Thanksgiving 2006: I have 1,616,945 individuals to be personally thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. Each provided an opportunity to build a plurality for me to be the people’s next elected lieutenant governor of Texas. I am short of words to express how thankful I am to each of you that helped gather a people to get out and vote. Yet, I am not short on the enduring passion that each of you supplied to sustain me over 16 months of our campaign.

This election year, Americans in other states voted their hearts and minds, enough to change the “my way or the highway” leadership in our country. I suggest that Texans contributed to the collective consciousness that led to the change in other parts of this country. Change in our own backyard is going to take a little longer.

An email from a friend served as a reminder on the best use of my commodity of time. She wrote, “I and everyone I know voted for you! Alas, I need to get out and know more people.” The key to winning in Texas remains a need to increase the electorate. I know that time is the most important commodity that a candidate has to spend on the people when one wishes to remain a candidate of the people. Therefore, if 16 months of campaigning is good for 1,616,945 votes, then 48 months should add a vote or two to that vote count.  

Short of the most votes needed to report to Austin as the newly elected Lt. Governor does not make irrelevant the need to have the voices of all Texans heard in our state capitol. It does not make irrelevant the need to ensure that our state government addresses the long-overdue need to ensure the prosperity of future generations of Texans with a soundly funded public education system, with financial resources for those that seek college, and a living wage that is morally right. It does not make irrelevant the many other issues that are important to Texans. Therefore, this campaign for Lt. Governor is not over until all Texans win.

I invite you to pledge your support for my 2010 campaign for Lt. Governor. I will continue to do the ground work needed to invite all our citizens to make our home One Texas for All. Details about the resumption of our campaign for Lt. Governor are forthcoming. In the meantime, I hope for you, and those most precious to you, many reasons to be thankful this year and always.

Looking forward, maria

I am glad for this “Off the Kuff“ opportunity to offer all Texas voters reasons to vote for me in the run-off election for lieutenant governor. A fundamental reason shared by all is a desire to replace the incumbent with an elected official that is intent on serving all Texans. I believe that, with all due respect and admiration for my opponent, I am the candidate that can fight the incumbent’s war chest with the will of people. I have been to the most humble of homes to some very affluent homes to talk about my vision of a one Texas for all. I have not tried to convert anyone from his or her political reference group. I have only offered everyone a place at the table if they would set aside politics as usual and instead consider that a candidate without connections and millions of dollars would be accountable only to the people.

A related reason to vote for me in the run-off election is that my pursuit is not just about getting the Democratic nomination. After watching election returns narrowly decided by a 51% to 49% outcome, I have focused on reaching out to registered voters that do not vote. As a candidate, I see the task of engaging these voters as a long-term but overdue mandate. I can access these 10 million voters (approximately) that don’t come out during a general election because I am not afraid to listen. I am not afraid to care. I believe outreach and urging these voters is essential for getting Democrats elected to office.

If you are a Democrat, vote for me in the run-off election and I will exert my work ethic to defend against naysayer’s that deny the vitality of Democratic Party. They say it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. Start today a habit to reject the naysayer and instead believe!

As your nominee for lieutenant governor, I will begin my work ethic as your next lieutenant governor by being present each day of the next special session if it occurs after the run-off election. As your nominee, I will encourage all voters that when in doubt vote Democratic up and down the ballot in November. I’ve given you the “how” of my campaign. The “why” of my campaign is to put the people back in control of their government so that priorities are given to public education, healthcare, and a prosperous future for all. Tied to a prosperous future are all the issues that I have been informed about during my visits across the state. I have listened and I will continue to listen. As your lieutenant governor, no lobbyist will mute your voice.

This run-off for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor has given voters additional time to decide which candidate can deliver a victory in November. Some counties can take this opportunity to silence the critics with a tremendous voter turnout in the run-off. Other counties have the awesome task of matching or exceeding a very high voter turnout. Despite the criticism of voter turnout, each of you that voted during the primaries deserves applause and thanks. I especially thank those that honored me with 41% (corrected for Cameron County) of the vote. Still, the job is not done. I must call upon each of you to come out again to vote for me during early voting (April 3-7) or on April 11.

María Luisa Alvarado

Democrat Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

In response to: Lo, how once-mighty Democrats have fallen, Corpus Christi Caller Times – Feb. 19, 2006

By Maria Luisa Alvarado

The people of Texas, particularly the readership of the Corpus Christi Caller Times, deserve a response to a seemingly rhetorical question about Democratic candidates running for statewide office: “Is this the best the Democratic Party can do?” The Democratic Party supports individuals with a purpose, desire, and conviction to run for elected office. Given such an individual, you will not find him or her running as an Independent or eventually flip-flop out of the idea of running altogether. The Democratic Party consists mostly of individuals that are aware of what candidates must endure to earn the privilege to serve all their constituents. This is likely true for the readership of all the printed media outlets.

As printed in the Caller Times, “Probably one of the most effective eras of state government was when George W. Bush, a Republican, was governor and Bullock, a Democrat, was lieutenant governor. These were two heavyweights who knew their stuff, were true to their political beliefs, but worked to a greater end.” Since George W. Bush was elected Governor without ever holding office, this provides an historical fact that even first-time officeholders can have a short learning curve. Although some might agree that Bush was “effective given true political beliefs,” in retrospect perhaps he might have been more effective if he had heeded the common sense of the people.

As for the statement that, “Dewhurst has emerged as one of the real statesmen in state government. He has learned his craft the old-fashioned way, by doing the grunt work to learn policy, first, as land commissioner, and now as lieutenant governor.” – There is credence to suggest that previous experience of holding office does not equate to effective leadership in a higher elected office. After four years and three special sessions in the legislature, and a court order to legally fund public education, Mr. Dewhurst’s record is hardly one convincing of successful leadership.

There may be in the fantasies of some first-time or long shot candidates that any media entity would endorse him or her. However, in the hearts and minds of candidates with their feet on the ground and their hearts in the right place, the surest endorsement is that of the person that just shook your hand and said, “You’ve got my vote.”

One advantage of being a first-time candidate for elected office is that tenured party members know there is a learning curve and that it is different for each person. I am thankful to those that have thus far offered their sage advice. The transformation from ordinary citizen to representative of the people does require some changes of ones self.

On this occasion, I am again reminded of a high school English teacher. For this teacher, students were required to keep a journal. By school years end, I decided to join the US Air Force after graduation. When I told this English teacher of my plans, she advised against it. She said, “They will change you.” I assured her there was no way. I would always be me. Or, at least I thought I would remain that person she got to know from reading my journal.

Did military service change me? I know that military service taught me a deep sense of duty, leadership, accountability, loyalty, and respect for people that were different from me. It did not diminish my optimism. It did not diminish my trust in people. It did not diminish my value of family. In fact, I gained an even larger family – my Air Force family. I am optimistic that my pursuit and election into public office will not change me.

Candidates at every level of government need help from all its people in whatever capacity possible. I need your help with 4 of my New Year’s (Democratic candidate) resolutions:

1. File to have my name placed on the Democratic Primary Ballot for lieutenant governor.
2. Win the Primary Election for Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.
3. Win the 2006 general election for lieutenant governor.
4. Serve the people of Texas fairly, equally, and faithfully.

Wishing us All a Happy New Year.

Maria Luisa Alvarado

When it comes to being thankful, I am keenly aware that the credit for any measurable success in my life is due in part to the acts of “others” than came before me. Today, we are the “others” whose acts must make available success to future generations. This responsibility does not fall on our government leaders. It falls on every citizen aged 18 and over eligible to elect government leaders that will discern and act when civil and personal liberties are threatened. When leaders fail, they must be replaced for the common good. Sometimes the role of ordinary citizen must go to the next level for the common good.

Whether in a military uniform or standing in front of a public school classroom, citizens are the key to preserving a nation constituted from an ideal of a perfect union. We are a nation with a solid document written to guide our Union for almost 230 years. The United States Constitution has passed the test of time given that it has been amended only 27 times in 201 years (First amendment, 1791). The most significant amendments have been precisely about liberty. The 21^st amendment was certainly significant to my right to full citizenship as a woman.

As families gather on Thanksgiving Day in homes with bountiful or meager trimmings, not many will be out of touch with how life has changed since 2001. Still, I believe, all will find cause to give thanks. I also believe that citizens will not give up hope for better and safer times. They will not give up hope because American history tells how we are a nation that has overcome. What is lost is the force behind this history of overcoming. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 was not passed because no one acted. Women did not get the right to vote because no one acted. Slavery was not abolished because no one acted. The right to vote without regard to race or color was not constitutionally guaranteed because no one acted.

If we are to proceed with the ideal of a perfect union, then we must work towards asserting our citizenship in the United States of America. Is this a call to action to elect a Texas Democratic majority in 2006? I assert it is a call to make Texas representative of its entire people. The registered voter population of Texas is over 12.5 million. This holiday season, as you walk through the malls and grocery stores, realize that if you vote the person to your left and the person to your right does not. 

Perhaps citizens this Thanksgiving Day will give thanks to living in a country guided by the ideals of a perfect union. I believe most will give thanks to God. I join those who give thanks to God. I give thanks to those who will act in the pursuit of a perfect union.

In thanksgiving,

Maria Luisa Alvarado

After witnessing the aftermath of Katrina, do we need any clearer evidence that our government leadership is not working for the common good of all people? As images of the most vulnerable in our society, children and the poor, flash before our eyes it is not our government leadership moved to immediate action and full commitment to help.

Instead, those moved to this degree are those that transcend the “whys”, the “hows”, and just “do.” While some remain silent or take advantage of this situation, neighbors and strangers are not watching and waiting. When the worst has passed, people around the world will see that the hands that reached out were those of ordinary people. Perhaps then, Americans will see that government leadership is best placed in the hands of ordinary people that just “do.” Perhaps then, we will have government leadership that does not watch and wait.

If we could travel back in time 40 years I imagine that President Lyndon Baines Johnson was not having a very happy birthday. Back then he faced a grieving nation. Between 1961 and 1965, there were 1,864 US troops killed in action, 7,337 wounded in action, and 18 missing in action in Vietnam – not much of a celebratory occasion back then.

What will history books say in 40 years about these times? By some counts, in Iraq from March 2003 thru August 27th, 2005, there have been 1,877 US troops killed in action, and 6,770 wounded in action. Not much of a celebratory occasion today either. Perhaps the US would not be in this position today if only some favorite sons had not passed on the chance to have a front row seat in the live history lesson on un-winnable wars during Vietnam.

So it is right to observe and to celebrate the life of LBJ. Although he faced a grieving nation, he was in tune with the needs of the county in his time: he signed into law the Civil Rights Act, started an unconditional war on poverty – just a couple of domestic issues he led on during his time in office.

He was a native Texan that served his country very well in some very trying times and represented the political ideology of the Democratic Party without apology. Because of what Americans like LBJ believe and have been willing to risk, I am able to be one of your candidates for Lt. Governor. Thank you and Happy Birthday LBJ.

I will no longer debate my conscience about submitting the following. I am not a pacifist. Like other Americans that have worn a U.S. military uniform in the past and present, I still holdfast my allegiance to defend the people, and the land of this sovereign nation. In deference to current military men and women fighting an enemy on many fronts, the voices of protest in Crawford, Texas have taken their proper place in history. Cindy Sheehan is a righteous American citizen that has exercised the very freedom that many, like her son, have died to protect.

The strength of our democracy is tested at times like these. As a nation, do we take sides and split ourselves into groups of pro-war defenders or anti-war protesters? Democracy is not a sport. If it were, then it would be a contest of wills: the will of the people or the will of those that do not serve the people. Whose will is it that American lives be lost in this armed conflict?

Consider that no matter how we got into this war, we all need to support each other because the human cost of war is not paid in a lump sum. Like Cindy Sheehan others have lost loved ones and maybe protest in silence, but the price is just as burdensome. We all need to find our way to being on the same side, the side of healing. We need to do this for the sake of humanity, not to satisfy politics.

Katy Area Democrats are to be commended for the great work they have done to build such an impressive organization in membership and diversity! Thanks to Carole Wheeler and Bert Coxe for a very warm welcome. Of course, special thanks to Ivan Espinosa for the lead that led to this meeting. I particularly enjoyed reading “The Katy Democrat” newsletter. Candidates should not wait too long to visit these folks.

San Antonio was warm this evening for National Night Out. Still, that did not keep any people from attending the block parties to which members of our campaign team were able to attend. This was a quite an ideal venue for meeting people that are very aware and vocal about the issues facing Texans these days. It is a good to be a Democrat in these crowds. In fact, I checked the precinct voter data for one of these block parties and there was only one person that has voted in the Republican primary since 1998.