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A Run For Office

How It All Began

August 2019: I knew I wanted to announce my candidacy at a meeting of the Fannin County Women’s (and Men’s) Club. I had not decided when. After a speech by Gary Thomas, who is running for the Texas House of Representatives District 62, during the August meeting I felt the time was right. Not sure I was ready for the warm reception to the news. For better or worse the journey begins.

Musings of a Pandemic Campaign

This campaign is not exactly how I envisioned. I looked forward to shaking hands, meeting new people, exchanging ideas and putting miles and miles on my car covering the 31 counties in my district.

Instead of shaking hands I am wearing a Voting Matters mask when I venture outside my home. I am talking with and making new friends, meeting with old friends and supporters via Zoom and other formats. I thought when I retired I was done with technology beyond Facebook and my iPhone, but here I am embracing new technology (with the help of my younger friends and supporters).

Tonight I am attending watch parties using that technology and will be expressing my opinions about speeches from participants at the Democratic National Convention.

Times have changed but not so much that I have forgotten why I am running for the State Board of Education. I still want to give rural schools and teachers a voice on the board. I think my ideas are needed more now than ever before.

Don’t forget to register to vote before October 5 if you have not already.

Now What

The primary is over. Since I did not have an opponent in the primary, I guess I can consider this a win. Over the past months, I set mini-goals. I reached everyone of them at some point. We have visited 17 of 31 counties. I reached outside my comfort zone and spoke during meetings and open forums and we surpassed our goal for votes in a primary by doubling the amount. So now what? We get back on the road and talk, talk, talk face to face. I am open to visiting any organization, setting up a table at upcoming fairs or county meetings. Look out east Texas we are on the move and coming to a meeting near you. Watch our calendar for upcoming events.

First Speech

September 2019: A friend from Grayson County Democrats convinced me to run for the State Board. Seemed fitting to have my first major speech before this group. I now know I can’t speak off the cuff and get my message across. Thanks to all who listened to my rambling and offered constructive criticism. I promise I will heed your advice. The Educating Brenda Tour has begun.