In the wake of the Nov. 2 election, leaders of the McLennan County Democratic and Republican parties talked about what’s next, given big GOP gains locally.

Republican chairman Joe Hinton said the election outcome could lead to lifelong Democrats changing their party affiliation, and Democratic chairwoman Karen Petree said retaining Democratic officeholders will be something she has to concentrate on.

To call it a rebuilding period for the McLennan County Democratic Party may understate what lies ahead for the organization.

The party, across the state and in the county, endured a series of losses, none bigger at home than longtime U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards’ defeat by Bill Flores, a first-time candidate from Bryan.

“The whole point of this year was to instill some confidence into our elected officials so we wouldn’t have the switching of parties that we’ve had for years, but to also encourage new people to run,” said McLennan County Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Petree, who at 26 is the youngest Democratic county party chair in the state.

McLennan County Democratic chairwoman Karen Petree said the sweeping wins by Republicans may dissuade Democrat hopefuls.
Rod Aydelotte / Tribune-Herald, file

“With the election results this year, I’m scared that we didn’t do it.”

Petree said Democrats did a better job this year turning out a record number of voters in heavily Democratic areas like East Waco.

However, the coordinated efforts by the party, its candidates and Waco-based Organizing for America volunteers were no match for that of the energized Republican Party and the tea party movement.

“A lot of people have e-mailed me and called me and said we ran things better than they could have imagined,” Petree said.

Still, with the GOP gains, Democrats have an uphill climb and things could get worse before they get better, Petree said.

“Recruiting candidates will be tough and keeping our current elected officials is something some people have brought up,” she said.

“What happened to Bill Helton gives no one confidence to run” as a Democrat, Petree added, citing the defeat of the longtime county treasurer, a Democrat who lost to inexperienced Republican Danny Volcik.

However, the national political climate which she said punished Democrats in 2010 is subject to change, and the Republican Party locally will in some ways be judged by the performance of the incoming majority of Republicans in the U.S. House.

Locally, Petree said she plans on working on the Democratic brand and finding quality candidates for 2012 — goals that aren’t mutually exclusive.

“From here, I’m going to have to recruit candidates, but the bigger challenge will be to get people to look at our candidates and not just the letter next to their name,” she said.

mshapiro@wacotrib.com

757-5707

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