There are no rules prohibiting party officers from making personal endorsements, and people occasionally request them of me. However, there’s a need to maintain the appearance of impartiality in providing overall oversight of the Primary Election, as well as maintain good relationships with whoever wins (and loses). For those reasons I choose not to make them, with only one recent exception for State Party Chair.
I am not comfortable asking people to do things I’m not willing to do myself, so I’m generally not aggressive in seeking endorsements. There are a few kind people who have offered endorsements or testimonials, and I’m honored to post them here.
Candidates, Office Holders, Party Officials, and Clubs
- Mike Collier – 2018 nominee for Lt. Governor (see video here)
- John Lingenfelder – 2010 nominee for 3rd Congressional District
- Joe Wells – Dallas County Treasurer 2007 – 2014
- Steven S. Chapman – Former Lucas City Councilman
- Rebecca Arredondo – State Democratic Executive Committee Committeewoman for Senate District 8
- Susan Bradley – State Democratic Executive Committee Committeewoman for Senate District 16
- Deborah Angell Smith – CCDP County Chair 2003 – 2007, Former State Democratic Executive Committeewoman for Senate District 8
- Bob Button – CCDP Treasurer 2014-2016
- Collin County Democrats with Disabilities – Facebook
- Judicial Community – while they aren’t permitted to make public endorsements, I have strong support among sitting Democratic justices, judges, and judicial candidates
Current and Former Precinct Chairs
- 19 Paul Hart
- 28 Mike Agan
- 39 Maury Marcus
- 48 Bob Fusinato
- 49 Robert Miller
- 51 Linda Hall
- 54 Susan Lavigne
- 83 Mitch Sotelo
- 98 Celeste Kennedy
- 101 Fred Lusk
- 104 Elise Blount-Johnston
- 110 Cindy Hollocker
- 128 Dick Hildenbrand
- 132 Micky Mayer
- 171 Camille Hedrick
- 179 Juley Welch
- 215 Marie Biggs
In addition to these there are several who support me privately and have contributed to my campaign, but who like me prefer not to make public endorsements.
Testimonials
Rebecca Arredondo
In 2013, when the Collin County Democratic Party needed new leadership, Mike was the only individual who stood up to run for County Chair. After his election in 2014, Mike loaned the Party money from his personal funds to pay the back rent of the County Party office and keep the lights on. He immediately went to work on establishing a budget and providing financial statements to the County Executive Committee. Mike has worked to build the local Party and continues to work to bring wins to Collin County in 2020.
Susan Lavigne
You’ve done a remarkable job in bringing the party back from the abyss and making it a healthy viable Democratic Party.
John Lingenfelder
Mike Rawlins and the team he assembled have really turned the Collin County Democratic Party around. Several years ago, the party was a horrible mess and needed a fresh beginning. Then Mike stepped up and was elected to become the new party chair.
Such a change. There is enthusiasm; there are excited volunteers; there are contested primary races; and this party actually has surplus funds. This is not all because Mike did it. But it is because Mike established the environment where willing, intelligent people came together to get things done, that needed doing.
Thank you, Mike. I urge everyone who votes in the March Democratic Primary in Collin County, vote for Mike Rawlins, Collin County Democratic Party Chair.
Nancy Button
I’ve known Mike since 2004 when my husband Bob and I became involved with the Collin County Democratic Party. Particularly, when he founded the progressive Christian Democratic book club. A fellow Episcopalian, he founded the group as a response to the view held by many on the right who said you couldn’t be a Christian if you’re a Democrat. Also, he and his wife Diana joined our Progressive church, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration where they have been not only wonderful fellow parishioners but also very dedicated and involved in our church. We’ve enjoyed our friendship with Mike and Diana and have seen what a hard working and dedicated chair of the CCDP Mike is! He took over as chair when the party was in disarray and helped to bring stability and unity back to the party. Mike is a progressive, hard working and dedicated Democrat who will continue to be an excellent Chair of the Democratic Party. Re-elect Mike in the March primary!
Bob Button
I want to enthusiastically endorse Mike Rawlins for Collin County Democratic Party Chair. I have been involved in the Collin County Democratic Party since 2004 and have seen the massive improvements made under his leadership. I served as Party Treasurer from 2014 through 2016 and saw firsthand the financial chaos left by the previous administration. Under Mike, the party eliminated its massive debt, began steady streams of revenue, moved out of substandard headquarters into a better yet still affordable office space, and began recruiting outstanding candidates. Mike has done a magnificent job of restoring stability and health to our party and is leading us to a bright and BLUE future. We all need to realize the precarious position the party was in before Mike took over. There was no quick fix and this turnaround did not happen overnight. But now thanks in large part to Mike’s leadership, the Democratic Party is in position to win now in one of the historically reddest counties in the state. Please join me in supporting Mike Rawlins for Collin County Democratic Party Chair!