Presidential News

Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren visits Dallas for grassroots event

Coming to town.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren, who is running for president of the United States, is coming to Texas.

According to an email sent to supporters, she'll host an organizing event in Dallas on Sunday, March 10, as part of her initiative to build a movement for the 2020 election.

Currently a senator for Massachusetts, Warren was the first Democrat to take a formal step towards a 2020 presidential run. She announced her candidacy on February 9 at a rally in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Others who've since announced they're running include Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro.

Warren declared in February that she would forgo the usual route of seeking campaign money from the traditional donors, even though that means she will be out-raised by other candidates in the race.

She's not seeking donations from political action committees or lobbyists, opting to avoid "fancy receptions or big money fundraisers only with people who can write the big checks," and focusing instead on grassroots supporters making smaller donations.

Warren has area ties: She grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Houston and Rutgers Law School. She taught law at several universities, including the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Austin.

She first rose to prominence in 2007, while still a professor at Harvard, when she proposed the concept of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help consumers who are victimized by mortgages, credit cards, and student loans. The bureau was formed in 2011.

She's been criticized for listing herself as native American in a directory for Harvard Law School, with opponents accusing her of falsifying her background to advance her career. Warren told CNN that "it never had anything to do with my getting a job," but that she has been "a friend" to native Americans, including drafting and supporting legislation that assists the native American community.

Her website has a "facts squad" feed — like snopes with an Elizabeth Warren theme — that refutes rumors and conspiracy theories.

She's been campaigning in Iowa, and will host an event in New York on March 8.

Her Dallas event will be on March 10 at The Granada Theater at 3524 Greenville Ave. Doors open at 12:30 pm, and the event begins at 1:30 pm.

politics

RIP Kelly

Beloved Dallas public relations maven Kelly Hunter dies at 58

Photo courtesy of Sunwest PR.

Kelly Hunter passed away on June 12.

A beloved Dallas media figure has died: Kelly Hunter, a public relations maven who helped restaurants and other small businesses thrive, passed away on June 12, following a brief illness; she was 58.

Hunter spent 35 years in the field of public relations, first at Shiroma Southwest, then at Sunwest Communications, where she served as Vice President, Lifestyle, Hospitality & Tech.

She played a key role in a creative alliance with the City of Addison, particularly its annual Kaboom Town 4th of July event. Other notable clients she promoted over the years include the Statler Dallas hotel in downtown Dallas; Hotel Dax, the Statler sibling that recently opened in Addison; and the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.

A statement from Sunwest said that "Kelly’s unparalleled work ethic and encyclopedic knowledge of countless subjects were exceeded only by the passion she had for her job. She made an incredible impact on all she met. Kelly was a good friend, a great mom, and an even better wife to her husband, John."

Hunter was the consummate PR pro, embodying both the detail-oriented precision and the 24/7 responsiveness that the job calls for, along with a doting personal touch that was felt by her coworkers, clients, and members of the media. Hunter was beloved by her peers, as well — no small feat in the cut-throat world of Dallas media.

Chuck Steelman called her "amazing — one of the best public relations professionals I’ve ever worked with." Patricia Valderrama described her as "the warmest and kindest soul. Never saw her angry or upset ever." Allison Golden Tucker posted, "It always seemed like Kelly had more hours in the day than most. Her storytelling ability was second to none and she always had time for a quick word of advice."

Barbara Kovacevich highlighted Kelly's effectiveness, noting that "she elevated Addison events to national recognition. It’s hard to not link Kelly with Addison Kaboom Town. Kelly was driven to success and had a great heart for others."

Kelly was born in Dallas on June 28, 1967. Her parents were Joanne Washburn and John Alexander Jr., and she had a younger sister, Amy. She graduated from Plano Senior High School, going on to earn degrees in marketing and finance from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA in marketing from the University of North Texas.

She and her husband, John, had two children, Chandler and Reagan, and the four were frequent travelers.

She was also a lifelong volunteer, from the PTA at her children’s elementary school, to Junior League of Collin County, Women’s Auxiliary for Children’s Health, Chamberlain Ballet, and the National Charity League. A culinary enthusiast in work and life, she was recently inducted into Les Dames d’Escoffier.

"Kelly did everything in life with a cheerful attitude and a warmth that made everyone feel special," the statement from Sunwest said. "Her network reaches every corner of the DFW metroplex and beyond as a talented storyteller, fabulous home chef, and a dedicated friend. She was loved and admired by all who knew her."

Services will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 11 am at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano. The service will be live-streamed at cumc.com/memorial.

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