HSYD General Membership Meeting, February 10,

2014
Board Members In Attendance: Brad Pritchett, Caroline Giese, Jeffry Faircloth, Chadwick Holmes, Laura
Beyers.
No meeting sponsor this month.
Meeting commenced: 7:05 p.m.
I.

General Welcome, Introduction of Elected Officials & Candidates

a. Official
i. Senator John Whitmire
ii. State Representative Carol Alvarado
iii. David Goldberg and Leah Wolfthal, representing Council Member David
Robinson
b. Candidate
i. Damian LaCroix, running for State Senate District 15
ii. Tate, representing Steven Kirkland, running for 113th District Court
iii. Barbara Stalder, running for the 280th District Court
iv. Bruce Steffler, running for the 308th District Court
v. Rachel Frasier, representing Jim Evans, running for the 308th District Court
vi. George Barnstone, running for County Criminal Court at Law, No. 10
vii. Kathy Vossler, running for 309th District Court
viii. Kim Hoesl, running for County Probate Court No. 1
ix. Michael, representing Ann Harris Bennett and Joe Simoneaux
x. Ursula Hall, running for the 189th Civil District Court

II. Officer Reports

a. President Brad Pritchett
i. News discussed in Old and New Business sections (below).
b. Vice President of Political Affairs Caroline Giese
i. Summary of screening process
ii. For the November general election, HSYD will push voting straight-Democrat
ticket.
iii. Candidates interested in obtaining the endorsement of HSYD after the primary
can request the questionnaire via the website. Primary endorsements carry over
to the general election.
c.

Vice President of Community Affairs Jeffry Faircloth

i. February Social Event: Run with the Rep
1. Saturday, February 22 at 8 a.m.
2. Mason Park (541 S. 75th St., Houston, TX 77023)
3. Followed by breakfast at El Tiempo at 2814 Navigation

d. Treasurer Chad Holmes

i. Bank balance: $1,565.84
e. Director of Communications
i. Like HSYD on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HoustonStonewallYDs) to keep
on top of the latest events and information.
ii. Help spread the word: repost/share events on Facebook and bring friends to
future meetings, social events, and volunteer functions.
iii. Please update us (communications@houstonstonewallyd.org) if your email
address has changed.
f.

Director of Membership
i. Annual membership dues are $20. Join/renew today!
ii. Please consider becoming a Sustaining Member for as little as $5/month. Easy to
set up through Act Blue (see www.houstonstonewallyd.org for link), and it gives
the organization a steady stream of income to depend on each month.

III. Old Business

a. Jeremiah & Jeffs My Big Gay Illegal Wedding with the ACLU
i. Please vote for this Houston couple to win $5,000 for a wedding in a state with
marriage equality!
ii. Vote here: https://weddings.aclu.org/
b. HSYD Blog: Not All Democrats are created equal
i. See our blog post about why we endorse in Democrat primaries.
c.

Youth of the Union (No. 3)

i. Saturday, April 5th or April 12th
ii. A full day of workshops and panel discussions designed to get young people
involved in political process. Potential panels:
1. Women in Politics Panel
2. Equality Politics Panel
3. Young and Involved Panel
4. How to Land a Job or Internship in Politics Workshop
5. Campaign Social Media Workshop
6. How Wendy Wins Panel
7. Health Care for Young People Panel
8. Citizen Lobbying Workshop

IV. New Business: Endorsements in Contested Primaries

a. Contested Races
i. United States Senate
ii. US Rep, District 7 & District 22
iii. Governor
iv. Agriculture Commissioner
v. Railroad Commissioner
vi. Senate District 15

vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
xiii.
xiv.
xv.

State House District 131

State House District 145
113th District Court
246th District Court
280th District Court
308th District Court
District Attorney
County Criminal No. 10
County Clerk

b. Races Under Consideration

i. Senate District 15
ii. State House District 131
iii. State House District 145
iv. 113th District Court
v. 246th District Court
vi. 280th District Court
vii. 308th District Court
viii. District Attorney
ix. County Criminal No. 10
x. County Clerk
c.

Recommendations of the screening committee

i. Senate District 15
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Senator John
Whitmire.
2. The membership voted to endorse Senator John Whitmire.
ii. State House District 131
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Representative
Alma Allen.
2. The membership voted to endorse Representative Alma Allen.
iii. State House District 131
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Representative
Carol Alvarado.
2. The membership voted to endorse Representative Carol Alvarado.
iv. 113th District Court
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Steven Kirkland.
2. The membership voted to endorse Steven Kirkland.
v. 246th District Court
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Julia Maldonado.
2. The membership voted not to endorse a candidate in this race.
vi. 280th District Court
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Barbara Stadler.
2. The membership voted to endorse Barbara Stadler.
vii. 308th District Court
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse neither Bruce
Steffler nor Jim Evans (because the screening committee found the
candidates equally qualified).

2. The membership voted not to endorse a candidate in this race.

viii. District Attorney
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Kim Ogg.
2. The membership voted to endorse Kim Ogg.
ix. County Criminal No. 10
1. The screening committee recommended not to endorse a candidate in
this race.
2. The membership voted not to endorse a candidate in this race.
x. County Clerk
1. The screening committee recommended to endorse Ann Harris Bennett.
2. The membership voted to endorse Ann Harris Bennett.
V. Upcoming HYSD Board Elections
a. Brad Pritchett nominated himself for President again for the coming year.
b. Caroline Giese nominated herself for Vice President of Community.
c.

Yesenia Chavez nominated herself for Vice President of Political Affairs.

d. Laura Beyers nominated herself for Secretary.

VI. Announcements
a. HCDP Brown Bag Lunch Featuring Rev. William Lawson and Howard Jefferson on Black
History Month
i. Thursday, February 13, 12-2 p.m.
ii. Harris County Democratic Party headquarters (1445 North Loop West, #110)
b. Protest with the Foundation for Family and Marriage Equality
i. Annual marriage equality protest
ii. Friday, February 14 (Valentines Day), 10 a.m.
iii. City Hall
c.

Pints and Pride for Wendy

i. LGBT fundraiser for Wendy Davis
ii. February 20th, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
iii. St. Arnolds Brewery (2000 Lyons Avenue)
iv. $100/ticket

d. Meet & Greet with Hugh Fitzsimmons, candidate for Agriculture Commissioner
i. Thursday, February 13, 5-7 p.m.
ii. Hughes Hangar (2811 Washington Ave. Houston, TX 77007)
e. HSYD and Meyerland Democrats Fundraiser Brunch for Leticia van de Putte
i. March 13, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
ii. Location: TBD
Meeting adjourned: 8:56 p.m.