On The Record: Gerry Birnberg

For this episode of On The Record, we speak with Gerry Birnberg, County Chair for the Harris County Democratic Party.

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

I was raised in a Democratic family in Corpus Christi, and I was interested in political issues. When I finished high school I became involved in organized politics.

I represented Ron Waters in Harris County, running for state legislature in the early 1970s, in a libel suit involving Jim Assad. I was involved with the Jimmy Carter campaign as a lawyer to answer questions for the Harris County Party in 1976.

I also became the American Civil Liberties Union Chair in Houston in 1978, and as a lawyer I represented elected officials in election matters until around 2003.

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

I believe that Iraq is a huge issue with voters in Harris County, and immigration also has a great following of passion and impact on the voters and the community. The environment, particularly clean air, is one of the most pressing issues in our community as well. Health care and stem cell research is a top priority for some people in the county.

What’s driving the election is no single issue. The motivation for voters is the mess the current Republican leadership has created. The voters don’t see the Republicans as having the know-how to do the job, and the voters want effectiveness and competence.

Who are some of your political heroes?

I’m not sure if he qualifies but Adlai E. Stevenson was a dynamic, political figure for me.

I admire Jimmy Carter, because he is a very decent person and has had one of the most successful post-presidencies, and Craig Washington because of his extraordinary eloquence.

President Bill Clinton is a hero of mine, because you could be in a room with 1000 other people and he would still give you the impression that he’s speaking only to you. To my discredit, though, the first time I met him was at a luncheon after he announced he was running for President, at which he fielded questions from the audience for an hour and a half. After the luncheon Bill White called to ask me what I thought and I replied, “This guy’s got no charisma, I’m holding out for Mario Cuomo.”

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in politics?

Far more people share the Democratic view of things than Republican ideals. I am completely convinced of that.
We are less skilled in taking over the government because we’re more focused on attacking one another than the opposition.

I have found the most significant factor regarding whether people will vote is their expectation of winning. Everyone likes to brag and say ‘I voted for the winner;’ not so much the other way around. The best way to ensure victory is to promote a victory. Voters cannot be manipulated, but people have to believe Democrats can and will win for the Democrats to win.

Tell us a little bit about being County Chair, and what roles you feel like you fulfill in Harris County Democratic Party, official or otherwise.

Harris County is a huge county; it’s the largest in Texas and the third largest in the U.S.

As the chair, my job is to see Democrats win on Election Day. I also preside over precinct chair meetings and coordinate grassroots efforts among the 875 precincts.

There are many statutory duties for the primaries, like accepting applications and reviewing them for candidates. I ensure that the candidates are qualified and supply resources to support fund-raising. I also engage the grassroots efforts when it’s time to get out the vote.

I also prepare the budget for the county party and make sure it is followed. I am like the elected CEO of the Harris County Party.