By Pat Trevino | 11/15/2026
CUERO, Texas — Members of the DeWitt & Lavaca County Democratic Women gathered Thursday night at Democratic Headquarters to celebrate a historic election cycle that returned Democrats to statewide prominence in Texas.
Decorated with blue balloons and filled with food, cake, and conversation, the Blue Wave Celebration brought together volunteers, supporters, and party leaders from across DeWitt and Lavaca counties.
Many in attendance had spent months working on campaigns, distributing literature, writing postcards, placing signs, attending events, and encouraging voter participation throughout the election season.
For local Democrats, the victories carried added significance because DeWitt County played an active role during the campaign season. Local Democratic organizations hosted several events that brought candidates and voters together, including the DeWitt/Lavaca Democratic Women’s Ice Cream Social, where residents had the opportunity to meet candidates and discuss issues affecting the region. Candidates attending included Bobby Pulido, Clayton Tucker, Crystal Sedillo, Erica Gillium, and local write-in candidate Pat Trevino.
Among the victories celebrated Thursday night, few resonated more with local Democrats than the success of Bobby Pulido. Long before Election Day, Pulido visited DeWitt County on a couple of occasions, meeting directly with voters and supporters.
In a rural county often overlooked during statewide campaigns, Democrats said those visits were meaningful. Pulido’s willingness to campaign locally served as recognition of the volunteers and supporters who continue working to keep the party active in a predominantly Republican county. Many viewed his visits as an acknowledgment that their efforts had not gone unnoticed.
Clayton Tucker also campaigned in the area during the election cycle. Local Democrats said visits from successful candidates helped energize volunteers and reinforced the importance of continuing to organize and remain engaged in the political process.
Some attendees also pointed to national political analyses showing that Black voters, particularly Black women, played a critical role in Democratic victories across the country. National exit polls found that 93 percent of Black women supported Democratic candidates in the 2026 elections.
Pat Trevino, a Democrat who ran as a write-in candidate for DeWitt County Judge, said the national discussion about Black voter engagement mirrored her experience locally. Trevino noted that a majority of the signatures gathered during her write-in campaign came from members of DeWitt County’s Black community. She said that support underscored the important role Black voters continue to play in local Democratic organizing efforts.
During the evening, DeWitt County Democratic Chairman Joe Sheppard thanked volunteers and supporters for their dedication throughout the election cycle, noting that political victories are built on the efforts of individuals who contribute their time and energy long before Election Day.
The celebration also recognized the perseverance of local volunteers who have continued to build Democratic organizations, host events, support candidates, and maintain the party’s visibility despite the challenges of organizing in a county where Republicans continue to hold a strong advantage.
While attendees acknowledged that statewide victories have not changed DeWitt County’s political landscape overnight, the evening provided an opportunity to recognize a historic election cycle and celebrate the commitment of the volunteers who helped make it possible.