Democratic forum draws crowd and candidates

Lampasas County Democrats gathered recently at the Lampasas County Office Building to hear from various state and regional candidates about their campaigns.

Co-sponsored by the Democratic Women's Association of Lampasas and Lampasas County Democratic Chairman Daniel Melder, the event was well attended. Speeches were given by the candidates or their representatives, and then a question-andanswer session followed.

Candidates who could not attend sent statements about their platforms, which were read by Melder. Those who provided campaign statements included Jim Jordan, running for Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court; Linda Yanez, candidate for Place 8, Supreme Court of Texas; Susan Strawn, running for Place 3, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; and J.R. Molina, candidate for Place 4, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Rick Cofer, who represented U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega, and Karl Thomas outlined the Afghanistan veteran's background and his status as a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard.

Next to speak was Railroad Commission candidate Mark Thompson, who won the Democratic primary runoff against Dale Henry. He encouraged voters to register and then participate in the upcoming elections.

Dr. Edra Bogle, candidate for the State Board of Education, District 14, provided a brief biographical background and discussed her education qualifications. She drew reaction from the crowd on several platform issues.

Woodie Jones, candidate for Chief Justice, Third Court of Appeals, captured the crowd's attention with his explanation of the court's scope of responsibility and his background as a judge and private practice appellate lawyer. He served on the Third Court of Appeals from 1988 to 2000, and now is running for chief justice of the court.

After the candidate presentations, Guy Stuart, Burnet County Democratic chairman and member of the Democratic District Committee, offered his services to assist candidates in the Lampasas County area.

The DWAL and Melder plan to hold future forums with candidates to educate voters and offer a glimpse into the choices available in the general election this fall.