People's Town Hall, Sunday, April 13, Fredericksburg, TX.
Chip Roy's TX21 district, Ellen Troxclair's TX HD19. They weren't there. Congressman Joaquin Castro and Legislators Gene Wu and Vikki Goodwin were. This is the main hall. There was an overflow room, too. Over 300 in attendance in this ruby red rural Hill Country!
Gillespie County Democratic Party was one of the sponsors of the LBJ100 bicycle event on April 5. In addition to sponsoring, GDCP volunteers staffed one of the Rest Stops during the event!
Gillespie County Sheriff Chris Ayala visits with Gillespie County Democratic Association
Gillespie Democrats (and others!) take advantage of one of their rights as American citizens, Saturday, March 08, 2025.
Possible best sign:
“So Many Issues
Not Enough Cardboard!”
The second weekend of exercising our right to protests……Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Gillespie County Democrats had a successful community service event Tuesday, February 18......an Eggs-travaganza. We gave away 31 dozen eggs to families driving by our HQ, which is about 2 blocks from the middle school. Lots of happy moms picking up their kids from school Tuesday afternoon! Recipients were asked to choose among three current issues as to which is most important…..the economy, education, immigrant reform.
It was a good day!
L-R: Cathy Collier, Barbara Elmore, Jerry Vaclav, Shirley Truitt. Not pictured: Charlotte Freeborn, Lane Tait.
Gillespie County Democratic Association Scholarships
Each year the Gillespie County Democratic Association (GCDA) offers partial scholarships
to students seeking degrees in college or university settings, as well as students seeking
vocational training.
GCDA Club members may nominate high school seniors who attend a Gillespie County
High School by selecting link #1, below, and filling out the nomination form.
Nominations by club members are due no later than March 15, 2025. Students who are
nominated will be notified that they have been nominated, and will be sent an
application to apply. Please save the completed nomination form and email it as an
attachment to gcda.scholarship@gmail.com.
Link #1. (GCDA Members Nominating a Student)
Students who are seniors at a Gillespie County High School may self-apply by selecting
link #2, below, and filling out the application form for high school seniors. Self-
application forms by eligible high school seniors are due no later than April 12, 2025.
Please save the completed form and email it as an attachment to
gcda.scholarship@gmail.com.
Link #2 (Self Applying High School Seniors)
Previous scholarship awardees may self-apply for a continuation scholarship by selecting
link #3, below, and filling out the application form. Self-application forms by eligible
students are due no later than April 12, 2025. Please save the completed form and
email it as an attachment to gcda.scholarship@gmail.com.
Link #3 (Previous Scholarship Awardee Application)
Previous awardees may apply for a scholarship for post graduate study award or for an
advanced vocational training program award by selecting link #4, below, and filling out
the application form. Self-application forms by eligible students are due no later than
April 12, 2025. Please save the completed form and email it as an attachment to
gcda.scholarship@gmail.com.
Link #4 (Previous Awardee Post Graduate Study Application)
Texas is turning Blue.
Our rights are at stake. Join the fight.
At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 19-22, 2024!
GCDA Monthly Meeting Update
Come to the monthly meetings of the Gillespie County Democratic Association (GCDA)! There are engaging speakers, good conversations, and lots of positive energy. We also handle business matters at the meetings.
Our next GCDA meeting is Wednesday, May 21. The meetings are at Gillespie County Democratic Headquarters at 209 N. Crockett, Fredericksburg, at 6:30 p.m. Program TBA.
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Also, please note that the GCDA now has a new phone number! It is 830-992-3144.
Breaking News: All 5 Congressional Delegate 21 (CD-21) National Delegates (Including Two from Gillespie County) Endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States!
Following President Joe Biden’s historic announcement that he will not continue to seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, the entire delegation from CD-21 for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and will vote for her to be our nominee and the first woman president in American history.
The First-Ever Congressional District 21 Democratic Convention
took place on Saturday, August 3, 2024, 11am-5pm, in Fredericksburg. Democrats from all ten counties in our Congressional District came together to hear great speakers, learn from each other, and collaborate on joint goals.
The convention was organized by Abel Jaimes of Gillespie County and Gabrien Gregory of Bexar County.
Dems in the Gillespie County Fourth of July Parade and Picnic!
Some of our members rode on the Gillespie County Democrats float in the Fredericksburg Fourth of July parade! Afterwards, we had a picnic that featured fun, camaraderie, and a speech by Dr. Kristin Hook, who is running for Congress in our district to unseat incumbent Chip Roy.
Investing in the Future
GCDA President Charlotte Freeborn and Scholarship Committee Chair Lee Wilson present the GCDA 2024 scholarships to Andres Cooke and Eleanor Burns at a reception honoring the students’ accomplishments and future.
Representing Gillespie County at Democratic Party Conventions (2024)
Democratic National Convention, Chicago, Aug. 19-22
Two of Gillespie County’s own represented Texas at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, August 19-22: Graham Nessler and Abel Jaimes. Here they are below along with fellow National Delegate Gabrien Gregory from Bexar County. (See above for pictures.)
Texas Democratic State Convention, El Paso, June 6-9
Nine Gillespie County Democrats were chosen as delegates to the Texas State Democratic Convention in El Paso. Here are some photos from this event.
Gillespie County Democratic Convention
The Gillespie County Democratic Party Convention was Saturday, March 23, at 10 a.m. at the Gillespie County Democratic Party Office, 209 N. Crockett, Suite 1.
Delegates to the Texas Democratic Party state convention were chosen. They are County Chair Cathy Collier, delegates Charlotte and Bill Freeborn, Roger and Liz Paul, Elke Ditges, Graham Nessler, Abel Jaimes, and Jerry Vaclav. Several resolution requests were also adopted to be sent along to the state convention Resolutions Committee. The state convention was June 6-8 in El Paso.
INAUGURAL MOLBERG/KELLER DINNER
“Each of you here tonight—and so many others—have helped to build the Gillespie County Democratic Party. We thank you for your support, your courage and your enthusiasm as we work for issues important to all Texans.” — Cathy Collier, Gillespie Co. Chair
The Gillespie County Democratic Party held its Inaugural Molberg/Keller Dinner on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Hill Country University Center HEB Room.
The sold out event honored two past Democratic County Chairs, Maxine Molberg and George Keller, celebrated a very successful Fund Drive, and welcomed special guest James Talarico, Texas House of Representatives District 50.
The event was emceed by Gillespie County Democratic Chair Cathy Collier and Deputy Chair Jerry Vaclav. Ken Molberg, Fifth Court of Appeals Justice and son of Maxine Molberg, past county chair Bill Joseph, and Kathleen Keller, wife of George Keller, offered remembrances and stories about Maxine and George.
Representative Talarico offered his perspective about serving in the Texas House, about the current 4th Special Session, and moving forward as we work for issues important to all Texans.
Attendees were part of the over 170 citizens who contributed to this year’s fund drive.
Democratic Representative James Talarico serves in the Texas House of Representative. Two days before the vote in the 4th Special Session of the Texas legislature rejecting the governor's push for school vouchers, he was the guest of the Gillespie County Democratic Party at the Inaugural Molberg/Keller Dinner in Fredericksburg, Texas. Take a listen to his inspiring presentation...
Volunteering and Outreach
Vickie Bonewitz, Martha Zeiher, and Cathy Collier help distribute food and holiday turkeys at the Central Texas Food Bank event on November 11. Over 200 holiday turkeys were distributed.
The Gillespie County Democratic Party frequently offers community outreach opportunities. Recently, Michael Barr was hosted at the GCD headquarter to talk about and offer his newest book Hill Country Hindsights, a collection of observations, articles, and stories about where we live. Kathleen Keller and Martha Zeiher, as well as many others, were able to have Mr. Barr sign their copies of his book.
The next opportunity:
On July 8, local photographer Jim Fox will be signing his book of wonderfully evocative photos collected from his vast collection. Stop by from 10 a.m.-12 noon to take a look at this truly beautiful book.
“The world wants to know - is the future a democratic one or an autocratic one? And I want to make sure that the United States leads on that, clearly that it's democratic.”
— Beto O’ Rourke speaking to 800 people at the Town Hall at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park | August 17 2022
#UvaldeStrong
💙
#UvaldeStrong 💙
Gillespie County Democrats have donated $2,000 to the Uvalde Strong Fund organized by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. The funds were collected at our group’s first Wine Down Friday
Voter Guide
Learn how to vote in Texas Gillespie County elections.
Our Candidates
Stay up to date on Democratic Candidates
and where they stand on issues.
Volunteer with us
We need your help to fight for for the rights of the disadvantaged and for the health of our planet.
Join the Gillespie County Democratic Association (GCDA)
Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month @ 209 North Crockett/Suite 1, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Additionally when you join, you will receive the “Demo Memo”, our monthly newsletter. *Club membership is $10.00 a person and $15.00 per family*
