We asked you to submit a design that encompasses the inclusion and empowerment of communities to express themselves for who they are.
We are excited to announce the design with the most votes is "Welcome Home" submitted by Tanya Garrison and Scot Krahling!
You can make a $20.22 contribution to support the Harris County Democratic Party's voter engagement efforts and receive a yard sign with the winning design! All yard sign pickups will be available after Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the party headquarters located at 4619 Lyons Ave.
CEC Set to Elect New Party Chair June 27
A meeting of the HCDP County Executive Committee (CEC) will be held on Sunday, June 27, 2021, via Zoom, at 7 p.m., to elect a new Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party and of the Harris County Democratic Party County Executive Committee to succeed Lillie Schechter who announced she is leaving the position effective Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Current Precinct Chairs will nominate and elect the new party chair.
June 12 Pride Run Cancelled
Due to the still-implemented Covid-19 restrictions in Houston, the Pride Run that was scheduled for Saturday, June 12, 2021 has been cancelled.
The post-run celebration to be held at the HCDP office the same day is also cancelled.
Texas Gov. Abbott Calls for Special Legislative Session
The 87th regular Legislative Session in Texas came to a close on May 31, 2021, but Gov. Greg Abbott has called for a special session to attempt to pass his priority items. Key on the list is SB7, a voting bill considered one of the most restrictive in the nation. Called “wrong and un-American” by President Biden, the bill was blocked when Texas Democrats left the floor on the final day of session, preventing its passage.
On Our Blog: Fighting Voter Suppression in Texas: An Interview with Christian Menefee
We sat down with Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee to ask him about the voter suppression bills that were being advanced in the Texas Legislature — and will be pushed during a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott. Learn about what Menefee is doing to protect your voting rights and how your actions can bring awareness to this fight for our right to vote!
HCDP Bid on Blue Auction a Success
The Harris County Democratic Party hosted Bid on Blue, a virtual auction event, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. We were inspired to hear from Beto O’Rourke on the importance of getting every single Democratic voter out for the 2022 midterm election.
We raised $15,000 to support HCDP’s voter registration initiatives and underwrite our Leadership Academy.
Inside the Fight Against Permitless Carry
In her blog article, attorney Liz Hanks, the volunteer legislative lead with Texas Moms Demand Action, provides an inside look at the fight against permitless carry in Texas. As of June 1, 2021, Permitless Carry (HB1927, aka “Constitutional Carry”) has been passed by the Texas legislature and currently awaits Governor Abbott’s signature. Learn more about efforts to fight permitless carry in Texas and why this is a fight for the lives of Texans.
Thank You to Our AAPI Heritage Month Guest Speakers
We want to thank all the fabulous leaders who appeared on our Words That Inspire speakers' series for Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May:
- Deborah Chen, an immigration attorney, longtime community activist and the Programs Director for OCA-Greater Houston
- David Lee, President and Co-Founder of the media company Texas Signal and AAPI Victory Fund board member
- Nabila Mansoor, Executive Director at EMGAGE Texas
- Hena Rafiq, board member of the Texas They See Blue organization and HCDP AAPI Committee Member
- Steven Wu, a local activist working on improving health equity for people of color across the state of Texas
Watch the individual interviews on our YouTube channel here.
Check out highlights from the series
Help Support HCDP Through Our Membership Program
Work by the Harris County Democratic Party is supported through our membership program.
- Friend of HCDP - $10 a month
- Ally of HCDP - $15 a month
- Activist of HCDP - $30 a month
- Advocate of HCDP - $60 a month
- Champion of HCDP - $125 a month
Sustaining members who donate a regular monthly or annual amount allow us to underwrite our day-to-day operations. This is how we pay our staff. This is how we support Democratic candidates. This is how we fund our voter outreach.
This is how we help elect more Democrats to office.
Voter Registration Best Practices Training - June 10
Join the Harris County Democratic Party on Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM, for a Voter Registration Best Practices training!
This session will cover what to look for when registering new voters and provide tips to successfully organize your own voter registration drive. HCDP will provide you with available resources to help you along the way!
Until next time!
Harris County Democratic Party