TDW of Ellis County
May 20, 2025 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Billye Summers at 6:00 p.m. with 22 members in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Program:
Lynda Begnaud introduced Kendall Scudder, Chair of the Texas Democratic Party, who joined via Zoom.
Topic: Democratic Party plans for Texas
Highlights:
- 1 Million Democrats did not vote in 2024
- Texas has 9,000 precincts. 4,500 have no precinct chair.
- Texas has 254 counties. 55 have no county chair.
- Ellis County was only 1 of 3 counties that trended toward Democratic candidates in 2024
- Three things Democrats must do: 1) Change messaging; 2) Show up where people are; 3) Show up where people get their media:
- Messaging: Democrats must fight harder to change their brand to focus on economic justice; Message must be “How to make life better for working Americans”
- Show up where people are: Must show up in all places – not just big cities. Mid size cities are important
- Show up where people get their media: Talk to people where they consume media. Include Spanish language communication.
- Rather than give a list of what Democrats do, tell people that “Democrats fight for working people”.
- Some of the greatest achievements for the U.S. have been because of Democrats such as Lloyd Bentsen, Sam Rayburn, LBJ
- Texas must lead the way. If Texas delivers, then the country will follow.
- He is working closely with National leaders to ensure turning Texas blue is a priority
What can you do?
- Get involved in local Democratic politics – all hands on deck needed
- Be proud to be a Democrat
- Use the messaging: “Democrats fight for working people”
Billye introduced Becky Kauffman, recently honored as the 2024 Texas Historical Commission Lifetime Achievement Award winner in Historical Preservation, who discussed The Sweatt Family marker. The Sweatt family were former slaves from Waxahachie. Their grandson, Heman Sweatt, was instrumental in ensuring that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. There is a new State Historic marker at Freedman Memorial Plaza located at Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd that discusses the Sweatt Family and the impact their lives had not only in Waxahachie but for the entire country.
Meeting Minutes and Treasurer Report:
The April meeting minutes are available on the TDWEC website. Mary Brooks made a motion to approve. Linda Baker seconded. All ayes.
Treasurer Joanne Hunt reported a PAC account balance of $4,371.61 and a Scholarship balance of $5,491.86. Mary Lou Shipley made a motion to approve the report. Kelly Blackburn seconded. All ayes.
Committee Reports:
Program – Lynda Begnaud
Speaker for next month will be Jamie McNutt, Executive Director of United Way West Ellis County.
Advocacy – Mary Lou Shipley
Demonstrations in Ft. Worth and Dallas have been well attended by Ellis County Democrats. More demonstrations from Indivisible will be on June 14th. Mary Lou encouraged people to attend.
No Kings Protest – volunteer organized
Saturday, June 14th, 2025
12pm – 3pm
Akard Plaza – 1500 Marilla St Dallas, TX 75201
Join us to protest the continued abuses and outrages of the Trump administration and begin the process of building a better future free of fascist oligarchs.
Scholarship – Lynda Begnaud
Both scholarships were presented to Makenzi Harden and Destan Burks, graduates of Red Oak High School. Makenzi and Destan will be at the June meeting to read their essays. Lynda will send a copy of the essay written about Jasmie Crockett to Jasmine. Kathleen Bowen will take over the Scholarship Committee for 2025/2026. She and Lynda will meet soon to send out the Bakeless Bake Sale fundraising letter.
Community Outreach – Julie Mendenhall
No report.
Fundraising – Nancy Post
No report.
Refreshments/Social – Carol Young
Thank you to Priscilla Clore for providing snacks. Mary Brooks will provide snacks in June.
Voter Registration – OPEN
Mary Brooks stated that more people are needed as VDR (Volunteer Deputy Registrar) to help sign up people to vote. It is a simple process to become a VDR and not a partisan process. They have registered hundreds of high school students to vote. It is very rewarding and easy to do. Please contact Mary if you are interested and if you have any ideas on other locations that we could go to register people to vote.
Other Business:
Priscilla Clore talked about her recent experience in walking at the Courthouse talking to people about how she is not ashamed of being a Democrat. She encouraged everyone to participate in a demonstration and let them know our democracy is at stake. We must do something to return our democracy. Our country is on the rocks and we must save it.
Liza Hameline discussed an upcoming Irving City Council election where David Pfaff is running in what should be a non-partisan election. She stated the importance of this election and asked for volunteers to help on June 7th. Irving and Ellis County are both in Congressional District 6. Contact Liza if you can help.
Refreshments:
June Refreshments – Mary Brooks
Next Meeting:
June 17th at the Chamber of Commerce
Adjournment:
Mary Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Helen Brock. All ayes.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
The minutes were prepared by Kathleen Bowen.