Lenora Sorola-Pohlman

Lenora Sorola-Pohlman is a native Houstonian and a second generation Texan. She was elected Vice Chair of the Texas Democratic Party at the State Convention in Austin

on June 7, 2008 and elected Secretary to the DNC Southern Caucus on September 11, 2009.

Lenora began her political career at the grassroots level, block walking, putting out yard signs, helping with mail outs and numerous other volunteer tasks. She grew up in Magnolia Park, an area located on east side of Houston. Attending elementary and Middle School during the 1960s and working with her mother and sisters cleaning building at night, Lenora learned first hand the pain of racial and ethnic discrimination. However, this also taught her the value of hard work and never giving up.

Lenora began her career in politics prior to graduating from High School. She worked for a short time in Houston’s City Hall where she learned the importance of having the “right” people in office and the impact those individuals could have on the lives of others. Working as a volunteer in numerous local, state, and national campaigns, Lenora learned the organizational skills she brings with her today, skills envied by many professional politicians.

As a Sustaining Member of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP), Lenora has served on the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) for Tejano Democrats (2000-2006) and Senate District 15 (2006-2008). Lenora also served as a committee member on the Legislative, Convention, Rules, Advisory, and Finance committees for the Texas Democratic Party (TDP). Lenora is currently the TDP Convention Committee Chair. Lenora has attended every State Democratic Convention as a delegate from 1978 to 2008.

Lenora is a Sustaining Member of the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP). She served as Secretary to the HCDP (2004-2008), Chair of the HCDP Rules Committee (2006-2008), was is past Chair of the HCDP Finance Committee, was a member of the HCDP Steering Committee (2000-2008), Credentials Committee member for SD 6 (1996-2000), Credentials Committee Chair for SD 15 (2002-2006), and a Nominations Committee member for SD 6 (1992, ’96, ’00) and SD 15 (2002-2006). Lenora also served as Precinct Delegation Chair for her precinct in every Precinct Convention between 1978 and 2006.

Working with state and local political organizations, Lenora served as Chair of the State Tejano Democrats (TD) Screening and Endorsement Convention (2000), and Chair of the TD Constitution and Bylaws Convention (1996). She served as Chair of the Harris County Tejano Democrats (HCTD) Roast & Toast for Congressman Gene Green (1998), and as Co-Chair of the Harris County Tejano Democrats (HCTD) Roast & Toast for Houston Mayor Lee Brown (1999). Lenora was a member of the Harris County Mexican American Democrats from 1982 to 1992, and served as Treasure for the organization from 1990 to 1992. She served as Treasurer for TD (2005-2009) and as a member and Treasurer of HCTD since 1992. Lenora is also a past member and past Treasurer of the Greater Heights Democratic Club.

In addition to her service to local organizations, Lenora worked in Get Out The Vote campaigns for Presidential campaigns (1992-2008), gubernatorial campaigns (1994-2006), numerous U.S. Senate and Congressional campaigns, Texas Legislature campaigns, and Harris County and City of Houston political campaigns.

Her City of Houston service includes membership on the Hispanic Advisory Board for Mayor Kathy Whitmire, Mayor Lee Brown, and Mayor Bill White. She is currently serving as the Chair of Houston’s Hispanic Heritage Awards program.

Lenora attends Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (OLG) where she, her parents, and her grandparents were married. In 2008 Lenora was elected as Vice-Chair of the newly formed Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Parish Council.

Lenora is married to John G. Pohlman, who is a Sergeant in the Houston Police Department . John has been with the Houston Police Department for 42 years. Lenora and John have been married since 1990 and live in Timbergrove Manor neighborhood.