I first met Chris nearly 15 years ago when I was the Chairman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party. I hired him to be our executive director, and he turned out to be one of the best directors our local party has ever had. Chris worked hard to engage our activists and precinct chairs and he was never afraid to point out the profound differences between Democrats and Republicans.

Since that time, Chris has helped elect Democrats in tough races throughout the state. When the George W. Bush forces were making their move, Chris led Democrats in fighting back. When Chris won a seat in the Legislature in 2008, he immediately proved to be one of the most effective and hard-working representatives around.

Chris often heard me quote former U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough’s sage advice to “put the jam on the lower shelf so the little people can reach it.” Chris is a leader who will put the jam on the lower shelf for public school students who don’t have a voice, for the disenfranchised voter, for women who don’t have access to basic health care and for struggling middle-class families. We need more leaders in Austin like Chris who will fight to restore our Democratic ideas and values.

Chris is running to represent the same South Arlington area he used to serve, as well as areas of Grand Prairie that he worked for while serving as our party’s executive director, and he brings a deep understanding of the issues important to the community. Never content with just being another vote in the Texas House, Chris is serious about working for his constituents and taking on the destructive policies of the Republican leadership in Austin.

Please join Lynda and me in supporting Chris and his campaign for State Representative. He’s had our public endorsement from day one, and I encourage you to sign up today and do the same. By supporting Chris for State Representative, this new, open district will have a real Democrat of conviction fighting for it in Austin. Chris has always done right by Democrats in this county. Now it’s our turn to return the favor.

Art Brender
Chairman, Tarrant County Democratic Party
1996-2008

When I was previously in office, one of my favorite parts of the job was holding town hall meetings so that I could hear directly from constituents. I wanted to make sure I understood folks’ concerns so that I could represent them well in Austin and work effectively on their behalf. Town hall meetings, forums and debates are a vital part of our democracy and they should play an important role in this campaign. So, let’s talk.

This has been what our campaign has been all about from day one – grassroots conversations and outreach. If you are a member of an organization that you think would be interested in hosting a forum, please feel free to contact my campaign at (817) 561-4900.

I look forward to the conversation.

 ARLINGTON – Former State Representative Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) has outraised both of the other candidates combined in the race for the new state house District 93 that includes much of Arlington and Grand Prairie.   Turner’s campaign also has more cash-on-hand than the other two candidates in the race.

From July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, Turner raised $76,419, ending with cash reserves of $43,951.  Turner’s campaign received a total of 175 individual contributions, two-thirds of which came locally from Tarrant County.  In contrast, the other two candidates together raised a total of $62,295 and had $38,080.83 on hand.

“Our campaign’s strong fundraising is proof that District 93 wants a state representative who has a proven track record of standing up for Democratic priorities and being an effective voice for Tarrant County,” said Turner.  “I am humbled by the strong support we have received from Tarrant County teachers, veterans, union members, small business owners and retirees, and it’s that kind of support that will win this race,” Turner said.  “And while I am thrilled with our fundraising success, this campaign remains, at its core, a grassroots effort focused on fighting for what counts for working families in Arlington and Grand Prairie.”

Turner’s fundraising and cash-on-hand is particularly impressive since he entered the race last July at an 11 to 1 cash-on-hand disadvantage compared to one of his opponents.

“It is clear that Chris Turner has the momentum in this race: given the unique circumstances of this election – redistricting, the primary date postponement and continued uncertainty over the new district lines – our campaign’s fundraising is all the more impressive and meaningful,” said Turner campaign manager, Kate Fox.  “It’s further proof that Tarrant County Democrats know and trust Chris Turner to fight for our values in Austin.”

Turner served both as campaign manager and district director to former U.S. Representative Chet Edwards (D-Waco).  Prior to that, in the late 1990s, Turner was Executive Director of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, working with Democrats in Arlington and Grand Prairie.

In his first term in the House of Representatives, Turner proved he could get results: he passed the landmark law that established a dedicated lottery scratch off ticket for Texas veterans.  This initiative has already raised more than $16 million to pay for much-needed benefits for veterans and their families. Turner also wrote the law that requires electric utility companies to provide notice to consumers when their contract is about to expire.

Turner and his wife, Lisa, have lived in southern Tarrant County for 14 years and their two children, Melissa and Scott, both graduated from Mansfield Summit High School.

I have some great news to share.

Our fundraising and cash-on-hand are particularly impressive since we entered the race last July at an 11 to 1 cash-on-hand disadvantage compared to one of the other candidates. From July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, we raised $76,419 and ended 2011 with cash reserves of $43,951. We received contributions from a total of 175 individuals, two-thirds of which came from Tarrant County. In contrast, the other two candidates raised a total of $62,295 and had a combined $38,080.83 on hand.

So again, thanks to you, we have the momentum in this race. And this is momentum gained despite some unique circumstances like redistricting, the primary date postponement and continued uncertainty over the new district lines.

Our campaign’s strong fundraising is proof that Arlington and Grand Prairie want a state representative who has a proven track record of standing up for Democratic priorities and serving as an effective voice for Tarrant County. I am humbled by the strong support we have received from teachers, veterans, union members, small business owners and retirees, and it’s that kind of support that will win this race. And while I am thrilled with our fundraising success, this campaign remains, at its core, a grassroots effort focused on fighting for what counts for working families in Arlington and Grand Prairie.

But we can’t stop here. There is so much more work to do. Your contribution today will keep us in the lead and keep the ball rolling. Please make a contribution of $100, $75, $50, or $25 today so the next fundraising report is even better. Each dollar allows us to knock on more doors and make more phone calls.

Thanks so much again for your help. I’m proud to have you on our team.

It’s important that we keep the memory of Dr. King’s enduring life, actions and words alive. It is what this holiday is all about, and why we commemorate it with such enthusiasm year after year. It’s a time for us to celebrate and rededicate ourselves to the dream that Dr. King had for our nation – a dream of equal opportunity, equal access to education, and a commitment to fight for that which is right.

During what was to be his last speech, Dr. King said something that I believe we should all be reminded of, not just during this holiday, but each and every day. On April 3, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, he said,

 “Let us rise up […] with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

Dr. King’s words are a call to action. We must stand with greater determination to solve the many challenges before us, and as Dr. King taught us, we must stand together. Lisa and I are proud to be a part of a community that stands up for public education and children’s health care. We are proud to be a part of a community that stands with working families. And we are proud to stand with you to honor the dream of Dr. King today and every day.

Perry, as we know, is still governor.  But he found a loophole in state law that allows him to “retire” and collect a state pension while he is still in office.   We, the taxpayers of Texas, pay Perry a salary of $150,000.  Now we learn he is double-dipping an additional $92,000 per year from the Employee Retirement System of Texas – for a total of $242,000 annually.

This is just wrong. Very wrong.

It would be wrong even if times were good. But in a year in which so many families are struggling and in which Perry and the Legislature passed a draconian budget that forces public schools to lay off teachers and other employees, cuts college financial aid loans for middle class families, and further shreds Texas’ flimsy safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, it’s just outrageous.

You would think that Perry would have the judgment to not game the system and double-dip a salary and a pension. No chance.

It’s this kind of politics-as-usual, sweetheart deal that justifiably makes people so cynical about government. These are the kinds of practices we have to end – and that’s one of the reasons I am running for the Legislature. So today I need your help:

1. Sign this petition, which demands an end to the Perry Pension Loophole. I’ll file legislation to make sure no politician can ever do this again – and I’ll take your voice with me to Austin.
2. Contribute to my campaign today. We need your help to reach our end-of-year goals and to win the Democratic primary election (now set for April 3, 2012).
3.  Forward this email to your friends, post our petition on Facebook, and share it on Twitter. We need to bring more people into our campaign to change the way business is done in Austin.

Let’s put an end to the Perry Pension Loophole – you can lead the way by joining our campaign today.

We have to be prepared for whatever comes next. Will you consider making a donation of $25, $50, $100, or $250 to my campaign today so that we can continue running full-steam ahead, even as the courts sort out remaining questions?

Here is what we do know.

First, we know that there will be primary and general elections in 2012. That’s important, because 2012 will be the year that we fight back against bad decisions made by the Republican leadership in Austin.

Second, we know that there will be a state house district which includes the growing communities of East Arlington, South Arlington and Grand Prairie. We know that a significant part of this area was in the district I used to represent.

Third, just as in the very similar maps drawn by both the Legislature and the court, this district will likely be an overwhelmingly Democratic open seat.

Fourth, we know that I am running for the Texas House of Representatives and have two opponents in the Democratic Primary, meaning we have to be prepared to run a fast-paced, aggressive campaign once we know when the primary election will be held.

Finally, we know that our new house district deserves a strong Democratic representative who is not afraid to hold Republicans like Rick Perry and Greg Abbott accountable for their numerous failures in leadership. I am prepared to do just that.

 But I can’t do this alone. Please contribute $25, $50, $100, or $250 to my campaign today so that this district can elect the candidate who has the strongest record of fighting for Democratic priorities and who will be there for the tough fights. We are 40 percent of the way towards reaching our December online fundraising goal, and your donation will get us all the way to the top.

Thank you for sticking with us through all this uncertainty. Together, we’ll work through these challenges and charge into 2012 ready to take on what’s next.

ARLINGTON – Today, former State Representative Chris Turner filed to run for the Texas House of Representatives in the new District 93, an open seat that encompasses a significant portion of Turner’s previous district.  Turner had announced he was running to represent Arlington and Grand Prairie in the House in early August.

“District 93 wants a state representative who understands what counts for Texas families: decent jobs, quality public schools, and respect for our seniors and veterans,” said Turner.  “We deserve a representative who has a proven track record of getting things done and is committed to defending Democratic principles.”

Earlier this month, the court made changes to previously redistricted House District 101 and renumbered it to be a new House District 93.  The new House District 93 is still a strongly Democratic seat with no incumbent.  Turner enters the race with a strong advantage, having represented a significant portion of the new district:  45 percent of registered voters and 48 percent of Democratic primary voters live in the South Arlington portion of the district Turner served from 2009 to 2011.

“Chris Turner is a strong Democrat who has never turned his back on our party’s principles.  Chris is a leader who is widely known for being open and accessible and is the right person to stand up and fight to get things done for us in Austin,” said Cynthia Toodle, District 93 precinct chair.

In his one term in the House, Turner proved he could get results. He passed the landmark law that established a dedicated lottery scratch off ticket for Texas veterans, which has already raised more than $16 million to pay for much-needed benefits for veterans and their families.  Turner’s leadership also forced greater transparency from electric utility companies and led to tougher penalties on drunk drivers.  Turner quickly became well-known in Arlington as one of its most visible and accessible members of the Legislature – in two years, he held numerous town hall meetings and workshops for constituents and attended hundreds of community events and meetings.

Turner and his wife, Lisa, are lifelong Democrats who have lived the better part of a decade in South Arlington and have been helping Democrats win tough elections in Texas for 15 years.  Their two children, Melissa and Scott, both graduated from Mansfield Summit High School.

This morning, I filed paperwork to run for the Texas House of Representatives in the new District 93, an open seat that includes much of the district I previously served. I am running because Arlington and Grand Prairie deserve a representative who has a proven track record of getting things done and working hard for our district.

Our district deserves someone who is going to work to create jobs and grow our economy, improve our public schools and help middle class families who are struggling with stagnant wages and increasing household costs.

It’s time to hold Republican leaders in Austin accountable for their numerous policy failures: draconian public education cuts, a recurring structural deficit that threatens our state’s financial future and neglect of our core water and transportation infrastructure needs. Texans deserve better.

As you know, the March 6 Democratic primary is fast approaching. Your help today with a contribution of $250, $100, $50 or $25 will help us launch this new phase of the campaign as we talk to the voters about what really matters: decent jobs, quality public education and affordable healthcare for all Texas families.

Thanks in advance for your continued support. Lisa and I look forward to seeing you around the district!

Let’s go win!

Can you believe what an incredible month November has been for Democrats?  Nationally, we have seen some major victories for worker’s rights and women’s health care.  And yesterday, it was Tarrant County’s turn for good news, as a federal court in San Antonio approved interim state legislative maps for the 2012 general elections. 

Thanks to Senator Wendy Davis’ tenacious fight on behalf of Tarrant County voters, Senate District 10 has been restored, reversing the destructive partisan gerrymandering of Austin Republicans.  Now, voters in Senate District 10 will continue to be able to elect their candidate of choice.  That’s the way it should be.  

On the House map, the court made some changes to District 101 and renumbered it to be a new District 93.  The new District 93 is still a strongly Democratic seat with no incumbent.  In a boost to our campaign, the most significant change is that the new District 93 includes even more of the people I previously represented:  45% of registered voters and 48% of the Democratic primary voters live in neighborhoods I served from 2009-2011!  

So while district numbers may change, my commitment to working for the people of Arlington and Grand Prairie has not – nor have the tremendous challenges facing our state. We still need leaders in Austin who are willing to stand up and fight for good jobs, better schools and opportunity for all Texans.  We need leaders who have a proven track record of getting things done and fighting for the values we believe in.  That’s why I have been running for the Texas House for the last four months and why I am still running — in the new District 93.  

Now, I need your help.   Please take a minute to contribute $25, $50, $100 or even $250 today to help our campaign in the new House District 93 get off to a great start. Your continued generosity will enable us to get our message out in the March Democratic Primary election.

Yesterday, we won a major victory over the attempts of the Republican leadership in Austin to split up our communities and dilute minority voting strength.  Now, let’s go win this election and send a signal that we’re going to send leaders to Austin who will fight for what matters.  Thank you for your continued support.  I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail!

Sincerely,

Best,