Published: March 06, 2008 07:21 pm         

Rockwall County Democratic caucus participation ‘unprecedented’

By Leslie Gibson

Herald-Banner Staff



Democratic caucuses throughout Rockwall county had unprecedented participation Tuesday night — several participants said they had never even known what a caucus was.

“Six caucuses had over 200 people,” said Democratic Party Chair for Rockwall County, Dr. Steven Taylor. Of the 37 who participated in the 3B caucus he noted, “In past years we had only 15 people vote in that precinct.”

Almost 20 percent of the Rockwall County total registered voters voted in the Democrat primary. In 2004, that figure was 1.9 percent.

“We are recruiting a lot of people. It’s very exciting,” Taylor said from outside the County Elections Administrator Office on Tuesday evening.

Steve Skipworth, precinct 4A (Fate) chair, said, “In past years, we had five voters at the precinct caucus; most of us having worked the election. In my experience, this is unprecedented.”

“Democrats are in Rockwall,” said Angela Pearce, as she waited in a crowded hall at the City of Rockwall Municipal Court building for the 3B Democrat caucus at to begin.

Nancy Sanchez, election judge at 3B, told the crowd of 37 that they could select seven delegates and seven alternates. She had people group themselves as to whether they supported Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama. The 25 for Clinton gained them five delegates, and Obama’s 12 supporters gained them two delegates. Ultimately, a 10 county area “from East Dallas to Texarkana” will have four delegates, she explained.

“We could have a frenzy and get someone to change sides,” she said. Delegates can change their mind at the county convention, she said.

She praised those who came to the caucus. “There is power in your presence. You put your face with the vote; it’s not secret,” she said.

By 9 p.m. Fate’s 19 people were finishing up the caucus, having selected five delegates for Obama, and four for Clinton.

“The more turnout you have, the more momentum you gain,” Skipworth said. “We’re definitely gaining momentum. I’ve never voted this many people in Fate as I have seen today, and I’ve never seen this many Democrats come vote as I’ve seen today.”

Christina Arriaga of Fate in a pink Hillary T-shirt, said as the Fate meeting closed, that, “I have never been involved before as more than just a voter and Hillary has just got me fired up. I think she is the Democratic candidate that can go head to head with John McCain,” she said.

Johnathan Daniel, selected as a delegate, supports Obama. “I’ve never had the chance to actively participate in a caucus,” he said. “I’m trying to be more politically involved. This is a very historic election with an African-American running for president as well as a female.”

“I used to work the campaigns when I was in college, knocking on doors and getting people to come,” he added, saying it is great to be involved again.

Tony Moore, at 3B, waiting for the Democratic caucus to begin, said he too was renewing his involvement, to “try to get Hillary over the top,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll have more success than we had with McGovern,” he said. He last participated in caucus in 1972.

Eric Morales prior to his caucus, said he voted for Bush twice, but believes his business did better under Democratic leadership. He had not known what a caucus was, and has been voting since he was 18, he said. “It’s time for a change,” he said.

Demetria Carwile had not heard of a caucus before. She voted early, and returned for the caucus. “The race is so close and “Texas is important this time. I am more drawn for Obama. He will be the right person to get us all united,” she said.

At 3B, waiting for the Democratic caucus to begin, Patty Soliday said she had always voted. “When you think about the fact that my grandmother didn’t have the right to vote. I always will vote; I will never give up that right,” she said.

Democrats cast a total of 7,915 ballots, which was 19.35 percent of the total registered voters in the county.