Another Great Night in the 'Burbs!

Cafe East in Humble was the site of the Kingwood Area Democrats' September Dinner meeting. Over 40 Democrats got together to enjoy a great presentation from Planned Parenthood and meet a a great cast of candidates for City Council and various judicial seats.

Meggin Baxter, regional outreach director for Planned Parenthood provided KAD members with a great presentation on the latest successes of the organization, including the defeat of various anti-choice bills during the last legislative session. They were also updated on the progress of the all-new and secure facility that is being built and opening in another year-and-a-half. The big thrill of the evening was the presentation of an effective marketing tool--a condom card! I took a bagful of them--they make great water balloons!

Another very special guest (and my favorite statewide judicial candidate) was Judge Susan Criss, running for Texas Supreme Court Place 8. Judge Criss gave an amazing presentation centering on providing justice for the people of Texas. Criss spoke about her experiences and the innovative solutions she has created as a jurist, including the bilingualization of probation instructions to ensure every probationer has a fair shot at completing probation, instead of setting them up to fail. I can honestly say that Judge Criss is my hero, and moreso than ever, I am very honored that she included a quote that I wrote on DosCentavos on her campaign tri-fold. (As always, it was great seeing her legendary dad, Galveston County DemChief and former State Rep. Lloyd Criss.).

Visiting candidates who were able to give great presentations to the group included Zaf Tahir (At-Large Pos. 5), Manisha Mehta (District E), and District Court candidates Al Bennett for the 61st, Fred Cook for the 215th, Steven Kirkland for the 215th, and Larry Weiman for the 80th. While William R. Williams running for City Council District E was tending to his 4-year old who is in the hospital with a stomach bug, Stace Medellin (that's me) spoke on his behalf.

Another guest who honored us with his presence was Harris County DemChief Gerry Birnberg who spoke about the 2008 coordinated campaign, as well as the upcoming Johnson-Rayburn-Richards dinner in which Congressional DemLeader Rahm Emanuel will serve as Keynote. DosCentavos will be at the J-R-R dinner this year again! HCDPs administrator Jamaal Smith also made the trip to the 'burbs--Thanks, J!

All in all, another great night in the 'burbs! Democrats all over Harris County are excited about working to make the county and Texas blue. Evenings like this only keep that fire lit, and this time around, that fire has been lit early!

And because another political writer who usually gives out nicknames to politicos did not give him one last week, DosCentavos is proud to give a nickname out to one of Harris County's great political minds (and now my competition), Max Cardenas. I do hereby proclaim him...Max-a-Million! I wonder if that's also his consulting fee?