Juanita Jean and her husband introduced me to Gilberto back in 2012 or so. I like Gilberto and I am sorry to see him leave. Gilberto and his wife took me aside during the funeral of Don Bankston (Juanita Jean's husband) and told me that I had to take care of Juanita Jean. The running joke is that it was Gilberto's wife who scared me and I was not worried about Gilberto.
One of the other people who Susan and Don Bankston introduced me to is Glen Maxey. Glen was the first open LTGTQ member of the Texas legis back in the mid 1990s. I still remember Glen Maxey telling us the story about registering the most naked voters in Austin between midnight and 6 AM at the main party strip in Austin.
Here is what Glen posted on face book.
Glen Maxey·
My good friend, Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa has announced his resignation as head of the Texas Democratic Party. (I'll post his statement below).
When Gilberto was elected Chair of the Party, there was no functioning party. The four person staff barely was raising enough money to keep the doors open. I was cajoled to come help rebuild infrastrucure. He asked me to deal with elections matters at the Legislature. I took over the nuts and bolts of running our primary elections statewide.
It was a wonderful experience. I could write all about it here, but that can wait for the memoir I'm finishing up.
Just know Gilberto cared deeply about the Party and all of the people who made it the crazy quilt of Texas. He traveled this state, spend long hours, and did most of it on his own nickel.
While election outcomes are not what we hoped, you need to know this man put his heart and soul into it. It's tough bringing a dead institution back to life.
I wish him and his family the best. Happy trails to you.
Here is Gilberto's statement
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa Announces Resignation
PressMedia
Nov 8
Hinojosa passes torch to next generation
AUSTIN, TX – Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:
“On Tuesday, the Democratic Party suffered devastating defeats up and down the ballot In Texas and across the country. Voters sent a clear message to our party and our country that they want our leaders to talk to them about issues that they care about most, including the economy. Democrats delivered infrastructure funds to rebuild roads, bridges, ports, and airports. Democrats passed the most important climate investments in history. And though Democrats delivered one of the best economies our country has had, Americans just aren’t feeling it.
“In the days and weeks to come, it is imperative that our Democratic leaders across the country reevaluate what is best for our party and embrace the next generation of leaders to take us through the next four years of Trump and win back seats up and down the ballot. That is why today I’m announcing that I’ll be stepping aside in the new year at the Spring SDEC meeting in March 2025, and passing the torch to the next generation. While this was a hard decision, it is the best decision for our party, and I encourage our national leaders and party leaders at all levels to join me in lifting up the next generation in order to unite our party as we take on Donald Trump.
“I hope my successor will take on the job with the energy and creativity we need to build something new, but they will not start empty-handed. Over the last twelve years, the Texas Democratic Party, in partnership with countless allies, has put Texas on the battleground map and has made significant progress toward electing Democrats at every single level. We have worked to modernize the party organization and make progress to turn our great state blue. We have expanded and upskilled our organizing, data, communications, voter protection, and digital infrastructure to better reach and support voters. This has led to significant and durable gains in our now-Democrat-led big urban counties and cities, as well as in the suburban outer rings—many of these leaders reflecting the African American, Asian, and Latino communities that had long gone underrepresented in our state. Texas is home to the second-largest collection of voting Democrats in the country. We need to continue the progress to reach the millions of eligible Texans who decided not to vote in the 2024 election, as well as millions of potential young voters as they age into the electorate every cycle.
“As for what’s next for our party, I will be working with the state Democratic executive committee to set up a robust selection process for our next Texas Democratic Party Chair. Texas Democrats will have the ability to hear directly from these candidates and the state Democratic executive committee will work to make a selection this spring.
“I am grateful to the hundreds of professionals who have cut their teeth at the Texas Democratic Party now leading our movement at all levels, our dedicated elected Democratic leaders, the tens of thousands of volunteers and grassroots supporters who have poured their hearts into Democratic campaigns and progressive causes, and my dear family for their support and work to turn Texas blue. While I will no longer hold the title of chair, I will proudly wear that of Texas Democrat. I pledge that I will always do everything in my power to push toward progress and toward a Blue Texas.”
This was Gilberto's last term and I am sad to see him go
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