Hank Gilbert

As we approach this final hour of the 2022 Democratic Primary, I would like to thank some very special people. First of all, I want to thank Shirley Layton for not only coming into my life, but for also putting up with me, especially the past month. I can’t begin to imagine what my life would have evolved to by now without her!

Next, I would like to thank everyone who has helped, advised, consulted and promoted our campaign for Smith County Democratic Party Chair. Words will never truly express the gratitude, appreciation and love that I have for all of you.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I would like to thank all of the Democratic voters of Smith County that have endured endless hours of door knocks, phone calls, text messages, emails and snail mail. Unfortunately, all of the above are now a part of the regular political process.

At the end of today, results of today’s elections will be final. I challenge each of you to hold the final winner to what they said that they would do to earn your vote.

You have 30 minutes left to affect positive change in Smith County. Make it count!

Your solid Democrat,
Hank

I was honored to join Carroll Robinson, Dr. Candice Matthews, and others yesterday at the Glass Center.

We must continue to work for diversity and inclusion in the Democratic Party both in Smith County and across East Texas. That means having leaders who understand the historic inequities faced by communities of color, the disabled, people in poverty or near poverty, and the historic barriers to their participation that have existed in the past.

This requires language of inclusion, not division. Thank you, Carroll and Dr. Matthews for visiting East Texas.

Group of Democrats promote unity, stand against recent 'racially insensitive' comment A group gathered in Tyler on Saturday morning to stand together in unity after a Democratic committee member resigned the previous day after drawing criticism for a “racially insensitive” comment.

TYLER, Texas—In what he calls “the moment of truth in this race,” Hank Gilbert has called on his opponent Hector Garza to denounce SDEC Member Nancy Nichols, publicly decline her previously published endorsement, and call upon her to resign, following international news exposure giving exposure to racist comments Nichols has admitted to making.

“I call on Hector Garza to publicly denounce Nancy Nichols, return every penny in campaign contributions he may have taken from her—and from groups and individuals Nichols is associated with—renounce her endorsement, and demand she resign from the State Democratic Executive Committee immediately,” Gilbert, a candidate for Smith County Democratic Party chairman said.

“This is the moment of truth in this race—will Hector Garza do the right thing and renounce his handler, or won’t he,” Gilbert asked.

“Hector Garza and his allies have dared to stoop to the lowest possible level to call me racist during the course of this campaign. Let’s see to whom Black lives really matter, Hector. When will we see you fully renounce Nancy Nichols?” Gilbert asked.

The incident in question involving Nichols was detailed late Wednesday in an exclusive by Axios, an international news magazine. Axios reported Nichols called North Tyler, the historically black section of Tyler, “the chocolate part of town,” in written remarks during a digital Democratic Party event. Nichols did not deny making the comments, and later issued a bizarre and disjointed written apology. The chair of the Texas Democratic Party, Gilberto Hinojosa, has publicly called on Nichols to resign her post.

Nichols previously endorsed Hector Garza in his race for Smith County Democratic Party Chair.

Gilbert also noted that Nichols is heavily involved and a controlling force in the Smith County Democratic Club, and has endorsed and spent money on Garza’s race.

Gilbert has the endorsement of numerous Democratic Party officials, former officials, and labor union advocates. He is also endorsed by Carroll Robinson, chair of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats.

Scoop: Texas Dems chair calls on party leader to resign after racist comment A member of the party's executive committee is being asked to resign after she described an event as on "the chocolate side of town."