09.20.07
Uh Oh, For Republicans That Is
State Representative Mark England (RD-Grand Prairie) is now A Democrat. From his statement.
“In December of 2005, when I filed to run for office, I made a promise to the hardworking families in our community to fight for our public schools, fight for affordable health care and to fight for them on pocketbook issues. After one session in the House, I found that the Republican leadership in Austin had no tolerance for the values and priorities of the folks I represent.
Well that should have been blatantly obvious before you ran in 2005 Rep. England. We’ll do our best to make sure you see these types of things long before they happen in the future. Those promises you mentioned do not “kick-back” money to Republicans that’s why they’re not valued. That being said, welcome to the party Rep. England!
There’s been a rash of GOP retirements in the state house and more party switching in the Dallas area:
What’s more, Dallas County Democrats will gather today at their Fair Park headquarters to welcome Criminal Court Judge John Creuzot back to the fold.
Judge Creuzot, a former Democrat turned Republican, is running in the March primary as a Democrat.
Though several area judges are expected to switch political affiliation in the wake of last November’s Democratic countywide sweep, few predicted Republican lawmakers would change parties as well.
There’s also rumor that Rep. England might not be the only one. Just more of the damage Craddick’s reign has wrought on the GOP in the house. Hopefully it’s as EOW suspected - (Democrats Need Your Help To Take Back Williamson County) - that there have been many Democrats playing the part of a Republican, not just around the state but here in Williamson County too, because it was the only game in town.
My gut tells me there are many Democrats in Williamson County that have been voting Republican and working with the Republicans because that was the only game in town. Well, that’s changed and it’s time to come home. If that was the case, there’s no reason anymore to wait in line for someone to decide not to run again and continue to keep quiet and aid the other side. Your needed to run as a Democrat, run a campaign for a Democrat, fund raise for a Democrat, block walk for a Democrat, NOW. Opportunity is knocking with the Democratic Party in Williamson County
My only caution would be for the closet Democrats not to wait too long. It may starts as a trickle but will being picking up steam soon enough - see tipping point. Better to join early and not be on the outside looking in. When party-switching starts it’s a signal. This signals the beginning of the Texas GOP’s slide down from it’s apex. That doesn’t mean that the Democratic Party will resume it’s once dominant role in Texas politics. More than likely it means that Texas may finally have something it hasn’t had in more than a century, a true two party system.