On The Record: Bob Dean

For this episode of On The Record, we speak with Bob Dean, the Senate District 19 Committeeman and the Reeves County Democratic Party Chair.

How did you get started in politics? Did you come to it in your youth or later on?

I started working as a clerk in the precinct for the Democratic Party, and then became a precinct chair for about four years. I then was elected as County Chair, and I have been County Chair for 30 years now.

What would you say are the primary issues concerning Reeves County?

There is not enough water in the area. We also have a large Hispanic population that has not been dealt with by Washington or Austin. The national and state candidates go where the media and big cities go. Rural areas need more attention in the political arena. Representative Pete Gallego does well for us, but he doesn’t have any help.

The lack of jobs is a big issue. We have issues with city and school taxes being too high for our community. We get oil revenues that help us with the local tax base, but we still need more help. People in the community are facing foreclosure because of sub prime loans.

There is also a lack of insurance coverage, many are without health insurance.

How do state politics affect your neighborhood?

It depends on the issue. A lot of statewide issues are geared to places like Houston and Dallas, the big cities, and we get the leftovers. Our representative does a great job, but he is only one vote, and he’s not in the majority.

There are opportunities for other job opportunities in the area that many officials don’t think about. Branches and D.P.S. officers could be located in rural areas, and it would create jobs.

What are you looking forward to in the coming cycle?

I believe there will be a Democratic President. One of the two candidates for the United States Senate has a chance to win. If Democrats crack that base for the U.S. Senate, we could see a lot of changes.

Many resignations are happening in the House, and there could be a shift in the House.

Have you ever wanted to work / worked professionally in politics? In what capacity?

No, I like to stay at a local, grassroots level. There is too much involved in running for office than to work other than locally.

What one thing would you say a political organization never has enough of?

Money and volunteers are very important. However, the two don’t go hand in hand. Even if there is money, it can’t knock on doors and meet voters. Volunteers can meet people and get them to vote, and there’s nothing like a personal touch to convince voters to be for your candidate.

Candidates should know more than to count out these rural areas. If candidates come out here, then they can carry the ticket in that county. When Van Os ran, he proved you can win the county by personal contact. He came out and met with small counties and carried the vote in some smaller counties. There is more than one way to do politics in Texas.