Democrats start endorsement dance

It’s that time of year again and since the year is 2020, many Austinites will be focused on the presidential race. But there are many other important local races, and the city’s Democratic clubs are wasting no time in screening the various candidates seeking their endorsement. Starting Thursday night, Jan. 9, the West Austin Democrats will hold the first of two endorsement meetings starting at 6:45 p.m. The meetings, held at the Austin Public Library Howson Branch, last just two hours, which limits the number of endorsements in a given evening. This Thursday’s agenda includes endorsements for Travis County attorney and sheriff. Next month, they will hear from candidates for district attorney and at least two district judge seats. The Northeast Travis County Democrats and several other groups, including the Black Austin Democrats and the East Travis County Democrats, are hosting a forum this Saturday, Jan. 11, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Hanovers 2.0 at 16912 N. I-35. Candidates will kick off at noon with Mike Siegel, Shannon Hutcheson and Pritesh Gandhi, who are hoping to be on the November ballot against Republican U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul. Jennie Lou Leeder and Wendy Davis, who are vying to face District 21 U.S. Rep. Chip Roy next fall, are scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. District attorney candidates Margaret Moore, Erin Martinson and José Garza are scheduled for 2 p.m. Travis County attorney candidates Mike Denton, Laurie Eiserloh, Delia Garza and Dominic Selvera are scheduled for 2:40 p.m. The South Austin Democrats and the Tejano Democrats will host a forum together at the Gardner Betts Center at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 and the Central Austin Democrats are planning their forum for noon on Jan. 26 at the Violet Crown Clubhouse.