SMITH NAMED DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER AND COTTINGHAM NAMED DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Harris County Democratic Party Executive Director Jamaal Smith will assume the additional duties and title of Deputy Campaign Manager for the 2008 Coordinated Campaign, Harris County Democratic Party Chair Gerry Birnberg has announced. In this role, Jamaal will work with Coordinated Campaign General Manager Bill Kelly and the full staff of the Coordinated Campaign to increase turnout of Democrats in the November 4, 2008 election and assure Democratic victories up and down the ballot.

While Jamaal will also continue to serve as Executive Director of the Harris County Democratic Party (and will return to that role exclusively once the election is over), Chair Birnberg has also announced that precinct chair coordinator Martha Cottingham will serve as Deputy Executive Director of the Harris County Democratic Party through the election. Martha will be in charge of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Party and its headquarters during this time.

“These two folks are Democrats of extraordinary capabilities and devotion to the Party,” Birnberg said, “and I am thrilled they have been willing to take on additional roles and responsibilities to help guide us to victory in November.”

JUDGE KATHY STONE SELECTED AS NOMINEE FOR PROBATE COURT

A record turnout of 362 Democratic precinct chairs met on August 14, 2008, and selected KATHY STONE as the party’s nominee for the November 4, 2008 ballot for the position of Judge, Harris County Probate Court No. 1.

Judge Stone was the last Democratic elected to the district court bench in Harris County, and served as the judge of the 55th civil district court from 1991 to 1999. In 2004, she was the top vote-getter of all Democratic candidates in Harris County, garnering even more votes than John Kerry.

With the nomination of Kathy Stone, there are now 38 Democrats on the November ballot seeking judicial office above the justice of the peace level.

SENATOR EDWARDS WITHDRAWS FROM JOHNSON-RAYBURN RICHARDS DINNER BUT EVENT TO PROCEED ON SEPTEMBER 20 WITH NEW FEATURED SPEAKER

Senator John Edwards has informed the Harris County Democratic Party that his family and he need some time in private and requested that we replace him as featured speaker at our September 20 Johnson-Rayburn-Richards Dinner. We have advised Senator Edwards that we understand completely his need to remove himself from this event and have expressed our sincere concern for his family and him in these difficult times. The JRR Dinner Committee is hard at work obtaining an alternate keynote speaker and hopes to be able to announce that person within a week. Meanwhile, we intend to proceed forward with our plans to hold this event on September 20, and for it to be a grand and energizing one for Harris County Democrats.

The Johnson-Rayburn-Richards Dinner is the major fundraising event of the year for the Harris County Democratic Party, and all net proceeds from this year’s dinner will go to the 2008 Coordinated Campaign of the Harris County Democratic Party to elect candidates countywide this November—up and down the ballot!

Herman Litt, chair of our very successful 2007 JRR Dinner, is again chairing this year’s event. He anticipates another sellout crowd and encourages everyone to get their reservations in early.

REMARKS OF HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR GERRY BIRNBERG AT OPENING OF WESTSIDE SATELLITE CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008

I think most of you know that last Monday night, Louise and I lost our only grandson. He was only 26 years old and he died in a car wreck and we are overwhelmed by grief.

Over the last several days, Louise and I have been just blown away by the outpouring of support and condolences and sympathy so many of you have so graciously expressed for us. And I wanted to stop by this morning just for a few minutes, on the day of the funeral of our beloved departed 26 year old and only grandson, to say thank you to you all for your warmth and your encouragement and your friendship and your tears.

Over the last several months, many people have inquired of me why I do this – why I spend almost every night and large parts of every day trying in my own way – ways I understand some of you disagree with intensely – to help this county and this state and this nation turn blue, frequently facing criticism and ridicule and all the rest that goes with being a public face of the Democratic Party in a place where Republicans hold all the trappings of power.

Continued on Page 2

Archive of Gerry Birnberg's Messages

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