Collin County Young Democrats call for John Stafford to withdraw from commissioner race – The Dallas Morning News

The Young Democrats of Collin County have asked John Stafford to withdraw his bid for a county commissioner seat in a statement on social media.

Stafford, a Democratic political consultant in North Texas, is facing a criminal charge amid allegations that he sent misleading communications during the 2021 Plano City Council election.

About 44,000 text messages were sent to Plano residents during the race, many of them after 9 p.m., Plano police spokeswoman Andrae Smith previously said. Stafford has denied any wrongdoing.

The Young Democrats of Collin County is a political organization composed of Collin County members between the ages of 14 and 40. The group confirmed its statement Tuesday, calling on Stafford to withdraw from the November 2022 election as a candidate for office. We need representation that stands up for Democratic values, not someone who consistently goes against those values.

The groups statement also read: John Stafford has finally stepped down as the fundraising officer of the party. The reference refers to Staffords resignation from that position to run for the commissioners seat.

Stafford said Tuesday that he resigned because state law requires he cannot run for office and hold the position simultaneously.

Staffords attorney, Kyle Therrian, responded Tuesday to the groups statement.

It would be disingenuous to not defend CCYDs right to say what they wish about Mr. Stafford a person we are defending to protect the First Amendment rights of everyone, Therrian said in a written response. That said, we will remain focused on matters pertaining to the District Attorneys unprecedented and unconstitutional prosecution.

The Collin County Young Democrats seeks to influence the political process and elect Democratic leaders throughout the state, according to its website. The group is also a local chapter of YDA (Young Democrats of America).

One of the text messages Stafford allegedly sent read, in part: Make Plano Great Again. Vote for Donald Trump co-chair Lily Bao for mayor. The message also named other candidates, including some who ran in the Plano ISD school board race.

Former council member Lily Bao, who made an unsuccessful run for mayor in the May 1 election, called the messages disinformation and said that sending them later in the evening appeared to be an attempt to further anger the recipients.

He really negatively affected the Plano council race, Bao previously said.

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Collin County Young Democrats call for John Stafford to withdraw from commissioner race - The Dallas Morning News