Last week’s Texas Democrat Convention in Dallas ended without the party adopting a new platform, as not enough delegates remained to reach quorum.

Held biennially during election years, the convention is an opportunity for Texas Democrats to elect party leadership, gear up for the November election, and craft their party platform. 

At least, that’s what’s supposed to happen.

Shortly after Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa was re-elected to lead the party for another four years on Saturday, attendees began to trickle out of the convention center. When it came time to vote on the party platform, a point of order was called on grounds that there were not enough delegates present to conduct business—two-thirds of the body. 

The point of order was sustained and, just like that, the convention ended without the party adopting a platform. 

One attendee blamed the lack of attendance on excessive drinking the evening prior.

Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi took the opportunity to blast the Democrat Party for their fizzled convention effort.

“Texas Democrats showed this weekend what happens when you take away tens of millions of dollars from California, New York, and D.C. All that remains is a low enthusiasm, fringe party of political extremists who can’t even run a meeting, let alone a state,” said Rinaldi.

“The showing was so dismal that Democrats couldn’t even maintain enough attendance to complete the primary business of a party convention—passing a platform. The Texas Democrat platform will now be written behind closed doors by party bosses. The Republican Party of Texas is proud to be a grassroots-led party with a platform drafted by the more than 5,000 delegates in attendance at our convention, which is still the largest political gathering in the country.” 

Democrat Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa says a committee will be formed in the coming weeks to make changes to the platform passed by the party in 2020. 

Brandon Waltens

Brandon serves as the Senior Editor for Texas Scorecard. After managing successful campaigns for top conservative legislators and serving as a Chief of Staff in the Texas Capitol, Brandon moved outside the dome in order to shine a spotlight on conservative victories and establishment corruption in Austin. @bwaltens

RELATED POSTS