Jun
26
Written by:
William Lutz
6/26/2010 11:56 AM
CORPUS CHRISTI -- Delegates to the Texas Democratic Convention re-elected party chairman Boyd Richie overwhelmingly today. Richie received 5891.4 votes (79 percent), compared with 1555.6 (21 percent) for Michael Barnes.
Richie was introduced by former Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos and current Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin). Watson credited Richie’s leadership for Democratic gains in county office and the Texas House and Senate. He credited Texas Democrats with unseating former Speaker Tom Craddick.
Richie said his plan is based on fundraising, communication, outreach, and technology. He cited recent Democratic gains as examples of that strategy working.
Barnes was introduced by former Democratic candidate for Attorney General David Van Os. Barnes blamed Richie for the loss of the 2006 statewide ticket. He blasted Richie for allowing Comptroller Susan Combs -- a member of the five-member Legislative Redistricting Board -- to run unopposed by Democrats.
Unlike the Republican convention -- where the chairman’s race was in doubt -- it was obvious from looking at signs and stickers that Richie would cruise to re-election.
In addition to Richie, delegates re-elected Vice Chair Lenora Sorola-Pohlman, Vice-Chair of Finance Dennis Speight, and Treasurer Amber Goodwin. Democrats elected Rene Lara as Secretary.