John Courage on a whistle stop tour

By John Courage (photo)
Candidate for the 2st Congressional District

This weekend we began our CD-21 Hill Country campaign by making a whistle-stop tour (a la David Van Os) through some of the counties recently added to our newly drawn district.

First up: the Texas Democratic Women's reception for Chris Bell in Kerrville on Friday evening. On Saturday morning we made a formal announcement of our Hill Country campaign at the Veterans' Memorial in front of the Kerr County Courthouse and talked with hundreds of visitors at the nearby Kerrville Market Days event.

Saturday afternoon we were in Bandera for the Bandera County Democrats Moving Texas Forward rally, where I spoke to a packed room, announcing my candidacy to be the next Congressman for Bandera County.

We finished the day at the Boone Ranch near Canyon Lake, the home of Robbi and Dan Boone, for a joint rally for the Barbara Radnofsky for Senate and John Courage for Congress campaigns.

At each of these rallies we had Democrats from all over the Hill Country and several statewide candidates including Chris Bell, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, Maria Luisa Alvarado, Hank Gilbert, Dale Henry, and Fred Head as well as many local candidates, all of whom gave great speeches invigorating the crowds.

On Sunday we visited the Blanco County Courthouse in Johnson City and met with Blanco County Democratic Party activists. From there a rally at the Comal County Democrats new campaign headquarters in New Braunfels before a standing-room-only crowd.

We concluded with a farewell stop at the Hays County Dems' annual LBJ Dinner in Driftwood. Since the recent redistricting, Hays County is no longer a part of the 21st Congressional District.

The LBJ Dinner was an extraordinary success, with several hundred area Democrats in attendance. Chris Bell, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, and Congressman Lloyd Doggett spoke to the very enthusiastic throng.

In a special presentation during the LBJ Dinner, I was recognized and given an unexpected award: JOHN COURAGE: In appreciation for your Tireless Service in Support of the Democratic Party, and for your Leadership and Courage which has inspired and enriched us all. Your Friends and Supporters in Hays County.

All in all, this was a terrific weekend for the Courage for Congress Campaign, and I cannot conclude without mentioning the great work of my campaign team, TEAM COURAGE, for making everything go so well.

A huge thanks to TEAM COURAGE members:, Matt, Stewart, Meredith, Madeleine, David, Loretta, Emilio, Larry, Val, Cheryl, Sterling, Jamie, and last Zada. I couldn't do anything without you!

Editor's Note: This article was edited for length.