U.S. Representative District 10capdaustintx.org/docs/capd_candidates_questionnaire.pdf · • Progressil.€ Change Campaign Committee 2016 Candidate Trainee Signature:):. State Representative

U.S. Representative District 10

Capital Area Progressil.€ Democrats2016 Democratic Primary Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Name: Scot B. Gallaher Office Sought: U.S. Representatil.€, District 10

Tell us about yourself: A bold proqressive, I grew up in Texas benefiting from a strong public schoolsystem with dedicated professional teachers that broadened my perspectives beyond being a kid fromsuburban Houston. I also experienced the burden of setbacks to the middle class when, following myfather's death, President Reagan curtailed Social Security surveor benefits. Progressil.€ priorities are I.€ryreal to me.

Ilil.€d in Texas until I was thirty-two. I left for over ten years as a means to broaden my understanding ofglobal issues. I attended graduate school in Cambridge, lil.€d and worked on the East Coast, advised U.S.allies in Jordan and Kuwait, and served NGOs and leading global institutions working in intemationaldevelopment, women's empowerment, and prevention of HIV, TB, and malaria. I hold a BS in MechanicalEngineering and MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin and aMPNlnternational Development from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

My Texas roots, progressil.€ priorities and intemational economic development experience prepare me torepresent the great people of our congressional district while leading in congress on issues of middle classeconomic prosperity and intemational affairs. Find out more at scotgallaher.com

Why are you seeking this office? The incumbent Republican simply does not represent the interest of thepeople of Texas and my congressional district. My priorities include attracting, retaining, and training thebest teachers in the world for America's children; debt-free public college and alle'viating current studentdebt burdens; fighting to bring undocumented Americans into the economic light; and, building 21st centuryinfrastructure to put wind at the backs of America's middle class workers.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressil.€ Democrat? Quite simply, a Progressil.€ Democrats fightsfor the policies that grow opportunities for Americans to build rewarding lil.€s and strong families throughhard work in an engaged community. So, we fight for social justice, addressing income inequality,supporting working Americans, leading in education, and creating an American that includes and notexcludes

Tell us about your in\Qll.€ment in the Democratic Party:• Current Chair, Harris County Precinct 720• SD17 Democratic Section Lead• Harvard Kennedy Volunteer Coordinator, Students for Gore 2000• Draft Gore 2004• Expats for Obama• Twice Delegate to Texas Democratic Convention• Progressil.€ Change Campaign Committee 2016 Candidate Trainee

Signature:):.

State Representative District 49

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Capital Area Progressive Democrats

2016 Democratic Primary Candidate Questionnaire

Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to one page. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire. Please send completed questionnaires to to [email protected]. All questionnaires will be publicly posted for the candidate forum.

Candidate Name: Aspen Dunaway

Office Sought: State Representative, House District 49

Tell us about yourself: As the only candidate born into the district I learned about helping other people from my father, a social worker and longtime state employee, and my mother, a nurse midwife. I live in the Crestview neighborhood and was the Democratic precinct chairman for precinct 242 for ten years. In that time I built the Travis County Democratic party from the grass roots up volunteering on several campaigns. I graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown with a degree in International Studies and a minor in German. I received my law degree from Baylor Law School in 2001 and passed the Texas bar on my first try in 2002. After five years as an associate at two different law firms in the Austin area I founded the Dunaway Law Firm, P.C. in 2007. I am board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and I am proud of the people he has been able to help over the years. I am an animal lover and past volunteer at the Humane Society of Austin. Why are you seeking this office? I was born in this district and I have spent my life fighting for the core

values we all hold dear: Justice, Tolerance and Opportunity for All. I have laid out my ideas for the

future in my Formula for District 49. From cutting property taxes for Austin residents, to raising the

minimum wage, freezing tuition at state universities, and raises for state employees I will fight to rebuild

Texas’ middle class. I will also fight to decriminalize marijuana and end the disastrous drug war.

In my first hundred days I will introduce all the ideas contained in the Formula for District 49 as bills to

be signed into law. You know where I stand and what I will do. Together, with a strong set of ideas, we

will move past the special interests and the party bosses and keep the power where it belongs, in the hands

of the people.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? I believe in working for positive change. I am a pragmatic problem solver who wants to make life better for all of our people. In the great progressive tradition I am in favor of implementing new social reforms such as those contained in my Formula for 49, fully funding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage and freezing state school tuition.

Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: Until I filed to run for House district 49 I was the Democratic Party Precinct Chairman for Precinct 242, serving on the Executive Committee. I have voted in every Democratic Party primary for as long as I can remember. I have been a volunteer on several campaigns.

Signature: Aspen Dunaway


2016 Democratic Primary Candidate Questionnaire Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to one page. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire. Please send completed questionnaires to [email protected]. All questionnaires will be publicly posted for the candidate forum. Candidate Name: Huey Rey Fischer Office Sought: State Representative, HD49

Tell us about yourself: As the LGBTQ, Latino son of a once-undocumented mom from Mexico and a Jewish, liberal dad from Brooklyn, I have always held that progressive fights are personal. I have served as both a policy analyst and a legislative aide focusing on environmental protection, constituent services, and legislative research for progressive Democrats – including Reps. Eddie Rodriguez (Austin) and Trey Martinez Fischer (San Antonio; no relation), and Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (McAllen). I have worked on over a dozen local and regional campaigns around the state from school board races to U.S. Senate races. Originally from the Texas coast, I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin dual-majoring in Government and Latin American Studies. I am the youngest member of the Texas Democratic Party Executive Committee, currently serving in my second term. I also serve on the City of Austin Impact Fee Advisory Committee. I recently served as Public Relations Director for the Austin Young Democrats and previously served as President of the University Democrats. I am a bike-riding, Selena-listening, vegetarian Austinite who occasionally tweets things (@hueyfischer). Why are you seeking this office? I see a sense of urgency for Texas Democrats to step up our work ethic and to bring an agenda to the House Chamber that is truly proactive and progressive. I am running because these fights are more than talking for me. They are personal. What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? Progressive is an abused word. For me, it is not just about being good on the issues or having a decent voting record; it is about taking action. All Democrats want to see stronger public schools, a cleaner environment, and better wages. But as Progressive Democrats, we know that 20 years of playing defense against the Republicans has gotten us

nowhere. If we want to start winning again, we must stand up for our families with a meaningful agenda that is positive, proactive, and truly progressive. This is the most liberal district in Texas. Anybody we elect for this seat will likely have a good voting record, but that is not enough. I am running to fill a void. You can trust me to put Democrats back on the offensive. You can trust me to file bills that move the conversations back to the left, and you can trust me to use my legislative experience to be an effective leader who gets things done without compromising our values.

Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party:

• I organized parades and marches for former Democratic State Rep. Juan Garcia when I was in the 8th grade. • I was the youngest state delegate in Texas Democratic Party 2010 after I found a loophole in the Party rules

and the Texas Election Code that allowed me to serve on my 18th birthday, which coincided with the start of the convention. I served on the Permanent Rules Committee.

• I served as a regional director of the Texas Young Democrats in 2011. • I am the youngest member of the Texas Democratic Executive Committee in our party’s history. I was

elected in 2012 ousting an incumbent and re-elected in 2014 to represent the statewide Hispanic Caucus. I serve on the Rules Committee.

• I served as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention. • I was president of the University Democrats during my sophomore year at the University of Texas in 2012. • I was the public relations director of the Austin Young Democrats in 2015. • I am a current member of the Austin Environmental Democrats, Austin Stonewall Democrats, Austin Tejano

Democrats and Austin Young Democrats.

Signature:

Capital Area Progressive Democrats – Candidate Questionnaire – January 19, 2016 Candidate Name: Gina Hinojosa Office Sought: House District 49 Primary Election

Tell us about yourself: I ran for AISD School Board in 2012 because as a parent, I was concerned about efforts to close neighborhood schools, including the school my son attended. With strong community support, including the CAPD endorsement, I won that election and led the charge to change district policy, leadership and culture so that ALL neighborhood schools are no longer threatened by closure. I’ve been a strong advocate for public education at the legislature, and I have organized to support increased funding for public schools. I led successful efforts on workers’ rights at the district and secured the rights and safety of LGBTQ employees and students. I voted to extend benefits to domestic partners, even when the Attorney General told us we couldn’t do it. Importantly, my service on the School Board has given voters a very a clear picture of how I will support progressive issues as your representative.

I am a native Texan and a product of public schools. Both of my parents were legal aid attorneys in South Texas and instilled in me the importance of activism and social justice. I’m proud alumni of the University of Texas at Austin, and I earned my law degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. My legal career has been focused on protecting workers’ rights and fairness under the law. I have worked to secure unpaid wages and a livable wage for low-wage workers and represented employees who had been discriminated against based on race, gender, age, and disability.Why are you seeking this office? We face a Republican majority in Texas that has stated it intends to roll back the clock on education, voting rights, health and human services, civil rights, and the environment. I am running for the Texas House (HD 49) to bring a strong, progressive voice to the Capitol on issues that are critical to my district and to Austin. It is not enough to vote the right way, although that is important. We must also have a leader in the House who can create strategic coalitions with other members, develop both an offensive and defensive game, speak out publicly, and galvanize the support of progressive organizations around these important issues. My top priority is public education because I believe that providing quality education and affordable postsecondary opportunities for all children will have a significant impact on the long-term future of Texas. The tide is turning, but it will take leadership to create an effective organization of progressive voices. I will be ready on day one to be an outspoken leader for public education.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? As a Progressive Democrat, I am committed to social and economic justice for all Texans and the inclusion of community input in decision-making. I have applied that approach to my service on the School Board and will continue to do that if elected to the House. My key issues are part of a progressive agenda and include: **We must stop shortchanging Texas children: It’s time to change how we fund public education and end outdated funding formulas that cost Austin families millions every year. **We must act to end the epidemic of gun violence in Texas: Public universities need the same right that private universities have to opt out of open carry. **We must restore full funding to Planned Parenthood and stop the Republican assault on women's reproductive rights. **We must make college affordable for all students and ease the burden of student debt.Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: I am a lifelong Democrat and have voted only in Democratic primary elections. I have served on statewide Democratic committees, including a statewide Democratic Party committee that formulated the Party’s policy against open carry on campus and at schools. I have volunteered for many Democratic candidates, contributed to Democratic candidates and clubs, and am a member of numerous Democratic clubs in Austin. I was part of the legal team that prevailed against Tom Delay for his use of corporate money to influence Texas legislative races. Signature: 1.19.16 GINA HINOJOSA

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Candidate Name: Blake Rocap Office Sought: Texas House 49

Tell us about yourself:

I’m a lawyer specializing in health care, reproductive rights policy and legislative strategy. I’ve been working with the legislature for almost ten years, first as staff for the Texas House committee on Pensions and for the past four legislative sessions fighting against Republican attacks on abortion rights for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas and the ACLU of Texas. Working in the legislature is not only my profession but my passion and area of expertise.

I’m a long time board member of Jane’s Due Process, and volunteer attorney representing abused teenagers in judicial bypass proceedings. I also serve on the board of the Women’s Health and Family Planning Assoc. of Texas.

I moved to Austin more than 20 years ago and have made it my home. My wife and I love living in central Austin and raising our daughters here.

Why are you seeking this office?

The challenges facing our state are immense. We are overly reliant on an antiquated and unfair property tax system to fund our schools and a regressive sales tax which makes up more than half of state revenue. Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents, while our federal tax dollars fund Medicaid expansion in other states.

Republican leadership has sacrificed necessary infrastructure investment at the altar of “small government” while inserting themselves into families’ most personal decisions about marriage and reproduction. All of the candidates in this primary share the progressive values that make us Democrats, but the truth is our ideas don’t get much traction in the legislature. HD-49 needs a representative who understands the big picture of the Legislative process and can block bad bills while taking every opportunity to enact language that advances our values. If we really want to change Texas for the better, we have to be honest about where we’re starting from, so we can make real progress – even if it’s just one step at a time.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat?

To me, being a Progressive Democrat means knowing there is always room for improvement. We can all do better, as a party and as individuals to make our society and state more just and equal. It means always fighting for the best outcome for the less privileged against those that seek to take advantage of their power to maintain an inequality.

Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: I have been a precinct chair, a delegate to county conventions and state conventions. I’ve supported the county and state party and I regularly support Democratic candidates and the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Signature: _______________________________

345th District Court Judge


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Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to one page. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire. Please send completed questionnaires to to [email protected]. All questionnaires will be publicly posted for the candidate forum. Candidate Name: Jim Coronado Office Sought: Judge 427th District Court (re-election) Tell us about yourself: B.A. with honors UT Austin 1974; J.D UT Law School 1978. Private practice of law 1978-1989. Municipal judge in Austin and Kyle 1989-1991 Appointed first Travis County District Court Criminal Law Magistrate in 1991. Elected District Judge 427th District Court in 2008. More than 27 years of judicial experience. Past President: Hispanic Bar Association of Austin (formerly CAMAL), the Mexican American Bar

Association of Texas, the Austin Bar Association, and the Robert Calvert Inn of Court. Master Emeritus of the Robert Calvert Inn of Court Past National Vice-President of the Hispanic National Bar Association Past Chair of Hispanic Issues section of the State Bar of Texas. Past Board Member and Executive Committee member of the State Bar of Texas. Past Board Member of the Texas Bar Foundation and KLRU Public Television. Board member of The Austin Project since 1991. Chair of the Mayor’s Gang Task Force 1990-1991 Married to Dawn Coronado, father of Carson. Why are you seeking this office? I am seeking my third term in this office because I love this community in which I have lived and worked since 1969, because I love my job, and because I believe I make a difference in what I do every day. What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? As Progressives we share the vision of a better America through equal access to opportunity for all. We believe in a fundamental right to public education and health care. We support diversity in all areas of our society and equal protection under the law for all citizens. We believe in a safe and secure retirement for senior citizens. We believe in a strong safety net for the protection of the poor, the young and the aged. We believe that the rights of people take precedence over the rights of corporations. We also believe in a country that welcomes immigrants, for our nation’s strength is built on immigrants. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party:!Life-long Democrat. President Capital City Young Democrats 1975. Co-founder of the Central Austin Democrats 1976. Delegate to numerous County and State Democratic conventions, Past Vice-President Austin Tejano Democrats. Democratic Nominee for the Third Court of Appeals 2006. Elected Judge of the 427th District Court 2008 and 2012.

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Candidate Name: Tamara Needles Office Sought: 427th District Judge


I have been fortunate to call Austin my home for the past 16 years. I have had my own criminal defense practice in Austin for over 15 years. During the course of my nearly twenty-year

career in criminal law. I have represented thousands of criminal matters ranging from

traffic citations to Capital Murder and many resulting in felony jury trials.


I am running because I care about the people involved in the criminal justice system. I care about persons charged with crimes and how they need to be treated as individuals. I care about the victims who sometimes wait years to see justice done. I care about the attorneys who give the justice system their time and dedication to see that justice is carried out. I am running because I want to see those values in the 427th District Court. After seeing first hand and in the Austin Bar polls, where Travis County attorneys ranked my opponent last and/or second to last over the past 8 years, I feel that I am not alone in demanding a change in the 427th.


My connotation of a progressive democrat is one who believes in and fights for equality and fairness for all human beings regardless of one’s economic status, race, sexual preference or gender. Applying that to the court system means that all persons charged with a crime regardless of financial means receive the best representation possible. These forward thinking values allow for the justice system to reduce mass criminalization, by way of creating sentences and punishments that don’t necessarily include incarceration.

Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: At the age of 21 I had the honor of working for congressman Charley Stenholm from the 17th district of Texas on Capital Hill. From that time forward I knew that I was a democrat through and through. Throughout my education in law school and my professional career I have dedicated my time to judicial candidates in the Democratic party who I believed exhibited the progressive values that I hold dear.

Thank you,

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Brad Urrutia District Judge, 450th District Court Tell us about yourself: I’m a lifelong Austinite, Army veteran, husband and father. I have been a criminal defense lawyer for nearly 20 years, having tried every level of felony case from minor drug charges to death penalty cases. In fact, I have tried 5 Capital Murder cases and more felonies in the past 5 years than any defense lawyer in the county. The majority of my clients are indigent and do not speak English. Why are you seeking this office?

I am running because I fundamentally believe real criminal justice reform begins with judges who are willing to give a second chance to youthful nonviolent offenders seeking to turn their life around and avoid a felony label that will affect the rest of their lives. I believe in stopping the school-to-prison pipeline by expanding the youthful offender and pre-trial diversion programs.

Sadly, the Travis County jail is the largest mental health provider in the county. More needs to be done for individuals suffering from mental illness. I support having trained mental health staff in Central Booking around the clock to identify mentally ill inmates and evaluate their needs more quickly.

I support the granting of Mental Health Bonds that will allow incarcerated individuals get out of jail on the condition they receive mental health treatment through Austin Travis County MHMR. We need more police officers and deputies who are certified as Mental Health Officers to better evaluate and de-escalate mental health situations. I support the expansion of the specialized felony and misdemeanor mental health dockets to better supervise mentally ill defendants and insure they receive the proper services.


Being Progressive Democrat means being forward thinking beyond the traditionally party platform. It means inclusion of those traditionally excluded by the process. From a judicial standpoint, it means being willing to admit that policies such as the war on drugs have failed and not made our community safer but rather disproportionately incarcerated people of color and the poor. It means using progressive ideals to find ways to reform our criminal justice system.


I’ve been an active member of several clubs over the past few years to include, SAD, Tejano Democrats, CAPD, CAD, WAD, and AED. I have also worked on several campaigns while in undergraduate school and law school. In addition, I have sponsored several democrat club events and donated to several democratic candidates running for office.

Signature:



Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to onepage. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire.Please send completed questionnaires to [email protected]. All questionnaires will bepublicly posted for the candidate forum. Candidate Name: Chantal Eldridge Office Sought: 450th District CourtTell us about yourself:I am a criminal defense attorney, licensed to practice law since 1989. In 26 years, I have won cases at all levels inthree states, as well as in federal court. I have also won appeals, civil rights cases, and secured seven figurejudgements for my clients. My courtroom battles have led directly to new state law in Tennessee and Texas. Irepresent indigent clients in Travis and Hays Counties, and I am the only candidate in this race who has experienceworking with mentally ill defendants. I am a single mother, and my son, Ari, is a senior at Bowie High School.

Why are you seeking this office:I believe I am the most qualified candidate to handle the most pressing needs of our criminal justice system, and myplatform proposes real solutions to real problems in our courts and our community. Travis County has anoverburdened jail population of mentally ill defendants, and my proposals for a medication compliance program andexpanded felony mental health docket address these issues. We have a housing crisis in which two year waiting listsare common, yet we deny personal bonds to the homeless and the newly housed. My proposals will eliminate thesepolicies and prioritize employment in personal bond practices so we do not perpetuate poverty and crime. Ourminority populations receive disparate treatment in sentencing practices, and there is little focus on rehabilitationprograms which address mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, unemployment, and a lack of education andtraining. We cannot watch our criminal justice system fail our most vulnerable, and I am more than qualified tohandle the trial duties of the bench as well as the expanded mental health docket. Travis County deserves judgeswho go above and beyond the basic duties of the bench. I will step up to protect our progressive values. What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat?A progressive democrat is someone who is not satisfied with the status quo and seeks solutions to existing problemsand has the vision to promote ideas which will move us forward as a society. We as Progressive Democrats cannotallow the values that make our community unique stagnate or become hijacked and subverted. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party:Other than my voting record, I have done my part for several Democratic campaigns, including candidates CharlieBaird, Garry Brown, Ed Scruggs, and Wendy Davis. I am a member of numerous Democratic clubs, and I havevolunteered and donated to Democratic backed progressive causes, including the affordable housing bonds. Signature: _______________________________

Travis County Sheriff

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Candidate Name: John Sisson Office Sought: Travis County Sheriff


I learned the importance of compassion and standing up for people as a teenager, when I had to protect my mother and sister from an alcoholic father and help the family make ends meet by pumping gas and bagging groceries. I knew then I wanted a career where I could help people. I got my start in law enforcement as a Travis County Sheriff's Department Corrections Officer before joining the Austin Police Department, where I served more than 30 years, starting as a cop on the street, and retiring as a Lieutenant in 2009. As an Austin Police Officer, I saved lives and worked hands on within the immigrant and minority communities. I earned numerous awards and commendations for my service, including: 44 Citizen Commendations; the Distinguished Service Cross with Valor; The Superior Citation; The 30 Years Honorable Conduct Medal; and the One Hundred Club Award for Bravery and Valor. I have 3 sons and 3 grandchildren. I currently live in Pflugerville with my husband Alex and our dogs Watson and Chance. I continue to protect and serve my community as a Sargent for Travis County Constable Precinct 3.


For too long law enforcement leadership within the Travis County Sheriff’s Office has failed to listen. It has shut concerned citizens out, wasted our tax dollars, and mismanaged our jail. It has failed to live up to our values. The Sheriff’s department should reflect Travis County’s diversity, and yet it has failed to promote highly qualified women, LGBT members, or people of color up the ranks. Too many within the immigrant community feel like they have to choose between reporting crimes, even in cases of family violence, or face the risk of deportation. This has divided our community and fostered fear. I was an Austin Police Officer for over 30 years, many of those as a patrolmen working within the immigrant and minority communities. I know that we can do better. I want to end our collaboration with ICE; redirect mental health patients away from jail whenever possible, and ensure those that are in jail get the treatment they need; and I want to make sure that the Sheriff’s office looks like the community that it serves.


When I was on officer on the street, I got out of my car, walked the neighborhoods, and listened to people. I learned to put myself in other people’s shoes. When I was a sergeant and lieutenant, I made sure officers under my command did the same. Those in law enforcement need to operate with compassion for others. Police are on the front line, not just of crime, but as social workers, family and community mediators, and mental health workers. We have to care about making a positive change in the lives of those we interact with. That’s what progressivism means to me. It’s about using our authority and resources to make our community a better place. That’s what I did as police officer for over 30 years, and that’s what I want to continue to do as Sheriff.


I became an active Democrat more than a decade ago when, after coming out as a gay man, I realized that the values of inclusion and acceptance were the values I shared with the Democratic Party. I am a member of over a dozen local Democratic clubs and have been endorsed by the Victory Fund, a national organization dedicated to elevating LGBT candidates to political office.

Signature: _! _____________________________

Candidate Name: Sally Hernandez Office Sought: Travis County Sheriff

Tell us about yourself:I love what I do and I am committed to our community. I was the Chief of Investigations for the Travis County DA’s Office, a position Ronnie Earle appointed me to. I am currently an elected law enforcement official as Constable of Precinct 3. I started off as a night dispatcher in the early 80s because I had a child with special needs. I work at night so I could take care of him during the day. I worked my way up to administrative assistant to the Llano County Sheriff. I prepared the budget, worked with the Commissioners Court and with the District and County Attorneys. I then went through the police academy in the evening while working a 40 hour work week. I was commissioned as a police officer and then moved to Austin because my son was in a care facility here. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University and my Master Peace Officer Certificate. My law enforcement experience isn’t limited to just enforcement. I know the rest of the story and what it takes to do a good investigation. I know what it takes to move a case through the judicial system. My law enforcement experience includes working with the DA, CA, judges, and victims. I am not afraid of a good challenge or hard work. I have rolled up my sleeves and I turned around a failing Constable’s Office.

Why are you seeking this office?I am running for Sheriff because I care about this community and because I am the most qualified. I have the education, experience, and training to take on the challenge of being the next Travis County Sheriff and rebuilding community trust. I have over 34 years of law enforcement experience and I am the only candidate in this race who is an elected law enforcement officer who has successfully lead two county law enforcement agencies, balanced county agency budgets, and who has a proven record of leadership and rebuilding trust in the community. As such, on day one I will be ready to bring tangible and meaningful change to the Sheriff’s Office.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat?Equal opportunities, fair treatment, second chances, and opportunity. It means giving people the opportunity to succeed by providing quality education, equal job opportunities, affordable healthcare, and treating them with respect no matter who they are. I ran away from an abusive home when I was 15 years old but a woman named Jeannette took me in, kept me in school, and gave me a second chance. I have been given and earned opportunities to succeed. As Sheriff, I will continue to believe in second chances and opportunities for the Travis County community because they are values Progressive Democrats stand up for. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party:I am a proud Democrat. I have worked for Democratic office holders such as Llano County Sheriff Gale Ligon, Travis County Constable Kevin Miskell, former District Attorney Ronnie Earle, and District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. I have been a member of several Democratic clubs and have stood up for Democratic values at the Texas Capitol. I ran and won as a Democrat in 2012 for Constable Precinct 3 and beat a two-term Democrat in the primary and defeated a Republican in a contested general election. In 2012, I was honored to receive the endorsement of CAPD and I seek your endorsement again.

Signature: _______________________________

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Candidate Name: Don X. Rios Office Sought: Travis County Sheriff


I have given my entire 23-year career to not only improving, but also being a leader within, the Sheriff’s Office. As the only candidate who has spent their entire professional career at the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, I have worked my way through the ranks, which allows me to hit the ground running on day 1. I am the only candidate who has a license to work in the jail, as well as the only candidate with a mental health certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. I have overseen both sides of tactical operations as a SWAT team leader and Hostage Negotiation team leader.

Currently, I chair the Lake Travis Task Force and am assigned to Special Operations West Command supervising the Lake Patrol and the Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Team.


I am running to increase officer accountability, make the Sheriff’s Office reflective of our diverse community, expand transparency, and implement a fully-funded body camera program. As a native Austinite and lifelong Democrat, I want my county to be a great place to raise a family and endure as a beacon of progressive values. If elected, I will use my position to advocate for sincere criminal justice reform and increased mental health funding.


Being a Progressive Democrat means being an advocate for everyday people no matter their race, sexual orientation, or income level. As sheriff, I will always fight for justice and my decisions will be consistent with our shared progressive values.


I began my involvement in Democratic politics as advocate for the employees of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. In the mid-1990’s, I got involved with the association at the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to promote better working conditions and improve job security for all employees. In doing so, I helped on several campaigns and saw first-hand how unions made a difference by ensuring that candidates support pro-labor policies.

Since then, I have volunteered knocking on doors, contributed, and put out signs at polling locations, homes, and businesses. I also had the opportunity to serve on and chair the Travis County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association PAC Board for a combined 14 years. During that time, we contributed over $400,000 to progressive Travis County Democrats. Until recently, I was a precinct chair for the Travis County Democratic Party.

Signature: _______________________________

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Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to one page. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire. Please send completed questionnaires to to [email protected]. All questionnaires will be publicly posted for the candidate forum. Candidate Name: Todd Radford Office Sought: Travis County Sheriff Tell us about yourself: I am a progressive, community-oriented leader with more than 27 years of city, county, and state law enforcement experience. I grew up in Austin, graduated from Travis High School, and began my law enforcement career in 1988 with a decade of service at the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. For the past six years, I’ve served as the Chief of Police for Lakeway, TX. Every day, I go to work with two things in mind: keeping people safe and providing the reliable, effective, and fair justice that all communities deserve. I have the skills to build trust with our community, the leadership record to back it up, and the resolve to see the job is done right. Why are you seeking this office? This is a critical time for the right leadership in law enforcement, and our community needs a Sheriff who’s ready to hit the ground running on day one. The other candidates are good people, but frankly I am the most qualified candidate in this race. Only I have the experience in implementing a body camera program, having put body cams on every patrol officer under my leadership more than three years ago. Only I have been in charge of a full service police department. I’ve got the record to back up the rhetoric. What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? Being a Progressive Democrat means supporting the value of justice, respect for all communities, and the preservation of our civil rights and civil liberties. As a law enforcement official, that means that I support ending ICE’s involvement with the Travis County Jail – a failed system that threatens deportation for traffic tickets and needlessly tears up immigrant families. It also means I support smarter sentencing practices and alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenses so jail time is reserved for folks who are truly a threat to public safety. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: I previously ran in the Democratic primary for Sheriff in 2004. I have consistently voted in the Democratic primary, supporting candidates who share my values and the values of Travis County. Signature: _______________________________

Travis County District Attorney




Candidate Name: Rick Reed Office Sought: District Attorney, 53rd Judicial District Tell us about yourself: I am sixty years of age and married to a wonderful woman, Lynne Reed, who works as a registered nurse at Seton Medical Center. Lynne and I have three grown children (Matt, age 32, Erin, age 27, and Brianna, age 24) and three grandchildren (Cambria, age 5, Leah, age 3, and Alleman, who was born in December).

I have thirty years of experience in criminal law: twenty-one as a prosecutor and nine in private practice. I worked as an assistant district attorney for the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for the first twelve years of my career. That was followed by one year in private practice and nine years as an assistant district attorney for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.

During my twelve-year tenure with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, I tried 274 jury trials and served as Chief Felony Prosecutor in three district courts, Supervisor of the Misdemeanor Trial Division, and Supervisor of the Specialized Crime Division.

During the nine years that I worked for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, I served as a felony prosecutor in Judge Wilford Flowers’ court, Chief Felony Prosecutor in Judge Frank Bryan’s court, Chief Felony Prosecutor in Judge Brenda Kennedy’s court, and Felony Prosecutor in the Public Integrity Unit.

During my thirty-year legal career, I have personally tried more than 500 contested criminal cases, including almost 350 jury trials. The past eight years, during which I have represented hundreds of indigent individuals accused of criminal offenses, have taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my career, better preparing me to serve as District Attorney of Travis County.

During that time, I have represented numerous clients who were charged with very serious felony offenses that they did not actually commit. Many of those clients spent months in jail, some more than a year, before

it finally became apparent to the prosecutors that they were either actually innocent or the State did not have sufficient evidence to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Each of those clients remained in jail until the prosecutor dismissed the charges against them, often on the eve of their scheduled jury trial. In each of those cases, my client’s lengthy pretrial incarceration could have been avoided if the Travis County District Attorney’s Office had imposed more exacting standards upon the law enforcement agencies that filed the charges, i.e., if the DA’s Office had required those law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation before filing the charges. Moreover, in each of those cases, my client’s lengthy pretrial incarceration could have been avoided if the prosecutors had screened the cases more carefully before asking the grand jury to “rubber stamp” a hastily prepared indictment.

Why are you seeking this office? I am seeking this office because the criminal justice system in Travis County is broken. Far too many indigent citizens are held in jail for months, in some instances more than a year, awaiting trial for crimes that they did not commit or that did not warrant a lengthy incarceration. Far too many citizens are prosecuted for non-violent felony offenses that could be better dealt with by diverting them from the criminal justice system to obtain treatment and counseling.

I am the only candidate in this race who has substantial experience working within the criminal justice system on both sides. The last eight years of my practice, during which I have represented almost exclusively indigent citizens charged with criminal offenses, primarily felony offenses, I have seen firsthand where the system has not functioned properly.

The Grand Jury Division of the District Attorney’s is currently doing an unacceptable job of screening cases before accepting them for felony prosecution. The result is that countless individuals—primarily those from lower socioeconomic settings—are incarcerated for weeks, months, and sometimes years before the DA’s Office or law enforcement authorities realize that insufficient evidence exists to prove the charges, or, which is worse, that they are actually innocent. Trial court prosecutors waste much of their time dealing with cases that could never be proven to a jury, often reducing the charges to misdemeanors and offering the defendants “time served” on the eve of jury trial.

A similar problem exists in the Family Justice Division, which is substantially understaffed and overburdened with cases, many of which the prosecutors could never prove to the satisfaction of a jury. The result is that many of those cases go to trial and result in acquittals. While prosecutors have been wasting valuable time and resources prosecuting cases that they could never hope to prove, they have spent less time preparing the most serious cases that they can prove. The end result of this is that many citizens are arrested and incarcerated for crimes that they did not commit while the cases of victims of serious offenses never receive the attention that they deserve. The only way to address this problem is to expand the staff assigned to the Family Justice Division and do a better job of screening cases before accepting them for felony prosecution.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? A truly progressive Democrat is a Democrat who supports policies that will benefit ordinary citizens, who is never content with the status quo and is always seeking new ways to improve the services that government is responsible for delivering to the people whom it is designed to serve. A progressive Democrat supports policies that are calculated to improve the quality of life for all citizens and to leave the world a better place for younger and future generations.

Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: I have been involved in the Democratic Party in one form or fashion since I was five years of age when my younger brother and I rode behind my father in a little red wagon as he campaigned door-to-door in our precinct for Massachusetts Senator John Kennedy during his 1960 Presidential Campaign. During junior high and high school, I worked on my father’s

campaigns for Texas House of Representatives—he was a member of the “Dirty Thirty” during the 62nd Texas Legislature—and Dallas County Commissioner Precinct 4. I was actively involved in South Dakota Senator George McGovern’s 1972 Presidential Campaign, and I later served as precinct chair in Dallas County.

In 1998, I was the Democratic nominee for Dallas County Criminal District Attorney. Although I was ultimately unsuccessful, my candidacy ultimately paved the way to numerous Democratic victories in Dallas County eight years later. I have a solid record of voting in Democratic primaries and supporting Democratic candidates in every general election. I have worked on several Democratic campaigns including Ronnie Earle’s campaign for Travis County District Attorney, my own campaign in 2008 for Travis County District Attorney, and Charlie Baird’s 2012 campaign for Travis County District Attorney.

Signature: ______________________________________

Candidate Name: Gary Cobb Office Sought: Travis County District Attorney Tell us about yourself:I grew up in rural Mississippi, one of nine kids of parents who were union factory workers. I received anundergraduate degree from Mississippi State University and in 1986 received a law degree from The UTSchool of Law. In 1990 I joined the Travis County DA’s office where I have now worked for almost 25years. I am currently the Director of the DA’s Grand Jury/Intake Division. As a public servant I haverepresented the citizens of Travis County for over 25 years in our felony courts and received numerousaccolades for my tireless commitment to victims and for my bold efforts at taking on cases othersbelieved would never result in a conviction. For example, I successfully prosecuted US House MajorityLeader, Tom Delay, as well as a case in which the body of a young victim was never found. During mytime at the DA’s Office, I have prosecuted defendants in approximately two hundred jury trials. Why are you seeking this office?I am the most qualified candidate for District Attorney by training, experience and professionalcommitment. I have over 25 years of experience as a felony prosecutor, handling approximately 200 jurytrials. I am currently the Director of the Grand Jury Division and often provide community outreach toeducate community members about the grand jury process. I have an understanding and appreciation forissues such as mass incarceration, drug policy and the inequities in the criminal justice system and thedisparate effect these issues have on the entire community.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat?I came of age in Mississippi in the 1960’s and I learned the supreme importance of equal justice and theharm of an unfair criminal justice system. While the country struggled through the civil rights era, Iunderstood from an early age that hard work and fair treatment were the way forward and that thosewilling to deny basic human rights to some would eventually oppress any minority. Being a ProgressiveDemocrat means ending our system of mass incarceration, engaging out community, making sure everyvictim has a voice, and recognizing that everyone deserves equal representation and a balanced scaleregardless of race, religion or sexual preference. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party:I am a lifelong Democrat. As an adult I have always been involved in democratic causes, showing mycommitment to those causes by voting, marching, protesting, donating and advocating. I have been aunion member and Democratic Party sustaining member for years, never dropping in and out dependingon whether I’m a candidate for office. I belong to numerous Democratic clubs, including CAPDs in whichI served as treasurer of the PAC and received a Kick Ass Award. But enough about me...what have myopponents done lately? Signature: _______________________________

County Commissioner Precinct 1



Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to onepage. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire.Please send completed questionnaires to to [email protected]. All questionnaires will bepublicly posted for the candidate forum. Candidate Name: Marc Hoskins Office Sought: Travis County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Tell us about yourself: I am a married, father of one daughter. Originally from Galveston and havelived in Austin since 2007. Why are you seeking this office? I am seeking this office to provide strong leadership and a newperspective to the challenges that people face on a day-to-day basis. From pay equity to economicdevelopment to issues around affordability as well as re-entry. I am prepared to meet those challengeswhile using my position to advocate for all citizens and work towards solutions to the issues we face inPrecinct One. What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? Being a Progressive Democrat meansstanding up for democratic principles and using new approaches to help our society progress. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: Lifelong democrat and have been a delegateto several state conventions, volunteered for a number of democratic candidates and have alwayssupported the party; former vice-president of the Galveston County Coalition of Black Democrats andalso a former Youth Director for the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats. Signature: _______________________________

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DEMOCRATS



Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to one page. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire. Please send completed questionnaires to [email protected]. All questionnaires will be publicly posted for the candidate forum.

Candidate Name: James Nortey Office Sought: County Commissioner Precinct 1


I am the son of immigrants from Ghana in West Africa who came to this county in search of the American Dream. I went to Baylor and Harvard Law School on scholarships. After moving back to the Austin area, I earned a graduate degree in business at UT.

Now I am an attorney, advocate, and activist in Austin. I've previously served as a Vice Chair for Endorsements for Capital Area Progressive Democrats, City of Austin Planning Commissioner, Chairman of the Mueller Neighborhood Association, and as a reading coach at Blanton and Pecan Springs Elementary schools.


Our community has too many neglected needs and gross disparities. I am running to help close the economic and equity divide in Travis County by promoting job growth, containing traffic congestion, and taking meaningful steps to improve the affordability of housing.

Over the last several months I've traveled all over Precinct 1 to listen to the stories of the people of Pflugerville, Manor, and East Austin. There is a senior who has lived in East Austin all of his life. He can't believe that the number of African Americans in his neighborhood is dwindling down while his property taxes keep skyrocketing up. I met a woman who moved here to find a job. She's wondering how it can be that all the papers say the local unemployment rate is low, but she can't find a job within a 20-minutes of her home that pays a good wage.

I've received extraordinary opportunities thanks to my parents, ministers, neighbors, teachers, and community leaders. I know that I have an extraordinary obligation to give back.


Being a Progressive Democrat to me means supporting government policies that promote economic, social and environmental justice and sustainability while protecting minority and individual rights and opportunities. It means we are responsible for each other, and therefore no person should be homeless, hungry, abused, or neglected. It means everyone is entitled to decent work at a living wage in a safe working environment. It means I believe in healthcare for all, a system where the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, and equal pay for equal work. It means I believe in government's responsibility to protect labor rights and support working people. It means I believe in sensible drug policies and an end to the Jim Crow era of mass incarceration.

It's because of the belief in shared responsibility that Progressive Democrats built Texas' roads, public schools, universities, and hospitals. It's because of the belief that all people deserve to live with dignity and respect that Progressive Democrats helped expand the right to vote to women and people of color. Progressive Democrats passed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Progressives helped passed the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Progressive Democrats created Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security and in doing so lifted millions out of poverty.

Being a Progressive means that we can't rest on our victories, but must build on them. In this election, I believe being a Progressive Democrat means advocating for paid parental leave, supporting expanded affordable housing, making commercial properties pay their fair share of property taxes, and working to eliminate systemic inequities in economic opportunity, education, and criminal justice. Those are the policies and efforts I've supported during my campaign, and those are the types of policies and efforts I'll work for everyday as Travis County Commissioner for Precinct 1.


I am the immediate Past President of Black Austin Democrats and former Vice Chair of Capital Area Progressive Democrats. I was elected by my community members to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention as a Delegate. Finally, I have supported the Travis County Democratic Party as a member of the Finance Council for the last several years.

Capital Area Progressive Democrats 2016 Democratic Primary Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Name: Arthur Sampson Office Sought: Travis County Commissioner Precinct One Tell us about yourself:

As a longtime resident, I have been living in Northeast Travis County Precinct One for over 50 Years. I am the tenth of eleven children of the Sampson’s Family.

Graduated from Travis County Sheriff’s Academy, attended Austin Community College-continuing education, Certification in Highway Construction and Texas A & M University-continuing education in highway construction.

At an early age my father taught me the value of a good hard days work. I honor my father by working hard every day. Now I want to work hard for the citizens of Travis County and Precinct One. Why are you seeking this office?

The reason I’m running for Travis County Commissioner for Precinct One; The residents of Travis County need a voice that is capable of building an alliance necessary to guide the future development and improve the services delivered to Travis County and Precinct One. Some of resident in Precinct One are lacking the basic needs for a good quality of life.

Some of issues that are facing Travis County ; Public Safety, Public Transportation, Infrastructure - Roads, Bridges and Parks, Water Quality and Environmental Protection, Relationship between Law Enforcement and Community, Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Illegal Dumping on our county roads, Social Services for Senior Citizens, the Youth, Disable & Mental Health What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat?

I am not a member of the Progressive Democrats. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party:

I support the Travis County Democratic Party. I am a member of the Black Austin Democrat and served on the board as a treasurer. I’m hard worker, a person of my word and committed to getting the job done right. I am committed in being Responsive, Respectful and Resourceful as a Democrat.

Signature: Arthur Sampson 1-19-2016 www.arthursampson.com

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Candidate Name: Jeff Travillion Office Sought: Commissioner, Pct. 1


I have worked collaboratively with individuals and organizations to solve problems in Travis County and the State of Texas for three decades. Many of the issues that I have worked on dealt with educational and employment opportunities for youth and adults, community policing issues, geographic and proportional representation, the health of the environment, and public education. I have served on Campus Advisory Committees (CACs), helped create mentoring programs, and have worked at the grassroots level to ensure healthy and safe communities. I have worked across community lines to address problems and plan to continue to do so.


I have lived, worked, and been involved in civic issues in Travis County for more than 30 years. I moved to Austin in 1985 to attend the LBJ School of Public Affairs. I have dedicated my professional career to significant issues that confront local and state government, including business development, performance measurement and management, process improvement, and best practices for government operations. I have also worked in this community on civil rights, community and youth development, and public education issues. These experiences have uniquely qualified me to address significant issues in Travis County.


To me, being a Progressive Democrat means fight for issues that help people who are underserved (not always represented by lobbyists or the political class). Many people have figured out how to make an extravagant living from public sector participation. I have spent my career representing communities fighting contamination, public employees, school children, and teachers. Often these are people who do not have lobbying firms or corporate attorneys fighting to represent them. I have worked to eliminate poverty, increase access to education, and make healthcare more affordable. In my opinion, a Progressive Democrat works to provide a better quality of life for the average person.


I registered to vote at the earliest opportunity. I voted for Jimmy Carter in 1980. I had read about Ronald Reagan announcing his candidacy for President at the site where three Civil Rights workers were killed in Philadelphia, Mississippi. I organized a number of students in the Political Science department at Jackson State University to register voters in Claiborne, Hinds, and Warren counties (in Mississippi). We were successful in electing the Mayor of Vicksburg and influencing the district that was eventually won by Congressman Mile Espy. I became a Sloan Fellow and attended graduate school at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. As a representative of the NAACP, I registered voters and participated in every Presidential election and most statewide elections since 1985. I have worked to achieve single member districts, representative Congressional districts, equal access to public resources and institutions throughout my career. I have also worked to ensure access to educational resources for underprivileged children, a Police Review Board, equitable hiring and promotions policies.

Signature: _______________________________

Constable Precinct 1

Janice

Constable Danny Thomas

Janice

Travis County Constable Precinct 1

Janice

Janice

I am seeking re-election in part to build on the successes we have had at Precinct One these first two terms. Since taking office, we have increased our community presence, built better communication bridges among elected officials including the Travis County Commissioners' Court, and implemented operating procedures to better protect both the public and the deputies that serve therm.

Janice

Janice

Janice

I am a 21 year veteran of law enforcement, having started my career as a Police Officer with the Austin Police Department in 1978. In 2000, I successfully ran for Austin City Council Place 6 and served for three terms. Each of these experiences uniquely qualifies me to understand how law and policy are made and to be able to enforce it through the perspective of compassion and compromise. Using my experience as a certified peace officer in the State of Texas along with the leadership of being Mayor Pro-Tem, I am able to be a strong command leader for the deputy constables whose daily duties can often put them in harm's way.

Janice

Janice

CAPD is a group that promotes coalition-building among many varied and diverse communities, in many ways I do the same thing. As Constable my job is to serve all of the community regardless of a person's background. Treating each member of the community with respect regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation is progressive.

Janice

Janice

I have been involved in the Democratic Party my entire life and believe in the principles that the Party stands for.

Janice

Janice

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Danny Thomas

Janice

Janice

Janice

Janice



Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to one page. To be eligiblefor endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire. Please send completed questionnairesto to [email protected]. All questionnaires will be publicly posted for the candidate forum. Candidate Name: Anthony “AJ” Johnson Office Sought: Constable Precinct 3 Tell us about yourself: I have served as the Chief Deputy at the Precinct 3 Constable Office for the past 3 years. I have36 years in law enforcement, and I am a U.S. Veteran. While serving at the Austin Police Department, I received over 250awards and commendations, and during my tenure at the Travis County DA’s office, I was chosen twice as Investigator ofthe Year. I am married to Kellye Johnson, and we have four daughters and two grandsons. I have lived in Precinct 3 for over 30years. Why are you seeking this office? I am running for Precinct 3 Constable to ensure that the residents of Precinct 3continue to receive the high-level of professional service that they have come to expect over the last 3 years. That beginswith good, relevant, and up-to-date training of deputies and administrative staff. There’s been a world of change in lawenforcement over the last 25 years, and like technology, it is ever-evolving. Great training, as we have established in thelast 3 years, ensures that your employees are performing their duties correctly, so your office and Travis County are not onthe losing side of any lawsuits that might come up. I will continue this practice. As with any public safety agency, trust, whether within your own office or with other agencies, is paramount for success. When we came into office 3 years ago, we learned pretty quick that trust had been broken between the Constable Precinct3 Office and other law enforcement agencies. We have worked hard to rebuild that trust, and our hard work has paid offin the form of recognition from the Bee Cave and Sunset Valley Police Departments for building great workingpartnerships with them. I will look to expand relationships with other public safety agencies when I’m Precinct 3Constable. In the last 3 years, we have expanded our community programs by adding a Senior Fraud Prevention Program, sponsoringregular VIN etching events, and holding our own National Night Out event. Communication is important when workingwith and building trust with the community, something sorely needed today. That’s why we started a monthly newsletter,and your Constable’s Office is the first and only Travis County constable office that is on NextDoor, the private socialnetwork for your neighborhood. Constable offices are the most community-based agencies in law enforcement, and asyour next Precinct 3 Constable, I will continue the expansion of our community programs to build upon the foundation oftrust that has been laid in the last 3 years. What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? A Progressive Democrat not only believes in the guaranteesof human rights for everyone, equal economic opportunity, and the dignity for labor and their work, but also lives by theseprinciples. Universal aspirations of justice and environmental stewardship color these principles. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: I have voted in the following Democratic primaries- 1990,1992, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014. I am a member of a number of Democratic clubs, and I volunteered for Gary Cobb’s andSally Hernandez’s campaigns. Signature: _______________________________



Please complete and return this questionnaire by January 19, 2016. Limit your response to one page. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must complete and return this questionnaire. Please send completed questionnaires to to [email protected]. All questionnaires will be publicly posted for the candidate forum. Candidate Name: George Morales III Office Sought: Constable Pct.4 Tell us about yourself:Asalife-longresidentofPrecinctFour,Ihave22yearsofpublicservicetoourcommunityasawhole.Itiscrucialtoworkwithfamiliesinmattersofwarrantsandcivilprocessbecauseignoringasummonsorlegalproceedingcancomewithaheavyprice.IholdaMasterPeaceOfficerslicenseandcertificatesinCivilProcessProficiencyandMentalHealth.IamcurrentlytheChiefDeputyConstableofthesecondlargestofficeinTravisCounty. Why are you seeking this office? I filed to run for Travis County Constable Precinct 4 to represent a community I hold dear to my heart. I believe that I have the experience, leadership skills and share the same values as the community of Precinct 4 to lead the Constable's office. I am the only candidate with a proven record that can run an office efficiently, effectively and professionally and at no cost to Travis County tax payers. What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? A democrat that believes in change and advocating for social reform that brings new ideas to the Democratic Party. Advocating creating new ideas such as implementation of body cameras making deputies and the community we serve accountable. Really focus on community policing efforts and continue to decriminalize truancy in Texas. New ideas such as alternative sentencing programs for felony first time offenders, no kid under the age of 18 should start life with a felony if an alternative is available. Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: I take pride in being the only candidate in this race that has helped local Democrats get elected to office in Austin and Travis County for the past 20 years: Margaret Gomez, Eddie Rodriguez, Kirk Watson, Lloyd Doggett, Celia Israel, Adan Ballesteros, Delia Garza, Randall Slagle, Karen Crump, Danny Thomas, Paul Saldaña and my old little league coach, Richard Scott. I have been a member of numerous Democratic clubs including being the immediate past Vice Chairman of the Austin Tejano Democrats. Signature: George Morales III

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Candidate Name: Manuel Jimenez Office Sought: Constable of Precinct 4

Tell us about yourself: My name is Manuel Jimenez, and I am the current Chief Deputy in the office I’m running for. The proud son of a Mexican immigrant mother and a Tejano father, I am also a born and raised Austinite. After the early passing of my father, my mother’s remarkable resilience and unwavering commitment to her family deserves much credit for instilling in me the values that led me to the decision to pursue a career in public service. As a teenager I decided to enlist as a military police officer in the USAF. 20 years, 4 continents, and dozens of countries later I returned to Austin. As a veteran and lifelong Progressive, I was drawn to the Pct. 4 office of Maria Canchola. It was here that I gained the experience to not just talk about issues, but to focus the combination of my law enforcement skills, commitment to service, and progressive values into a capacity for action and productive results.

Why are you seeking this office? My vision for the future is premised on three ideas designed to bring Pct. 4 policing into line with the progressive values of 2016 and beyond. First, we MUST prioritize de-escalation and cultural sensitivity training for our deputies. Second, we need to continue to foster strong community ties that close the trust gap between law enforcement and those we serve; this includes not just informing citizens of their responsibilities, but also of their rights. Third, we cannot allow those who served honorably overseas to be defeated here at home. That is why I will continue to champion and build on great Pct. 4 initiatives like the Veterans Intervention Project and Veteran Court.

What does it mean to you to be a Progressive Democrat? No person, no party, is perfect. This concept is central to my belief that being a Progressive Democrat means pushing further for those who need us most. Pushing for equality. Pushing for reform. And always pushing for justice. Being a Progressive means moving forward on these ideals and never accepting the status quo as natural or unchangeable. Above all, being a Progressive dictates that one embrace the inherent, moral responsibility of our cause to fight for folks less fortunate, to champion the cause of the oppressed, and remain steadfast for the marginalized.

Tell us about your involvement in the Democratic Party: As a lifelong Democrat like yourselves I am proud to claim membership of the Capital Area Progressive Democrats and as a sustaining member of the Travis County Democrats, Tejano Democrats, South Austin Democrats, and numerous other Progressive groups. I have never voted in any other primary and would not consider doing so. In addition to my more recent work campaigning for Pio Renteria, I have cultivated a broad coalition of relationships based on my membership in groups such as the Lone Star Veterans Association, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, Justice of the Peace Constable Association, National Latino Police Association, and many more. Finally, as the Chief Deputy under Maria Canchola, I have had the privilege of working with a great Democrat for years enacting substantive Progressive policing polices; and that is precisely what I will continue to do as the Constable of our Pct. 4 community.

Signature: _Manuel Jimenez__

Documents

U.S. Representative District 10capdaustintx.org/docs/capd_candidates_questionnaire.pdf · • Progressil.€ Change Campaign Committee 2016 Candidate Trainee Signature:):. State Representative