PARTY AFFILIATION - INVITING ALL VOTERS

• “Yellow Dog” Democrat (always vote the straight party ticket);
• “Blue” Democrat (someone who believes in most of Democratic platform but who votes for individual candidates without regard to their political affiliations);
• Libertarian (votes for the individual who most closely shares his values);
• Independent (votes for the individual who appears most competent for the job); or
• Republican (even if you will vote in the Republican Primary).

I have been a Democrat all my life. When living in South Texas, very few Republicans ran for office, and local office elections were determined at the Democratic primary election. I have always considered myself a conservative Democrat, and cast my vote for the candidates I believe are most qualified for the positions they seek.

I recognize that in Denton County, I am outside the current political system. I see this as an advantage, since a judge is to be fair and impartial. Several friends encouraged me to switch parties and run as a Republican. I could not do this. I must remain true to my personal value system. My Republican friends have stated that they respect this decision and have assured me that they will vote for me in November.

Although I am running for office as a Democrat, I am not seeking office merely to promote a political party’s agenda. I am running for office because we need a change. If you agree that it is time for a change, please support me.

As a district court judge, I will make rulings based on the evidence and the applicable laws, regardless of my personal beliefs. A judge must apply the law as it is enacted by the Legislature, and I do not believe a judge should try to change the law. However, for those of you who want to know more about me, the following is a summary of my personal beliefs, and why I have decided to seek election as a Democratic candidate:

• that government exists to help us achieve as a community, state, and nation what we cannot achieve as individuals; and that it must not serve only a powerful few.
• that a growing economy should benefit all citizens; that employees are the most valuable asset of any business; and that the people who work in a business are as important as those who invest in it.
• that everyone and every business should pay their fair share of taxes.
• that individual strengths in our diverse population benefit us all.
• that government policy should not favor corporations that seek offshore tax shelters, exploit workers, or polute our environment.
• that an honest, ethical government that serves the public interest rather than special interests, will help all Texans realize economic and personal security.
• that the operation of government must be open and accountable, and services must be delivered efficiently and effectively because the revenue government uses to meet its responsibilities is made available by the hard work of taxpayers.
• that strengthening the economic capacity of middle and working class families not only enhances their quality of life, but also improves the well-being of all Texans, including the wealthiest among us.
• that no child should go hungry or without health care.
• that the economic security of many families depends on strong child support enforcement coupled with the availability of affordable, quality child care that is good for parents and good for children.
• that it is important for the national economy that everyone be afforded an opportunity to receive a quality public education, from childhood through college.
• that we must keep the promise of Social Security strong and certain for those who have worked and contributed to the system most of their lives.
• that to strengthen small business, governmental policies should foster entrepreneurship, rather than unfairly favoring big business at the expense of small businesses.
• that companies receiving government economic development subsidies must deliver the jobs they promise; and that competitive performance and accountability are vital.
• that our communities, our country, and our planet are made secure through the preservation of our precious natural resources.
• that every American should be able to breathe clean air and drink pure water, and recognize that these are essential to public health, our economy, and our planet’s environment.
• that it is vital to our national security that governmental policies be established to help us secure a safe and sustainable supply of clean energy to reduce our reliance on finite petroleum resources.
• that all citizens are entitled to be safe and secure, free from fear of violence. The guilty must be justly punished for crimes they commit, the innocent must be protected, the rights of victims must be ensured, and the accused provided due process under law.
• that the democratic process depends on open, accountable and ethical government, secure and verifiable elections, and fair and enforceable campaign laws.
• that government should scrupulously honor every citizen’s right to religious freedom guaranteed by the Texas and U.S. Constitutions, while respecting the separation of church and state.
• that citizens should be free from government interference in our private lives.
• that our legal system should serve as the bedrock that protects and guarantees our rights and freedoms; All people must have full access to the courts and equal treatment before the law, with confidence that their grievances will be fairly adjudicated.
• that to honor the men and women who serve our country, state and federal policy should demonstrate respect for the sacrifices made by military veterans by ensuring a smooth transition from military to civilian life and providing benefits to honor their service.
• that to be strong, our country needs a strong military and we need to re-establish the respect and good will of other nations.
• that we are a nation of immigrants who came across borders to build our national society. The issue of immigration should not be used as a political wedge issue to incite fear for partisan gain.
• that our national security requires us to secure all our borders as part of a clear and uniformly enforced immigration policy that also emphasizes economic security on both sides of the border.
• that America can be made stronger and regain confidence and trust among the nations of the world by respecting human rights and restoring our leadership role in the international community. In order to accomplish this, the United States must comply with our Constitution and laws, and our obligations under international accords.