Note: Candidates are in ballot order Margie Ceja did not respond to our questionnaire.
Stuart Williams
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
I am running for Lubbock County Democratic Party chair because I want to build a bigger tent. I want to spend my time bringing people into this party. I am laser focused on how Democrats talk to — and fight for — people who actually live here. As chair, I will work tirelessly to renew, restore and reinvigorate our party. Lubbock Democrats are nowhere to be found and most don’t know the party exists because we have no footprint. So I insist upon the goal of more strategies to raise our party’s profile, engage civic groups, doctors, lawyers, people of faith, our high school and college youth and young professionals. We are nothing without our community; let’s open up the doors and let the people in. Building trust and authenticity with our voters and our community is my main goal. If we don’t have trust, we won’t have anything. We must become the safe, sane, rational, decent alternative in this county. I am the only candidate who can make that happen. I think it’s time for a steady hand that isn’t distracted by the distant battles hundreds of miles away. A regular person who isn’t attached to the ancient grudges, constant drama and isn’t hidebound to the same old, same old. If you care about lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, public safety, and local control — values I know many of you hold dear — then I say: come on in. Take a seat. Let’s talk. If we are the measured people we say we are, can we not invite some people in to the tent that are new? That may have different, but just as passionately held beliefs as we do? Who also agree that the dang potholes should be filled? I think we can.
What has to happen for the Democratic party to win more local elections?
I believe in pragmatic, tangible achievements for regular people and demand we must be Lubbock focused in all policy. Too often, Democrats focus on cultural or national policy battles. We have got to get out of the HQ and go out into the community! Democrats should be engaging our small businesses, churches and communities of faith and neighborhood groups. Action, fundraising and outreach are nothing if not backed with solid local candidates people trust. This must be about electing competent elected officials who aren’t empty suits or doormats, but iron-willed for fair pay and shrewd fiscal discipline.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example: boards, volunteer positions, or other offices you previously held?
I’ve served since 2008 as a Democratic precinct chair, campaign volunteer and staffer, including Gilbert Flores, Neal Marchbanks, Bill White and Beto O’Rourke. I’ve also served as Democratic County Party vice chair and as county chair from 2016-18. Recently, as co-founder of the 134 PAC and chair of Lubbock Coalition of Black Democrats, my focus has been on left behind and ignored voters Democrats take for granted and count out. Outside of politics, I also volunteer at work, as well as partner with our local service organizations including the RISE UP Unified Juneteenth committee and the Lubbock NAACP Legal Redress Committee.
Brian Carr
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Having been a life-long Democrat I believe we must take the party back from the extreme left that does not represent the values of our citizens and have resulted in many good Democrats not supporting our local party. This will involve:
Restore financial strength: We must reach out and re-engage with the many progressive citizens who would contribute monies to fund the party and our policies. I have good networking among the healthcare community in Lubbock and believe that funds could be raised if the party is clear in our goals and desire to improve our community.
Restore leadership: Two of the current candidates for chair have slandered myself and the current chair by posting on social media hateful and completely untrue charges of our being pedophiles and sexual predators. Such baseless attacks must stop. Candidates should provide if they have any criminal history as voters need to know if they have a history of poor choice and being arrested for such events as DUI, misappropriation of campaign funds, or other questions about their character and history.
Provide for an organized response in our outreach: We will need to coordinate and maintain a concise and clear message about what we believe and what activities we are organizing. Elements of the communist and other fringe political movements must be separated out from the true Democrats that we represent and provide a clear alternative to the current Republican administration that is exploiting our citizens and seek profit over people.
What has to happen for the Democratic party to win more local elections?
We must send a message to the local voters that our party will take action to improve the daily life of our citizens. We must have leadership and unity that is clear on a progressive and caring message that provides for healthcare, safety and opportunities for growth.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community?
My family has extensive community involvement for over 100 years in Lubbock. My uncle Waggoner was Texas attorney general under LBJ. I have served on many community boards and other groups including six years on the Board of Health for the City of Lubbock (two terms as chairman) as well as being clinical faculty at the Texas Tech School of Medicine for over 30 years. I have served in many roles for the South Plains Kidney Foundation including president. I, with my parents, were honored with the George Mahon Lifetime Community Involvement awarded by Women in Communication at Texas Tech.
Gracie Gomez
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
As a former chair of the Lubbock County Democratic Party, I possess the institutional knowledge necessary to recognize our party’s specific needs and the strategic vision required to move us forward. While Lubbock is often labeled a “red” stronghold, there is a significant population of Democratic-leaning residents and voters increasingly disillusioned by extremist rhetoric. My three priorities are:
Strategic growth and recruitment. We must expand our base by actively engaging residents who are not yet politically active. This requires modernizing our communication and outreach strategies to connect with those eager for local change. By fostering a welcoming environment, we can convert passive supporters into active organizers.
Comprehensive candidate pipeline. Meaningful change begins at the local level. My priority is to recruit viable candidates for city, school board and county positions. Once recruited, the party must serve as a hub for essential resources, providing professional training, strategic direction and fundraising infrastructure necessary to run competitive, high-stakes campaigns.
Accessibility and member empowerment. The heart of our party is its membership. I am committed to making the party accessible to everyone, from volunteers to precinct chairs. By streamlining committee involvement and diversifying our leadership, we ensure that every member has a seat at the table.
By focusing on growth, candidate support and accessibility, we will build a robust infrastructure capable of challenging the status quo. We are not just looking for a presence in Lubbock; we are looking for progress. Through disciplined recruitment and consistent messaging, we will turn our local energy into electoral victories.
What has to happen for the Democratic party to win more local elections?
Winning requires moving beyond theory and into aggressive, ground-level execution. We must bridge the gap between registration and participation through consistent engagement and active candidate recruitment. Campaigns are demanding; they require a sophisticated network of volunteers to educate voters via door-knocking, phone banking and community events. Furthermore, we must provide our candidates with the professional “toolkits” — training and funding — necessary to compete in a costly media market. When we unify our resources and maintain a visible, year-round presence in the community, we demonstrate to voters that the Democratic Party is a viable, effective alternative.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community?
My commitment to Lubbock is demonstrated through diverse leadership roles. I served two terms as C=county party chair, navigating the pandemic and overseeing a historic, all-female board and record-breaking fundraising. My civic service includes serving on the city’s Community Development and Services Board (focused on low-income housing) and chairing a committee on the Community Engagement Task Force to improve police-resident dialogue. Additionally, I have been a mentor to at-risk elementary students and a dedicated campaign volunteer and former candidate, gaining firsthand insight into the complexities of our local political and social landscape.
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