By BECKY BELL | Texarkana Gazette

A group gathering Tuesday in Spring Lake Park had more on their agenda than lunch.
The crowd of around 150 who came out for the Democrats in the Park event were there to send a message that they are unhappy with national, state and local politics.
In fact, they even sent a personal message to Texas Gov. Rick Perry in the form of graffiti painted on the side of a school bus they parked near a pavilion. The sign read, “Rick, it’s still broke.”

This year was the first time members of all assorted groups of Democrats assembled formally on the Fourth of July, said John Delk, Bowie County Democratic chair. The purpose of the event was twofold: to celebrate the country’s 230th birthday and to give people an opportunity to be close enough to candidates to discuss pertinent issues.

“The idea was a less formal setting where people could get to know them,” Delk said.
He explained that the goal of all the groups gathered Tuesday with Democratic ties is to elect enough people to put the nation back on track.

Those groups joining forces Tuesday were the Red River Democrats, Lone Star Democrats, Young Democrats, Faith and Family Democrats and Bowie County Sustaining Democrats.

“The country is on the wrong track. We are trying to right the track, “ Delk said. “We are not trying to push it left, but nudge it back in the right direction.”

The slogan for the Bowie County Democrats is “People like you fighting for you.” Delk said. No candidate present Tuesday embodied that sentiment more than Hank Gilbert, a candidate for state commissioner of agriculture. Gilbert hopes to replace Republican Todd Staples.
Gilbert said he didn’t expect to be running for office less than a year ago.

“I was out in my cow pasture trying to watch where I stepped,” said Gilbert, who lives in Troup, Texas, near Tyler.

Gilbert said he decided to consider working in an area other than farming because he doesn’t think farmers can afford another Republican term. He said legislation such as the Trans-Texas Corridor is eliminating needed farmland. He said legislation such as House Bill 1361, which requires farmers to use microchips to track each animal, will hurt farmers’ pockets.
Delk said Gilbert’s down-home attitude has made him a cult figure of sorts among Democrats.

Another candidate who was politicking Tuesday is Glen Melancon, who is seeking to replace Ralph Hall in the U.S. Congress. Hall serves as the representative for Texas’ Fourth District. Melancon, who lives in Sherman, said he finds the issues are the same across the state.
“People have the same needs all over—good jobs, good health care and affordable energy,” Melancon said.

Other politicians who attended Tuesday’s event were gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell; Fred Head, candidate for Texas comptroller; David Van Os, candidate for Texas attorney general; Valinda Hathcox, candidate for commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas; Steve Harrelson, Arkansas state representative; Donna Burns, candidate for Bowie County treasurer; and Velma Moore, candidate for re-election as Bowie County Clerk.