On The Record: Natesha "Shay" Wyrick-Cathey

For this episode of On The Record, we speak with Natesha "Shay" Wyrick-Cathey, SDEC Committeewoman for Senate District 23 from Dallas.

What was your personal progression from the role of activist to the role of SDEC Committeewoman?

I have been active in grassroots politics all my life. My mom is a precinct chair, and I used to push cards for the candidates in front of her polling locations when I was a child.

Since I was ten years old, I have worked in Democratic politics in some capacity. I can remember the campaigns of Bob Krueger, Garry Mauro, Jim Mattox, and Bob Bullock. From pushing cards to organizing block walks and phone banks to eventually raising money, I’ve done most of it.

In 2002, I was a regional Finance Director for Ron Kirk’s US Senate campaign. Next, I became Senator Royce West’s political director, which I think kind of cemented me in the Dallas political scene. People had known me since I was a kid, but now they could see what I could do as an adult.

In 2004, the 23rd Senatorial District elected me as a delegate to the National Convention in Boston. And last year, when a vacancy came up in my district, I knew some of the people and how the process worked, so I expressed an interest and I was nominated without any opposition.

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

Dallas County just turned blue last November winning 47 countywide seats, and our next goal is to win another seat on the Commissioners Court which would officially give us control of the County.

But we need to maintain our countywide seats and elect new officials to other seats.

Do you have any ambition for higher office? Do you have plans to run for any other party office, or possibly even public office?

I used to say no, but I’m not sure. I won’t rule it out. I’m trying to learn as much as I can so I’ll be prepared if I ever need it.

What are you looking forward to in the coming cycle?

The upcoming presidential election is really exciting, and in Dallas County we have the chance to maintain the first countywide seats that were won in 2004. As exciting as 2006 was, it really started with us winning four countywide seats in 2004. That was the tip of the iceberg!

Now in Dallas County, we have a few Republicans coming back to the Democratic Party and some switching to the Party for the first time. It is a good time for the Democratic Party in Dallas County right now.

What would you say the political breakdown of your family is? Is it mostly Democratic or are you somewhat unique?

My entire family is Democratic. My mom has been a Democratic precinct chair for the last 30 years, and my dad’s active in the UAW, so this is nothing new to me.

The first time I think I really understood the political process was in the 1982 when Ann Richards was running for Treasurer. She was in Fort Worth at the Labor Day picnic giving a speech. I was with my dad, and I thought she was awesome. On election night, I kept asking my dad if the lady from the picnic had won her seat. I was so happy when she did.

That was also the year Mark White ran for governor. At my mother’s polling place, they ran out of ballots and the people stood in line waiting for the ballots so they could vote. I remember the passion the people had to vote, and I was so interested.

I will never forget that moment. And when he won, I knew those people had played a part in his victory.

It clicked for me that night, and I knew what a difference one person could make. My mother took me to Austin for Gov. White’s inauguration and the entire process came full circle for me.

Eight years later in 1990, I voted for the first time when Ann Richards ran for governor. I voted and my candidates won. It was a good night.

What advice would you give to young people just getting into politics?

It is a natural assumption to want to be a leader very quickly, and that is a great natural desire to have, but grassroots knowledge and fundamentals like attending a precinct convention can help people understand politics on a larger scale.

In Dallas County, my male counterpart for the SDEC, Ken Molberg, is now seeking public office and it is very rewarding to see. He has paid his dues to the Party for many years and will now see the fruits of his labor.

People 35 and under seek instant gratification and sometimes want to jump in and take over. But they need to spend some time at the grassroots level, like most party leaders did, including Ken and me. Getting involved on a local level is more beneficial in the long run.