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Why I am running

After decades of one-party rule, Texas had huge problems. Ignored by our Legislature for years, we had sunk to the bottom rung of states in so many areas: health, education, child protection, infrastructure, the electric grid. Against the wishes of 60%-90% of Texans, the Legislature had passed a permitless open carry bill, anti-abortion bill without rape and incest exceptions, and had refused to expand Medicaid or pass any gun safety measures. We were #1 in uninsured citizens and child deaths by gun violence. Could it get worse? Yep!

Texas is now #1 on the CNN list of the "Worst States to Live and Work"

The cruelty and chaos increased in the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature. Public schools continue to be threatened by demands for vouchers and low teacher pay. Women's healthcare, especially in rural areas, has been wrecked. The abortion ban legislation has proved to be disastrous for women and families. Maternal and infant mortality rates have soared. Women can bleed out in emergency rooms while doctors decide if she is legally close enough to death to be helped. Texas leads in the number of pregnancies as a result of rape. Our renewable energy industry of the future is undermined, while oil and gas companies are enriched and the electrical grid is shaky.

The Awful 88th

Named by the Texas Observer, this Republican-dominated legislature has proved they care nothing about the health, safety, security - or opinions - of the people of Texas. This one-party rule can only be eliminated at the ballot box. You have the power to elect a Legislature that will solve real problems for the people of Texas!

Save Texas Now
Vote Democratic in 2024

Issues
  • Public Education Full-Funding Support
  • Affordable Healthcare Expansion
  • Women's Right to Choose
  • Common Sense Gun Safety
  • Common Sense Immigration Reform
Fighting to Save Our Freedoms
About Linda

Linda was born and raised in Abilene, attending College Heights and North Junior High. Her father, T.W. "Jack" Dean, was on the music faculty at Hardin-Simmons University. Her mother, Frances, had her hands full with four children and no clothes dryer.

Linda's most memorable 5th grade experience was being cast in The Pied Piper of Hamlin. Schoolchildren from all over the city were bussed to Fair Park Auditorium to see this play. In the 9th grade she moved to Fort Worth with her family and graduated from Paschal High School. Then - ahead of her time - she took a "Gap Year," working for six months as a Stewardess before going off to college.

At Baylor, Linda majored in Political Science and met Arthur Goolsbee, a former Marine returning to college on the GI bill. After their marriage she worked to put him through the University of Texas Law School. Eventually they moved to Los Angeles and lived there for 33 years, where Art was Director of Finance for Utility Trailer Manufacturing. Linda was actively involved in raising their son Austan, performing in community theatre, attending USC graduate school, and working for Pacific Bell as a manager in large business sales and installation, corporate course design, and customer training.

Regular visits to the Dean home near View gave their Waco-born son the chance to fish in the stock tank and experience the wide-open spaces of West Texas. Austan grew up to become a Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Chairman of the Economic Advisors in the first Obama Administration, and President of the Chicago Federal Reserve. Later her grandchildren would also spend time here, telling their surprised parents they loved Abilene because "there is so much to do" [horses and cousins help!].

In 2004 Linda and Art retired to Abilene to be near her family and became deeply connected to West Texas through their church and other community groups until Art's passing in 2021. His new hometown-by-choice was blessed by his service as an ordained Episcopal Deacon, a United Way Board member, Associate Judge of the Abilene Municipal Court, and active participant in other community organizations. Linda feels called to continue his example of service to the West Texas they love.


Business Experience

  • Central Airlines Stewardess
  • Dub King Advertising - project assistant
  • Gatesville High School - Latin, English, American History teacher
  • General Tire & Rubber Manufacturing - accounting clerk
  • Secretary [In the old days, women started here before moving up.]
  • Scarbroughs Department Store - clerk, personnel secretary, sales training director
  • Word Books & Records - advertising, copywriter, project coordinator
  • Pacific Bell - manager, large business customer sales and installation, corporate course design, Certified Trainer for inhouse and customer training, Speakers Bureau, Emergency Preparedness Seminar Leader
aboutBusiness
aboutEducation

Education

  • Texas Christian University (attended) summer 1962
  • Baylor university, BA (Political Science) 1963
  • University of Texas, Austin (postgraduate courses) 1967
  • University of Southern California, MA (Drama) 1974
  • University of Southern California, MA (Communications) 1992

Democratic Party

  • President of Big Country Chapter, Texas Democratic Women
  • Taylor County Executive Committee
  • State Democratic Executive Committeewoman
  • 2012 Texas Delegate, Democratic National Convention
aboutDemocratic
aboutBoards

Abilene Boards and Organizations

  • Abilene Community Theatre
  • Abilene Interfaith Council
  • Abilene Reporter News Community Advisory Board
  • Abilene Woman's Club
  • American Association of University Women
  • Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest
Events

Previous Events

Presidential Debate Watch Party

  • Tuesday, September 10
  • 6:30 PM (Debate starts 8:00 PM)
  • Logan's Roadhouse
  • 3126 S Clack St

Join us again for good food & good Democratic fellowship! Before the debate, order your own delicious food and drinks from the menu, then sit back and enjoy the HARRIS vs TRUMP Debate.

West Texas Fair and Rodeo

  • September 6 - 14
  • Democratic booth: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Wed/Sat
  • 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM all other days
  • Expo Center of Taylor County
  • 1801 E South 11th St, Abilene, Hwy 36 at Loop 322

Register to vote, meet candidates, pick up yard signs, stickers, and information at the Taylor County Democratic Party booth in the Capital Farm Credit Display Building. For more information about all the WTFR events, visit taylorcountyexpocenter.com

Taylor County Democratic Party: Festival at the Gardens

  • August 25
  • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Nelson Park Festival at the Gardens
  • South 11th St. at Loop 322

Burgers and hot dogs, guest speakers, yard signs, voter registration, music, games, prizes, fun. $20 entrance fee, $5 under 18.

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Democratic National Convention 2024

  • August 19 - 22
  • All day
  • McCormick Place
  • Chicago, IL

Democrats from all 50 states and territories will gather in Chicago to rally behind the Biden-Harris nomination, celebrate our achievements over this past term, and chart a path for the future. For more information visit demconvention.com

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Meet & Greet Vikki Goodwin, State Representative, HD-47

  • July 19
  • 3:30 - 5:30 pm
  • Taylor County Democratic Party
  • 141 S Leggett Dr, Abilene

Vikki Goodwin's visit is part of her West Texas listening tour as she explores a likely campaign for Lieutenant Governor.

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Texas Democratic Women 2024 Summer Retreat

  • July 12 - 13
  • All day
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites
  • 175 Alford Dr., Weatherford
  • Weatherford College Workforce Building
  • 225 College Park Dr.

Join us for our Annual TDW Summer Retreat hosted by the Parker County TDW and an afternoon at the Parker County Annual Peach Festival. Visit tdw.org for more information.

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Presidential Debate Watch Party - Big Country Texas Democratic Women

  • Thusrday, June 27
  • 7:00 PM (Debate starts 8:00 pm)
  • Logan's Roadhouse
  • 3126 S. Clack

Join us for good food & good democratic fellowship! Before the debate, order your own delicious food and drinks from the menu (gratuity added), then sit back and enjoy the BIDEN vs TRUMP Debate

Texas Democratic Convention

  • June 6 - 8
  • All day
  • El Paso Convention Center
  • One Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, TX

Listen to Texas' most inspiring Democrats during these three days. Visit texasdemocraticconvention.com for more information

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Western Heritage Classic Parade

  • May 9
  • 6:30 PM
  • Route: Pine to Walnut to N 6th to Pine Streets
  • 1801 E South 11th St, Abilene, Hwy 36 at Loop 322

Taylor County Democratic Party parade participants will ride a truck & trailer with signs supporting candidates and issues. Families & kids riders welcome. To participate, text 325-677-1776. The Western Heritage Classic will be running from May 9 to May 12, though we are just in the parade. Visit taylorcountyexpocenter.com for more information

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Meet Beto in Abilene

  • May 5
  • 1:00 PM
  • Texas Star Trading Co.
  • 174 Cypress St, Abilene, TX

Beto O'Rourke is coming to Abilene to advertise his new book, "Weve Got To Try: How the Fight For Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible". Linda will be there! Come say hi, learn about Beto's new book, and register to vote.

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Taylor County Democratic Convention

  • March 23
  • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Mockingbird Branch Library
  • 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane, Abilene, TX

Learn about Democrats in Taylor County. Visit texasdemocraticconvention.com for more information

Taylor County Democratic Party: State of the Union Watch Party

  • March 7
  • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Sharon's BBQ
  • 849 E US Highway 80, Abilene, TX

Join us on Thursday to watch President Joe Biden's SOTU speech. Enjoy delicious food, drink, and fellowship with like-minded Democrats.

2024 Primary Election

  • Early Voting: February 20 - March 1
  • Normal Voting: March 5
  • All day

Your vote matters. For more information, visit texasdemocrats.org/my-texas-votes

Texas Democratic Women Convention

  • February 9-11
  • All day
  • Marriott South Austin
  • 4415 S. Interstate 35, Austin, TX

Meet and listen to the most important female democrats in the state. You can register here. For more information, visit tdw.org


Previous Events in 2022

Midnight Marathon for Voter Registration

  • Tuesday October 11
  • 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
  • TCDP HQ
  • 141 S. Leggett, Abilene

October 11 is the last day to register and vote in the November 8 election. Taylor County Democratic Party will be registering last-minute voters of all parties until MIDNIGHT. Yard signs, stickers and REFRESHMENTS available. TCDP: 325-677-1776

Austan Goolsbee Meet and Greet

  • Thursday September 29
  • 5:00 - 7:00 PM
  • Abilene Woman's Club
  • 3425 S 14th St, Abilene

Meet Austan Goolsbee, Economics Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors in the Obama Administration. He will be speaking in support of Linda Goolsbee's campaign.

Beto for Texas: Abilene Plan to Win Organizing Rally

  • Saturday September 24
  • 1:00 PM
  • 2625 S 7th St, Abilene

Meet Beto O'Rourke and listen to him speak about the upcoming Abilene House of Representatives election in November

West Texas Fair and Rodeo

  • September 9 - 17
  • My booth: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Wed/Sat
  • 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM all other days
  • Expo Center of Taylor County
  • 1801 E South 11th St, Abilene, Hwy 36 at Loop 322

Register to vote, meet candidates, pick up yard signs, stickers, and information at the Taylor County Democratic Party booth in the Capital Farm Credit Display Building. For more information about all the WTFR events: taylorcountyexpocenter.com

Beto Drive for Texas

  • Tuesday August 16
  • 12:00 PM
  • Mesquite St Event Center
  • 201 Mesquite St, Abeline

Beto O'Rourke continues his Drive for Texas, this time in Abilene. Join over 400 excited supporters and meet special guests Susan Hays, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Janet Dudding, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and Linda Goolsbee, candidate for House District 71

Texas Democratic Women Retreat

  • August 5-6
  • All day
  • Hampton Inn Suites
  • 218 Promenade Way, Sugar Land, TX

For more information, visit tdw.org

Big Country Young Democrats Meet and Greet

  • Monday July 25
  • 4:00 PM
  • Majestic Coffee House
  • 181 Pine St, Abilene

The official kickoff for Big County Young Democrats with guest speaker Linda Goolsbee. Voter registration available. Call or text 325-436-3317 for more information

Texas Democratic Convention

  • July 14-16
  • 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  • Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center
  • Dallas

Listen to Texas' most important democrats in Dallas over the course of three days. Make sure to register at texasdemocraticconvention.com

Taylor County Democratic Party: New Headquarters Open House

  • Tuesday June 14
  • 5:30 - 7:30 PM
  • 141 S Leggett Dr,  Abilene

Meet and greet Linda Goolsbee, candidate for House District 71. Beto signs, buttons, and bumper stickers available

Texas Democratic Party West Texas Summit

  • Saturday June 4
  • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Lubbock Science Spectrum
  • 2579 S Loop 289, Lubbock

Join other activist West Texas Democrats, county Party chairs and candidates as we explore together ways of engaging isolated Democrats and increasing the Democratic turnout in our largely rural region

Beto O'Rourke's Veterans Town Hall

  • Saturday May 21
  • 5:00 - 6:00 PM
  • The People's Plaza
  • 1290 S Willis St, Abilene

Join Beto O'Rourke as he outlines his unifying vision of a Texas that fully serves the veterans who served all of us

Taylor County Democratic Convention

  • March 19
  • 1:30 - 4:30 PM
  • South Branch Library in the Mall
  • Abilene

Learn about democrats running in Taylor County. Visit texasdemocrats.org for more information

State of the Union Watch Party and Candidate Meet and Greet

  • March 1
  • 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  • Sharon's BBQ patio
  • 849 US-80 East, Abilene

Meet the candidates for November's upcoming election at Sharon's BBQ, and we'll watch president Joe Biden's State of the Union

Beto O'Rouke's Keep the Lights on Tour

  • February 5
  • 1:30 - 2:30 PM
  • Sweet Sadie's
  • 3398 N 1st St, Abilene

Come together with Texas' most famous democrat, Beto O'Rourke, to remember and discuss how to resolve Texas' electric and heat infrastructure problem

Donate
Donate Online

Mail Donation

Mail a check to the Friends of Linda Goolsbee Campaign

P.O. Box 5108

Abilene, TX 79608

Please include a signed note (for the Texas Ethics Commission) with name, address, phone number, optional email, occupation, and employer, along with the following: "I am a citizen or green card holder, 18 years or older. These are my own personal funds, not a business account or pass-through funds provided by another person or entity."

Contact Me

Linda Goolsbee for House District 71

P.O. Box 5108

Abilene, TX 79608

325-280-3422

goolsbeefortexas@gmail.com