Candidate name: Carol Donovan, DCDP Chair

Please complete questionnaire below. Send a completed electronic copy to

Political@StonewallDemocratsOfDallas.org by Friday, January 5, 2016, to be considered for
endorsement in the 2016 Democratic Primary.

1. Your background and the LGBT community

Please share any experience that illustrates your understanding and interest of the
needs of LGBT Dallas County residents.
RESPONSE: I am proud to have received the endorsement of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas
(Stonewall Democrats) when I ran for State Representative for HD107 in 2014. Prior to my
election as the Chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party (DCDP), I supported LGBT service
projects hosted by the Womens Community Association, which was previously supported by
proceeds from the Black Tie Dinner in Dallas. Additionally, I have supported and attended annual
fundraising dinners hosted in Dallas by AIDS Interfaith Network, Inc. and Black Tie Dinner, Inc. I
have a long record of working for human rights, including but not limited to serving as
Chairwoman of the International Womens Peace Conference. As the new DCDP Chair, I
supported the immediate issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Dallas County. As
a Democrat, I am proud to support the Democratic platform, which clearly advocates for civil
rights for all persons, including members of the LGBT community.

2. Creating an inclusive community

When elected, how will you recruit, retain, and create a friendly environment for LGBT
and LGBT-friendly staff?
RESPONSE: LGBT staff members are not new to the DCDP. After my election as DCDP Chair, I
hired an openly gay staff member who serves as one of the 6 directors. As the DCDP Chair, I
have made clear my position that no discrimination will be tolerated, and the DCDP staff is in
complete agreement. The next position for which I will be hiring staff is Executive Director.
Notices of this position will be distributed to the DCDP database and to all Democratic clubs,
including the Stonewall Democrats. So long as I am the DCDP Chair, no intolerant individual will
be hired.
What will you do to make sure that the Dallas County Democratic Party (DCDP) office
is welcoming and represents Democrats from all corners of Dallas County?
RESPONSE: To assure that the DCDP office is welcoming, I have made clear to the DCDP staff my
position that 1) we are hosts of the local Democratic Party; 2) we are often the first impression of
the Party; and 3) we work for the individuals who enter (or otherwise contact) the office,
especially the precinct chairs. Since my election on June 27, 2015, I have hired 6 staff members,
and the diversity of the DCDP office has increased. The current diversity breakdown of the DCDP

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staff is: 20% African-American; 30% Hispanic; 10% Asian; and 40% Anglo. One of the 6 directors
is gay. To make sure that the DCDP office continues to reflect the diversity of Dallas County, I will
continue to post positions through the DCDP database. As mentioned above, notice of the
Executive Director position will also be distributed to all Democratic clubs, including the
Stonewall Democrats

3. Your Qualifications
What professional qualifications do you have that has prepared you for a role as chief
officer of the Dallas County Democratic Party?
RESPONSE: The professional qualifications on which I have most relied as the DCDP Chair
include:

Doctorate of Jurisprudence (1980)

License issued by the State Bar of Texas to practice law in Texas in 1980
Clerkship for U.S. District Judge Robert M. Parker in 1980-81
Law practiced (Litigation & Office Practice) in Dallas County, Texas since 1981
Service as a Precinct Chair for 2 terms (c. 1982-1986)
Training and service as an Attorney-Mediator in Dallas County since 1993
Certification in Non-Profit Management by SMU and the Center for Nonprofit
Management in 2005
Training as a Collaborator/Facilitator in 2011
Campaign for State Representative for HD107 in 2014
Election as DCDP Chair on June 27, 2015

Please describe your past and present partisan activities that have prepared you to
be the spokesperson and supervisor for local party operations, including the the
transparent organizing of the Democratic Primary Election in Dallas County and
supervisor of the Dallas County Coordinated Campaign for general elections?
RESPONSE: The partisan activities that best prepared me include:

Elected (first woman) Student Body President of the University of Texas at Austin in
1975
Served as a Precinct Chair for 2 terms (c. 1982-1986)
Registered voters (with my parents) with the NAACP Voter Campaign in 1966
Campaigned (with my parents) for President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964
Campaigned for Jim Hightower for Texas Agriculture Commissioner in 1982
Campaigned for (now Congressman) Lloyd Doggett in his race for U.S. Senate in 1984
Campaigned for Ann Richards for Governor in 1990
Campaigned for (now President) Barack Obama in the General Election in 2008
Campaigned for (now U.S. Special Envoy) Russell Feingold for his Senate re-election
campaign in 2010
Numerous meetings with County Commissioners and Election Administrator Toni
Pippins-Poole and her staff, together with the supervision of the election judge
selection process, the election clerk selection process, the pairing of precincts, and
the selection of election sites.

Please list your partisan political fundraising experiences from the last five years.

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RESPONSE:
In 2014, I raised over $218,000 to fund my campaign for State
Representative for HD107. In 2015, I raised almost $15,000 to fund my DCDP Chair race.
In 2015, I was asked to speak to approximately 50 attendees of the Annies List Training
Seminar regarding aspects of campaigning, including fundraising. Additionally, in the
past 5 years, I have assisted with fundraising for the partisan political campaigns of:
County Commissioner Theresa Daniel
Mesquite City Councilman Jeff Casper
Dallas City Councilman Mark Clayton
Dallas City Council candidate James White
State Representative candidate Milton Whitley

4. Looking Forward
Please describe your plan to improve funding for DCDP operations and activities over
the next two years.
RESPONSE: Based on interviews with past DCDP chairs and Executive Directors, it appears that
past funding has been dependent on 2 major programs: The Annual Fish Fry and The JohnsonJordan Dinner (previously known as the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.) In order to bring funding
beyond the maintenance level, the DCDP needs to branch out, increasing the number of funding
sources and soliciting new funding sources. Upon taking office: 1) I revamped the DCDP
Sustaining Member Program, which had not previously been touted outside of the website; 2) I
created sponsorships and candidate tables for the Annual Labor Day Picnic, making a net profit
on an event that had previously operated at a loss; and 3) I organized a Judicial Reception with
multiple sponsors. Since taking office on June 27, 2015, the DCDP has raised over $100,000,
which is much more than usual for a non-election period. In preparation for 2016 fundraising, the
DCDP hosted a Donor Appreciation Reception in December 2015. Over the next 2 years, I intend
to 1) push the Sustaining Member Program; 2) host more receptions honoring elected officials,
including judges; 3) create a fundraising team to assist in the development of a long-term
fundraising plan; 4) solicit individual donors, law firms and businesses, including those who have
not previously donated to the DCDP; and 5) create fundraising opportunities in connection with,
and independent of, ongoing DCDP programs.
What are some of the activities (outside of required duties) that the DCDP does that
you definitely want to continue as the County Chair in the coming two-year term?
RESPONSE: As the DCDP Chair, I have noted that there is a wide variance in the number

of years in which participants have been involved. More experienced participants look
forward to traditional events, such as the Fish Fry, the Labor Day Picnic, and the JohnsonJordan Dinner. So long as these events continue to make money for the Party, they
should be continued. These events can still be spiced-up with additional marketing,
sponsorships, and celebrity speakers. Many DCDP members have asked that we also
continue the Judicial Reception that we introduced in 2015. Also, some of the non-judicial
elected officials have asked that the Party sponsor events with them as well. All of these
events have fundraising potential, as well as networking opportunities, with fellow
Democrats.
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What are some new ideas that you want the DCDP to implement?
RESPONSE: The Judicial Reception is a new idea. I have already been approached by several
attorneys who want to sponsor the next judicial reception. I would also like to organize a County
Official Reception to feature our elected officials who are not judges. I have called the first
meeting of an Advisory Council of 20 & 30-year-olds to help the DCDP implement a Democratic
Leadership Institute to attract young leaders and train them regarding all aspects of the Party
business, including campaigns. The debate watch parties were also new events. We intend to
continue the watch parties as the Democratic presidential candidates progress through the
primary season. On January 9, 2016, the DCDP will host its first Voter Rally and Block Party in the
Oak Cliff area. We intend to organize additional Rallies/Block Parties to assist the many state
representative candidates. This would be a good time to brag on the fact that, during my
chairmanship, the DCDP has fielded Democratic candidates in all 15 house districts in Dallas
County for the first time in 50 years! To help these candidates, the DCDP will be conducting
optional training sessions on subjects of their selection.

Democrats in Dallas County come together as a coalition of diverse backgrounds and

priorities. Democratic primary elections regularly expose and inflame tensions
between diverse constituencies that can linger and impair Democratic electoral
successes in the general election. What can you do as a County Chair to help offset
the negative side effects of healthy competition within the Democratic Party in Dallas
County?
RESPONSE: This problem has been with us forever. I dont assume to have all the answers, but I
can respond with what I have done, and what I intend to do. I have kept the dialogue open. Since
taking office, I have met with almost every elected official in Dallas County. In the past 12
months, I have visited every Democratic club; I have met with almost every precinct chair; and I
have spoken with many volunteers. I have intentionally sought out individuals who are unhappy
with the Party for one reason or another. I have done a lot of listening. Whether or not we agree,
these individuals know I am trying to unify the Party. One of the most contentious aspects of the
Party is the Coordinated Campaign. Everyone thinks someone from their part of town should be
in charge. Former DCDP Chair Darlene Ewing finally resolved this dispute by chairing the
Coordinated Campaign herself. I intend to follow her lead. I know I cant make everyone happy,
all of the time, but I can include different constituencies in providing input to the decisions I have
to make.
What are some elements of your strategic plan to continue Democratic successes in
Dallas County and build on them for the next several election cycles? How will your
approach and strategic goals differ in gubernatorial cycles as opposed to presidential
cycles?
RESPONSE: When I ran for DCDP Chair, I announced that I wanted to keep Dallas County blue,
but I added that I wanted to begin encroaching on the Republican-dominated House District
seats. In keeping with that goal, I worked with numerous individuals and clubs to find candidates
for every House District seat. (Obviously, if we dont run, we dont win.) Next, I assigned a staff
member to work with the unopposed, non-incumbent house candidates. (The DCDP does not get
involved in primary contests. We will certainly assist any unopposed incumbent, but they
generally have their own campaign techniques.) This staff member has already met once with

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the house candidates, and many have told me how much they appreciate the help. I believe that
this one-on-one assistance will help get these house races off the ground. Hopefully, we will pick
up some house district seats. For the next cycles, I intend to start the recruitment process much
earlier. In the past, house district candidates were left to their own devices. If the staff assistance
helps in this election cycle, as I suspect it will, then we will continue that factor for the next
cycles. In the future, I would like to tighten our precinct chair system by 1) continuing to recruit
precinct chairs; 2) hosting regular training sessions for precinct chairs; 3) scheduling regular
regional meetings with precinct chairs; 4) appointing regional captains to help with organization;
and 5) organizing regional phone banks and field work centers. Philosophically, my approach
and strategic goals would not differ in gubernatorial cycles and presidential cycles. However, as a
practical matter, since less Democrats vote in gubernatorial cycles, the efforts for voter
registration and voter turnout must be increased.

I, Carol Donovan, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas for the
2015 Interim County Chair election for the Dallas County Democratic Party.

Signed___________________________________ Date__________________________

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