Concerns about Doyle and outreach failures

12/9/24

From the Desk of Ray / RC Jones

President, Northside Political Action Group

I am deeply concerned that no Black political organizations have addressed the troubling actions of Michael P. Doyle, who currently holds both the Chair and Treasurer positions in the Harris County Democratic Party. Reports indicate that thousands of dollars donated by Black judges to the Democratic Party were not spent in Black communities, such as Acres Homes or Northeast Harris County. Sources suggest that millions of dollars were contributed, yet there is no evidence these funds were used as intended.

This unprecedented situation, with one individual serving as both Chair and Treasurer, raises significant questions about transparency and accountability. In my 48 years of political experience, I have never witnessed such a consolidation of power in the party’s leadership. Even during the tenure of former chairs like Lillie Schechter, there was always a clear division of responsibilities and a stronger respect for these roles. Are we willing to let this mismanagement continue? If the Harris County Democratic Party’s leadership remains unchanged, we can expect further down-ballot defeats in 2026.

Currently, it seems that only a small group of individuals, led by Commissioner Rodney Ellis, are influencing Black politics in Harris County. This concentration of power undermines the broader community's involvement and hinders progress. The Harris County Executive Committee, along with organizations such as the Harris Black American Democrats (HBAC) and the NAACP, must take this matter seriously. The lack of outreach to critical voting blocs is evident. Over 10,000 eligible voters in Northeast and West Harris County were unaware of judges on the ballot. This failure to engage the community not only disrespects the contributions of those who invested time and resources in these campaigns but also jeopardizes the future of our local leadership.

To the judges who lost their races, I urge you to run again. Your defeat should not be seen as a reflection of your qualifications but rather as a failure of the system to support and promote your candidacy effectively. Your contributions were mismanaged, and the community deserves better.

To the younger generation, It is time to become more involved in politics. Stand firm in your convictions and resist undue influence from those not prioritizing the community's best interests. Leadership is needed now more than ever to restore accountability and integrity to our political processes.

Let us work together to address these critical issues and rebuild trust within our communities.

Sincerely,

Ray / RC Jones

President, Northside Political Action Group