Coming up in the next 10 days:

Saturday, September 15 in Uvalde–Highway 90 Coalition Rally from 3 to 6 with candidates from Congress to Statewide to State Representative, Justices.

Sunday, September 16 in Hunt–Open House for Open Minds hosted by Sandy and C.A. Martin in their new home; picnic lunch at 12:30 pm.

Monday, September 17 in Kerrville at the monthly TRTA meeting as the guest of Linda Seymour.

Wednesday, September 19 in Pebble Beach, Lakehills–Meet the neighbors with Lynn Oliver, Bandera County Chair.

Thursday, September 20–early morning canvassing in Llano with Llano County Democrats.

Friday, September 21–Eldorado lunch with Schleicher County Democratic Party Chair Phyllis Sauer and other supporters.

Saturday, September 22–Breakfast with Stephanie fundraiser at the Riverside Nature Center, $30, hosted by Sue Sommers and other Democratic ladies.

Saturday, September 22–Marble Falls for Old-Fashioned Political Rally for all Democratic Party candidates at Johnson Park starting at noon.

Sunday, September 23–Gathering of women for dessert and conversation about women in government at home of Coral Adema with Robin Amerine hosting with Coral.

Gravel pits, rock crushing, asphalt plants, sand pits and more industrial activity are rapidly expanding in the Hill Country as residents discover that their local county governments have no power to stop the destruction of the hills and river banks, and the pollution of air and water.  Our campaign for State Representative has taken on more urgency as voters realize that it will take a new Governor and new legislators to pass the necessary statutes to put the brakes on this out-of-control destruction of our precious Texas Hill Country.

Our campaign will join forces with the Kopser for Congress campaign in Kerr, Bandera and Real counties to reach out to voters with our messages for the future of our state and country.  Join us at 9:30 a.m. at the County Party office in Kerr or Bandera for a big sendoff into the community.

The Sierra Club has endorsed Stephanie Lochte Ertel for State Representative. Stephanie is so proud to receive the support of the Sierra Club, a major force in the effort to fight climate change, protect our water resources and sustain our environment so that we can all enjoy the blessing of planet Earth.  My goals are closely aligned with the Sierra Club and I look forward to working in the Legislature for the future of Texas’ natural economy.

The child abuse at the Texas border must stop.

The current immigration crisis caused by the Trump administration family separation policy will be my topic for discussion at the June meeting of the Medina County Democrats in Castroville.  Starting in 1989, I represented Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and refugees from Somalia before the Immigration Court in Dallas, TX.  My experience tells me that our laws do not require the extreme measures taken by our Department of Homeland Security in the last six weeks.

On July 4, hopefully this bad policy will be history and we can all celebrate our country’s birthday, instead of feeling angry and ashamed for the terrible actions of our government on the border. We will be joining the Medina County Democrats for the Castroville Historic July 4 Parade, and the Bandera County Democrats for BBQ in the afternoon on July 4.

We’ll be heading to Bandera this Saturday, May 5 for the annual Medina River Cleanup, to help with registration and distributing equipment to the many volunteers from near and far who come with pickups and kayaks to cover 50 miles of river, looking for trash.  In past years we have filled at least two big dumpsters!  Such a fulfilling day (and filling, too, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided for volunteers).

Join Stephanie and other members of the Dems for a Cure Team (impersonating DEVO) at the Hill Country Youth Event Center for Relay for Life of Kerr County on Friday night, April 27 starting at 6:00 p.m.  Relay brings together the entire Kerr County community, as everyone is touched by cancer.  Lots of activities for all ages as we walk, dance, race box cars, honor loved ones with the Luminaria Ceremony and choose the most glamorous Ms. Relay.

Early Voting has begun in the Democratic Primary election. We have covered the district with ads in weekly newspapers and given speeches at rallies in Hondo, Marble Falls and Kerrville.  Now it is time for Democratic voters to choose their candidate for the big showdown with Andrew Murr in November.  Please choose a candidate who is committed to taking the Democratic Party message to every corner of District 53–please vote for Stephanie Lochte Ertel on or before March 6, 2018.

Everyone is welcome to the Primary Campaign Rally in Kerrville on Tuesday, February 20.  Over a dozen candidates from Senator, several Congressional, some statewide, some judicial, State Representative (Stephanie and her opponent) and County Chair will all be putting on their best campaign persuasion (5 minutes each) starting at 6:15 pm in the UGRA Auditorium, 125 Lehmann Drive, near the DPS office on Sidney Baker South.

Stephanie will join other candidates for office from all parties at Bandera High School for a Candidate Fair starting at 10 a.m.  The event concludes at 12 p.m.  Local candidates as well as candidates for higher offices will be manning tables where they will interact one-on-one with community members who attend.