This is a continuation of a two part series of stories where I tell you why I am a journalist.
I donated a bit here and there and debated how I wanted to get involved with politics for several years. In that time I became a Fort Bend County Master Gardener and took over their social media. But I never stopped thinking about that day in January.
In 2023, I stopped debating and became a precinct chair. A few weeks later I was promoted to the Precinct One Coordinator and a few weeks after that I agreed to be the Communications Director for Marquette Greene-Scott for Congress. I was in over my head quick but I was back in the game, baby.
I also quickly realized that precinct one was not a priority for the party. At the time there were 26 precincts, and only six precinct chairs. Most of those precinct chairs did not contact their voters and only one regularly walked her blocks. Carol, you’re a mensch! This was disheartening but I was motivated to make change. I was met with loads of resistance and little resources.
Historically, the FBCDP had long held strongholds in the black communities of the county. Quite the reversal from the Jaybird – Woodpecker War. A candidate visits the right churches, knows key precinct chairs, and boom they win the primary. In Fort Bend County, at one time a candidate could literally win the county if you won the black vote in the primary. It is still true in some races today. This is how we got Fred Taylor and the no-good-very-bad-year for the Fort Bend County Democrats.
Taylor started his tenure as Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chair as he ended it, listening to no one’s council. As the Taral Patel story unfolded, Taylor called the indictment politically motivated and gave a full throated endorsement of Patel, despite multiple people with law degrees telling him not to and despite the investigation being conducted by a district attorney who is a democrat.
I was less than impressed by the time Taylor demanded a phone call with me. It began with him telling me I needed to be on call for him or he would replace me. It ended with him telling me that we don’t need to focus on precinct one, we only need to focus on precinct two to win the county, and did I even know any democrats who lived in precinct one? Yes sir, do you know how to use VAN (Voter Access Network)? I have 380 democrats with a score of 85 or higher in my precinct alone! I called him an ass and hung up on him.
I told the little-old-church-lady precinct chair that he would destroy our party. She told me God had put him in power and we needed to support his vision. She was more worried about my use of language (lady… I’m a sailor get over it) than the fact that this man was a self-centered know-it-all. He crippled the party and she did the paperwork.
2024 was a shit-show for the FBCDP. Constant drama from Taylor. Constant shaking people down and playing the tough guy. The candidates were on their own. The precinct chairs were on their own. The hubris of this man created so much suffering for the party. Key people spent an entire year trying to contain him, his ignorance, and that ego. I applaud their efforts.
Here are some other highlights from Taylor’s tenure:
- He removed every precinct chair’s access to VAN (Voter Access Network). He wouldn’t give it back unless you met with him. Many chairs never regained access ahead of the election.
- He told state and senate race coordinators he wasn’t doing anything to help unless they paid the FBCDP for it.
- He spent nearly $100,000 without approval, some of it on Ubers and some of it at Bombshells. He threw a big “fancy” gala that made no money.
- He made the elected treasurer’s life a living hell, he never gave her access to the bank accounts and replaced her without proper authority because he could not control her. As I stated to Houston Public Media, “He came into the role thinking that the bylaws did not apply to him.”
It took nearly a year for the FBCDP and the state party to remove Taylor. I signed into the discovery materials meeting to find we were in Robert’s Rules and had to sign an NDA. I was pissed. Why would we do this in secret? He brought in the usual suspects who jump on their live feeds and start labelling anything and everything racially motivated. Gag me with a spoon.
April Jones and I went to the press. If we hadn’t, it would have been his and the race-baiters’ words and little to nothing from the FBCDP or the state party. That isn’t a dig, just facts. They have to protect themselves legally from the nonsense and there was so much nonsense from Taylor. Here is what he wrote about himself as the press closed in:
“A firestorm is erupting in Fort Bend County politics, and it isn’t just a partisan clash – it’s an alleged criminal cover-up now turning inward, as high-ranking Democratic officials scramble to protect their own from a sweeping investigation led by the very man they are trying to oust: Chairman Fred Taylor.”
Bro, what?
So… that is me. A little girl who grew loving this country and its history. A young woman who wanted to make our government better for the people. A woman who loves being a journalist. I stand up to bullies. I demand transparency. I hold people with power accountable. I’m on a constant journey of self improvement, you know, the actual pursuit of happiness. Great book, you should read it. The founding fathers were obsessed with stoicism, virtue, and self improvement and you should be too.
Loving this country is a blessing and a curse akin to being in love with a beautiful but very shallow, selfish man. We need more options! I vote for a beautiful AND well-read, caring woman.
So…
We are starting a third party. I truly believe we can’t fix the states or the country with the two party system we have now. I believe the rot in the parties is too deep and the systems too entrenched and the parties too extreme. I think people do politics for ego and riches and special interests and it hurts regular people. I think we need to recruit working class people to represent us in the democratic process. People who simply love this country and the promise of what she can be and what we can do together. It is happening here and there, I want to unify us under the same banner. I want us to be so big and together that we don’t need the dirty money to win. I’m also the perfect type to be a journalist. My kids would call me an equal opportunity hater. But I just want politicians to do better for the people they represent.
Politics attracts the worst sorts. People who use their position to enrich themselves and others. The more I learn about Fort Bend County politics the more I am astounded at how blatant it all is. Before you get on your high horse and start pointing fingers at the other side, it is both. Period.
One thing about me is I’m not in politics to get rich. I’m not in journalism to get rich. I spent seven years taking care of a man and his children for him to dump me penniless. I used the money my parents set aside for my wedding to launch the Fort Bend Falcon and I am beyond broke right now. Not a sob story, just facts. I’ll bounce back. Watch me.
I just want to help fix the systemic problems we have at the local, state and national levels, then buy me a few acres, grow some peaches and disappear at 52. But first I have to do my part to heal this country. So I’m running for Governor of Texas in 2030 and it starts right here in Fort Bend County – the most diverse county in the United States. How beautiful is that?
Journalism first! Truth before power then power to make change. The party is HEMP: Healing Everyone Makes Paradise. You won’t find details on the internet. You’ll just have to stay tuned.
If you read this whole thing, God bless you and Texas and United States of America.
All my love,
All my light,
All my best,
Jess
P.S. Now for the actual disclosures.
You can see how much money I have donated to candidates in the past. Not much. If you want to talk about Beto and guns, email me. My family hunts. I’m an okay shot.
Marquette Greene-Scott is my friend. We have been through some tough stuff together. I was not paid for any of the work I did on her campaign. I donated more to her campaign than I made working for it. I am not affiliated with hers or any other campaign. If I interview her, I will interview her opponent and the questions will be the same or similar. If she wins the general, I may go be her Communications Director or Chief of Staff but only because we are besties. That offer stands to Mr. Nehls too. (Marquette don’t kill me!) Trust me, you want me in Washington working for you.
The Fort Bend Falcon will not endorse candidates or run political ads. It is my goal to hire a separate political editor as we grow. It is also my goal to get to print (on hemp paper, think cellulose, not psychedelics). Then I will Jimmy Carter this peanut farm and create a co-op ownership for the reporters and editors. Until then I will report fairly and attempt to give you an insider’s look at my time as a reporter and in DC and as a political operative.
I have resigned as precinct chair and coordinator with the FBCDP, the website may not reflect that just yet. I once again consider myself an independent voter and will determine which primary to vote in on whim. I voted in the Democratic primary in March because I was more familiar with the candidates and I had a particular race I cared about. I promise to vote in the Republican primary in 2028.
If you are concerned about my connections to candidates and the independence of the Fort Bend Falcon, I would love to hear from you. I also would encourage you to do research on the owners (and their political connections) of the other outlets in Fort Bend County.
Now for fun disclosures!
My top five favorite movies in order are:
1. Top Gun
2. Top Gun 2
3. Tombstone
4. Spotlight
5. Newsies
My favorite TV shows are:
1. West Wing
2. Veep
3. Community
4. Scrubs
5. ER
My favorite albums are (not in order):
1. Sting, Fields of Gold
2. James Taylor, Greatest Hits
3. The Judds, Greatest Hits
4. Rose Betts, There is No Ship
Random facts about me:
I frequently sing The Judds at karaoke. I am a great singer. I write songs. I do not know if I am a great singer-songwriter. We will find out soon enough.
Me and Baker (my dog) both speak a bit of German. I was once a top 1% user in the world on Duolingo. But maybe they tell that to everyone? Idk. I was on Duolingo a lot that year.
I drive a 2014 Jetta named Greta (no relation to Thunberg, just a German VW). I will drive her until she dies or I am Governor. It currently has a cracked window and no AC. Pray for me. Like I said, I am broke.
I’ve saved at least five people from drowning.
I have certifications as a Level 1 and Advanced Texas Wine Specialist. DRINK TEXAS WINE! And talk to me about it, I know what you should be drinking.
Abigail Adams is my favorite First Lady. I like to think we are similarly saucy – a term John Adams frequently called her and she called him right back.
Navy blue is my favorite color.
My eyes are green.