On July the 3rd, the Gillespie County Democratic Club will be hosting a reception for candidates seeking office across the state and to celebrate the Year of the Woman. Two candidates, Rebeca C. Martinez and Candace Duval will be honored at a Meet the Candidates Reception to be held at the Tatsch House at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park from 6:00-8:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served and friends and neighbors are invited to join in the festivities and meet the candidates. The following day the club will continue the two day events with the annual Fredericksburg July the 4th Parade. Rose Hall, President of the Kerr County Area Texas Democratic Women, will join other women to be honored.

Forbes magazine contributor Bryce Covert, recognizes the importance of The Year of the Woman, writing “This isn’t just important for ensuring that our Congress – which has never been more than 18 percent women – better reflects the country’s population. It’s also important for getting women to turn out for the election in the first place.” Texas has always had strong women leaders from Governor Ann Richards to Kay Bailey Hutchison, United States Senator, but overall numbers of woman in office remain below average and that is why it is so vital to recognize the standard bearers who are seeking and hold office today and encourage the young women of Texas to step forward in the future. The two state candidates to be honored at the reception exhibit the strength and background Texas needs to move forward.

Rebeca C. Martinez is candidate for Associate Justice for the 4th Court of Appeals. Ms. Martinez graduated as a University Scholar at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and received her law degree from Boston University School of Law. She served as a law clerk for United States Magistrate Judge Eduardo E. de Ases for the Southern District of Texas and Briefing Attorney for Justice Ferderico G. Hinojosa on the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Rebeca continues to maintain a general civil trial law, family and criminal litigation practice.

Candace Duval, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress, District 21, is a 6th generation Texan and has worked as a sales manager in a major hotel and for the Make a Wish Foundation. As an Image and Branding Consultant to her own company, she has served an array of industries including the high tech, construction, publications, environmental, political and non-profit sector. Her Democratic credentials include interning for Comptroller Bob Bullock and returning for a permanent position at his Tax Publications Department and working for John Sharp in his most recent run for Senate, and Hector Uribe in his run for Texas Land Commissioner.

For more information about the parade and reception, contact Gillespie County Democratic Club President George Keller at (830) 792-4232 or (830) 456-1066.

Have a great 4th of July!