My name is Julie Wickert. I’m a home-town Austin girl and a small business owner. I’m also privileged to be among Brigid Shea’s many friends here in Austin. One day, Brigid and I were talking about work and career. I learned then that her guiding principle in making career decisions is to always seek the spot where she can make the biggest difference. 

Continuing her call to end politics as usual, Travis County Commission Candidate Brigid Shea announced she had raised another $100 thousand in the latest fundraising period, some of it coming from former political opponents. Since the start of the campaign Shea has raised more than $200,000 from over 450 donors. 

“From the beginning I’ve said this campaign is a big tent. My contributors range from former political opponents to environmentalists and many in between. With so many important issues to work on in the community, we can’t afford to let ourselves be divided over personal disagreements. It’s crucial we have a civil dialogue and pursue opportunities to work together,” said Shea.

Throughout the course of my campaign I have talked about building a broad coalition of supporters and treating all persons with respect. In light of the ugly revenge politics that we are seeing in New Jersey involving Gov. Christie’s staff and the George Washington Bridge scandal, it is essential to reach out to people that we have differences with and find ways to work together. I have tried to do this in my own life over the years. For a time I thought I was done with politics, until four years ago when I made peace with one of my political “enemies,” Gary Bradley. It was such a cathartic thing to do, that I found myself willing to run for office again. By putting the past behind me I opened the path in front of me.

I’m Susan Longley. I’m owner of The Longley Group, a consulting firm in Austin. For years, I have enjoyed taking an active part in Texas’ political process as a proud Democratic volunteer and fundraiser. I’m known for having a keen mind for local and state politics. And, like so many of you, I care deeply about the great state of Texas and its capital we have the privilege to call home.

I mention this so that you have a sense of my determination to ensure that the most qualified and dedicated candidates make it into office at every level of Texas government.

I fully support Brigid Shea for Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2.

I want you all to know how truly thankful I am for the support and generosity you’ve extended to my staff and me--many of you longtime friends and colleagues and others of you who have gotten to know me in my run for Commissioner. We genuinely view you as an integral part of our team. And, if you know me, you know that you are a big part of the reason I’m back on this journey to elected office. Together, I know we can make the kind of change that matters in our lives.  

"This is the first time I’ve volunteered for a public servant. I never realized what it takes to run a campaign. Usually, I research each candidate on the web, read the newspaper or watch a debate on television, and then I vote. Not anymore. Volunteers are paramount to a campaign so I urge all you civic-minded citizens to visit Brigid’s campaign headquarters to meet her and the staff and give an hour or more of your time, pick up a yard sign or make a donation. You won’t be disappointed."

This week in "Mondays with Brigid" we here about the women who have and continue to inspire Brigid as she works to improve Travis County. 

Every Thursday we hand the blog over to our supporters who Blog for Brigid. This week Consumer Advocate Bill Oakey explains why he supports Brigid. Read Bill's blog post after the flip!

As the Thanksgiving holiday draws near and families and friends gather to appreciate good food, quality time, and everything they have to be thankful for, I’m thinking even more about so many people who are being forced out of Austin because of our broken property tax appraisal system. And nothing is being done to fix it.

Every Thursday the campaign turns the blog over to you, our supporters and let you share why you support Brigid or an experience with the campaign. This week our submission comes from Paul Saldaña. Paul is a former aide to Mayor Gus Garcia, small business owner and longtime Hispanic Community Leader.


Do you want to Blog for Brigid? Sign up here!