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November 16, 2009
Americans see country headed in wrong direction, poll says, but closer look shows strong partisan divide on nation's direction
Results from a recent University of Texas poll released today suggest a majority of U.S. adults believes the country is on the wrong track, though a closer look shows it’s primarily Republicans and self-identified Independents who have worries.
Broadly, 51 percent of the respondents to the survey taken Oct. 13-22 said the country is off on the wrong track with 31 percent saying it’s headed in the right direction and 18 percent answering they don’t know or otherwise.
But it looks like party alignment explains the results.
Specifically, 61 percent of self-identified Democrats participating in the online poll said the country is headed in the right direction with 23 percent saying it’s off track. In contrast, 82 percent of Republicans and 55 percent of Independents said the country is on the wrong track.
Daron Shaw, a University of Texas government professor who helped helm the poll, reacted: “The Republicans are (basically) more pessimistic than the Democrats are optimistic.”
A separate wrinkle: Respondents widely rated jobs and unemployment as an extremely important issue with education and schools also widely rated highly.
Gay marriage ranked least important, on average, among 13 issues participants were asked to gauge. Some 26 percent of respondents rated gay marriage as not important at all with 14 percent saying gay marriage is extremely important.
Shaw noted that the 26-percent “not important” subgroup represented the largest not-important subgroup for any of the issues. “It’s something of a political statement (for anyone) to say gay marriage is not important at all,” Shaw said.
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Only 1 in 5 U.S. adults correctly name chief justice of U.S. Supreme Court in poll
As part of a recent national poll being chewed over at a University of Texas conference today, only one in five adult respondents correctly named John Roberts as the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
But 71 percent correctly named Joe Biden when asked to specify the vice president.
Eighty-five percent of the 2,100 respondents described themselves as registered to vote. Thirty-three percent said they were Democrats, 24 percent identified themselves as Republicans. All of the respondents were reached over the Internet. The poll — partly fetchable by clicking here — had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
Only 49 percent named Nancy Pelosi as the current U.S. House speaker (though 83 percent correctly said Democrats hold majority control of the Senate).
Daron Shaw, the UT government professor who helped oversee the poll, suggested the big punch line is that people lean in favor of limiting the roles of corporations, unions and special-interest groups in elections, though they’re not inclined to favor limits on individual donors.
Sixty-seven percent of the respondents believe corruption is most widespread at the national level of government; 12 percent said it’s most widespread at the state level.
A similar 67 percent of the adults said the average member of Congress has ethics that are not so good or poor, though that beef was less prevalent when respondents rated their own House representative; 33 percent said their own member had ethics that aren’t so good or poor.
Asked where they get their political information, 61 percent said they get information from the Internet every day or a few times a week. Twenty-two percent said they got such information from a mainstream newspaper every day or a few times a week. On the partial results I saw, there was no attempt to break out how much of that Internet information originated with newspapers.
More poll results are to be rolled out later today. There are plenty of seats available at the conference, which is free and open to the public; its agenda appears here.
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November 4, 2009
Turnout about 8 percent in Tuesday's election
The unofficial figures posted at the Texas secretary of state’s Web site show that about 8 percent of the state’s 13 million registered voters went to the polls on Tuesday.
In contrast, turnout was 8.7 percent for the last election involving constitutional amendments, two years ago. In both elections, all of the amendments were approved.
A caveat concerning Tuesday’s election: Upton and Jim Wells counties haven’t reported their returns yet, said Ashley Burton, a spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office. Still, 99.79 percent of precincts statewide have turned in figures, so that’s probably close enough for newspaper work.
The margins on the 11 amendments — again, these are unofficial figures subject to change — varied considerably. Proposition 11, limiting the government’s exercise of eminent domain, passed with the widest cushion, 89 percent to 11 percent. No surprise there, considering the lofty place occupied by private property rights in the Texas psyche.
Proposition 1, allowing cities and counties to sell bonds to buy open space near military bases, had the narrowest margin, with 55 percent of voters favoring it. Proposition 4, freeing up about $500 million in dormant funds for public universities aspiring to become major research institutions, had the next-closest margin, with 57 percent voting their approval.
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November 3, 2009
Texans pass all 11 constitutional amendments
Texas voters on Tuesday approved 11 state constitutional amendments, including one intended to help lift more of the state’s public universities into the ranks of major national research institutions.
Proposition 4 would free up about $500 million from a dormant higher education account to fuel the quest for so-called tier-one status and would create an endowment called the National Research University Fund. Five percent of the money, or about $25 million, would be spun off each year for faculty salaries, graduate student stipends and other uses to help seven emerging research universities strive for the big leagues.
According to The Associated Press, Proposition 11 — which limits the government’s eminent domain powers — had 81 percent of the vote favoring it and 19 percent against, with more than half of all precincts reporting.
Proposition 9, which guarantees public access to beaches, and Proposition 8, to help build veterans hospitals, also sailed to passage, AP reported.
Those were the highest-profile propositions in a low-key statewide election. Only spotty opposition emerged to any of the proposed amendments.
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Voters considering university fund, other constitutional amendments
Voters in Texas were deciding today whether to approve 11 proposed constitutional amendments, including one that would free up about $500 million to help public universities strive for tier-one status.
Proposition 4, which faced little organized opposition, would transfer that sum from a dormant higher education account to create an endowment called the National Research University Fund. Five percent of the money, or about $25 million, would be spun off each year for faculty salaries, graduate student stipends and other uses intended to help seven emerging research universities strive for a position on the national stage.
The other 10 amendments up for decision included propositions that would guarantee public access to beaches, bar residential appraisals from being set based on a property’s “highest and best use” and ban governmental taking of private property for economic development or tax revenue.
Turnout in the election was expected to be low. In the state’s 15 most populous counties, 2.4 percent of registered voters voted early, said Randall Dillard, a spokesman for the Texas secretary of state’s office.
Constitutional amendments generally have an easy ride at the polls. In the last such election, in November 2007, all 16 amendments passed. But the economic downturn could be a factor this time around.
The research university amendment, which does not involve any new taxes, is part of a broader effort to boost the number of tier-one — also known as top-tier or flagship — institutions in Texas. State lawmakers earlier this year added $50 million to the state’s two-year budget for the emerging research universities on top of their usual appropriations. That money will be parceled out based on how well the schools have done in raising private donations.
The state currently has tier-one schools: the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Rice University, which is private. Such schools, with stout research grants and intellectual heft, are powerful engines of economic and civic advancement.
The schools aspiring to join the big leagues are UT-Dallas, UT-Arlington, UT-El Paso, UT-San Antonio, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas.
Under companion legislation approved by the Legislature this year, those schools would have to meet certain benchmarks to be eligible for distributions from the proposed National Research University Fund. None currently meets the criteria, which include research expenditures of at least $45 million a year and compliance with four of six other standards, such as awarding at least 200 Ph.D. degrees annually and amassing an endowment of at least $400 million.
Fueling a successful rise of just one campus to the top tier could require a $100 million annual injection of state money and private donations for many years, according to higher education leaders. Still, they have described the proposed constitutional amendment and the other spending as important steps in building a pathway.
The dormant account from which the roughly $500 million would be drawn, known as the Higher Education Fund, was set up to receive regular legislative appropriations until it reached $2 billion, after which distributions could begin. Lawmakers have not allocated money to it since 2003, leaving the balance stranded.
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September 8, 2009
Dewhurst to supporters: Going for re-election
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, widely rumored to be eyeing a run for the U.S. Senate, says he’s running for re-election.
In a message to supporters this afternoon, Dewhurst did not address months of speculation that suggested he might vacate the job he has held for six years. But he still has plenty of time to change his mind: U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has not yet announced her resignation from the Senate, and filing for the position won’t begin until a special election is announced to fill the seat.
Earlier today, Austin deli king Marc Katz became the first Democrat to announce he will run for lieutenant governor.
“When I was sworn in as Lt. Governor in 2003, I pledged to follow a conservative, pro-growth, pro-family agenda, and I have kept my word,” Dewhurst said in an e-mail to supporters. “Texas has not been immune from the national recession, but compared to Washington, D.C. and almost all other states, Texas is in good shape.
“I believe it is important for all Texans that we continue to build on our successes and work together to make our state an even better place to live, raise a family and grow a business.”
Dewhurst’s letter continues:
“This spring, we saw thousands of Texans peacefully organizing throughout our state to protest Washington’s unprecedented expansion of the federal government, and the Administration’s almost doubling the national debt; which we and our children will have to pay.
“Contrast that with what we have done in Texas. As President of the Senate, I have worked hard with the Legislature to keep Texas fiscally strong, our economy growing and our quality of life improving. We were successful in reducing the taxes Texans pay by over $4 billion per year, and our unemployment rate approximately 2 percent below the national average. Forbes magazine ranked Texas’ five largest cities as America’s best cities for jobs.”
No immediate word on what Dewhurst’s announcement does — or not — for the possible ambitions of GOP Attorney General Greg Abbott, who has been rumored as a candidate for Dewhurst’s job should Dewhurst decide to run for the U.S. Senate.
Some political observers insisted the announcement does not prelude a Dewhurst run for the Senate, should Hutchison resign early, should he later change his mind.
“The fact that Dewhurst announced today doesn’t make it any more likely anyone can predict what he will do,” said Kirsten Gray, communications for the Texas Democratic Party.
But Mike Wintemute, Dewhurst’s communications director, called the announcement “definitive” on Dewhurst’s plans. There is no open Senate seat to run for, he added.
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May 21, 2009
Voter ID, insurance agency measures set to top Saturday's House calendar; will they be delayed yet?
Word is spreading tonight that legislation stepping up identification requirements for voters at the polls has been set for consideration by the Texas House on Saturday. It’s also the No. 1 proposal on the House’s intended Major State Calendar for that day.
I am told that the same calendar has the leadership’s seemingly must-have proposal to keep the Texas Department of Insurance in business—plus the resurgent concurrent resolution ballyhooed by Gov. Rick Perry, and authored by Rep. Brandon Creighton, emphasizing state sovereignty.
The voter-ID decision was reached via a vote that I’m told broke 7-5 along party lines (Republicans for, Democrats against) by the House Committee on Calendars this evening.
Yet perhaps it doesn’t guarantee the ID measure will be considered on Saturday, given how slowly items have been moving through the House lately.
A thought: It’s worth watching Friday to see if House Democrats, most of them opposed to the ID proposal, exert special effort to slow action even more on the bills piled up on the calendar already, including the unresolved proposals affecting college admissions and whether Texas should take in at least $555 million in offered federal unemployment compensation aid.
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May 20, 2009
Bill White on Hutchison, Iraq and big hair
Houston Mayor Bill White, a Democratic candidate for whenever there is an election to replace GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, was in Tuesday for an event with Obama supporters.
Prior to heading there, White sat down with the Statesman’s W. Gardner Selby and Ken Herman to talk about the Senate race.
Topics included when foreign policy, when Hutchison is quitting and big hair.
Read a blurb about it at the bottom of Selby’s Thursday column.
And see five minutes of it below.
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UPDATED: Close to 50 House Democrats oppose floor action on voter ID measure
House Democrats, aware that a voter ID measure is likely to land on the House’s floor calendar later this week, warned at a midday press conference today that they’re not going to click their heels if Republican leaders let the politically volatile issue reach the floor.
A pending measure, already passed by the Senate, would require voters to present a photo ID at the polls or two documents indicating their identities. Republicans say the change will ward off fraud, while Democrats generally say it’s intended to deter turnout by some voters.
Rep. Jim Dunnam, who leads the 74-member House Democratic Caucus, said today: “We are going to protect the voting rights of our constituents.”
Asked to specify what he meant by “protect,” Dunnam didn’t elaborate, though there’s speculation that members dead-set against the ID proposal could leave the House chamber when it comes up, potentially depriving the 150-member body of the quorum needed to take action. Such a move could prove riotous and endanger other Senate measures, which under House rules must be considered by the House by the end of the day Tuesday to survive.
Click below to see the news conference. Click continue reading for more.
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May 18, 2009
McCall confident voter ID legislation will reach House floor
Rep. Brian McCall, who chairs the agenda-setting House Committee on Calendars, expressed confidence this afternoon that the politically volatile voter ID measure will reach the House floor in time for action before the session ends.
I’d recently heard the floor debate could be lined to take place this Friday. McCall said that’s possible, but cautioned that the committee hasn’t yet set that day’s calendar.
Generally, McCall said, “it will be (debated) on the floor. Too many people want it passed and too many people want it killed. It’s probably half and half. It will be heard.”
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May 11, 2009
Chairman says committee-approved voter ID plan unlikely to pass full House
Chairman Todd Smith of the House Committee on Elections said the voter ID measure that cleared his committee during the House’s lunch break today probably won’t survive if it’s voted on as is by the full House, which is divided 76 to 74 Republican-Democratic.
“I just don’t think the votes are there,” Smith said, adding that the chances of House members approving the latest version without changes are less than 50 percent.
Click ‘continue reading’ for more. Click below to see the committee meeting and hear Smith’s post-meeting comments.
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May 8, 2009
Chairman: House panel voting Monday to advance Senate's voter ID plan
Rep. Todd Smith, the Republican chairman of the House Committee on Elections, confirmed today he’s intending to have the committee vote Monday on a voter ID plan.
The twist: Smith is backing off his attempts to rewrite the plan.
Bowing to a request from two GOP colleagues, Smith simply intends to seek the committee’s approval of the Senate-approved version of Senate Bill 362.
Presuming the five Republicans on the committee stick together, this means that barring unforeseen hang-ups, a clean version of the Senate plan will ultimately be taken up on the House floor.
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May 6, 2009
UPDATE: Revised voter ID proposal circulates; chairman nixes call for hearing, but is reconsidering
UPDATE: Don’t count on a House committee vote on the voter ID legislation today. Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, said he’s still waiting to see if he can corral enough votes to do so. But he isn’t intending to hold any additional hearings, though nearly three dozen House Democratic leaders (every Democratic committee chair and vice chair plus the speaker pro tempore) sent a letter to him today.
The Democrats’ letter closes:
While some components of the bill may have been discussed previously in committee, the public has not had the opportunity to give voice to their opinions regarding the comprehensive new bill.
Smith said at the House’s lunch break he hadn’t seen the letter. But, he said, “I’m probably not amenable to a hearing.” Noting that lawmakers have already held more than 24 hours’ worth of hearings on the ID issue, Smith said: “There’s no reason to have any more.”
UPDATE: Smith said later he could yet hold a hearing. He was fuming after lunch at what he described as resistance to his latest draft from Reps. Betty Brown, R-Terrell, and Linda Harper Brown, R-Irving, who he said told him they now want the committee to send the House solely the Senate-approved version of Senate Bill 362.
Smith said he can’t go with the Senate version because it wouldn’t accommodate the concerns of the handful of House Democrats and Republicans he’ll need to get a majority’s approval on the House floor.
Also, he said: “I’m frustrated at seeing the target move.”
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May 5, 2009
House chair says members "don't have gun" to heads on voter ID proposal
Rep. Todd Smith, the Euless Republican who helms the House Committee on Elections, said today he’s still trying to gather the five committee votes he needs to send a voter ID measure to the full House. Smith, you’ll remember, initially said he hoped to win the committee’s sign-off on his approach sometime last week.
Noting that House rules permit members to act on Senate bills for three weeks’ more, Smith said: “We don’t have a gun to our heads. I’m going to give the members of the committee time to get comfortable with a proposal.”
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April 30, 2009
Groups already opposed to voter ID legislation reject latest version
Advocacy groups long skeptical of Republican-steered efforts to toughen voter identification requirements at the polls issued a statement today opposing the revised version of Senate Bill 362 unveiled this week by Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, chairman of the House Committee on Elections. (See the Statesman story on the revisions here.)
Cutting to the heart of their beefs, the groups write:
(Smith’s rewrite) forces the most disadvantaged Texans who do not have preferred identification to rely on an unreliable provisional ballot, which may count if the signature matches that on their voter registration card. There are numerous problems with this approach. Many older voters and those with disabilities have non-traditional signatures, which are less likely to match. Also, the signature board is led by a political party official, not by an independent individual trained in signature matching. In the end, the legislation falls short of its objective of reaching compromise and consensus and addressing access as well as security.
Groups backing the statement are: ACLU-TX, Advocacy, Inc., Common Cause Texas, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Texas Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) and the Texas NAACP.
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April 29, 2009
UPDATED: All but five House Republicans resist latest voter-ID plan
There’s no way of telling yet if what played out today in the House was merely a moment of political posturing or a sign that the voter ID legislation that left the Senate six weeks ago is headed for the rocks in the House.
The moment/sign: By the end of the same day that Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, let loose of his version of the voter-ID proposal—see previous blogs here and here—71 of the House’s 76 Republicans had committed to a statement of principles, posted here indicating that any ID proposal must take effect at the “next possible uniform election date,” meaning this year. The signing members also say the proposal needs to require voters to present photo IDs, period (none of that Senate-approved language permitting two other documents indicating a voter’s identity).
Smith’s rewrite wouldn’t impose the ID requirement at the polls until the elections of 2013. And like the Senate version, it includes language providing for voters to present other identifying documents.
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Two more wrinkles in revised House voter ID measure
Rep. Todd Smith’s substitute version of voter ID legislation includes at least two notable wrinkles beyond not imposing the requirements until 2013:
—Smith envisions any voter who doesn’t completely fulfill the ID requirements getting to cast a ballot that would be counted later than regular ballots, if their signature at the polling place matches their signature on the voter’s voter registration application or another public record in the possession of their county’s voter registrar.
A twist: Smith’s rewrite leaves the verification of signatures to local signature verification committees consisting of five voters or more, chosen on nomination by the local Democratic and Republican county chairs. Each board is to be chaired by a nominee from the party whose gubernatorial candidate drew the most local votes in the latest governor’s election. The committees would be appointed by the early voting ballot board, which I suspect exists now in each county.
—Smith’s version would not take effect unless the Legislature appropriates $7.5 million in 2010-11 to register voters.
Forecast: Smith makes a move to get his measure through his committee as soon as Thursday. Succeeding there, he brings his approach to the House floor by next week or the week after; a fierce debate will ensue.
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Key Republican's voter-ID proposal would not take effect for four years
Rep. Todd Smith, chairman of the House Committee on Elections, has started circulating his substitute version of a Senate-approved proposal requiring voters to present photo IDs or other identifying documents at the polls.
One headline: Smith’s plan doesn’t impose tougher ID requirements until elections occurring after Jan. 1, 2013. That change—potentially relieving Democrats concerned that an immediate ID hurdle would hurt their chances in the 2010 elections—amounts to a major concession by the Euless Republican, who has said he’s intent on reaching a plan that wins both Republican and Democratic House votes.
I’m perusing the rest of the Smith version now and will update if more leaps out.
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April 16, 2009
Perry and Hutchison: You talking about me?
Here are highlights from Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison at their joint appearance today at the Texas Federation of Republican Women meeting in Austin.
See if you can pick out the beginning of themes each might use if they clash in next year’s 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary.
Here’s a cheat sheet: Watch for Hutchison warning about the need to “rebuild the strength” of the Texas GOP. Listen as she lists some recent losses. A shot at Perry’s leadership?
And stay tuned for Perry’s jab at “a lot of folks who have worn the jersey of the Republican team (but) have been playing like Democrats.” And when he gets a big ovation for the voter ID bill and his reference to “some people who have chosen to remain silent and on the sidelines of this issue.” Would that be the senator?
And keep an eye on their reaction to each other’s comments.
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Rick or Kay?
A quick walk around the Texas Federation of Republican Women meeting here in Austin to ask the big question about the probable contenders in the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary.
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Feds: Voter ID must undergo review
Texas’ proposed Voter ID law would be subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Justice or federal court for it to become law, federal officials confirm.
In a letter to the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Christopher Coates, chief of the Justice Departments’ voting section, advised that “before a change such as one requiring photo identification as part of the voting process can be legally enforced in Texas elections, state officials will be required to comply” with a federal law requiring review.
The letter was just made public a few minutes ago.
The determination concerning review had been argued for several weeks as the bill passed the Senate, although supporters have insisted it will pass muster. Opponents indicate it may not.
The proposal is now pending in the House.
Last month, state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and the ACLU asked the federal Attorney General whether the proposed changes in Texas law to require a photo ID at the polls would be subject to the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
A provision of that law requires jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination in voting to get permission from the federal government before changing election laws.
Because of that, Texas would have the option of submitting Voter ID for approval by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder or requesting a federal judge in the District of Columbia to rule “that the proposed change has neither the purpose nor will have the effect of discriminating on the basis of race, color or membership in a protected …group,” explained Coates.
“This strengthens our opposition to this politically motivated and unnecessary piece of legislation,” Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas, said in a statement. “We feel the provisions would violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and place an undue burden on minority voters.”
“There is virtually no evidence of voter impersonation fraud in Texas. Passage of this legislation would place an unnecessary and, for some voters, a costly burden that could infringe on their right to vote.”
Reaction is expected from advocates for the proposed change in state law.
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April 6, 2009
VIDEO: Voters make the case for and against an ID mandate
Watch our video prepared in advance of the House’s two days of hearings on a voter ID measure here:
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February 19, 2009
Maxey encouraging draft of Van de Putte to run for governor
I touched bases with Sen. Leticia Van de Putte today after fielding notice that former state Rep. Glen Maxey, D-Austin, is encouraging people to join a Facebook group devoted to drafting Van de Putte to run for governor next year. Keep a look out too for an Associated Press story exploring her career.
Van de Putte, essentially rehashing what she’s said before, told me this afternoon she hadn’t heard of the Facebook appeal and won’t think seriously about making a statewide run until after the legislative session ends June 2.
Interest in her potential underscores the reality that no Democrat of note has stepped forward about entering the 2010 governor’s race. It might even be that Texas has never been this close to a gubernatorial election without at least one major player in each party raring to go for it. At least, I can’t think of a similar circumstance in the past 30-plus years.
To be fair, Van de Putte hasn’t been quiet about possibly plunging into a statewide contest.
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February 18, 2009
North Carolina firm to poll Texans on governor, U.S. Senate races
A Democrat-oriented firm based in North Carolina plans to poll Texas residents on possible match-ups for governor and the U.S. Senate after several hundred online visitors favored Texas to be polled over two other states.
Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling—which blogged its polling decision here—says it’s adding wrinkles to the poll it envisioned in its pitch for Web heads to choose where they polled. They’re going to test the appeal of Tom Schieffer of Fort Worth, who’s reportedly been looking into running for governor as a Democrat. And they’ll add state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, to candidates listed on their Senate poll; Shapiro started raising money toward a Senate bid last summer.
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Sen. Williams: Voter ID measure won't come up all that soon
Sen. Tommy Williams, the Republican whose surprise move early in the session lowered the number of votes needed for the Senate to act on a mandate that voters present photo IDs before voting, said today that while the measure is now eligible for committee consideration, he doesn’t expect action soon.
Williams’ point: A constitutional provision requires a four-fifths vote of the Senate to debate proposals of statewide sweep in the first 60 days of a regular session. The 60-day mark of this session will come around mid-March.
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December 4, 2008
UPDATED: Hutchison launches gubernatorial committee
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison today launched a committee to explore a run for governor in 2010.
Hutchison’s paperwork, filed at the Texas Ethics Commission, names Allan “Bud” Shivers Jr. of Austin as her campaign treasurer. Fetch the one-pager here.
Although the paperwork doesn’t mean Hutchison has officially declared she’s running, it allows her to raise money in anticipation of challenging Gov. Rick Perry, a fellow Republican.
Early chatter: She’ll endeavor to raise millions of dollars by the end of the 2009 legislative session so that her state kitty looks as strong as the one held by Perry. The unconfirmed word is she’s going to transfer $1 million up front from her federal campaign treasury to get the state effort rolling. And the special twist, for her, is that she may legally raise money during the session. State law forbids state elected officials including Perry, from doing so during the session.
UPDATE: Hutchison issued a statement mid-morning in which she reminded that she’s not yet a candidate. She said she’s transferring $1 million from her federal kitty to her state account “and will take further steps as they become appropriate.
“Right now, there are a lot of Texans - friends, community and business leaders, Republicans, Democrats, Independents and people who’ve never been in politics - that I want to talk to before becoming a formal candidate,” her statement says.
Then comes some political vinegar:
While Texas is faring somewhat better economically than many other states, a positive future is not guaranteed. It will take leaders who look ahead to meet the economic and budgetary challenges that are coming.
And:
Texans deserve a governor who, in the context of sound budgetary policies and low taxes, works for quality schools and universities, access to health care for our families, communities safe from crime and drugs, protection of private property rights, sensible transportation and a government that listens and responds to them.
Plus:
There’s too much bitterness, too much anger, too little trust, too little consensus and too much infighting. And the tone comes from the top. Texans are looking for leadership and results.
The statement closes with her saying she’s humbled to field requests that she run for governor and she’s honored to represent Texas in the Senate. It does not say if, as speculated, she will resign early if she decides to run for governor.
That wouldn’t be required, but it would signal to sideline skeptics that she’s 100-percent serious about trying for governor. Hutchison bowed out of possible runs for governor in 2006 and 2002.
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December 2, 2008
Update from inside the Dallas County recount
Austin lawyer Buck Wood is witnessing the recount in the Irving House seat on behalf of Democrat Bob Romano, who trails Rep. Linda Harper-Brown by 20 votes.
Although the recount is going slowly, Wood said this morning that he expects it to be completed in a couple of days.
More important, Wood said both sides can determine how many so-called “emphasis” votes there are. The Democrats should know by the end of the recount if they have a chance to overtake Harper-Brown as they contest in court how those votes should be counted.
At issue is how the electronic machines count straight-ticket ballots in which the voter also voted for an individual.
On paper ballots, the Secretary of State said officials should count the so-called “emphasized” vote.
The machines, however, don’t count that “emphasized” vote for an individual. The Secretary of State instructed poll workers not to assume the intent of those voters.
That’s an issue in the federal lawsuit brought by the Texas Democratic Party.
“We know in each precinct, how many deletions there were,” Wood said of the votes under question. “Frankly, there’s not as many as I expected.”
Dallas County — unlike some counties — posted signs warning about voting for individuals while casting a straight-ticket ballot. That may have had an impact.
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November 7, 2008
KOOP radio breaking down Texas elections today
Looking for more analysis on the Texas elections?
At 2 p.m. today, Austin’s KOOP, 91.7 FM,, airs “Texas Politics Today,” taking a look at Tuesday’s turnout by Democratic consultant Jeff Smith of Austin and interviews with three Austinites in the know: Jeff Eller of Public Strategies, David Beckwith, lately of Sen. John Cornyn’s campaign, and Ross Ramsey, who helms “Texas Weekly.”
Listen online here.
Maybe they’ll take listener calls…
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November 6, 2008
Hutchison: McCain loss forecast in "donut" vote
She was kidding, of course. Had to be.
But U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, told a luncheon crowd at the University of Texas post-election conference on politics that she knew Sen. John McCain was in trouble when Sen. Barack Obama won the “Krispy Kreme” donut vote.
Her words: “I knew that it was going to be a bad night when the results of the Krispy Kreme election were announced and Obama had won. If John McCain couldn’t take the donut-eaters conference, I knew that we were lost.”
I couldn’t find an online description of a Krispy Kreme vote, though this site suggests giveaways of donuts and Starbucks’ coffee fueled Obama’s big day.
As I type, Hutchison is a few minutes into her remarks and hasn’t re-hinted at her desire to run for governor in 2010.
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Dewhurst airs concern over business tax revenue, health care
At a University of Texas post-election conference, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said today that revenue from the revamped business tax is running behind what the state needs. He also said the tax wasn’t his first or second choice in 2004 as a revenue source to cover the state picking up the tab for reductions of nearly $15 billion a year in local school property taxes.
Dewhurst also stated a desire to do something about spiraling health care costs, which show up dramatically in the state budget as Medicaid costs. He said he favors the state creating a tax credit so that businesses not currently insuring employees would be encouraged to do so. He said he is also considering ideas for pilot projects that focus more on prevention rather than paying providers for specific medical procedures.
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November 5, 2008
Famous name is top Democratic vote-getter in Texas
State Rep. Rick Noriega may have been the top Democrat on the statewide ticket, but the U.S. Senate candidate was not his party’s top vote-getter Tuesday.
That distinction went to Houston lawyer Sam Houston, a first-time candidate who received 3,519,540 votes in his Texas Supreme Court race — or almost 136,000 more than Noriega.
Houston’s famous name also provided Texas Democrats with their closest statewide race, falling five percentage points behind incumbent Justice Dale Wainwright (51-46 percent).
Not that it was much consolation to Houston. “I still didn’t win,” he said. “I’m proud of my race. I’m proud I did it. The Democrats are going to win statewide races someday; this just wasn’t the year.”
Houston, a 21-year lawyer who is 45, said he wasn’t sure about his future in politics. “I’ll decide that later. Today is a hard day to make that kind of decision. I certainly will stay involved in the Democratic Party. If something comes up and I think I can help, I will consider it.”
Two other statewide judicial candidates provided Democrats with their top three statewide finishers — Court of Criminal Appeals hopeful Susan Strawn (3.48 million) and Supreme Court candidate Linda Yanez (3.42 million).
Noriega received 3.38 million votes.
Barack Obama was the top Democratic vote getter in Texas with 3,521,164 votes, only 1,624 more than Houston.
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Bolton wins second term
State Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, won another term in the Texas House of Representatives District 47 with a victory over Republican Donna Keel.
Bolton won 51 percent of the vote in the swing district, which covers Southwest Travis County.
“We stayed on the high road,” Bolton said. “We kept talking about the issues that mattered to real families every single day.”
A solid 53 percent early vote lead for Bolton narrowed as the Election Day ballots were counted. With five precincts out, Keel had winnowed Bolton’s advantage to just over 51 percent.
But the final tally, reported around midnight, showed the competitive seat would stay in the “D” column.
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November 4, 2008
Maldonado wins
Democrat Diana Maldonado defeated Republican Bryan Daniel in Williamson County legislative race.
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GOP majority in Texas House predicted
Final results are pouring, in but both sides are predicting that the GOP will maintain a majority in the Texas House.
Republicans are predicting they’ll have 77 seats. Democrats think they have 74, so obviously someone is off by one seat.
Either way, a Republican majority means the challenger to Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, will come from within his own party.
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Cliffhanger prayers for Maldonado
With Democrat Diana Maldonado’s lead for a state House seat standing at just 1,200 votes over Republican Bryan Daniel, Maldonado supporters at an election-night party were just asked to pray.
“We’re not there yet,” a campaign aide appealed to the roughly 100 supporters on hand for the party at a Round Rock sushi bar. “Cross your toes. Pray to whatever god you have.”
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Maldonado hanging on in Williamson
Democrat Diana Maldonado is hanging on to a small lead over Republican Bryan Daniel in Williamson County.
With 29 of 49 precincts reporting, Maldonado was leading by almost 1,200 votes (49.12 percent) as compared to Daniel’s 47.16 percent. Libertarian Lillian Simmons could be a factor with 3.7 percent of the vote.
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"We finally got it"
The crowd counted down each second to the closing of the polls in California with great anticipation.
And when the clock struck 10 p.m. CST, the celebrants at the Travis County Democratic Party erupted as MSNBC gave the state and presidency to Sen. Barack Obama.
Austinite Clifton Mayfield, 31, jumped up and down, bellowing: “He did it. He did it. He did it.”
America has its first African-American president.
“We finally got it,” Mayfield said, his eyes wet.
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Kleinschmidt widening lead
Republican Tim Kleinschmidt of Lexington is widening his lead over Democrat Donnie Dippel of La Grange in the race to replace retiring Rep. Robby Cook.
With 54 of the 107 precincts reporting, Kleinschmidt led by almost 4,000 votes — 52.91% to 44.33%. The Libertarian has 2.74 percent of the vote.
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LBJ's dream coming true, daughter said
The Driskill played a central role in Lyndon B. Johnson’s political life.
It is where he awaited the results the 1960 and 1964 presidential races. And his daughter Luci Baines Johnson said it was great to be back here to see “LBJ’s dream coming true.”
“We have opened the doors of opportunity to the best and the brightest, and we’re walking through them together,” Baines Johnson said, referring to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s history-making run for the presidency.
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Tarrant County showing mixed results in House races
Tarrant County underscores the challenge for Democrats to get a net gain of five seats to take the Texas House majority.
On one hand, Democrats Chris Turner took the early vote over Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington. In Fort Worth, however, Democrat Dan Barrett, who won a House seat in a low-turnout special election last year, lost the early vote to Republican Mark Shelton.
It’s early, but Democrats can’t afford to split the difference.
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Kleinschmidt widens lead
Republican Tim Kleinschmidt of Lexington is widening his lead over Democrat Donnie Dipple of La Grange in the race to replace retiring Rep. Robby Cook.
With 54 of the 107 precincts reporting, Kleinschmidt led by almost 4,000 votes — 52.91% to 44.33%. The Libertarian has 2.74 percent of the vote.
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Maldonado wins early voting
Democrat Diana Maldonado won the early vote in Williamson County in her bid to become the first Democrat elected there in a decade.
She had 24,993 votes (50.21%) as compared to 23,110 (46.43%) for Republican Bryan Daniel. Libertarian Lillian Simmons had 1,670 votes (3.36%).
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‘So far, so good,' Texas secretary of state says
Hope Andrade, the Texas secretary of state, said just before noon that she’s hearing of no major glitches in voting statewide.
“So far so good,” Andrade said. “We’ve been blessed. Very few glitches and everything has been repaired immediately. We haven’t heard anything about long lines yet. That probably will happen later in the evening.”
Andrade, who took office in July, voted early. She said she voted Oct. 20 at the Bexar County courthouse.
“It took me exactly 10 minutes,” she said.
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Nine million Texans expected to vote by close of day
Hope Andrade, the Texas secretary of state, expects more than 9 million voters to act by the time polls close at 7 p.m. tonight, meaning nearly seven in 10 registered voters will have turned out either in the early-voting period or on Election Day.
On Monday, Andrade projected that 68 percent of the state’s 13.5 million registered voters would ultimately vote.
In contrast, 7.4 million voters participated in the 2004 presidential election in Texas, up from 6.4 million Texas voters in the ‘04 presidential race.
Those are big numbers, yet if they hold true, the state still won’t set a record for percentage of registered voters turning out. According to figures posted online by Andrade’s office—start here—a record 73 percent of registered Texas voters turned out for the 1992 presidential race. President George H.W. Bush won his home state that year over Democrat Bill Clinton, who beat Bush nationally. Dallas billionaire Ross Perot also was in the mix that year.
The share of registered voters previously reached 68 percent twice, in 1980 and 1984, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office.
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October 30, 2008
Voters Lining up to Vote During Record-Breaking Turnout
FROM THE TRAVIS COUNTY CLERK - ELECTIONS DIVISION
DANA DeBEAUVOIR, COUNTY CLERK
Voters Lining up to Vote During Record-Breaking Turnout
Friday is Final Day to Cast Early Voting Ballot
Austin - Travis County voters broke previous Early Voting turnout records Wednesday. More than 229,500 voters have cast a ballot, topping the 2004 record of 222,085. More than 15,000 votes had been cast mid-way through the voting period Thursday.
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said that vote totals are steadily climbing toward what she expects to be a fantastic finish to the Early Voting period on Friday.
“We won’t be surprised to see 50,000 voters on the final day—about twice the first-day turnout,” DeBeauvoir said. “We’re still trying to spread the word that voting early is going to be more convenient than voting on Election Day.”
DeBeauvoir reminded voters that the two mega voting sites (5501 Airport Blvd. and 4534 West Gate Blvd.) will be open until 9:00 pm on the final two days of Early Voting. Other sites close at 7:00 pm.
Adding to the typical excitement of the last day of Early Voting is the coincidental timing of Halloween.
Calls to the County Clerk’s office about whether costumes are permitted are increasing.
“It’s perfectly fine for voters to wear costumes to the polls, as long as they do not depict a particular candidate or political party,” DeBeauvoir said. “Also, masks, weapons or simulated weapons are not permitted.”
Standard prohibitions against electioneering apply to political buttons, t-shirts and caps. Voters who wear inappropriate items will be asked to remove or cover the items. Election judges are trained to work with voters to find a solution that avoids at all times turning voters away from the polls.
DeBeauvoir offered several suggestions to voters to help speed the
voting process when they go to the polls.
1. Study a sample ballot on the Elections Division web site:
www.traviscountyelections.org.
2. Bring your voter registration card if available.
3. If the voter registration card is not available, bring another form
of identification.
A photo ID is NOT REQUIRED.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- driver’s license or student ID
- Social Security card, passport or birth certificate
- official mail addressed to the voter from a governmental entity
- utility bill; bank statement or paycheck showing the voter’s name
and current address.
4. Take advantage of eSlate demonstration units available at every
Early Voting locations to review the functions of the voting equipment.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Always ASK FOR HELP from an election worker with
any questions BEFORE pressing the CAST BALLOT button.
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October 29, 2008
Keffer predicts new speaker
Speaker candidate Jim Keffer predicted today that there will be a consensus for a new speaker within 24 hours of the polls closing Tuesday.
Keffer, R-Eastland, said he plans to consolidate his Republican and Democratic support for Texas House Speaker on election night.
“I will begin updating the press beginning at 8 p.m. on election night,” said Keffer.
After meeting with House members in their districts, Keffer said he is “100 percent sure a new Speaker for the Texas House of Representatives will be chosen for next session.”
Technically, he didn’t say he’d be the next speaker. But he implied it.
We assume Speaker Tom Craddick has other ideas.
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Candidate's Social Security numbers disclosed in mailers
Candidates expect to lose a bit of their privacy when they run for public office. But they don’t expect their opponents to mail their Social Security numbers to voters.
A brouhaha has broken out in House District 17, which includes Bastrop and several neighboring counties, after the Republican Party of Texas failed to adequately black out the social security numbers for Democrat Donnie Dippel and his wife.
The numbers were included in on a copy of a 19-year-old bankruptcy document.
Dippel is locked in battle with Republican Tim Kleinschmidt.
“Personal security is of the utmost importance to Texans and all Americans. Tim Kleinschmidt now faces a choice - he can apologize to the Dippel family and distance himself from these reprehensible campaign tactics, or he can choose to stand by Tina Benkiser, the Republican Party of Texas and their unforgivable attacks,” said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie.
The GOP did not apologize and pressed its attack on the bankruptcy.
“What Donnie Dippel can’t ‘black out’ is leaving his own small town bank holding the bag when he couldn’t live up to his end of the bargain,” said Hans Klingler, spokesman for the state GOP.
Dippel responded, “Fact is this bankruptcy occurred 19 years ago after an unscrupulous builder ran off with the loan money for a house under construction on our family ranch. I long ago satisfied all the claims from this unfortunate incident and still live in that house today.”
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Another $100K from Stars to Bryan Daniel
Speaker Tom Craddick’s Stars Over Texas just chipped in another $100,000 — on top of the $125,000 reported this past month — to the Bryan Daniel campaign for Texas House District 52.
Daniel, a Georgetown Republican, is locked in a tight race against Democrat Diana Maldonado of Round Rock.
The contribution underscores how close the race is. Craddick put $500,000 of his own political money into Stars, a group of GOP lawmakers close to the speaker.
Stars also will be sending late money to Tim Kleinschmidt of Lexington, who’s running in an open seat in Bastrop County and surrounding areas, against Democrat Donnie Dippel.
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Republicans have hope for HD 47
Republicans say they see an opportunity to snatch back a Texas House seat in Travis County and have in recent weeks poured money into Donna Keel’s challenge of first-term state Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin.
Contributions from the Republican Party of Texas, Associated Republicans of Texas and school voucher proponent James Leininger have helped to lessen the financial gap between the two candidates vying in House District 47, the campaign finance reports filed this week show.
Bolton had enjoyed a significant fundraising advantage up to now. She raised almost $239,000 as of late September, more than twice what Keel had brought in, and received another $131,000 in the most recent reporting period. Almost $150,000 has been put into television ads.
Keel, bolstered by the party’s $140,000 in-kind contribution of television advertising, now has the resources she needs to compete for visibility. The party’s contribution supplemented the $63,000 for television time bought directly by the Keel campaign, finance reports show.
Republican Party spokesman Hans Klingler said Keel has run a “fantastically focused” race against a freshman legislator and the party was not going to leave wanting any candidate with a chance to win.
This race “has the chance to be the sleeper of the night” on Nov. 4, Klingler said.
Pat Robbins, executive director of the Associated Republicans of Texas, said the seat is winnable because the Republicans have a “sterling candidate” running in a historically Republican district.
“The district, I believe, should be Republican. I don’t think we would have lost the seat at all had it not been for lack of voter turnout in the previous election,” said Robbins, whose group gave Keel $20,000.
And the Keel family name has helped the first-time candidate with name recognition among voters, Robbins said. Donna Keel’s brothers-in-law Terry Keel and Patrick Keel have both served in public office locally, though the family’s recent track record at the ballot box has not been particularly good.
The money from the Republicans groups suggests they are in a position to win, said Thornton Keel, Donna Keel’s husband and campaign manager.
Waco State Rep. Jim Dunnam, who leads the House Democratic Campaign Committee, said there is no specific concern over Bolton’s chances for re-election. The House Democratic Campaign Committee has given Bolton $35,000 and continue to provide as much help as she needs, Dunnam said.
“We want her back. We’re not taking her or her voters for granted,” Dunnam said.
Bolton’s campaign manager Elizabeth Hartman said all signs point to a Democratic victory. Democrats have been turning out in droves during early voting. Swing voters identified as Bolton supporters have also been showing up at the polls. And the HD 47 race has been a top priority of the Travis County Democratic Party efforts.
“We’re feeling pretty confident,” Hartman said. “They’re not going to beat us.”
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October 23, 2008
Harris County's early vote stirs conflicting forecasts
Harris County Democrats are marveling at what they believe to be a nearly 3-to-1 Democratic-Republican margin among voters who have turned out to vote early in the county.
But Republican pollster Mike Baselice of Austin says Democrats ought to be worrying. His review of early-voting tallies led him to say: “Republicans are doing just fine.”
Critics could dismiss the competing interpretations as partisan sniping over similar numbers. In fact, the distinct reads are based on different ways of analyzing the early voting. It’s still helpful to remember that activists from both parties consider Harris County a bellwether for what’s probably happening statewide (though it’s more Democratic-leaning than the state as a whole, Baselice said). Results there are worth noodling on.
First, the Democrats’ view:
Gerry Birnberg, chairman of the Harris County Democrats, said that through the first three days of early voting, 62,000 early voters also voted in the March 4 Democratic primary. That compares with 21,000 early voters who turned out for the GOP primary — giving him a path to claim the 3-to-1 margin he’s touting.
“That’s pretty good wind at our back,” said Birnberg, a lawyer who’s hoping Democrats take many local offices including judicial posts from historically dominant Republicans.
Birnberg said some 126,000 voters acted early through Wednesday.
If it turns out that the three-day tally accounts for about 15 percent of total early-voting turnout, as it has in previous years, he said, the county’s total early vote could approach 790,000, perhaps signaling record-shattering turnout through the Nov. 4 election:
We could well see more than 50 percent of the total vote voting early and more than 62 percent, perhaps 65 to 66 percent, participating in this election. Both would be records, indicative of tremendous interest in this election…Birnberg’s bottom line:
I’m declaring a huge turnout. If you’re asking me if I’m declaring victory, of course not. Things are looking very upbeat for Democrats right now in Harris County. We really do expect to sweep the county. I expect it to be a Dallas County-style sweep (referring to Democrats’ winning all local offices there in 2006). But am I declaring victory? Not at all.
Baselice guffawed at Birnberg’s take. His assessment, based on voter interviews, is that up to 25 percent of the state’s first-time Democratic primary voters this spring are likely to favor Republican John McCain for president and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, for re-election.
Baselice said that since 2000, voters who participated in at least one Democratic primary in Harris County outnumbered one-time-or-more GOP primary voters by nearly 2-to-1. Yet through the first two days of early voting there, voters who had voted in a Democratic primary since 2000 were outvoting Republicans by only 1.5 to 1. (Raw numbers, he said, were 49,159 early-voting Democrats this month compared to 32,456 Republicans.) So, he theorized, either the Democrats are running behind in getting out their early vote or the Republicans are running ahead of schedule.
Noting that the county’s 2008 Democratic primary voters outnumbered Republicans by a wide margin (407,102 compared to 169,448), Baselice said: “Unfortunately for the Democrats, they can’t limit (November) turnout to people who just participated in the March primary.”
I couldn’t immediately reach Chairman Birnberg’s counterpart with the Harris County GOP.
But Ed Emmett, a Republican serving as Harris County’s judge, said he’s not concerned about the early tilt for Democrats, partly because he doesn’t believe every voter is casting a straight-party ballot.
Emmett said:
For the first time in a long time, Democrats have a reason to go vote. The whole (Democratic) plan has been to get them to vote early, which is what they’re doing. It’s a good wake-up call. … I feel pretty comfortable. Unless my polls are just dead wrong, I feel pretty good.
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October 11, 2008
Dewhurst and Schwarzenegger, again
At least a couple years ago, maybe longer, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst hosted California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for a cozy fundraiser at an Austin hotel. The California ceo had done, or was going to do, the same for Dewhurst in the Golden State.
Well, Arnold’s going to be back Thursday and you’re invited.
Pony up $5,000 for lunch and a photo with the govern-ator. Lunch alone runs $1,000.
Fetch the invitation here.
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October 8, 2008
Fireworks at HD 47 forum
Tonight’s tete-a-tete between state Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, and her Republican challenger Donna Keel did not disappoint those voters who came looking for some conflict.
The policy differences between the House District 47 candidates on issues such as transportation funding and taxes were clear — and predictable — from the start.
But the excitement came toward the end when an audience member raised the specter of House Speaker Tom Craddick when he asked: Would you support Craddick for speaker in the next session?
Keel, whose husband and brother-in-law have business and political connections to Craddick, said she doesn’t know him and would not make a decision on the speaker until she knows who is running.
She did say, however, that Bolton was “irresponsible” for not supporting the agenda of the Republican leadership.
Bolton, in turn, said Keel’s loyalties would clearly lie with Craddick since the speaker was the biggest client of Thornton Keel, Donna’s husband, who has an accounting and data analysis firm with many political clients, including Craddick and a political action committee largely funded by Craddick.
Thornton Keel then piped up from the audience to call that claim a “lie” and later had words with the moderator Will Atkins, Oak Hill Gazette publisher and editor, to complain that he was not given the time to “clear the air” about Bolton’s claim. Thornton Keel later said he has non-political clients that are not listed on the Texas Ethics Commission documentation.
Bolton wasn’t backing down, saying later that her statement was supported by public documents.
“It is disingenuous if not dishonest for her to say ‘I don’t even know the speaker,’ ” Bolton said after the forum.
Keel also took issue with the what she claimed as an unfair distribution of speaking time.
Dwain Rogers, president of the Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods, said Atkins did the best he could to keep the speaking time balanced and there was no intention to give one candidate more than the other.
The fireworks between the candidates, Roger added, was a good thing and gave the audience quite a show.
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Rose's 2nd TV commercial targets Pedernales
Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, is up with his second television commercial.
He’s targeting electric rates and the controversy at Pedernales Electric Cooperative.
You can see the commercial herehttp://www.patrickrose.com/
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October 7, 2008
Howard continues to lead Waggoner in House District 48 fundraising
State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, has continued to lead her House District 48 opponent, Republican Pam Waggoner, in fundraising, according to new campaign finance reports.
Howard raised $40,112.52 between July 1 and September 25 and had $53,821.83 on hand as of the end of the period.
During the same period, Waggoner raised $7,529.53 and had $13,032.18 on hand by the end.
Howard and Waggoner, along with Libertarian Ben Easton, who had not raised any money as of the last report, are vying to represent northwestern Travis County in the Texas House of Representatives. The district includes West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Lost Creek, Lago Vista and parts of Northwest Austin.
Howard received some of her largest donations from political action committees, including: $3,000 from the Texas State Teachers Association PAC, $2,500 from the Education Austin PAC, $1,500 from the Association of Texas Professional Educators PAC, $1,000 from the Real Estate Council of Austin Good Government PAC, $1,000 from the Texas Medical Association PAC, and $1,000 from the Communication Workers of America Committee on Political Education.
Howard also got money from fellow lawmakers, including $1,000 from state Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, and $401.60 from the campaign of state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin.
Waggoner’s donors were largely individuals or couples; none gave more than $1,000.
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Maldonado scores big on fund-raising
Democrats are betting big on winning a legislative seat in Williamson County.
Democrat Diana Maldonado raised $227,293 the past three months, compared with $84,874 for Republican Bryan Daniel.
The disparity is greater in their bank accounts.
Maldonado has $278,368 cash on hand, while Daniel reported $19,142. Her advantage is not limited to penny-pinching. She slightly outspent Daniel the past three months. She spent almost $80,000 — about $5,000 more than her opponent.
The two are running to replace retiring Rep. Mike Krusee.
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October 6, 2008
Bolton maintains big money lead
State Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, brought in almost $119,000 in the past four months, more than double the $54,000 her Republican challenger Donna Keel raised.
Heading into the last month of the House District 47 race, Bolton has more than $125,000 available while Keel has about $37,000 remaining.
Annie’s List, which raises money for Democratic women candidates in Texas, gave Bolton $25,000 and was her biggest contributor, according to the campaign finance reports filed on Monday.
Other contributors include several education groups, state Sen. Kirk Watson and the Real Estate Council of Austin political action committee.
Keel’s major donors were the Texas Republican Party and members of her family.
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October 2, 2008
Vo responds to Meyers charges
The campaign for Rep. Hubert Vo this aftenoon responded to charges by his opponent that he abused his office.
Republican Greg Meyers filed complaints today with Harris and Travis County prosecutors, citing a letter Vo sent to Houston police complaining about their handling of problems at apartment complexes he owns. The letter was on a state letterhead.
Vo spokesman Kelly Fero said Vo corrected the problem in April.
He said a Vo aide made a mistake printing the letter on state stationery and the lawmaker reimbursed the state $55 for “incidental use of staff and supplies for non-state business.”
“This issue was handled six months ago when Representative Vo explained that his legislative aide had inadvertently printed a letter on the wrong stationery,” Fero said. “Today’s frivolous filing is simply another politician asking public officials to waste taxpayer resources on a stale story in the closing weeks of his losing campaign.”
Houston officials have cited Vo’s apartment complexes for several code violations, which Meyers has made a campaign issue.
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Vo opponent files complaints
Following a Houston Chronicle story, Republican Greg Meyers has filed complaints with the Harris and Travis County prosecutors, saying Rep. Hubert Vo misused his state letterhead for personal business.
The Chronicle reported that Vo complained to Houston police about their handling of complaints about apartment complexes he owns. The letter was on Vo’s state letterhead, according to the Chronicle.
Vo did not respond for comment in the Chronicle article, and his campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment today.
The city of Houston has cited two of Vo’s apartment complexes on a variety of code violations.
The complaints were filed with the Harris County Public Integrity Unit and the Travis County attorney’s office.
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Noriega disagrees with Senate vote on rescue plan
State Rep. Rick Noriega, the Democrat trying to unseat Sen. John Cornyn this year, says he would not have supported the plan that the Senate passed overwhelmingly last night.
“Texans should not support a bailout that has insufficient protections for the taxpayers, doesn’t go far enough in reining in out of control executive salaries, has little relief for people in real distress, and doesn’t heal the systemic rot that led to this crisis in the first place,” Noriega said.
He also says, “The lack of prudence and unfettered wheeling and dealing that allowed abusive and reckless loans, shoddy investments, poorly understood financial instruments, and market excess would still be in place after this bill passed. It’s like spending $700 billion to clean up a flood in your house without fixing the leak in the roof.”
Cornyn, of course, voted for the plan, as did his fellow Republican, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
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October 1, 2008
Likely no debate in railroad commission race
A debate between the candidates running for the Railroad Commission of Texas appears to be on the rocks.
The campaigns of Republican Michael Williams, the incumbent, and his Democratic challenger Mark Thompson had been trying to arrange a face-to-face.
But so far none of the public television stations have been willing to show the debate, Thompson said at an Austin American-Statesman editorial board meeting. He is lukewarm to an radio debate opportunity that was offered.
“I would like see a real debate,” Thompson said. “It tells a lot when you get to see the people.”
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Rose up on TV
Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, is up on television.
Running against Wimberley businessman Matt Young, Rose’s first commercial tells viewers about his role in helping create the Texas Manufacturers Caucus, a group of lawmakers focused on improving the state business climate.
“Our economy is in tough shape right now, but we can stop the flood of jobs overseas,” says Rose, looking straight into the camera. “And build a secure economic future with business leaders who care as much about Texas as they do their bottom line.”
See the commercial here.http://www.patrickrose.com/
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September 26, 2008
Advocate calls for postponed voter registration in some counties
Austin lawyer Fred Lewis, who’s been involved in Houston Votes, a non-partisan voter registration drive in Harris County, said today that Gov. Rick Perry should use his emergency powers to extend the set-in-law Oct. 6 voter registration deadline for at least seven days, though solely for residents of 29 counties heavily damaged by Hurricane Ike.
Lewis was joined at a Capitol press conference by a representative of the Equality Texas Foundation, which advocates for gay and lesbian rights, and a representative of People for the American Way Foundation. Lewis said he’s sending a letter to Perry, a Republican, today.
“We still don’t know how many people are dead,” Lewis said, noting that hundreds of thousands of people still either lack or a home or their home remains uninhabitable.
“We are afraid that the current voter registration deadline will pass before many Texans are back in their homes, have their power restored or even have a semi-permanent place to live,” Lewis said.
Besides, Lewis said, it’s natural for voters to register in the final weeks before an election.
“People who have lost everything, we don’t think they should lose their right to vote,” Lewis said. The registration deadline “needs to be extended at least a week, if not longer.”
Allison Castle, Perry’s press secretary, said earlier Perry hasn’t yet fielded a request from a county official — such as a voter registrar — that would set his office to thinking about giving a portion of the state more time to register voters.
“We haven’t gotten any indication from county officials that there’s even a problem,” Castle said.
Lewis said he thinks a request will be forthcoming from a county official, though he said he hasn’t personally confirmed such plans.
Randall Dillard, spokesman for Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade, said the secretary has no legal authority to change the voter registration deadline. He said he couldn’t speak to whether the governor could do so.
Meanwhile, the state has posted this guidance for displaced hurricane evacuees regarding voting:
If you intend to stay in your new county, you may register to vote there by Oct. 6. If you intend to return to your home county, you may maintain your voter registration there or register there if not already registered.
The state goes on:
If you are able to return to your home county, you likely will vote there. Local officials are still evaluating polling places, but the Texas Secretary of State’s office said it appears that all counties will be able to conduct early voting and Election Day voting. Polling places might change, however, from previous elections.
Finally, the Texas secretary of state advises:
If you are away from your county of residence, you may apply for a ballot by mail from your home county. The application must be received by Oct. 28. You will need to provide a mailing address for the ballot outside your home county.
Questions? Call the Secretary of State Elections Division at (800) 252-VOTE (8683) or visit this site.
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August 7, 2008
Keel rebuts bounced check rumor
Donna Keel, Republican candidate for the House District 47 seat, offered a vigorous preemptive rebuttal to a rumored campaign ad from state Rep. Valinda Bolton saying Keel had bounced a check.
The accusation is false and Keel will share her credit report to prove it, wrote Patrick Keel, a former state district court judge and Keel’s brother-in-law, in a letter to the Bolton campaign on Wednesday.
Only hitch: there is no ad, Bolton said.
“We had no plan to do an ad,” Bolton, D-Austin, said Thursday. “In fact, we didn’t even have this information.”
The campaign has not planned its mailers or prepared any ads yet for the Nov. 4 election, Bolton said.
Donna Keel said she had been told the accusation was coming and wanted to nip it in the bud.
“It just struck true,” Keel said. “It seemed credible that this is something that they might do.”
Bolton said she had no idea where this issue might have have started, but it was not from anything her campaign was doing.
“It seems like a good way to generate some negative press about me, that I was thinking about doing this,” Bolton said.
For the record, Keel did share her credit score of 799 of 850, better than 99.8 percent of U.S. consumers, according to her Experian report.
“I have personal finance records going back 20 years. Not only have I not bounced a check, I’ve never been late on a payment or accrued an interest fee,” Keel said.
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August 4, 2008
Big dog Dems head to Bastrop
Bastrop County Democrats are holding a rally on Saturday, Aug. 9 in Smithville, and promising nearly everyone but Barack Obama will attend.
The Bastrop Democratic Party Chair Mitzi VanSant is hosting the rally, and she says the local Dems have managed to persuade 17 of the 20 Democrats on November’s ballot to attend.
(Alas, only Obama, an appeals court judge and a Bastrop County Commissioner candidate won’t make it.)
Among the bigger names who will be there are U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega and Larry Joe Doherty, who is running against U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul.
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July 18, 2008
Conservatives want to be cool too
At the Americans for Prosperity’s RightOnLine convention, the conversation in one training session ran from cool to hot.
Cynthia Posey, an audience member from Austin, told how her college students writing a paper on immigration tended to agree with John McCain’s positions but fell in love with Barack Obama’s Web site.
“The excitement is what gets them,” Posey complained.
Style matters, agreed panelist Ralph Benko, a principal at Capital City Partners of Washington D.C.
“We have to get the style clear and compelling,” he said, “so it will be hip to be conservative and hip to be for McCain.”
Emily Zanotti with the Sam Adams Alliance, a nonpartisan New Media group, urged the baby boomers in the audience to stop splitting the discussion between them and “those kids.”
She tried to explain the difference between the two campaigns’ approaches on the Internet.
Zanotti’s said Obama’s Internet effort is “all about (building) a community” with social networking and text messaging supporters every time the candidate comes to town.
“What’s your message?” Zanotti said the Obama site asks. “And let me tell you how mine fits in with yours.”
The McCain effort, she said, is just the opposite: “Here’s your message (of the day). Don’t ask us any questions.”
Then the conversation got hot, proving it’s just not the Democrats who need to do some healing.
Judy Morris, a Ron Paul delegate from Round Rock, said the conservative media and the Republican Party didn’t make Ron Paul supporters feel welcome during the primary.
“We were treated like garbage,” she said to applause. “We’re not going to be there (for McCain).”
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Conservative strategist talks about Internet
We’re talking to Ryan Gravatt about online strategies for campaigns. We start at 11 a.m. Feel free to submit comments or questons.
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July 16, 2008
Libertarian drops out of HD 47 race
Libertarian Alan Hultgren has withdrawn from the House District 47 race, leaving incumbent Democrat Valinda Bolton and Republican Donna Keel to duke it out alone.
Hultgren did not return a call for comment Wednesday afternoon.
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July 15, 2008
Strama leaps ahead in campaign money
Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, has a big money advantage over Republican Jerry Mikus in the House District 50 race, the most recent campaign reports show.
Strama, who was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2004, has on-hand almost $53,800 and raised about $48,000 in the past six months. Mikus reported collecting about $8,600 with over $2,400 remaining as of June 30.
Campaign fund raising totals were not available for Libertarian Jerry Chandler, who is also vying for the District 50 job. He said in an e-mail that he was out of town.
Strama continues to carry $85,000 in loans from his 2006 campaign.
House District 50 covers the northern stretch of Travis County.
Mikus is a Pflugerville financial consultant. He ran in the Republican primary for the same House seat in 2002, which Jack Stick eventually won and went on to win in the general election as well. Mikus also lost in the 2000 Republican primary for U.S. House for Representatives.
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Incumbent Bolton leading Keel in contributions
State Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, has taken an early lead in fund raising against Republican challenger Donna Keel for the House District 47 seat, according to the latest campaign finance reports.
Bolton has raised about $120,000 as of June 30 and has $86,000 remaining. Keel has collected more than $49,000 with about $34,000 still available.
Libertarian Alan Hultgren is also running for the seat but his report was not available Tuesday afternoon.
Donna Keel is a former auditor and local government analyst with the state comptroller. Bolton, who was elected to her first term in 2006, previously worked as the training director for the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
The race has been tagged as one to watch because the Southwest Travis County district is closely split between Democrats and Republicans.
Keel’s brother-in-law, Terry Keel, held the same House seat for 10 years. When he resigned, Bolton snatched it from the Republicans after a hard-fought and expensive race with Bill Welch.
Among statewide officeholders, Attorney General Greg Abbott (who might try for lieutenant governor in 2010) ended June with $8 million cash on hand.
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June 7, 2008
Austin-area delegates to Democratic National Convention
Below is a partial list of Austin-area residents only and does not include at-large delegates to be selected by convention later Saturday.
Austin-Area Delegates to Democratic National Convention**
Travis County
Senate District 14
Sue Berkel, Austin (Clinton) David Broockman, Austin (Obama) Steve Rivas, Austin (Clinton) Tory Lauterbach, Austin (Clinton) Allen Bowers, Austin (Obama) Bharati “Bobbi” Kommineni, Austin (Obama) Bertha Means, Austin (Obama) Gerard Washington, Austin (Obama)
Williamson County
Senate District 5
Larry Yawn, Round Rock (Clinton) Kyndra Reed, Cameron (Clinton)
Senate District 25 (Hays County, portion of Travis County)*
Jim Mattox, Dripping Springs (Clinton) Maria Jimenez, Austin (Clinton) Mario Champion, Austin (Obama)
Partial list, Austin-area residents only. *Does not include at-large delegates to be selected by convention later Saturday.
SOURCE: Texas Democratic Party
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June 5, 2008
Travis County delegates email survey responses
We fielded many responses to our e-mail survey of more than 1,000 of the 1,300-plus Travis County delegates and alternates to the Texas Democratic Party state convention.
A sampling:
QUESTION: If Sen. Obama proves the party’s presidential nominee, who should he pick to serve as his vice presidential choice—and why?
Barbara Santos: I actually emailed him (and Gov. Bill Richardson) earlier to recommend that he select Gov. Bill Richardson. His strengths are that he has had to manage bureaucracies and balance budgets as the governor of a border state, he would appeal to Latinos as the Spanish-speaking son of a Latina, he has vast foreign policy experience as an Ambassador and a mediator. Really, of all the Presidential candidates (Rep. and Democratic), Bill Richardson had the ability to check every box on what we seek in a President. I was also taken with his gentle sense of humor during the debates.
Ross Pumfrey: Sen. Joe Lieberman. Just joking.
Former Senator Sam Nunn (for his “defense” credentials and his Southern roots), Senator Jim Webb (Reagan Democrat, military fellow, Virginia), former Senator John Edwards (working folks and unions, Southern roots), or Governor Richardson (experience, Hispanic).
I have thought about the desirability of a female vice-presidential candidate, but it shouldn’t be Clinton (we’d have a dual vice-presidency of Clintons, and Obama shouldn’t have to deal with that) and Pelosi would make the ticket too vulnerable to a “liberal” charge. Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about some of the other possibilities (Sibelius, Napolitano) to have any good sense of their possibilities. And would it be pushing the envelope of cultural transition to have both an African-American and a woman on the ticket?
By the way — it should be “whom,” not “who,” in your question, as several people have probably reminded you.
Bobby French: Since I am a Hillary Clinton delegate, of course, I believe he should choose her. While polls suggest otherwise, if millions of Americans are voting for these two people now, it seems only logical that they will vote for the two of them on the same ticket.
Chris Wilson: Bill Richardson - proven leader, ENERGY POLICY experience, has been a governor, cabinet post experience
Senator Obama should not be told that Hillary Clinton has to be his VP nominee. In my opinion, Hillary Clinton treated this election for the nomination like a coronation and not an election. She never took Obama or the caucus process seriously and her campaign will go down in history as one of the most mismanaged ever for a seasoned political family.
Helen Rockenbaugh: John Edwards or a female. ABBH (anybody but Hillary).
QUESTION: There’s been some talk of Texas not continuing to choose some delegates through primary-night caucuses. Should the system be changed by 2012; why or why not?
Robin D. Richard: The caucus system was chaotic at best this year; however, it did seem to help better represent the wishes of the people in the Democratic Party. The challenge should focus on better training and the capability to handle large numbers of voters.
John S. Adair: I have mixed feelings about this. As a long-time party activist, I appreciate the fact that the conventions (which I have never heard referred to as caucuses until this year) provide a way for the party faithful to have a meaningful influence on the process. On the other hand, it makes the delegate selection process less democratic. On balance, I think it’s good for the party.
Pam Johns: I am open to the party discussing changes in the way delegates are elected. I would be in favor of a straight primary vote for delegates, although I believe caucuses promote local precinct involvement and activism that might not be there with a strsight vote. Also, I would like to see a primary that decides delegates by district and not total state vote. I definately weould like to see the end of superdelegates.
Connie Park: Absolutely. I am 100% for “eleminating caucuses.” As a matter of fact, i will be helping to collect signatures for petition. “Caucuses” discriminate: (1)the elderly who cannot drive out and stay late (2)different shift workers (3)single mothers (4)physically challenged.
Roger Chavez: Yes. It is unrealistic to think that people can commit to two voting times and the caucus system is confusing and there are not enough party officials to make sure things are run smoothly. It is also unfair for the delegates from the caucus to be expected to travel long distances to get to the convention. It cost money and effects some people more than others.
QUESTION: What issue or issues matter most to you?
Sara Crowell: We need to change the general direction of this country in so many ways. This is not a country for the few and the priviliged. This is a country for the people (by the people). We need to do what we say and say what we do. In general, we need to be more noble and leadership worthy.
I think that if we elect a man who embodies the best of what America can be, the world will have a better picture of what America is and what we can be. I’ve often heard that the hope he inspires is just words. Yes… he uses words to inspire. He also follows through those words with actions. Those inspirational words also inspire others to follow through with actions.
It’s about each of us taking responsibility for our own destiny. If things are working the way we want them to work, then we need to figure out how to change the rules to improve the situation.
I’m reminded of a water gun game my nephew was playing with his older and bigger brother. His brother was in the tree house, had the bigger gun, and was clearly clobbering the younger one. I took aside my little nephew and said that he could not win the game.. at least not the way it was being played. The rules, set up, and positioning were all failing him. If he wanted to win the water gun game, he’d need to change the rules. He pondered for a moment, then went for the water hose.
Allan Seils: Deficit. Economy. War in Iraq. War in Afghanistan. International credibility. Environment.
Mary Ann Neely: Health care. I don’t think Obama’s voluntary program will work. We have trouble enough getting people to get car insurance when that is mandatory.
Alphonso Marsh: Health care, pension reform, Social Security, Supreme Court judges, prison reform, immigration, homeland security, alternative energy and jobs for seniors.
Pat Bulla: a) Global climate change. (I heard from a reputable source recently that by 2015 there may not be any ice in the arctic during summers! I had been thinking things may get really bad by 2040 or 2050. But no ice in the arctic by 2015 is pretty darned scary! That will affect everything else we care about—from food, the economy, our health and on down the list!)
(b) War in Iraq.
(c) Health care and the costs involved. It is frightening to think of living in this country without any health insurance. Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to have health insurance—SO FAR!
Many thanks to everyone who responded.
—W. Gardner Selby
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June 3, 2008
Howard and Strama unite as Democrats
State Representatives Donna Howard and Mark Strama urge the Democratic Party to unite - no matter who wins the nomination.
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May 20, 2008
Chris Bell considers state Senate run
Chris Bell, the 2006 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, could be edging closer to a bid for the District 17 Texas Senate seat soon to be vacated by Kyle Janek, the Houston Republican who said in January he’s intending to resign his seat in June.
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, who won election to the 31-member body in 2006 after being his party’s nominee for attorney general in 2002, has called Bell to offer encouragement.
“I’ve known Chris a long time, and was excited about the prospect he might consider it. I talked to him on Saturday,” Watson said.
“He would be a formidable candidate in that district because of his length of service in the Houston area,” Watson said, referring to Bell’s background as a one-term U.S. House member and before that as a member of the Houston City Council who ran for mayor.
“My guess is he’d start that race with the sort of name ID that an incumbent usually enjoys, maybe even better than an incumbent,” Watson said.
Bell told me he’s not decided to make the bid, but he’s considering it.
A potentially significant wrinkle: Bell has resolved nearly $42,000 in outstanding bank loans he reported on his gubernatorial campaign committee finance report filed in January.
“We negotiated a settlement of the amount of interest owing with the bank,” Bell said. “We will pay $26,000 as full and final settlement of the amount owing and that will be the end of it.” The money will be paid from his gubernatorial campaign kitty.
According to a published report—see the story here—two Republicans are already seeking to fill Janek’s footsteps: Houston lawyer Grant Harpold, a precinct chairman, and Houston money manager Austen Furse.
State Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land, and Gary Polland, former Harris County Republican Party chair, are two others who reportedly have expressed interest.
Among Democrats, state Rep. Scott Hochberg of Houston has been mentioned as a contender, though if the special election coincides with November’s general election, Hochberg would be forced to choose between seeking re-election or chasing the Senate post.
Hochberg noted Tuesday that Gov. Rick Perry has not yet set the special election date. Perry doesn’t have Janek’s letter of resignation yet either, I’m told, though it’s expected any day now.
If Bell seeks the seat, he’ll enter knowing Perry won 39 percent of the district vote in 2002, with Bell drawing 30 percent and independents Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman trailing.
In the closest non-judicial statewide race in the Senate district, Elizabeth Ames Jones won her race for the Texas Railroad Commission with 56.5 percent of the vote. Democrat Dale Henry took 43.5 percent.
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May 15, 2008
Taibbi's Texas project, Hagee's "apology"
I visited this week with Matt Taibbi, a Rolling Stone contributing editor whose book, “The Great Derangement,” taps research he conducted by posing as a member of San Antonio’s Cornerstone Church, whose pastor is John Hagee. Peek at the column here or a book excerpt here.
Hagee, who had no immediate comment on the book when I called, has been under scrutiny lately for what some consider his anti-Catholic remarks as a minister. They’re getting special attention because he’s endorsed U.S. Sen. John McCain for president. This week, Hagee issued a statement interpreted as an apology in media coverage, though the statement I found on the Cornerstone is more an explanatory statement than a mea culpa.
“I am not now, nor have I ever been anti-Catholic,” Hagee says. See his press release here.
While my column focused on Taibbi’s time in Texas, his book presents some pointed commentary on doings in Congress that bear recall.
In one aside, the author describes the drone of an isolationist Tennessee Republican rising to speak on the floor of the U.S. House. Turns out that that Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr., assumed his post on the death of his father, who had been elected a dozen consecutive times. “Three hundred years from now,” Taibbi goes on, “the city of Knoxville’s congressman will be a Duncan opposed to the extension of foreign aid to Pluto.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, gets a prime pasting in Taibbi’s recap of an effort by Barton after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans to say the disaster demonstrated an emergency need to lift longtime restrictions on air pollutants from plants built after 1970 as spelled out in the Clean Air Act.
After Barton mis-summarized the measure, Taibbi writes, a Massachusetts Democrat on the committee hearing the matter said that if he’d given a similar summary to his constituents at a Massachusetts gas station, they “wouldn’t leave me in one piece.”
“Well, what I do at a Texas gas station, when people ask if I’m Congressman Barton,” Barton replied, smiling, “is this… I just tell ‘em I’m his driver.” The comment drew laughs all around.
A couple more then-House members get mention: Tom DeLay, then the House majority leader, and Chris Bell, the Houston Democrat who raised ethics questions about DeLay in his lame-duck last months in the House.
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May 8, 2008
'The Big Sort'
Is there really a way to know whether a neighborhood leans Republican or Democratic without studying voting records?
Author Bill Bishop says there are signs. He means that literally.
Speaking today at an event hosted by the Center for Politics and Governance at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Bishop showed a photo of a sign in his heavily Democratic Travis Heights neighborhood that said, “Impeach.” He also showed a sign at BookPeople advertising a Darwin Day event. Not the kind of signs you see in heavily Republican areas.
In his new book, “The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing us Apart,” the former Statesman reporter writes that for the past three decades, Americans have been sorting themselves into homogeneous communities, churches and clubs.
“The middle has dropped out of everything,” Bishop said.
There’s been a big focus on red states and blue states, but Bishop and co-author Robert Cushing, a retired UT sociology professor, looked at a smaller area: the county. They found that Americans are much more likely than they were 30 years ago to live in counties where one party won by a large margin, 20 percentage points or more. Even though the presidential election in 2004 was very close, nearly half of voters lived in communities where the election was not at all close, the book says.
“As Americans have moved over the past three decades, they have clustered in communities of sameness, among people with similar ways of life, beliefs, and in the end, politics,” Bishop wrote.
Bishop plans to talk about “The Big Sort” at BookPeople on May 28 at 7 p.m.
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April 28, 2008
Voter ID decision could boost Texas efforts for such a law
States can require voters to show voter identification, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.
Texas Republicans have pushed for such a requirement in recent years and are likely to keep doing so, saying it prevents voter fraud. They’re likely to pick that fight back up when the Legislature returns in January.
Texas Democrats, who say such laws discourage some elderly and minority voters from going to the polls, have so far managed to thwart those efforts.
The court ruled 6-3 that an Indiana voter ID law can stand. That law is considered among the toughest voter ID laws in the country.
Because Indiana’s ID cards are free, the inconvenience of getting one is not a substantial burden for most voters, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote. The burden on a few people, such as the elderly, is mitigated by the fact that they can fill out provisional ballots if they sign an affidavit at the circuit court office.
“I’m saddened that the Supreme Court has chosen to legalize discrimination,” state Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, said in reaction to the court’s decision. “But just because they court’s decision indicates that it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s right.”
Last year, Gallegos cut short his recovery from surgery in Houston to return to the Senate to fight the voter ID legislation.
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April 8, 2008
Smith wins Democratic runoff for Bastrop County sheriff
Democratic voters in Bastrop County’s runoff election chose retired FBI agent Wayne Smith on Tuesday to be their candidate for sheriff in November.
The November election will be especially significant for Bastrop County voters, as the last elected sheriff pleaded guilty this year to several felony counts, including theft by a public servant.
Smith will face Republican Terry Pickering, a Travis County sheriff’s officer, in the Nov. 4 general election.
Smith faced off in Tuesday’s runoff election with former Texas Department of Public Safety Officer Tommy Oates after a close finish in the March Democratic primary. With all precincts reporting Tuesday evening, Smith received 54.5 percent, or 1,440 votes, to Oates’ 45.5 percent, or 1,204 votes.
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March 29, 2008
Williamson turnout blows even a Republican away
Earlier we reported on the large number of Democrats that turned out for the Williamson County Democratic Convention, something that’s notable in a county that’s been mostly Republican for the past decade.
Republican officials in the county have dismissed suggestions that Democrats could be taking over the county, however, even noting that the county’s elected officials are all Republican.
But one of those officials, constable Gary Griffin, admitted that today’s showing of Obama and Clinton supporters is unique for this county.
“I’d say it’s a false belief to say Democrats are non-existent in this county,” Griffin, a long-time Republican said.
“I’ve been to many Republican conventions and I’ve never seen this,” he said. “This is phenomenal, this is what you see at the state level.”
For the record, though, Griffin said he’s still a Republican.
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February 27, 2008
Waiting for Obama
There are already thousands of people gathered at Sewell Park in San Marcos, awaiting the arrival of Sen. Barack Obama.
One San Marcos resident remembered the last time that a presidential candidate actually stopped in San Marcos — in the 1990s, when Bill Clinton’s campaign bus (with Bill and Hillary on board) stopped at a Chevron station for a few minutes on its way from Austin to San Antonio. A couple handshakes, a photo or two, and the Clintons were on their way.
The crowd standing out here in the cold tonight is hoping for a little more from Obama.
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The candidate and his mascot
Organizers of Barack Obama’s campaign stop tonight in San Marcos have invited Boko, the Texas State bobcat, to attend. Boko’s apperance could one-up Hobbit Samwise Gamgee’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton at a campaign stop by Chelsea Clinton in San Marcos Monday.
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Green Party convention
The Travis Country Green Party will hold its consolidated precinct convention on March 11 at 7 p.m. at the Brick Oven Restaurant, 1209 Red River St.
On the agenda: Selecting delegates for the county convention the following week, said Bill Holloway, Travis County Green Party chairman.
Registered voters who want to support the Green Party can only do so if they do not vote in the democratic or republican primaries next week.
“We’re trying to get the word out to voters,” Halloway said. “That you have more than two choices, more than democratic or republican.”
The Travis County Green Party will start collecting signatures to get its candidates on the November ballot the week after the Texas primaries. To gain ballot access, about 400,000 signatures must be obtained, Halloway said.
“It’s a hopeful year,” he said. The party has more than twice the amount of money than it did in 2000 when they did gain ballot access, Halloway said. He did not disclose specific figures.
“If we get ballot access in enough states, I think we could theoretically win the presidency, ” Halloway said.
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Women voters surge, female officials don't
Women historically vote at a higher rate than men, and this year is no exception. In states that have held primaries already, between 55 and 62 percent of voters have been women, said Ellen Malcolm, president and founder of EMILY’s List, which helps elect pro-choice, Democratic women to office.
Malcolm was in Austin Tuesday talking about her support for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. She sat down with reporters to talk about women voters and women candidates. She was joined by state Reps. Valinda Bolton and Donna Howard, two Austin Democrats who also back Clinton.
Texas is expected to follow national patterns on high turnout of women voters. But when it comes to women being elected to office in Texas, the state Legislature is lacking, Bolton and Howard said. Just 100 women have ever served in the Texas House of Representatives and 32 of them are there now, Bolton said.
In the past four sessions of the Legislature, there have been, in chronological order: 31, 32, 33 and 32 women in the 150-member House, Howard said.
“Though we have been successful in having some more Democratic women in our House, we have essentially not done much to change the number of women as a whole in the House,” Howard said.
Howard pointed to her work helping to pull together a bipartisan air quality caucus last session as an example of her impact as a woman.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that a man would not be able to do that,” she said. “But the fact is that I came in using skills that are often times attributable to women, I think, in terms of relational skills, consensus building skills.”
Howard and Bolton have gotten support from Annie’s List, a Texas organization similar to EMILY’s List that works to elect women and protect female incumbents.
Women “are the progressive change agents in our country,” Malcolm said. “You can take the energy of the presidential election and help use that to elect good women to the state Legislature.”
State Rep. Donna Howard, EMILY’s List president Ellen Malcolm and state Rep. Valinda Bolton
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February 26, 2008
Early voting numbers reach new highs
Record-breaking early voting numbers in Travis County seem to show no signs of slowing, after more voters turned out at polling sites Monday than any other early voting day so far.
The Travis County Clerk’s Office tallied 9,327 votes Monday — about 500 more votes than were received last Friday, when the second-most number of votes were counted.
On Saturday, Travis County surpassed the number of early votes recorded during the entire early voting period in the 2004 presidential primaries. Already 9.5 percent of registered voters have cast ballots in early voting this year, compared with the 6.1 percent of registered voters who participated in 2004.
As of Monday night, more than 53,300 early votes were counted in Travis County. Of those, 83 percent have been from Democratic voters.
Early voting ends Friday. Click here for a list of early voting locations.
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February 25, 2008
Hobbit Samwise Gamgee endorses Clinton
Sean Astin, a.k.a. Hobbit Samwise Gamgee, accompanied Chelsea Clinton at an appearance at the Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos Monday afternoon. Samwise Gamgee, wisely concealing his hairy Hobbit toes, told a crowd of about 75 about one of the first times he met Hillary Clinton.
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February 22, 2008
Grandma listens in from Toledo
About five minutes into Obama’s speech, Tony Gaston Jr., called his Granny in Toledo.
She listened to Obama through the phone for the rest of the speech. Although what she heard was muffled, Gaston said it was more than enough for her to know her grandson was there, taking part in history.
Gaston, 20, said he’d heard most of what Obama said tonight before in previous speeches, but being so close to him was “truly enjoyable.”
Obama mentioned at one point that he was tough - how could he not be, Obama asked the crowd: He’s a black man named Barack Obama running for president.
Gaston said that resonated with him because there’s been so much debate about Obama being a black man and whether he could win the presidency because of that fact.
“Who’s here?” he asked. “Black people, white people.”
Gaston said Obama makes it so people don’t see color.
And no worries about Gaston’s granny. Obama will be in Toledo in the coming weeks, and Gaston said she already has one of his cousins recruited to go to that rally and phone in.
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The Obama "text message scene"
Note to self: don’t drive through Amarillo with a Democratic bumper sticker.
The John Kerry sticker Elayna Mitchell, 30, had in 2004 got her car egged.
Eggs?
“I mean, what can you do?” she said. “Oh well.”
This time around, she’s proudly sporting an Obama sticker on her car and a button on her coat.
When the voice on the speaker asked the crowd if they were fired up, Mitchell said she indeed was.
Actually, she let out several high-pitched “Yeaaaaaaa!”
“Call the fire department!” yelled an Obama volunteer. “She’s fired up!”
“Look at all these people,” Mitchell explained. “I feel like I’m part of history.”
She doesn’ feel like she’s done much to get the word out for Obama and wishes she could do more.
“I voted early,” she said, apologetically.
Oh, and - I’m on the text-messaging scene.”
She signed up online to receive text messages about Obama events, then she forwards them to about, oh, 50 friends.
Not doing enough? Hmmm. So this is the grassroots stuff everyone’s been talking about. And for the record, her car hasn’t been egged, but then again, she hasn’t been to Amarillo lately, either.
Obama is now on stage. Cheers are LOUD.
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This is history
It smells like smoked sausage and roasted corn at the rally, and the people are packed so close together that it’s nearly impossible to move from one side of the crowd to the other. The flood lights are blinding, and it’s starting to get chilly.
Is this what history feels like?
The rally hasn’t started yet, but most people here believe tonight’s Obama rally is a historic event, and they were eager to be a part of it.
Musicians Daniel Keyes, 26, and Andrew Collins, 24, have been standing with the crowd in front of the Capital for about an hour and a half now.
“I’m soaking it in,” Collins said.
Waiting isn’t an issue.
“This is history, especially if he wins Texas,” Keyes said.
There’s so many young people here tonight, Keyes said. It’s historic to him because Obama represents something new.
“Change,” he said, pointing to the banner behind the stage that says “Change we can believe in”.
That’s why Ecleamus Ricks, 25, and Reshenda Daniels, 26, showed up, but with a different take on why tonight could make the history books.
“It’s the first time and African-American running for president has a chance,” Daniels said.
They came prepared, bringing blankets, snacks and folding chairs.
“Want a granola bar?” Ricks asked.
He’s been walking door to door in his neighborhood in Northwest Austin to remind people to vote in the primary, and to choose Obama.
“This is the first primary Texas has a vote” that matters, he said.
Right now, the band is playing a song called “Obama-luleah.”
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Today's early voters not swayed by last night's debate
At a polling station at a South Austin H-E-B on Friday morning, a steady number of people who showed up to vote early acknowledged they weren’t swayed by last night’s debate in Austin between Democratic U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
“I had already made up my mind before I heard that debate,” Eloise Harriss-Teas said.
Harriss-Teas said she voted early “to avoid the crowd” but acknowledged “there is quite a crowd in there already.”
“I voted for Obama, I think he’s the better candidate. I think we’ve had our fill of Clintons in the White House, or at least I’ve had my fill of Clintons in the White House,” she said.
Marian Yates said she voted early “just so I’d get it done. Otherwise I might forget or I might not get into the voting place or whatever.
“I voted for Barack Obama ‘cause I think we need a change. And he’d be a change, there’s no doubt about that,” she said.
Mark Barker voted for Obama because he said he is inspiring.
“He’s just someone who I think has the character to lead this country and this world at a very, very critical time,” Barker said.
But Clinton supporter Chris Ahuero said “two is better than one,” referring to his belief that having former president Bill Clinton working with Hillary would be beneficial for the country.
“We’re tired of Bush and we do need a change, and I do not think that Obama has enough experience to do it,” Ahuero said.
Teo Ruedas voted mostly to support his girlfriend, who is running for a county constable position. But he said he’s “tired of the Republican Party and we really need a change.”
Bhagirit Crow said he has never been involved in the primaries before but said it’s “exciting to have a sense that we can really make some change in the country and in our communities as well.”
“It just seems like Barack has more of a unifying vision and more of the kind of qualities that I think it’s going to take in order to really lead the helm,” he said.
His friend, Gabriella Esponisa, added: “The ideal would be a dual ticket, Obama and Hillary.”
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February 21, 2008
Lots of cheering at Scholz Garden
Here at Scholz Garden, the unofficial headquarters for Texans for Obama during the debate, the crowd seems happy with how Obama’s doing so far.
Of course, this is Obama territory.
“For the first time since Kennedy, I like him,” said Tom Swinnea, 51.
For Loretta Renfro, 58, Obama’s appeal is his interest in the common person, not “the rich man.”
“He’s not for black, white, brown,” she said. “He’s for the people.”
It was tough to find someone at Scholz’s who hasn’t drunk the Obama Koolaid, but then I met Matthew Casey, 29, and Shabnam Shirazian, 25.
“They’re quite passionate about Obama, and I’ve yet to see why,” Shirazian said.
“There’s so much enthusiasm, you’re kind of suspect,” Casey added.
As of the beginning of the debate, they were still undecided.
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Which Kennedy was that again?
Earlier today at Texas State University, hundreds of people listened to local and state Democrats stump for Barack Obama — almost all of them were students.
The excitement of the crowd fit with media reports that Obama is motivating young people. The youth of the crowd meant that most of the people in the auditorium weren’t alive when John F. Kennedy was president.
But many of them came to hear Sen. Edward Kennedy. When a Kennedy was introduced, everyone cheered. But it was Joe Kennedy Jr. — not the senator.
Joe Kennedy introduced himself and apologized that his father couldn’t be there today. Which caused a momentary hum in the crowd.
Someone whispered, “So Ted Kennedy’s not coming?”
Joe Kennedy Jr. is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968. All was well after Edward “Ted” Kennedy came on stage and thanked his nephew, clearing up the confusion.
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Making sure your vote counts
The line “vote early, vote often” seems to have been around as long as politics itself. But how about “vote early, while you still can”?
State Rep. Pete Gallego didn’t actually use those words Thursday when he told a story that drew laughs at a crowded State Capitol press briefing on the impact of the Texas Latino vote in the March 4 primaries.
But the saying came to mind when Gallego, D-Alpine, related how his own parents, who are in their 80s, are so jazzed about the election.
“My mother, she can’t wait” to vote, Gallego said. “She’s one of those people who votes on the first day of early voting because she says she’s not sure she’ll make it to election day.”
“So it’s not just the young voters” who are energized, Gallego said, laughing.
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Clinton, Obama in Austin for debate
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in Austin this afternoon gearing up for tonight’s debate, campaign officials reported.
Clinton is at an undisclosed, private location in Austin before the debate, and Obama is at an Austin hotel resting, according to representatives from their campaigns.
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Kennedy compares Obama to brother JFK
During a morning rally at Texas State University Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy told hundreds of students in San Marcos that Barack Obama has the qualities - and experience - that make a good president.
Historians, he told the crowd, say the best presidents have certain things in common: good judgment, loyalty, sacrifice and the ability to inspire. Obama has those qualities, he said. His message was intended to counter Obama critics who say he doesn’t have enough experience.
Former President James Buchanan, who was president at the start of the Civil War, had loads of experience, and historians call him one of the worst presidents ever, Kennedy told the crowd. Vice President Dick Cheney had experience, too, Kennedy said, and he’s been a “disaster.”
There were several comparisons between John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama made by the speakers Tuesday morning.
Edward Kennedy said his brother inspired young people to get involved.
This doesn’t happen anymore, he said. But, “Barack Obama is going to tell you what you can to do for your country,” he declared, evoking his brother’s words.
Later, he told a group of reporters that no one would ever be on the same level as his two brothers, but Obama is able to motivate people in a way that other politicians haven’t.
Many students said they attended the rally for the historic nature, so they could tell their grandchildren that they heard a Kennedy give a speech.
There’s no consensus on the San Marcos campus, even among those who attended the rally for Obama.
Kennedy didn’t sway Dare Lamberson, 21, and two friends, who came because they heard a rumor Barack Obama himself would show up.
“I thought it was a lot of hype,” he said. He’s still undecided.
“I was hoping to go in and learn something about (Obama), and I didn’t feel like there was anything new,” said his friend Lauryn Gould, 23. She supports Ron Paul, as do a couple dozen Paul supporters who gathered outside the auditorium to protest Obama.
But the hype is why these sorts of events exist, said Saurabh Gupta, 23, who is a member of the campus Democrats group.
“These speeches are more to get together a group of supporters, and get the message across,” he said.
Did Gupta, a Hillary Clinton supporter, get the message about Obama’s experience?
“Regardless of what people say about experience, it does require a certain amount of experience to be president,” he said, adding that he’ll still vote for Clinton.
Meanwhile, Ron Paul supporters are still going strong with their protest, more than an hour after the event.
“There are a lot of Ron Paul supporters on this campus,” said one student passing by.
And Jude Prather, a student who ran unsuccessfully for city council last year, said he’s voted in the Republican primary for the past three elections.
So why is he voting for Obama?
Because Obama is motivating young people, Prather said, echoing Kennedy’s words from earlier in the morning.
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Kennedy says hello to San Marcos
And there he is.
After several false starts where the entire Evans Auditorium broke into cheers, Sen. Edward Kennedy has arrived on stage.
The crowd stood up, screamed. The enthusiasm isn’t just for Barack Obama. For some students at Texas State University, seeing Kennedy speak is something they will tell their grandchildren about, as many reported earlier while waiting in line.
“Hello San Marcos,” Kennedy yelled to the crowd. He said his last visit to Texas was 48 years ago, when he was speaking for his brother.
“In one year, George W. Bush will not be president,” he said. More cheers.
For some reason, he just read out the directions on how to get to Texas State University, which got some chuckles.
Earlier, the senator’s nephew, Joe Kennedy Jr. spoke, as did Ben Barnes, former Democratic Texas lieutenant governor, and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett-Austin, in support of Obama. Doggett endorsed Obama yesterday.
Barnes said Obama would fulfill the agenda of former presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson in bringing equal rights.
Comparing Obama and Kennedy was a common theme for the speakers who introduced Sen. Edward Kennedy.
The president of Texas State College Democrats spoke before Kennedy came on, saying the world is watching, and this is his generation’s to chance to show everyone that Texas is no longer a red state.
San Marcos city council member Chris Jones earlier told the crowd that he supports Obama because he’s against the war, his education policy and health care. Jones said when he ran for council, people said he was too young and inexperienced, something critics say about Obama.
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Meeting up with Kennedy 48 years later
Evans Auditorium is buzzing. Every once in a while, someone in the crowd lets out a whooping cheer.
The crowd of students and visitors are waiting to hear Sen. Edward Kennedy talk about his support for Barack Obama.
In the crowd is Michael Collins, 70. Collins met Kennedy 48 years ago in Abilene when Kennedy was stumping for his brother John.
Back then, Collins said, the big talk of the town was that the president of the United States could be a Catholic, of all things.
“How ironic, 40 years later, we have an African-American and a woman” running, he said.
Collins said he supports Obama, although if Hillary Clinton’s supporter was someone else, he’d probably vote for Clinton.
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Texas State students wait for Kennedy
Hundreds of people are waiting in line outside an auditorium at Texas State University to hear Sen. Edward Kennedy talk about Barack Obama.
Some are Obama supporters, others are hoping to hear more about Obama to make up their mind. Still others just wanted to hear a Kennedy speak.
Michael Green, 19, likes Republican John McCain. “But I’m not going to protest or anything,” he said.
Green, a student at Texas State, said he could be swayed by Kennedy today.
“Well yeah,” he said. “McCain didn’t come” to San Marcos.
His friend Lisa Freeman, 24, thinks she’ll vote for Obama, but she’s also a huge Kennedy fan and has been since she was little.
“I grew up in Dallas,” she said. “My dad was in the third or fourth grade when (John F.) Kennedy was killed.” Another group of students said they were Hillary Clinton supporters, but they hope to find out more about Obama’s views. “I wanted to hear if (Kennedy) has something substantial to say about Obama,” student Michael Pinkston, 26, said. They just let the doors open to the auditorium, so Pinkston will soon find out.
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February 18, 2008
Obama campaign courts my vote
Got a call at home just now, and since the caller asked for “Corinne,” I figured it was either a salesman or someone asking for a donation for my (much-loved) alma mater.
But it turned out to be a Barack Obama volunteer. Let the campaign calls begin!
The volunteer said he was at home, calling a list of people who live in his neighborhood. Which I believe, because two seconds after I heard an ambulance in the background of the phone call, I heard an ambulance outside my window.
The volunteer — whose name is Nathaniel Stone — said it’s rare he reaches a live human. “By and large, I’m provided with wrong numbers,” he told me.
When he does get a real person, he gives them a little education on how the whole nominating thing works. “Nobody knows about caucuses,” he said.
All this work educating people and not even he gets a ticket to Thursday’s Obama-Clinton debate in Austin.
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43,000 entered drawing for debate tix
Registration has closed for the Texas Democratic Party’s drawing for 100 tickets to the presidential debate.
Here’s the final count on entries: 43,436.
“It just goes to show the enthusiasm and the excitement behind the debate and this primary,” said state party spokesman Hector Nieto.
Names of the lucky winners will be drawn tomorrow by an outside vendor, Nieto said. You must be a registered Texas voter to win.
The debate between U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is Thursday at the University of Texas.
Did people in other states go this crazy for debate tickets?
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Last chance to enter for Obama-Clinton debate tickets
The drawing for 100 tickets to Thursday’s debate in Austin between U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama closes today at 5 p.m.
You can sign up at the Texas Democratic Party Web site
So far, 39,845 people have entered, according to party spokesman Hector Nieto.
That’s about a 1-in-400 shot. Hey, not too bad. Probably better odds than getting one of those T-shirts the University of Texas cheer squad launches into the Erwin Center crowd during basketball games.
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UT students must sign up online to enter debate ticket drawing
Last week, Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly, senior associate vice president and dean of students at the University of Texas, told me that all current UT students would be automatically entered into a drawing for tickets to the Democratic presidential debate.
Since then, the plan has changed. Now, students are required to fill out this form on the Dean of Students’ Web site, said Lilly’s assistant, Araceli Nieto. Sign-up closes at midnight tonight, Nieto said. She did not say how many tickets were available for students.
Non-UT students may enter the Texas Democratic Party’s drawing for tickets until 5 p.m. today.
The debate between U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is Thursday at UT.
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February 16, 2008
'Ugly Betty' star to stump for Clinton in Austin on Sunday
Actress and ‘Ugly Betty’ star America Ferrera will make a sweep through Texas for the Hillary Clinton campaign, in an effort to reach out to the state’s young and Latino voters.
Ferrera, is one of a few Hispanic actresses to achieve prime time fame, with in her critically acclaimed show with cross-cultural appeal. In addition to stops in San Antonio and Houston, Ferrera will attend “Our Voice, Our Future” rally at 1 p.m. at Joe’s Bar and Grill, 506 West Avenue in Austin.
The rally is part of the campaign’s outreach to students and young professionals, and similar events featuring Ferrera have been held in other primary states, according to Deirdre Murphy, a spokesperson with the Clinton campaign.
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February 15, 2008
Campbell Brown to moderate Austin presidential debate
Campbell Brown will moderate the Feb. 21 debate in Austin between U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, CNN has announced.
Before Brown moved to CNN recently, she spent 11 years at NBC, where her work included spending more than a month in Austin covering the presidential vote recount in 2000. She was the NBC News White House correspondent during President George W. Bush’s first term.
At the debate at the University of Texas, CNN chief national correspondent John King and Univision anchor Jorge Ramos will ask the candidates questions.
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Texas Dem drawing for debate tix very popular
By this morning, more than 20,000 registered Texas voters had signed up for the Texas Democratic Party’s drawing for presidential debate tickets, according to a party spokesman.
The signup is at txdemocrats.org … One reader pointed out that if you accidentally go to txdemocrats.com, that takes you to the Republican Party of Texas.
Sneaky, huh? (Or smart, depending on your perspective).
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February 14, 2008
All UT students eligible for debate ticket lottery
If you’re a current University of Texas student, you’ll be automatically entered in a lottery to win tickets to the Feb. 21 Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton debate on campus. That’s according to Soncia Reagins-Lilly, senior associate vice president and dean of students.
No word yet on how many student tickets are available or when the lucky students will be selected. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. For more information, call the Office of the Dean of Students, (512) 471-5017.
For graduate students at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, there will be a separate drawing, said assistant dean Susan Binford. LBJ School students (there are 351 of them) can sign up in person at the Office of Student and Alumni Programs to be entered in the drawing. The LBJ School gets to invite around 40 people, most of whom will be students, Binford said.
The Texas Democratic Party, CNN, Univision and the Clinton and Obama campaigns also get to invite people. It’s still unclear how many seats the Recreational Sports Center gym will hold, but CNN officials said yesterday it would fit between 1,000 and 3,000.
All registered Texas voters are eligible to enter the Texas Democratic Party’s drawing for 100 tickets.
Here’s info on the Texas Democratic Party’s debate watch party (it’s $50). Anyone know about any other watch parties?
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Your questions about debate tix answered
The Texas Democratic Party is already getting a “significant” response from people who want to enter the drawing for one of 100 debate tickets the party is giving away, said spokesman Hector Nieto.
Here are answers to questions we’re hearing from readers who want to see Clinton and Obama debate in person:
Q: May I enter the drawing if I live somewhere in Texas other than Austin?
Yes. But you have to be a registered voter in Texas, Nieto said.
Q: May I enter the drawing if I live out of state?
No. Texans only.
Q: May I enter more than once?
No.
Q: My grandma/aunt/brother/friend does not have Internet access. Is it possible for them to enter the drawing?
Yes. They may call the Texas Democratic Party at (512) 478-9800.
Q: I’m leaving my name in the comments section of your blog.
OK, but that will not enter you in the drawing. You have to click here and register with the Texas Democratic Party.
Q: When do I find out if I win?
The Texas Democratic Party says winners will be notified Tuesday morning.
Q: When is the deadline to enter the drawing?
Monday at 5 p.m.
Q: I’m a UT student. Is there another way I can get tickets?
There may be. When we have more information on how UT is distributing tickets, we’ll post it here on our blog.
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Enter your name in drawing for free debate tix
The Texas Democratic Party is taking names for a drawing for tickets for the Feb. 21 Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama debate in Austin. Click here to see how to enter your name.
You must submit your name by 5 p.m. Monday. There are 100 tickets available.
Good luck!
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Still no word on how to enter drawing for debate tix
Judging from my e-mail inbox this morning, there are a lot of Central Texans itchin’ to get entered in the Texas Democratic Party’s drawing for Clinton/Obama debate tickets.
So I just wanted to let y’all know that there’s still no word on how to enter the drawing. We may hear something today and if so, I’ll be sure to post it on our blog.
Who knew politicians could be as popular as UT football?
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February 13, 2008
Texas Dem Party to offer 100 debate tix to public
Good news for those who want to attend the Democratic presidential debate in Austin: The Texas Democratic Party will distribute 100 debate tickets to the public through a drawing, state party chairman Boyd Richie said.
U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will face off Feb. 21 in the gym of the Recreational Sports Center at the University of Texas.
The facility will seat between 1,000 and 3,000 people, but set designers are still working on layout, said Sam Feist, political director of CNN. The debate will air on CNN and Univision. Feist said a larger venue was not chosen because it would not have worked well for TV. “The larger the venue, the worse the audio,” he said.
Several entities will be inviting people to attend, including the University of Texas, the Texas Democratic Party, the Obama and Clinton campaigns and CNN and Univision, according to university officials.
“This debate is a historic first for Texas and our candidates have generated enough enthusiasm among Democrats, independents and even some fed up Republicans to fill up Memorial Stadium next door for a rally,” Richie said.
No word yet on how to be considered for the drawing.
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Debate audience to include 'strong representation of students'
The Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton debate at the University of Texas may be by invitation only, but that doesn’t mean students won’t be included, according to a school official.
“The audience will be made up of a very diverse population and a very diverse public, including a very strong representation of students,” said Susan Binford, assistant dean at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, which is helping to organize the event. “It’s a priority for us to have students and to have many, many students in the event.”
We’ll have more info soon…
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State House District 45 candidate seizes the moment
At a packed Wimberley school board meeting Tuesday night, about 200 residents waited to hear if trustees would hand over tax revenue the district owes the state under school finance laws before the Friday deadline. But first, they got to hear a stump speech from Republican Texas House District 45 candidate Matt Young, who just happens to be the husband of Wimberley school board President Melissa Young.
Matt Young told school district residents at Tuesday’s public hearing his views on electronic animal ID tags and the state margin tax and about a $10 billion secret state revenue surplus. (Young apparently missed several stories in the state’s major newspapers last year on the surplus, much of which has already been spoken for.)
Young urged the board to stand firm on their stand against Texas’ school finance system because “the state has the money to solve our problems.”
Three hours later, his wife voted with the majority of the Wimberley school board to make the first installment of the $2.4 million the district owes the state.
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No public tickets to be available for Clinton/Obama debate
Attendance to the Feb. 21 Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton debate at the University of Texas Recreational Sports Center will be by invitation only, said Hector Nieto of the Texas Democratic Party.
“There are no public tickets,” he said. “The majority of the people invited are going to be elected officials.”
The Democratic Party will host a watch party, Nieto said. He said he’ll have details soon on that.
Update
OK, lots of people are clearly not happy about the news that there will be no public tickets to the Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama debate at the University of Texas Recreational Sports Center.
All of you who wanted to go have another option. The watch party sponsored by the Texas Democratic Party will be open to the public. But here’s the catch: it will cost $50.
The gathering will be at the Hyatt Regency, 208 Barton Springs Road, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., said Hector Nieto of the Texas Democratic Party.
Nieto said it wasn’t the state Democratic Party’s idea not to invite the public to the debate. CNN officials “were the ones doing all the logistics on this,” he said.
Nieto said Clinton and Obama have been invited to attend the watch party after the debate.
For the $50 entry fee, you get light food and drinks, Nieto said.
Or, if you have CNN or Univision, you can watch it at home for free.
Update 2
The Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton debate at the University of Texas may be by invitation only, but that doesn’t mean students won’t be included, according to a school official.
“The audience will be made up of a very diverse population and a very diverse public, including a very strong representation of students,” said Susan Binford, assistant dean at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, which is helping to organize the event. “It’s a priority for us to have students and to have many, many students in the event.”
We’ll have more info soon…
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Obama/Clinton watch party to cost $50
OK, lots of people are clearly not happy about the news that there will be no public tickets to the Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama debate at the University of Texas Recreational Sports Center.
All of you who wanted to go have another option. The watch party sponsored by the Texas Democratic Party will be open to the public. But here’s the catch: it will cost $50.
The gathering will be at the Hyatt Regency, 208 Barton Springs Road, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., said Hector Nieto of the Texas Democratic Party.
Nieto said it wasn’t the state Democratic Party’s idea not to invite the public to the debate. CNN officials “were the ones doing all the logistics on this,” he said.
Nieto said Clinton and Obama have been invited to attend the watch party after the debate.
For the $50 entry fee, you get light food and drinks, Nieto said.
Or, if you have CNN or Univision, you can watch it at home for free.
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Obama/Clinton debate site selected
The Feb. 21 Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama debate at the University of Texas will take place at the Recreational Sports Center at San Jacinto and 20th Street, according to the UT Web site.
No info yet on how to attend, but UT says it will be posted at utexas.edu.
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February 12, 2008
UT official: Still no details on debate tickets
The exact location of the Feb. 21 Democratic presidential debate at the University of Texas between U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has yet to be decided. And that means it’s still unclear when — or if — tickets might be available to the public.
That’s the word from James Steinberg, dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, who just said he is about to confer with CNN and Univision folks about an ideal location on the UT campus.
“I’m sure it will be in the near future,” he said of nailing down the details. “I’m confident that there will be some student participation, but it’s too soon to say anything beyond that.”
Steinberg said four or five spots on campus are being considered but declined to specify which ones. He said it depends on many factors, including where cameras can be set up, what the setting is like and where satellite trucks can be parked.
“It’s really exciting especially for the students here to feel they’re going to have an impact on this important national decision and to see what goes on behind the curtain,” he said.
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Clinton launches Texas TV ad
In Sen. Hillary Clinton’s TV ad that debuted in Texas today, she says it’s not always possible to forge political cooperation instantly, but that she’s spent her life standing up for people.
“What I try to do every day is figure out how to help somebody,” she says.
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February 11, 2008
Can the tax collector fix East Austin appraisals?
Found an interesting tidbit posted this morning in response to an editorial published about the race for Travis County tax assessor-collector.
One person, writing under the name “durond,” blamed incumbent Nelda Wells Spears for rising property values and taxes that apparently led to a foreclosure.
As the person whose name is on the tax bill, it’s not unthinkable Spears would be blamed. But subsequent entries pointed out that Spears is not, at least on the surface, responsible for rising property values. A different body, the Travis Central Appraisal District, sets the values. In other words, Spears doesn’t determine how much you pay, she just collects the taxes.
Durond apologized in a later post for blaming Spears, while adding that she “is unfortunately the face on our misfortune.” But Spears’ opponent in the Democratic primary, Glen Maxey, doesn’t think durond is off base.
In e-mail blasts that come out every few days, Maxey has been blaming Spears for the rising property values that are hitting East Austin particularly hard. His initial flier stated she sets the property values in the county; he later said that was a typo.
But he’s sticking to his belief Spears is partly responsible. His reasoning: Spears is a member of the appraisal district’s board of directors. The directors hire the chief appraiser. By doing so they influencing the policy in matters such as how to handle taxpayer appeals and which ones to challenge in court.
Maxey contends that Spears has abandoned a chance to help struggling property owners by attending only 12 percent of the board’s meetings. “Ms. Spears’ campaign is trying to give excuses on why she doesn’t show up for the taxpayers of Travis County,” according to a Maxey mass e-mail that went out in December.
The response from Spears’ campaign: Maxey is off base because Spears is a non-voting member of the appraisal board and is on the board because state law gives her a seat by default.
The Travis County Commissioners, which gets to appoint one of the voting members, could give her that spot — and Maxey says the county tax collector should be pushing for that post because of the unique perspective afforded by the office. County Judge Sam Biscoe said that’s a bad idea.
Biscoe said the tax collector should be concerned with collecting taxes, not actively shaping how the appraisal district determines what people pay in taxes. Spears has not asked Biscoe for the post.
“I personally believe it’d be inappropriate for her to be (on the appraisal board) influencing policy,” Biscoe said. “She’s there to be a resource.”
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Obama, Clinton to launch TV ads in Texas
A Barack Obama TV ad about health care will begin airing in several Texas markets including Austin tomorrow, his campaign said. A similar ad has run in several other states.
Hillary Clinton also will debut campaign ads in Texas tomorrow, a spokeswoman for her campaign said. No word yet on the topic of her ad.
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February 1, 2008
Local leaders weigh in on presidential race
Like other Central Texans, local elected officials are divided on whom to support for president. We checked in with some local leaders — state representatives and senators, party chairmen and a county judge — to take their pulse on the race. Here’s what they told us:
Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe, Democrat — Undecided. Clinton “would not be bad news to me. But I do think she’s been around for a while. In a nation this large, you would not think you’d have to rely on one family so much.”
Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin — Undecided
Rep. Robby Cook, D-Eagle Lake — Undecided
Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin — Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. “I don’t think I have seen as competitive a primary and as exciting a primary. There are two candidates that are, I would say, not the norm, meaning one’s a female and one an African American. I’m just watching with a bit of elation and excitement over the competition of these two well-qualified candidates.”
Chris Elliott, Chairman, Travis County Democrats — Obama. “There’s this irrational hatred of (Clinton) on the right I have tried to understand, but for the life of me can’t. Obama can appeal to more of the centrists.”
Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown — Did not return our calls
Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin — Clinton. “One of the primary issues that our country is having to deal with right now is the health care system and the problem we have with providing affordable health care to all our citizens. I believe she’s well positioned to help us through that particular issue. This is the decision I’ve made and I hope that all the voters will take it upon themselves to look at the candidates with a critical eye and then to get out and vote.”
Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Williamson County — Undecided. “I don’t believe Huckabee understands the importance of free trade and the economy and he panders to emotions.”
Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin — Clinton or Obama. “I’m particularly concerned about the candidates’ positions and policies on the same issues that I focus on in the Texas Legislature — namely health, human services, poverty, education, the environment, social justice.”
Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan — John McCain. “I’ve known John McCain since 1970 when he was a POW and I was a (Navy) midshipman. The man has character and he is best qualified with respect to the national security issues facing this country. In addition, I think John McCain, of all the candidates, is the most likely one to balance the federal budget.”
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin — Clinton. “I really do believe there’s one (candidate) that stands out when it comes to experience and that person is Senator Clinton. I look at the world we’re in right now and I think experience is important at this particular time. Health care is important to people in my district, who are lower middle income if not lower income. Having access to health care is really important. I think she can do something about it.”
Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Austin — Undecided
Alan Sager, Chairman, Travis County Republicans - Undecided. Romney’s “business credentials and way of thinking are terrific. I am concerned about a whole range of McCain votes that don’t really represent Republicans.”
Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin — Obama. “I am inspired by his message of hope and unity and change. For me and others my age and younger — members of the post-Kennedy generation — it’s the first time we’ve had a chance to get truly inspired by a candidate we support. When I endorsed Senator Obama, I will admit it was as much a leap of faith as anything, a hope of who he might be … but everything about his campaign has confirmed these hopes.”
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin - Undecided. “I really hope that Texas will have a chance to meet these (Democratic) candidates before our primary or after… Texas could be in play” in November.
Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio - McCain. “National security to me is more important than the economy. We’re talking about the survival of the country.”
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January 24, 2008
Learn about HD 48 Republican candidates
Dr. Joe Donnelly
Dr. Joe Donnelly, a Republican candidate for House District 48, has launched his campaign Web site. In his e-mail letting me know about the site, the emergency room doctor signed himself “Joe Donnelly, MD — the underdog for District 48.”
Pam Waggoner
Could be a reference to the fact that his opponent in the Republican primary, Leander school trustee Pam Waggoner, has long been paving the way to run for this seat and has the support of local Republican leaders such as Alan Sager, the outgoing head of the Travis County Republican Party.
Donna Howard
The seat is occupied by Democrat Donna Howard, who has no opponent in the Democratic primary.
Libertarian Ben Easton is also running for the seat.
Here’s one difference between the two Republican candidates: Donnelly says he’d support Rep. Tom Craddick’s re-election as House speaker. Waggoner said: “I have never met Mr. Craddick nor do I plan on taking a position one way or another regarding his situation. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I will listen to all the parties involved and make an informed decision at that time.”
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January 22, 2008
Tell us whom you're supporting for president
We’re interviewing Central Texans about the presidential race. Please contact me if you’d be willing to chat about your vote in Texas’ March 4 primary. It’s OK if you haven’t decided whom to support. No campaign workers/volunteers. Thanks!
Corrie MacLaggan
cmaclaggan@statesman.com
(512) 445-3548
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January 17, 2008
Perry, Bush reuniting at Washington fundraiser
Gov. Rick Perry will be reunited with President Bush at a February fundraiser in Washington. The gala organized by the Republican Governors Association (which Perry chairs this year) might give Perry a chance to publicly elaborate on why Bush has never been a fiscal conservative in Perry’s eyes. Perry aired his view at an Iowa stop in December that was placed on YouTube.com. (See our December account here.)
According to the invitation to the Republican Governors Association’s Feb. 25 “celebration of America’s leaders” — fetchable by clicking here — contributors can get in for as little as $1,000, though folks also have the option of volunteering to raise up to $500,000 for the association.
Mildly intriguing in the wake of Perry’s characterization of Bush in December: It looks as if Perry might not directly introduce Bush, his predecessor as governor, at the dinner. That’s because the dinner chairman is South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.
Permalink | | Categories: Campaign finance, Comings and goings, Elections, Governor, Money, On a Lighter Note, Presidential race
January 15, 2008
Forum for Democrats on Travis County ballot
Most of the Democratic candidates on the March 4 Travis County ballot — including judicial hopefuls — are expected at a public forum Wednesday evening in Austin. The meeting at the AFL-CIO meeting hall at 1106 Lavaca St. is sponsored by seven area Democratic groups. Chuck King, chairman of Capital Area Progressive Democrats, said endorsements will be announced shortly after the last speaker has finished.
Constable candidates are expected to lead off the event at 6 p.m. To wrap it up, candidates for the Texas Railroad Commission and U.S. Senate are slated to speak after 9:30 p.m. In between, candidates for party chair and district attorney are among those penciled in to speak.
Bring your own popcorn — and maybe a seat pillow.
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23 percent of state lawmakers in U.S. are women
Fewer than a quarter of state legislators around the country are women, according to the January issue of State Legislatures magazine.
“The number of women serving in legislatures has increased substantially over the years to 23 percent today,” the magazine says.
But in Texas, the percentage is lower than that.
The magazine grouped states according to a percentage range. Vermont leads the way with 36-40 percent women, while South Carolina has the fewest female legislators: 5 to 10 percent. Texas is in the 16-20 percent range.
The picture is different in Travis County. The Austin area is represented by Democrat Kirk Watson in the state Senate, but three of the county’s six state House members are women: Democratic representatives Dawnna Dukes, Donna Howard and Valinda Bolton.
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Stanford: I wanted to be a spy
Austin’s Jason Stanford, the consultant who managed Democrat Chris Bell’s 2006 bid for governor, tends to keep a low profile. For instance, he declined comment last week when I asked him what he made of State Rep. Rick Noriega’s campaign strategy and team.
But he ain’t a fool about publicity — and so it is that he’s featured in a Web article on politico.com (brought to my attention by the avid link chasers at Texas Weekly.
In the piece, Stanford describes his approach to opposition research.
An excerpt:
“What we do is hold politicians to publicly documented facts,” Stanford said. “This job is tailor-made for a high-achieving debate nerd.”
The story goes on to suggest Stanford’s career choice is “considered a social faux pas in some circles, and even his own mother is hesitant to talk about it.” And it reveals that Stanford once wanted to be a spy for a living.
Peek at the tale here.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, Governor, On a Lighter Note, Open government, U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate
January 4, 2008
This election cycle a bust for Llano County Dems
It’s hard out there for a Llano County Democrat. This year, not a single Democrat filed for a place on the ballot for the March 4 primary.
“We’re in a Republican stronghold county, what can I tell you?” said the Democratic Party’s county chairman, Bill Jennings. “People in this county are 65 to 70 percent Republican. It’s hard for someone to consider running when they’ll only get 35 percent of the vote.”
Jennings said that while he is disappointed, he’s used to this happening. In fact, the last time a Democrat was elected to any position in the county was when Jerry Don Moss won a county commissioner seat in 2006, Jennings said.
“A Democrat can’t win any county-wide elections,” Jennings said. “Maybe a precinct election if you’re really well-known.”
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December 5, 2007
Judge Meurer weighing DA race
The long line of would-be successors to Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle just got longer.
State District Judge Jeanne Meurer, who’s retiring from the bench after 20 years, confirmed Wednesday that she’s weighing a race if Earle retires after more than three decades in office.
“It’s a high probability,” said Meurer about her possible candidacy.
But she added that she hasn’t made a final decision because Earle hasn’t announced his intentions.
“It’s real easy to say you’ve made a decision when there isn’t a decision to make,” Meurer said. “I’m very serious about it, but I would never run against Ronnie.”
Would-be candidates began lining up in the wings, pending Earle’s decision, a few weeks ago, although no one apparently would oppose Earle’s re-election.
Among those mentioned as possible candidates are several of Earle’s assistants — Gary Cobb, Rick Reed, Mindy Montford — along with First Assistant County Attorney Randy Leavitt and U.S. Magistrate Robert Pitman.
Although Meurer is retiring from the bench and building a house in Colorado, the 54-year-old judge said she wants to remain “engaged in working in this community.”
Meurer said she talked to the governor’s office about a post at the troubled Texas Youth Commission but nothing came of it.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Criminal justice, Elections
December 3, 2007
Rumors better than filings
On the first day for candidates to file for public office, the rumors remained juicer than the actual filings.
The Travis County courthouse drumbeat drew louder that District Attorney Ronnie Earle had made up his mind whether to retire or not — and would have a press conference.
He hasn’t made up his mind. Or, at least, he hasn’t revealed his intentions publicly.
As Earle waited, speculation swelled that retiring state District Judge Jeanne Meurer is weighing a race if Earle retires. (She didn’t return several phone calls earlier seeking comment.) She would join a laundry list of prosecutors — Mindy Montford, Gary Cobb, Rick Reed, Randy Leavitt — and U.S. Magistrate Robert Pitman who have been mentioned as possible candidates.
Given the short race (early voting starts Feb. 19 for the March 4 race), Earle’s delay shortens the primary campaign which, in this case, might be tantamount to election because no Republican candidate has shown any interest.
In Williamson County, Dee Hobbs, an assistant county attorney, surfaced as considering a run to replace retiring Rep. Mike Krusee. Hobbs, a Hutto chamber leader, is the son of longtime Justice of Peace Judy Hobbs.
He joins former Round Rock Council member Gary Coe and Bryan Daniel, who headed up the USDA office of rural development, as potential candidates in the Republican Primary. Others being mentioned include former County Commissioner Frankie Limmer, lobbyist Randy Lee and Larry Gonzales, chief of staff to Rep. John Otto of Dayton.
In Travis County, Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, filed for re-election. She now must wait to see who the GOP puts up against her. Brian Thompson, a lawyer with McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore law firm, continued to inch towards a challenge against Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, in the Democratic Primary. He filed the paperwork to begin raising money to explore the race.
Elsewhere in Central Texas, Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, filed for re-election.
Around the state, Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, who’s been accused to finding opponents for anti-Craddick members, will get his own opponent. Weatherford Mayor Joe Tison confirmed Monday that he will challenge the chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee.
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Texas Justice meets Texas politics
Democrat Larry Joe Doherty, who used to host a reality television series called Texas Justice, formally filed today to run against U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin.
Having trouble remembering Doherty? Does this help?
Doherty, of Austin, says he’s raised more than $300,000. According to his campaign filings with the Federal Elections Commission, through Sept. 30 he had raised about $129,000 from others and loaned himself $100,000.
Also expected to file in the Democratic primary to take on McCaul is Dan Grant, who bills himself as a “foreign policy expert.”
The district was drawn to elect a Republican, and McCaul has not had a hard time with Democrats in his two prior elections. But these days, can any district that includes even part of Travis County be considered a safe win for the GOP?
The district includes parts of Austin, Manor and Pflugerville and stretches east to the Houston area.
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August 1, 2007
By the numbers
For those who aspire to one day become Texas Secretary of State, this could be you: Secretary of State Phil Wilson today cranked the handle of a small wire hopper filled with wooden balls for a drawing to determine ballot order for 16 constitutional amendments. Texas voters will consider the proposals Nov. 6.
“If anyone yells ‘Bingo!’ out, that’s OK,” Wilson, a former aide to Gov. Rick Perry who became Secretary of State earlier this summer, told reporters and legislative staffers.
The first ball that popped out had a sticker with the number 103. That means Prop. 1 will be a proposal known as HJR 103, which would pay for facilities and other items at Angelo State University.
Wilson cranked again. He assigned Prop. 2, then 4, 5 and 6.
Things got suspenseful. Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, leaned against a wall, waiting to learn the fate of HJR 90, a proposal he authored that would authorize the issuance of up to $3 billion in bonds to pay for cancer research.
Does it matter which proposition is 1 and which is 16?
Not really, said Peck Young, director of the Center for Public Policy and Political Studies at Austin Community College.
It may be slightly easier to get the public to remember a proposition if it’s the first or last one on the ballot, he said. And if there are dozens of propositions, voters may get bored and skip proposals at the end. But “16 isn’t an obscene number,” he said.
The real challenge will be getting people to vote at all. In 2005, the most recent constitutional amendment election, fewer than 18 percent of registered voters cast a ballot, Wilson said. And that was considered a strong showing.
Two balls were left in the hopper and still no cancer proposal.
Then Wilson drew the ball for HJR 90 and it became official: The cancer proposal will be Prop. 15.
“It’s a great number,” Rose concluded.
The Texas Constitution, by the way, has been amended more than 400 times since it was enacted in 1876.
See the November 2007 ballot language here.
Secretary of State Phil Wilson drawing ballot order.
Photo courtesy Scott Haywood
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July 16, 2007
Bell-ringing amount raised by Perry
GOP Gov. Rick Perry, who hasn’t ruled out running for governor a third time in 2010, raised nearly $900,000 in the few days he was allowed by law to corral campaign cash — after the veto period following the regular legislative session.
Asked why Perry is raising money, spokesman Robert Black said: “You never know what the future holds.”
Their statement:
Texans for Rick Perry Reports $1.4 million Cash-On-Hand
$881,488 raised since June 18th
AUSTIN - Today the Texans for Rick Perry Campaign reported more than $1.4 million cash-on-hand including $881,488 raised from June 18th - June 30th.
“The Governor is humbled by the tremendous support he continues to receive from Texans all across the state,” said spokesman Robert Black. “In the coming years, Gov. Perry looks forward to continuing to put conservative principles to work in state government by increasing transparency, reducing taxes, protecting our border and improving the education systems in Texas.”
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Permalink | | Categories: Campaign finance, Elections, Governor
Noriega sounds like candidate without exit strategy
Standing outside the Capitol today, Democratic state Rep. Rick Noriega of Houston speculated that only personal catastrophe could deter him from trying for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn.
Noriega was at the Capitol to formally announce formation of an exploratory committee for the Senate race next year. He named Paul Hobby, the Democratic nominee for state comptroller in 1998 and the son of former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, as the chairman of his committee, and Arthur Gochman, former president of the Academy sporting goods chain, as his treasurer.
Asked what would deter him from running, Noriega said: “I don’t know at this point separate (apart from) a devastating personal experience. … If some tragedy struck the Noriega family, I don’t know how we’d respond, frankly.”
Noriega, an Army reservist taking a leave of absence from his job as a manager for CenterPoint Energy, is married to Melissa Noriega, a recently elected member of the Houston City Council. He would start the race from financial scratch compared with Mikal Watts, the San Antonio trial lawyer who reported nearly $5 million in hand as of the end of June. Cornyn reported an end-of-June balance of $5.3 million.
Noriega shrugged at his financial disadvantage: “This campaign is about what we bring in terms of bringing Texans together.”
Noriega spoke earlier on why he was weighing the race.
He otherwise said he favors the United States following the December recommendations of the Iraq Study Group on getting troops out of Iraq. He also said he sees no merit to construction of additional fences between Mexico and the United States. He suggested the fences authorized by Congress last year would never get built.
His parents, Joe and Tommie, watched from the shade of a tree. “He’s got a lot of experience,” Joe Noriega said afterward. “He’s got good references.”
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June 28, 2007
McCaul foe doing well on pro-Democratic site
Dan Grant of Austin, hoping to be next year’s Democratic nominee against GOP U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul of Austin, ranks among leaders in raising money online via a Democratic online clearinghouse. According to a note sent my way, Grant has raised $44,000 via the site, ranking him 8th among national Democratic U.S. House prospects employing the site.
Separately today, Grant claimed encouragement in Congressional Quarterly’s look at McCaul’s prospects for a third term.
A nugget: “Congressional Quarterly, in its annual vote studies, provides an independent measure of the voting records of McCaul and the other members of Congress. In 2006, McCaul had a 94 percent ‘party unity’ score, which measured the number of times he voted with most House Republicans against most Democrats on legislation that broke mainly along party lines.”
The implication: A Democrat could make a case that McCaul has been too close to his own party. McCaul’s camp disagrees, saying he’ll win with a positive message.
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June 18, 2007
Zerwas says nope to U.S. House race
State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, put the kibosh today on speculation he’d chase the U.S. House seat held by Nick Lampson, D-Stafford. Zerwas said today he gave the ‘08 race strong consideration, but intends to seek re-election to the Texas House.
Zerwas, chief medical officer at a Houston hospital, said his main consideration was the impact of serving in Washington on his family. “I’ve decided not to do that,” he said.
Shelley Sekula-Gibbs of Houston, who ran last year, is in the hunt again and state Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, is giving it a look. Former Sugar Land Mayor Dean Hrbacek has reportedly formed an exploratory committee.
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Travis County Democrat appreciates Edwards' stop
Chris Elliott, the Austin lawyer who helms the Travis County Democratic Party, enjoyed John Edwards’ pause at Austin’s Scholz Garten last week—basically because it gave everyone in attendance a chance to hear a candidate in full.
Peek at video excerpts.
His note:
Dear Fellow Democrats:
I hope many of you were able to make it to Scholz’s on Tuesday to former Senator John Edwards’ event. I say this not because I am endorsing Edwards in the presidential race. I have not decided whom I am supporting at this juncture. My point is that Edwards came to Austin and held a low dollar, come-one-come-all event that was accessible to anyone. I like that approach. It comes on the heels of Senator Barack Obama’s big rally at Auditorium Shores a few months ago which drew several thousand people. It is this type of event, I believe, that gives you a sense of the true character of candidates.
So much of what we hear and see about candidates these days is filtered through television. Candidates seem to speak in soundbites as they know that only so much will make it onto the evening news or CNN. You can only learn so much about a candidate by watching them on television. I was disappointed when I was unable to make Obama’s event earlier this year, but luckily I was able to attend Edwards’ event at Scholz’s. There was an intimacy to the event that made everyone there feel like the candidate was speaking directly to them. For those in the audience that were old enough to remember how politicians used to campaign, before the days of non-stop cable television news coverage, it must have reminded them of the era when candidates spoke on the courthouse steps to gatherings of town folk. Sometimes I think people learned more about the candidates in those days. They got up close and shook hands with the person that was asking for their vote and looked him or her (mostly hims back then) in the eye.
I sincerely hope that we have more opportunities to see our presidential candidates up close and personal, like the event at Scholz’s on Tuesday. For a political junkie like me, it was good for the soul.
Democratically yours,
Chris Elliott Chair, Travis County Democratic Party
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Watts hires spokeswoman with New York experience
Democratic U.S. Senate prospect Mikal Watts has hired as his communications director a Texan lately basted in New York politics.
Through last fall, Kim Devlin, 41, was a political strategist and spokeswoman for Thomas Suozzi, the Nassau County executive (a bit more powerful than a county judge in Texas). Suozzi (pronounced Swazzy) made a longshot run for governor of New York last year. He lost the Democratic nomination by a wide margin to the eventual governor, Eliot Spitzer. Last July, Devlin resigned as Suozzi’s campaign manager, staying aboard with him as an adviser.
In 2004, Devlin worked in suburban Philadelphia for a political committee called America Coming Together. In 1994, she helped Dan Morales’ re-election campaign for attorney general, later helping Jim Mattox in his 1998 attorney general campaign. The former member of the board of directors of the Texas Womens Political Caucus previously worked on Lee Brown’s first Houston mayoral campaign.
Asked to make an introductory comment, Devlin e-mailed: “It’s exciting to be back in Texas and to be on Mikal Watts’ team because not only is he a fresh face in Texas Democratic politics, which is vitally important to defeating an incumbent Republican senator, but he is also a kind, smart, thoughtful person who has a real passion for making Texans’ lives better, which is vitally important to me.”
A liberal translation: She’s yet to tell Watts he’s full of bull puckey — on anything.
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June 13, 2007
Hunch: Phil Wilson poised to become secretary of state
After listing four individuals as possible successors to Roger Williams as Texas secretary of state this week, I am inclined to believe Perry is choosing his deputy chief of staff, Phil Wilson, to serve as the state’s next chief elections officer.
To my recollection, Wilson’s background includes work as an aide to then-U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas. He attended Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. For Perry, he’s focused on economic development projects. He also steered the dead-at-introduction proposal Perry offered this year to sell the Texas lottery to a private bidder, putting proceeds into endowments for public schools, health insurance and cancer research.
I failed to snag a biography or resume for Wilson from the governor’s office this morning nor did I field confirmation that he’s Perry’s pick. So don’t take this as a traditional news report—just a reporter’s hunch. What I don’t know is whether a Wilson choice will raise objections from anyone.
Side pocket shot: This probably means Brian Newby, Perry’s general counsel since late 2004, will fill the chief of staff position long held by Deirdre Delisi, who recently gave birth to twin boys.
Permalink | | Categories: Comings and goings, Elections, Governor
June 12, 2007
Paul won't face Sklar in '08
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, won’t face Shane Sklar again in 2008, though Sklar says he will run sometime for something. Sklar, who lost to Paul in 2006, hopes another Democrat takes his place in the House race.
“My wife, Jill, and I thought it was wise for me to step aside and open the door to another Democrat,” Sklar said. “And we thought it was best to do it now, so that he or she has the time to build a strong campaign organization like the one we had last year.”
Paul, of course, is running for president and re-election to the House.
Skar’s release is below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 11, 2007
SHANE SKLAR DECIDES AGAINST SECOND RUN FOR CONGRESS
Edna, TX - Hoping that another Democrat will step up to run against Ron Paul, Shane Sklar announced Thursday that he will not run for the District 14 seat in 2008.
“My wife, Jill, and I thought it was wise for me to step aside and open the door to another Democrat,” Sklar said. “And we thought it was best to do it now, so that he or she has the time to build a strong campaign organization like the one we had last year.”
In 2006, Sklar’s fundraising was competitive with Paul’s. However, one Florida multi-millionaire took the unusual and controversial step of personally buying television ads for Paul at the end of the campaign.
“We did not have the money to counter it, and that sealed our fate,” Sklar said. “I’m sure that Paul can count on that kind of money again this year, but there are still no guarantees that I will be able to raise the funds needed to compete.”
Still, Sklar said it was not an easy call. “Many have encouraged me to run again, especially since Paul is once again ignoring the district while he runs a pointless campaign for President,” he said. “Apparently, all Paul cares about is seeing his name in the newspaper.”
Sklar said he will run again. “I am eager to serve the people and make a difference, and I will run for another office in the not too distant future,” he said.
Sklar said he and Jill are thankful for the support they received during and after last year’s race. “As time has passed, we are even more amazed and humbled by the groundswell of support we received from people from all over the district and from all walks of life,” he said. “I’ll never forget it.”
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June 11, 2007
Williams confirms that he's stepping down
Secretary of State Roger Williams is stepping down as the state’s chief elections officer perhaps so he can run for a statewide office.
Williams confirmed his decision to resign, effective July 1, in a statement issued today.
“I am very humbled and appreciative that Gov. (Rick) Perry gave me this incredible opportunity to serve as Texas’ Secretary of State,” Williams said. “The Secretary of State is a great office with a rich tradition and I hope that I played a small role in continuing to ensure that Texas is the best place in America to live, vote and do business.”
Williams, a Weatherford car dealer and businessman appointed by Perry in late 2004, took office Feb. 8, 2005. He was previously a high-dollar fundraiser for President Bush’s campaigns.
Williams, 57, has not cloaked his ambitions. He said in March, for instance, that he’d be interested in a U.S. Senate bid should Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas try for governor in 2010.
“Certainly,” Williams said. “I’m an athlete. I have my track shoes with me all the time.”
The secretary of state oversees elections and doubles as liaison for the governor on border and Mexican affairs. The office also serves as the state’s repository for official and business records and publishes government rules and regulations.
It’s not unusual for secretaries of state to bid for elected office after they’ve held the post. Past secretaries include U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Tony Garza, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico who won election to the Texas Railroad Commission after serving as the secretary.
Former Gov. Mark White and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2002, were also secretaries of state. The late Bob Bullock won election as state comptroller and then lieutenant governor after serving as secretary of state.
The office as a launch pad for politics “isn’t the same as having your name on the ballot,” Kirk recalled. “But it’s better than starting from scratch.”
Press release from the Secretary of State’s Office:
AUSTIN - Roger Williams today announced that he is leaving his position as Texas Secretary of State to pursue other opportunities. Williams’ resignation will be effective July 1, 2007.
“I am very humbled and appreciative that Governor Perry gave me this incredible opportunity to serve as Texas’ Secretary of State,” Williams said. “The Secretary of State is a great office with a rich tradition and I hope that I played a small role in continuing to ensure that Texas is the best place in America to live, vote and do business.”
During his tenure as Secretary of State, Williams worked aggressively with the Governor to promote job creation and economic development throughout Texas. He served as the Chair of the Governor’s Partnership Council on Economic Development working to bring more business and jobs to Texas. He also led numerous business recruitment missions around the United States through TexasOne, a privately funded program designed to market the state of Texas to companies and site selectors. Additionally, he led missions to Mexico, Canada and Japan to promote trade and increase Texas’ position as the leading exporting state in the nation.
“Roger Williams has been an incredible salesman for the State of Texas and his leadership will be missed,” Perry said. “He has been a tremendous asset to the state on elections, economic development, border affairs and a host of other issues. I am proud of the work he has done during his term as Secretary of State and, more importantly, proud to call him a friend.”
Over the last two and a half years, Williams managed a variety of responsibilities including: leading Texas to be among the first states in the nation to comply with the Help America Vote Act of 2002; serving as the chair of the Base Realignment and Closure Response Strike Force, a group consisting of representatives of 14 state agencies, boards and commissions working to minimize the impact of BRAC on the state of Texas; acting as senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs; and serving as Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas hosting foreign officials and businesses from around the world.
Permalink | | Categories: Comings and goings, Elections, Governor
Report: Roger Williams resigning, could run for office
An Austin TV station reported Sunday that Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams intends to step down as of July 1.
It’d be no shock if Williams is leaving. Past secretaries of state—gubernatorial nominees mainly in charge of overseeing state elections—have gone on to elected office.
Among them: U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo; former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk; and former Gov. Mark White. Also, the late Bob Bullock won election as state comptroller and then lieutenant governor after serving as secretary of state.
Permalink | | Categories: Campaign finance, Elections, Governor
June 8, 2007
Sites promoting, and ready to demote, Cornyn
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, seeking a second term next year, has his campaign Web site up with a message stating in part: “I am honored to represent you and Texas in the United States Senate. I am working hard every day, fighting for the issues that matter most — strengthening America’s national defense, growing our economy, making health care more accessible, and improving education and new opportunity.”
Also online, an anti-Cornyn site featuring as of today a Cossack talking to someone in Cornyn’s office.
No sign yet of pre-campaign sites devoted to Senate bids by Democrats Mikal Watts of San Antonio or Rick Noriega of Houston.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Elections
June 7, 2007
Noriega: Senate race not about piles of cash
Houston state Rep. Rick Noriega, asked for comment on San Antonio lawyer Mikal Watts putting nearly $4 million into his U.S. Senate exploratory campaign committee, said the race isn’t about money.
Noriega said Thursday: “I am seriously looking at the race, but whether or not I get in or not, I have no intention of getting into a back and forth with a bank account. I do not want to reinforce the unhealthy idea that a candidate is judged solely on money.
“My focus would be the people of the state of Texas and whether (GOP U.S. Sen. John) Cornyn’s rubber stamp support for Bush, and the national leadership that has failed to provide a clear mission for our involvement overseas, is good for Texas.
“Washington politicians are making the decisions while Texas families are making the sacrifices.”
All righty — don’t count Noriega out of the running.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections
Mikal Watts juices his pre-campaign kitty
Reminding the political world he’s got deep pockets, San Antonio lawyer Mikal Watts has stowed $3.8 million in the treasury of his U.S. Senate campaign exploratory committee, filings at the Federal Election Commission show.
Watts gave the committee $1.9 million on Friday and loaned the committee nearly the same amount.
By the way, it doesn’t look like Watts needs much exploration to enter the race. An e-mail he sent a prospective supporter states, in part: “I wanted to inform you that I have decided to run for the U.S. Senate against John Cornyn. If you have some time, I would like to discuss this with you as soon as is convenient.”
As Sen. Hillary Clinton might put it, let the conversation begin.
No word yet on whether state Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, or former state Comptroller John Sharp will enter the race. It’s a safe bet neither one has millions of dollars to personally invest.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections
Dukes: Bring it on, sort of
Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, faced with a possible Democratic challenger, offered this comment late Wednesday: “I have a proven record of producing for District 46, and I am looking forward to the campaign ahead.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Elections, House
June 6, 2007
Pflugerville resident might challenge Dukes
Pflugerville businesswoman Jade Chang has surfaced as a possible Democratic challenger to state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin. Chang said Wednesday she’s exploring a run by talking to residents of House District 46, which takes in Manor and portions of Austin and Pflugerville.
Chang, 28, weighing her first try for public office, was born in Taiwan, grew up in New England and graduated from the University of Texas in 2000.
Dukes, a consultant in her seventh two-year term, was among 15 Democrats to support Tom Craddick for speaker in January. She said this week she’s uncommitted in tussling among members, including Craddick, who have declared as candidates for speaker starting in 2009.
Chang said Dukes “needs to go, for sure. Craddick is evil. He needs to go. Any Democrat that supports him needs to be out.”
She questioned Craddick’s decision in the closing days of the legislative session last month not to recognize requests for a vote on his continuing as speaker. “This guy will stop at nothing for power,” she said. “That’s not what it’s about. It’s about serving the people.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Elections, House
June 1, 2007
Watts goin' explorin' for U.S. Senate race
As he said he would, San Antonio lawyer Mikal Watts formed an exploratory committee Friday for a possible 2008 run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn. That means Watts can raise money for the race.
In the meantime, former State Comptroller John Sharp isn’t taking himself out as a possible Democratic aspirant. Sharp’s spokesman, Kelly Fero, said: “For months, people in Washington and Austin have been urging Sharp to consider a race for the U.S. Senate because they have polling that shows Sharp and Cornyn tied at 45 percent. As far as I can tell, they have been unsuccessful in convincing Sharp to run — so far.”
Reminder: State Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, is also said to be weighing a Senate try.
Here’s the announcement from Watts:
WATTS FORMS U.S. SENATE EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE San Antonio Lawyer Weighs 2008 Run Against Cornyn
San Antonio, TX - Mikal Watts today filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission forming the “Watts for Senate Exploratory Committee” and announced plans for a summer tour of the state to gather input from Texas voters.
“Over the next several months, I’m going to log many miles and hundreds of hours listening to the people of Texas,” Watts said. “Before I make a final decision to get in this race, I want to know directly from the people of Texas what they really want and expect from their elected leaders in Washington, D.C.”
Watts, who was born and raised in Corpus Christi, graduated with high honors in just two years from the University of Texas and completed UT Law School with honors in just two years at the age of twenty-one. He has been recognized as one of the top ten lawyers in the United States under the age of 40. Watts was a long-standing member of the First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, and now attends Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He has been married to his wife Tammy for 14 years and has three children, ages 13, 10 and 9.
- 30 -
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Elections
Austin-area residents invited to Democrats' town hall
The Texas Democratic Party invites Austin-area residents to a town hall from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Texas AFL-CIO Building, 1106 Lavaca St. in Austin.
Boyd Richie, the party’s chairman, has been holding such gatherings around the state, including one Thursday in Republican-rich Midland. According to the Midland Reporter-Telegram, 90 people heard Richie air optimistic intentions for 2008. Richie said: “We’re going to fight in every county!”
Richie, urging residents to attend the Austin gathering, said: “Texas Democrats accomplished a great deal over the last year, leading to a gain of six seats in the (Texas) House, the election of two new Democrats to Congress and a number of victories on the county level. However, there is much more to be done. That is why I am traveling to every corner of the state to hear from my fellow Democrats on the ground about how we can continue to build upon our momentum and take the fight statewide.”
There’s no word of a similar sound-the-trumpets opportunity being organized in Austin by the Republican Party of Texas, though the state party is pulling together an end-of-August straw poll of activists on their preferences among presidential candidates. That will happen in Fort Worth.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections
May 28, 2007
Ogden believes in term limits, maybe even his own
Sen. Steve Ogden won’t have to consider his political plans for two years, but he’s mindful that he will have served nearly 20 years as a state legislator by then. The point? Ogden, R-Bryan, powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, might not hunt another term in 2010.
“I’m not ruling (a bid) out,” Ogden said with a smile today. “But I don’t think voluntary term limits are a bad thing.”
Ogden said he won’t air definite plans until the “appropriate time” sufficiently in advance of the filing deadline for possible successor candidates. Traditionally, such announcements come after the last regular legislative session before an election—in Ogden’s situation, around June 2009.
Ogden’s district reaches into Williamson County. Prospects for his seat include Reps. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown, Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, and conceivably Round Rock Mayor Niles Maxwell, the car dealer. Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Williamson County, has said he’s not interested in higher office.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, Senate
Elections ahead; Lampson not running for U.S. Senate
Here’s a sign that full-bore preparations for the 2008 elections start when the legislative session ends later today: U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson of Stafford, near Houston, is letting it be known he’s not running next year for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn, Lampson’s political strategist says.
Mustafa Tameez of Houston, a political consultant to Lampson, said this morning that Lampson, the Democrat who last year captured the U.S. House seat vacated by Tom DeLay of Sugar Land, intends to seek re-election instead—fully knowing that his district historically leans Republican.
A Senate bid is “not going to happen,” Tameez said. “It sounds goofy, but he feels like he made a commitment to the people of Congressional District 22.” Tameez said Lampson feels a Senate try would be “disingenuous.”
Tameez aired Lampson’s decision to stamp out speculation regarding a Senate bid. “We just want it to stop,” he said (unwittingly the desire of some observers of this legislative session).
To see what speculation, peek here and here. Lampson has also fielded criticism for possibly abandoning the district for the uncertainty of a Cornyn challenge.
Assuming Lampson’s decision holds, that leaves former State Comptroller John Sharp, state Rep. Rick Noriega of Houston and Mikal Watts, a San Antonio trial lawyer, as confirmed Democratic prospects to tackle Cornyn, who’ll be seeking his second six-year term. Their ambitions could shake out soon.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Elections
May 26, 2007
Corte sounds off, insisting Craddick strong as ever
Rep. Frank Corte of San Antonio, chairman of the House Republican Caucus, paused this morning to assess the political fallout of Speaker Tom Craddick refusing to recognize an attempt led by renegade members to vacate the speaker’s chair early Saturday.
Corte said he expects Saturday’s floor proceedings to include “some sniping (including) IEDs in the road, typical insurgent activity.” He said Craddick acted appropriately in that the House rules are silent on whether the speaker must recognize motions to vacate the post.
He said House Democrats were angling to gin up campaign fodder in the overnight wrangling. And he doesn’t understand the Republicans who helped that along.
“There’s no doubt this effort is to the advantage of the Democrats, to shape the battlefield for the next battle, the legislative races in 2008. It’s too bad some of my Republican colleagues are helping them in that effort.”
Of Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Williamson County, among the Republican rebels, Corte said: “He’s been there (with them). It’s been pretty well known for a while.”
Craddick stood strong, he said. “How many of the 149 (other members) would be able to stand up there and withstand this? I can’t think of any of the people who want to run for speaker doing it. They’d fold in a minute.”
He’s comfortable with former Reps. Terry Keel and Ron Wilson stepping in as parliamentarian and assistant parliamentarian upon the overnight resignations of their predecessors.
Corte pleads guilty to hollering “work, work, work” in response to some of the anti-Craddick maneuvering. But he said he wishes the House was more civil. “I wish there was less of the jeering and cat-calling… That’s not necessary. The members need to show respect and the public needs to show respect.”
The GOP leadership’s priority “is to finish up the 140 days, take up the people’s business of passing a budget and taking care of the matters at hand. All of this is a distraction.”
Corte stressed that the speaker is not a statewide elected official. He returned to his belief that House Democrats are “shaping the battlefield for the legislative races for ‘08. That’s their only strategic objective. Their operational objective is to make the speaker look bad.”
He disputed a whisper overheard to Rep. Fred Hill early today from someone saying more than 76 members were inclined at that time to vote to remove Craddick as speaker.
“It’s close,” Corte said, speculating that foes sensed that some pro-Craddick members were absent.
Post-session, Corte closed, Republicans are in good shape. They’ll be able to tell voters they kept school property taxes on a down slide, setting aside money to cover those costs in the next session, and that spending increased on public schools and higher education as well as children’s health insurance.
“As Republicans, we’re going to show we can manage things.”
He insisted too that members, including Craddick, cannot control what grass-roots Republicans choose to do in opposing anti-Craddick Republicans in the ‘08 elections. “You cannot control those people out there,” he said, with those people including Jim Leininger, the pro-school-voucher activist who invested in challenging several Republican House members in the 2006 primaries.
Craddick’s leadership “is very strong and with resolve. You have to be strong, know what you believe and be consistent. Tom has done that. I still believe he’s the right man for the job. If Tom had done something illegal, that’s a different story. But he has not done that. I do not see a need to change leadership.”
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, Speaker's race
May 24, 2007
Democrats: Republicans to blame for no early prez primary
Duck and cover, because here comes the first sally in what stands to be a spat between the Texas Democratic Party and Republican Party of Texas over what killed the House-approved proposal that would have placed Texas among states holding February primaries starting next year.
Boyd Richie, the Democrats’ chairman, said today: “The inability of the state’s Republican leaders to pass legislation to move the primary election date is another example of their failure to provide leadership that would benefit all Texans. Texas voters, no matter what political affiliation, had the opportunity to have a greater voice in the presidential nominating process. Regrettably, Lt. Governor (David) Dewhurst, Senate Republicans, and the Republican leadership, perhaps due to their preoccupation with vote suppression legislation, could not pass a piece of legislation that could have benefited our great state.
“Although the primary date legislation was endorsed by both the Texas Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Texas, the failure of this legislation means Texas voters will more than likely be ignored and forced to accept the presidential nominee that was elected by other states. As the second most populous state, it is unacceptable that the Democratic and Republican nominees for president could potentially be decided before Texas voters have a chance to weigh in. The failure of Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Senate Republicans deny Texas voters the voice we should have, whether we vote for Democrats or Republicans.”
Yup—we’re asking Dewhurst’s shop and the GOP if they have their own analyses of what went askew.
May 21, 2007
Recorded votes measure could be back on track
Despite a Friday crash-and-burn on the House floor, a measure asking voters to mandate the recording of legislative votes on final passage of legislation could soon be on track for resurrection.
The twist: The proposal will be revised to apply solely to the House.
Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, suggested this morning that House members didn’t cotton to a Senate-approved version envisioning more recorded votes (including meaningful preliminary approvals).
The beef? The language made it look like the Senate would be disclosing more to the public than the House. Fact is, the Senate already records votes on both preliminary and final actions; a constitutional mandate would reinforce existing practice.
Carona’s solution, with the session almost over, will be to send the House a revised version that limits the constitutional mandate to final approval of measures in the House. That’s as far as the House appeared willing to go this year.
Carona said he’ll follow up in the 2009 session with a proposal limited to the Senate.
Assuming the House goes along, “that’s a step forward,” Carona said. “And they should be applauded for that.” And voters would have their say at the polls in November.
For the record, here’s a (potentially moot) weekend statement from the League of Women Voters of Texas in reaction to Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, knocking aside the recorded-votes mandate via a point of order Friday:
“After six years of actively pursuing a constitutional amendment to record all substantive votes in the Texas Legislature, the League of Women Voters of Texas is very, very disappointed that the House is unwilling to arrive at a compromise with the Senate by continuing discussion on this legislation.
“Eighty-four percent of Texans surveyed favored requiring legislators to record their votes by name, and eighty percent favored a constitutional amendment to accomplish this (Scripps Howard Texas Poll, 2003). The League was pleased that the House passed a bill, first time ever, to at least record their votes on final passage.
“Unfortunately, some legislators would have teachers and students and other groups held accountable for their actions, while unwilling to hold themselves to a standard that would require them to record their own votes throughout the legislative process.”
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, House, Open government, Senate
May 8, 2007
Early-primary measure clears Senate panel
In the top of the seventh inning, Sen. Royce West smacked a double, lifting the measure putting Texas among states to hold earlier party primaries.
Translation: The Senate Committee on State Affairs advanced the early-primary proposal today by a 6-3 vote. Voting no were Sens. Robert Duncan of Lubbock, Troy Fraser of Horseshoe Bay and Tommy Williams of The Woodlands.
West, D-Dallas, said afterward he thinks he has the 21 Senate votes necessary to bring up the change for Senate floor consideration.
If the proposal survives, candidates would face a mid-November deadline this year to run the Republican and Democratic primaries Feb. 5, 2008 — joining up to 23 states either committed to that date or considering having more sway over the major parties’ presidential nominees by balloting then. The Texas legislation shifts the primary from the first Tuesday of March every even-numbered year to the first Tuesday in February of those years.
“Texas should not play second fiddle to anyone,” West said. “Texas should have a prominent role in choosing the nominees for the political parties.” He didn’t take a bow — still too early.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, Senate
May 7, 2007
Rudy G no longer expected to visit Texas legislators
Scotch an earlier report that Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani intended to visit with Republican state legislators on Friday.
Giuiliani’s campaign advises that the confab was never confirmed because the schedule did not work out. We had inquired about the opportunity, but had not scheduled it and other scheduling conflicts prevent it from happening at this point.
Maybe that’s what GOP Caucus Chairman Frank Corte meant when he said the meeting hadn’t “been refined to the final detail.”
Corte, among dozens of House members who hope former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson enters the presidential race, had said he’d be happy to host any GOP presidential hopefuls.
On another political note, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson plans to co-chair a dinner for “Draft Fred Thompson” forces in South Carolina. That’ll happen around the time the Republican candidates debate in Columbia later this month.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, House
May 2, 2007
"Texas Justice" star could run for U.S. House
Houston lawyer Larry Joe Doherty might run for the Democratic nod to challenge U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin. He said so to Democratic activists last weekend, where he was introduced along with Dan Grant, an Austin foreign affairs consultant who has filed paperwork declaring his candidacy.
Grant has a Web site under construction. Doherty doesn’t have a campaign site — though he’s got a colorful site mentioning his stardom in a TV show, “Texas Justice.”
McCaul’s re-election site is being developed.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Elections
Sen. Janek might step down
It’s the wearying time of a legislative session and Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, has thought about quitting his post to devote more time to his family (he’s got sons aged 8, 6 and 2).
And yes, Janek is house-hunting in Austin.
But the senator said this morning he’s making no decisions about his future until the end of summer. Resignation “is a possibility. It’s not my plan; it’s not my intent.”
“I am not resigning at the end of the session” May 28, Janek said. “I love my job. It’s not my intent” to become a lobbyist.
Janek, 49, whose term runs through 2010, said he plans to continue living and working as an anesthesiologist in Houston, treating the house he and his family are seeking in Austin as a second pad; he’s had weekend homes in the area dating back to 1991.
“I’m always thinking about what next,” Janek said, adding that a fatigue factor invariably kicks in when May comes around during the 140-day biennial sessions. “I do need to spend more time with my family.”
If Janek resigns, GOP Gov. Rick Perry would be left to call a special election for voters to choose someone to serve out his term. Prospects for the job could include Reps. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land.
Bonnen said today he doesn’t see an open seat at this time. Howard said he’d like to run for the seat if Janek moves on — and he’s been encouraging Janek to run for the U.S. House seat held by Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Houston.
Not gonna happen, Janek said. “I am not going to run for Congress,” he said.
Finally, Janek doesn’t need a real estate agent. “Got one, thanks,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Comings and goings, Elections, Senate
May 1, 2007
Voter measure doesn't divide Democrats, GOP perfectly
Rep. Phil King’s measure directing the Secretary of State to verify the citizenship of applicants for voter registration cards won tentative House approval by 87-59. Though members parted largely along party lines, it wasn’t a perfect divide.
Eight Democrats voted for the proposal. At least one Republican, Rep. Delwin Jones of Lubbock, voted no.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, House
April 30, 2007
Voter ID mandate clears Senate panel
A GOP-majority committee split along party lines to send the Senate a substitute version of the House-approved measure requiring voters to prove their identity before casting ballots.
Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, tweaked the House-approved proposal by not exempting any voters from the identification requirement. His version also stipulates that the ID mandate not affect voters until January, four months later than the House-adopted take.
Under the proposal, voters would be asked to present a photo identification card or two documents demonstrating their identity. Proponents, including the Republican Party of Texas, say it’s necessary to reduce chances of voter fraud. They note that if someone lacks the acceptable proofs—including a court filing indicating a sex-change operation—they could still vote with a provisional ballot, meaning their identity could be checked later.
Opponents, including the Texas Democratic Party, say the changes attack a problem (voter impersonation) that doesn’t exist. They also say the mandate will serve mainly to drive down turnout of minorities, the elderly and the young.
Sens. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, and Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, voted no. Ellis has said the Senate’s 11 Democrats are committed to stopping the Senate from taking up the measure for floor debate. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has vowed to get the ID mandate to Gov. Rick Perry.
Showdown ahead…
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Elections, Senate
Senate panel will hear early primary measure this week
Word surfaced this morning that the Senate Committee on State Affairs will soon hear legislation moving party primaries to the first Tuesday in February each even-numbered year.
But sponsoring Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, had no immediate comment through his office on whether he’s rounded up the 21 Senate votes needed to bring the proposal up for debate and approval by the full Senate.
House members have heartily endorsed the change pitched as giving Texas more sway in choosing U.S. presidential nominees. Some 20 states have made or are considering a similar shift in timing.
Yet earlier this month, Texas state senators privately expressed misgivings, among them the possibility that earlier primaries would be viewed as protecting incumbents from serious challenges. And Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, chairman of the state affairs panel, has said he hasn’t heard a convincing case for making primaries in presidential years earlier than the first Tuesday in March.
Hans Klingler, spokesman for the Republican Party of Texas, said today he’s been advised that the proposal will be heard by Duncan’s committee on Thursday and he said sufficient senators appear to have come around to the earlier primary, thanks in part to the advocacy of West and Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus.
In the end, of course, senators will speak for themselves. This looks like an issue that gets talked out behind closed doors. Senate lounge, anyone?
Permalink | |
April 27, 2007
Democrats move to keep voter ID off other bills
What could prove to be a key turn in the fight over whether voters should be required to show more identification came and went quietly earlier this week in the Senate.
Senate Democrats are believed to have the votes to prevent consideration of the voter ID bill, which the House has passed. Now those Democrats and their staffs are looking for any possible vehicle that Republicans might use to keep the bill alive.
On Tuesday the Senate considered Senate Bill 1464, a proposal by Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, that says if someone is excused from jury duty because of a lack of citizenship or because they do not live in the right county, they cannot vote in that county.
Before a vote on Janek’s bill, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, had a few questions for Sen. John Carona, who was presiding over the Senate in place of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Actually, the questions were really for Senate Parliamentarian Karina Casari Davis, who was advising Carona just as she does whoever is the presiding officer.
Watson asked whether the voter ID bill would be a proper amendment to attach to Janek’s bill. Carona, based on the parliamentarian’s counsel, said no, that such an amendment would be subject to a point of order. Watson asked if the House attached the voter ID language to Janek’s bill, would it be subject to a point of order and have to return to the House. Carona said yes. Essentially, Watson’s questioning established that the voter ID language is not germane to Janek’s bill.
Don’t be surprised to see similar questions about other Senate legislation related to voting.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Elections
April 23, 2007
Two reactions (pro and con) to Brown's voter measure
Rep. Betty Brown, R-Terrell, won tentative approval tonight of her measure requiring voters to present photo identification or additional documents to vote. Plenty of fireworks to come, presuming the Senate acts on it…
Meanwhile, two quick reactions surfaced:
“Today Texans had their right to vote protected from being cancelled out by a fraudulent vote. Passage of Rep. Betty Brown’s bill requiring photo identification to vote by the Texas House of Representatives will go a long way to ensuring the integrity of the Texas ballot box,” said Texas G.O.P. Chairman Tina Benkiser.
And Ed Sills of the Texas AFL-CIO saw it this way:
“The Texas House today gave tentative approval to the most venal and partisan legislation of the session.”
HB 218 by Rep. Betty Brown, R-Athens, the so-called “Voter ID” bill, would require new forms of ID, above and beyond the voter registration card, to cast a ballot.
The vote was 76-68. All Democrats present opposed the bill, but two Republicans joined them — Reps. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, and Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock.
HB 626 by Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, was postponed until next Monday.
The United Labor Legislative Committee opposes the bill.
The pretext for this legislation, which the Republican National Committee and Karl Rove have championed, is that voter impersonation is a significant problem. That assertion is without proof.
During a six-hour debate that cut off the rest of the day’s long calendar, Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, pointed up that the Republican assertion that dead people are voting is based on “research” done using an on-line genealogical web site.
Brown allowed the “poll tax” pig to be dressed up. She accepted an amendment exempting anyone 80 or over from the voter ID requirement, which is an exception that proves the rule. The 80-and-over amendment sounds awfully unconstitutional in that it attaches a greater significance to some voters than others and therefore violates the equal protection clause with regard to voters under age 80.
She took an amendment that would give victims of natural disasters a chance to vote without having to produce picture ID for a year and another amendment that would exempt disabled veterans.
The Republicans also acceded to an amendment making photo ID cards available without a fee if a prospective voter cannot pay.
But Republicans voted down a variety of other amendments, including a substitute proposal by Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, which would have substituted an upgraded enforcement mechanism in cases of voter fraud for the ID requirement that would inconvenience millions of law-abiding Texans.
The real intent behind this bill showed up in this space a couple of weeks ago in a New York Times story on a report demonstrating that states that have adopted so-called “voter ID” rules have seen a two or three percentage point drop in voting, mainly among minorities and the elderly.
Those voters tend to be Democratic. It’s that simple.
The Senate’s Democrats have sufficient numbers to kill HB 218 as a stand-alone operation, though lawmakers expect an effort to attach the measure as an amendment to something else that supposedly “must pass”. The Senate is a body that loves compromise, but on this bill there should be none.
Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, offered a couple of apt, if only semi-related, analogies for HB 218. He said the bill would “burn down the forest because there are some termites.” And he said the bill would “burn down the forest in case Bigfoot exists.”
Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, declared near the end of the debate, “Racism is racism. Xenophobia is xenophobia. It’s too bad we have to see it on the House floor again.”
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Elections, House
The Royal effect, just maybe
While House debate on Rep. Betty Brown’s proposal to require a photo ID card or two other non-photo forms of identification to vote has not been riveting, it has arguably demonstrated the influence of GOP activist/pundit Royal Masset of Austin.
Masset’s take, posted online early today, begins: “I was a big fan of voter ID until the federal government declared my mother Aimee dead.” It also was distributed to House members by Rep. Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock.
Brown tacked on an amendment exempting anyone 80 or older from the ID requirement. Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, followed up with his pitch for excepting anyone 65 or older.
“We ought to take the seniors out of this debate and lower the age to 65,” Dunnam said.
Members tabled his idea by 73-72.
Brown, who voted for tabling Dunnam’s exemption, turned 67 last summer. If his language had stuck, she would have been excused, with other senior citizens, from having to present an ID when she votes.
She also opposed Rep. David Leibowitz’s proposal to set the age cutoff at 75. It was likewise tabled.
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"Jose Crow" law or improved identification at polls?
Unless Republican leaders change course and postpone action, look for a partisan donnybrook on the House floor today over whether Texas voters should be required to present state-issued photo identification before casting a ballot.
Such a measure cleared the GOP-majority House two years ago before running aground in the Senate. This year, the Republican Party of Texas has made it clear it wants the ID requirement to leap all the hurdles leading to Gov. Rick Perry’s signature into law.
Rep. Betty Brown, R-Terrell, sponsoring the ID measure has given House colleagues six reasons for voting “aye.” They include the fact that as of August 2005, a photo ID has been required in Texas to purchase certain cold medicines and that the state imposes similar requirements on Medicaid recipients. She notes too that seven states — Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio and South Dakota — have a photo ID requirement.
And, she says in her handout, Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams “readily admits there is no verification of the information provided by voter registration applicants.”
Williams held a press conference today to honor Travis County for leading the state in voter turnout. (The county led counties with populations of 250,000 or more with slightly less than 40 percent turnout in November.)
He said he’s supportive of a voter ID requirement as long as it doesn’t contribute to disenfranchisement. In a line that just could wend its way into fuel for opponents, Williams said: “I don’t know that I can say that it will improve turnout.”
Dana DeBeauvoir, a Democrat and the Travis County clerk, said clerks are generally concerned that an ID requirement could prove too restrictive, hurting turnout. Asked if voter impersonation has proved a problem, she said: “The figures really don’t hold up that we’ve got a big problem in that area.”
House Democrats, led by Rep. Rafael Anchia of Dallas, and joined by the AARP, League of Women Voters of Texas and two state senators, cried foul at a morning press conference on the south steps of the Capitol.
Anchia’s thesis: The problem of voter impersonation, attacked by the legislation, doesn’t exist. He said the point of such measures is not to protect the vote, but to deter individuals lacking ID cards from turning out — folks concentrated in the state’s elderly and minority populations.
Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, likewise charged the photo ID mandate will tamp down turnout among minorities. She called the proposal a “Jose Crow” law at a morning press conference.
Big picture: Presuming the GOP House majority largely holds together and the measure makes it to the Senate, Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, finds out if he truly has united the Democrats against bringing the change up for debate.
“It’s worth the fight for me to try to kill it,” Ellis said today. “I hope none of my (Senate) votes peels off, but it happens.” He suggested he could be fighting the ID idea not as a straight-up measure but as an amendment to another proposal; it won’t take any Democratic votes to bring up or attach an amendment.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Elections, House
April 16, 2007
Patterson favors pay boost for lite guv
Jerry Patterson, the state’s land commissioner and a former state senator, testified in favor of a proposal by Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, setting the salary of the next lieutenant governor at the average salary of three other statewide elected officials: $125,000 a year.
The House Committee on Government Reform left it pending Monday, though Chairman Bill Callegari, R-Houston, said he doesn’t think it’s going anywhere.
“Food for thought,” Callegari said.
The hearing enabled Rep. Wayne Smith, R-Baytown, to nudge Patterson on his aspirations. After Patterson said he favors the move to raise the salary, which is now less than $10,000 a year, Smith asked if had any idea who the next lite guv would be.
“Don’t have a clue,” Patterson replied. “If you feel strongly about something, there’s no point in being secret about it.”
Patterson said afterward that he remains interested in perhaps re-succeeding David Dewhurst, but “not compelled” to run in 2010 should Dewhurst hunt a different office. Patterson followed Dewhurst as land commissioner in 2003.
He said it’s just good business practice to pay the person holding the job a living wage.
Right now, he said, “you get what you pay for. What we’re getting now is a limited pool of applicants.”
List-keepers should feel free to take note of Attorney General Greg Abbott, or Comptroller Susan Combs, or Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, or former Comptroller John Sharp—all of whom just might want the Dew’s job, pay raise or not.
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April 12, 2007
Early primary pause; senator still opposes
With House members locked down weighing amendments to an electric utility deregulation proposal, it could be the wee hours today or Friday before they take up Rep. Helen Giddings’ measure shifting party primaries from early March to the first Tuesday of February every even-numbered year.
Presuming House approval—there’s been no sign of organized opposition—the possibility of Texas joining 20-plus other states holding a Feb. 5 primary next year will swing to the Senate.
Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee, plans to oppose the change—which has been pitched from coast to coast as a chance for states to have more say choosing major-party presidential nominees.
“I’ll be opposed,” Duncan said today, though he said if there’s consensus in the Senate to consider the idea, he’ll call a hearing.
Duncan said local officials have called him urging no date change.
“Somebody needs to convince me why we need to do it,” he said.
Permalink | | Categories: Elections, House, Senate
April 11, 2007
A $300,000 change in primary dates
On Thursday, Texas House members are slated to consider the proposal moving party primaries to the first Tuesday of February every even-numbered year, part of the national shift of dates intended to give participating states more sway in over who the major parties nominate for president next year.
It’ll be interesting to see if House members poke at the date change’s newly revealed price tag — a little more than $300,000 the state would have to pony up to the Republican and Democratic parties next year.
The measure’s fiscal note states that it cost the parties $1.5 million to run the 2006 primaries, set by law the first Tuesday of March. The pending proposal by Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, would shift the primaries to the first Tuesday of February, while moving the candidate filing period from December back to October.
Bottom line for the parties: they’ll be dealing with the primaries for six months (October through March, if there are runoffs) rather than the current five months (December through April, if there are runoffs).
The estimated tab for related administrative costs, including office space and personnel, amounts to $307,739 to be borne by the county political parties with the Texas Secretary of State reimbursing the parties, presuming money gets set aside in the state budget.
Is it worth $300K for Texas to hold its primary on the same day as California and New York and 20-plus other states? (Still in the wings is Lubbock Sen. Robert Duncan, a Republican who has yet to say shifting the Texas primaries makes sense. Duncan chairs the Senate State Affairs Committee, which would take up the date-shift proposal assuming it clears the House.)
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April 5, 2007
Republicans' $21 million man intends Austin fundraiser
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican hunting momentum for his presidential candidacy, pauses in Austin early Tuesday for a fundraiser.
The invitation-only 8 a.m. breakfast at the Austin Club near the Capitol is slated to occur a week after Romney impressed political handicappers by announcing he’d raised $21 million in campaign cash from January through March—outpacing two long-presumed frontrunners, U.S. Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Romney is also expected to stop in College Station, San Antonio and Dallas.
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March 28, 2007
Identify yourself, voter proposals say
A House panel on Wednesday narrowly endorsed measures tightening voter identification requirements. The House Committee on Elections advanced House Bill 218 by Rep. Betty Brown, R-Terrell, and House Bill 626 by Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford.
King’s proposal, approved by 4-3, would require a voter to provide proof of US citizenship when registering to vote and would require the official voter registration application to be in the form of business reply mail (in an envelope), instead of a reply postcard.
Brown’s proposal, also clearing the committee by 4-3, would set a new hurdle before voters cast ballots. They’d be required to present qualifying identification, such as a driver’s license or other state-issued photo ID, in addition to a voter’s registration certificate.
There could be fierce debate ahead; Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, has said he has commitments from enough Senate Democrats to stop the ID-card measure from being taken up by the Senate. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a Republican, has said he expects it to pass into law.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Elections, House
February primary measure clears panel
A House panel advanced a measure moving party primaries up a month to the first Tuesday in February—a move supported by the Republican and Democratic parties as possibly giving Texas more sway in choosing party presidential nominees.
The House Committee on Elections voted 7-0 for a substitute version of House Bill 2017 authored by Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas.
Under Giddings’ proposal, the filing period for candidates would shift from the December-January period to the month of October before each election year. Next year’s primaries would fall on Feb. 5. (A hunch: Envision substantial campaigning in November and early December before a holiday break and then a pell-mell period in January each election year.)
Giddings, House colleagues and Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, author of the Senate companion to her proposal, said shifting the primary from the first Tuesday in March to early February—matching Texas with California and other states—means voters will influence the presidential choices of the major parties, unlike past cycles.
As it is, Giddings said, candidates swoop into Texas before presidential elections largely to raise money spent elsewhere. “If you listen very carefully, you can hear that giant sucking sound,” she said.
“Isn’t this amazing?” West said: “Republicans and Democrats working together for a common political purpose.” (More amazing: A GOP spokesman standing in shirtsleeves at the front of the room next to a suited-up counterpart from the Texas Democratic Party; to the Republican’s credit, he apologized for his un-R-like attire.)
But yet to be amazed is Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee. Duncan, whose committee will likely field the legislation assuming it clears the House, has questioned the need to shift the primaries’ dates, wondering if the next shift will be to December.
West expressed confidence in winning Senate support if the House approves the change. “If both of the parties are for it, then I think we’ll have the votes,” he said.
He disputed critics who have forecasted the change as helping incumbents win re-election.
“If someone is going to run against you, they’re going to run against you regardless” of the primary’s timing, West said.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Elections, House
March 27, 2007
Romney declares Texas finance committee
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, seeking the GOP nod for president next year, aired his Texas statewide finance committee members today. We’ll guess there’s no overlap with the last Massachusetts fellow to run for president — U.S. Sen. John Kerry.
The members are:
David Baldwin (Houston) - Baldwin is a Managing Director of SCF Partners.
Louis Beecherl Jr. (Dallas) - Beecherl was a 2000 and 2004 Bush Pioneer and North Texas Finance Chair for Bush-Cheney 2004. He began his professional career in the energy industry, eventually serving as Chairman and CEO of Texas Oil and Gas Corp. from 1957 to 1977.
Larry Benson (San Antonio) - Benson is on the Board of Directors for Lone Star Capital Bank, N.A. He is a car dealership owner and former part time owner of the New Orleans Saints.
Scott Caven (Houston) - Caven is a Managing Director and Regional Manager for Texas of Atlantic Trust Company, a private wealth management company. He is a member of board of University Texas Regents system.
Joe Dilg (Houston) - Dilg is a Managing Partner of Vinson & Elkins, one of the largest law firms in Texas.
Paul Engler (Amarillo) - Engler is the co-founder and CEO of Cactus Feeders, the world’s largest privately-owned cattle feeding company.
Jonathan Fairbanks (Houston) - Fairbanks is President of Bassoe Offshore, an international investment and offshore brokerage firm.
James B. Francis Jr., Romney National Finance Co-Chair (Dallas) - Francis is President of Francis Enterprises Inc. and a 2000 and 2004 Bush Pioneer. His business includes public affairs consulting, private placement work and investments. He was also State Chairman for Senator Kay Hutchison’s last two Senate election campaigns. Francis will also serve as a National Finance Co-Chair for the Romney for President campaign.
Robert Gauntt (Houston) - Gauntt is a founding Partner in Avalon Advisors LP, a Houston based investment management firm.
Doug Hodo Jr. (Houston) - Hodo is President of McGriff, Seibels & Williams of Texas.
Robert B. Holland III (Dallas) - Holland is a former U.S. Representative to the World Bank from 2002 to 2006 and a 2000 Bush Pioneer. In January 2007, he was named a Member of the Board of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., an IT solutions service provider.
Dr. Scott Holliday (Dallas) - Holliday is a practicing anesthesiologist and is a member of Pinnacle Anesthesia Consultants of Dallas.
William Hutchinson (Dallas) - Hutchinson is President of Dunhill Partners, a 23 year-old Dallas commercial real estate brokerage and management firm. The firm owns and manages retail and office properties in Dallas and Fort Worth and suburbs such as Plano, Frisco and Southlake.
Drew Johnson (Dallas) - Johnson is a General Partner at CIC Partners. He previously worked for McKinsey and Company and is a graduate of both Brigham Young University and Harvard Business School.
Walter Johnson (Houston) - Johnson is Founder and Chairman of Amegy Bank, one of the state’s largest banks.
David Jones (Houston) - Jones is the Principle and Partner with DINI Partners. He is a member of the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation Advisory Council.
Jim McGrath (Houston) - McGrath is President of CEO Communications in Houston. He served in the George H.W. Bush White House and is currently the speechwriter for the former President.
Joseph Meister (Dallas) - Meister is an attorney with Hughes & Luce, a member of Maverick PAC and an officer of the Republican Lawyers of Dallas.
John Muse (Dallas) - Muse was a Bush Pioneer in 2000. Muse is Chairman of HM Capital Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in leveraged buyouts.
Ross Perot Jr. (Dallas) - Perot is Chairman of Perot Systems, an Information Technology services provider founded by his father, H. Ross Perot, Sr. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Hillwood Development Company.
Bob Perry (Houston) - Perry is the owner of Perry Homes, one of Texas’ largest homebuilding companies.
Kevin Rollins (Austin) - Rollins is the former President and CEO of Dell, Inc.
George Seay (Dallas) - Seay is co-founder and CEO of Annandale Capital, a multi-asset class money management firm. He is also Co-Founder and Chairman of Legacy.
L.E. Simmons (Houston) - Simmons is the founder and president of Houston-based L.E. Simmons & Associations and a 2000 Bush Pioneer.
Matthew Simmons (Houston) - Simmons is chairman and CEO of Simmons & Company International, an energy investment bank.
Mark Wallace (Houston) - Wallace is president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital, the nation’s largest children’s hospital.
Logan Walters (Houston) - Walters is an Associate with SCF Partners and former Assistant to President George W. Bush.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Elections
March 21, 2007
Early primary still possible, but senator has doubts
Rep. Leo Berman expects a proposal moving Texas party primaries to early February to clear the House committee he heads next week. Berman, R-Tyler, is chairman of the House Committee on Elections.
That could mean House consideration by April, but it’s no guarantee Texas will join California in shifting its primary from the first Tuesday in March to the first Tuesday in February.
Advocates including the Democratic and Republican parties think a Feb. 5 primary will cause Texas to have sway in choosing party presidential nominees. Skeptics forecast Texas simply emerging as an airport stop for candidates hustling from Florida to California. Others say an earlier primary will protect incumbents at all levels, by shortening the campaign season early every election year.
And Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, who heads the Senate State Affairs Committee, remains to be persuaded Texas should join states moving up primaries in hopes of influencing the selection of party presidential nominees next year.
“To me, we’re just chasing our tail” by changing the primaries’ timing, Duncan said this week. “What’s it going to be in four years? Are we going to move it to December?”
(Historical note: Texas voters once had primaries in July. Then they moved to May. Then to March. Then to earlier March. It happens.)
Duncan continued: “As a matter of policy, we’re set where we are,” in March. “Everyone is used to that. I’m not sure we’d influence a presidential election or not” by shifting.
“I’ve not seen any objective evidence that it would benefit the state of Texas” by moving, Duncan said. “I’m not seeing any momentum to do that now. That could change.”
Berman, informed of Duncan’s skepticism, said most people favor the change. “He may be just one against it,” Berman said. Unsaid and undetermined: Whether Duncan is all by his lonesome.
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March 7, 2007
Early primary could mean post-Halloween filing deadline
Members of a House panel Wednesday mulled possibly requiring candidates for state office to file their candidacies by early November before each even-numbered election year — two months earlier than usual.
Members of the House Committee on Elections weighed an October-to-November candidate filing period after county elections officials said they’d appreciate more time to plan for party primaries moved up a month to early February.
Three pending bills would move the primaries to the first Tuesday in February from the first Tuesday in March, perhaps enabling Texas to join other states hoping for more sway in choosing presidential nominees. Under the proposals, next year’s primaries would occur Feb. 5.
Representatives of the Texas Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Texas spoke in favor of the change.
Some county elections officials said it might cost more money to balance earlier primary preparations with their usual end-of-year task of updating voter registration cards; the committee asked Secretary of State Roger Williams’ office to research such costs.
A Harris County elections official suggested Texas will continue to be overshadowed in the presidential sweepstakes — especially by more populous California, which has already shifted its primaries to early February.
Should Florida join California in moving up its primary, said George Hammerlein, Harris County’s director of voter registration, “I can see we’ll get less attention” with candidates stumping in Florida in the morning, pausing in Texas for lunch and wrapping up their campaign days in Los Angeles.
Candidates “are not going to be block walking in Texas no matter when our primary is,” Hammerlein said after the committee meeting. “This is YouTube Syndrome; we all want to be famous for 15 minutes.”
Earlier, Reps. Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio and Helen Giddings and Roberto Alonzo of Dallas urged adoption of the earlier primary by stressing a potentially wide-open battle for each party’s presidential nod next year.
Martinez Fischer said the presidential nominees have been settled by the time Texas voters acted every four years except once since 1976. In 1992, former California Gov. Jerry Brown remained in the race to its end. Bill Clinton won the Democratic nomination on his way to defeating President George Bush.
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February 27, 2007
House expected to hear early-primary pitch
The House will soon get moving on moving party primaries to early February, with a hearing likely next week.
The latest turn? Dallas Rep. Helen Giddings, a Democrat, filed a proposal Monday to shift the party primaries from the first Tuesday in March to the first Tuesday in February.
Giddings, part of House Speaker Tom Craddick’s leadership team, said: “We’re definitely going to get a hearing.” Earlier, Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, chairman of the House Committee on Elections, said he intends to give her proposal an expedited hearing.
Berman and Giddings, like the Texas Democratic Party, favor moving the primaries to February to give Texas voters more sway in choosing presidential nominees. The Republican Party of Texas, like GOP Gov. Rick Perry, has taken no position, though the party says grassroots leaders favor the shift.
“Texas becomes relevant when we change our primary date,” Giddings said.
(Don’t tell Iowa, which treasures its grasp on the first presidential caucuses, or New Hampshire, which keeps a tight hold on its first-in-the-nation presidential primary.)
If the shift becomes law, Texas would join California in moving up its primaries. In 2008, the primary date would become Feb. 5.
Other big states are also reportedly pondering an earlier primary.
Under Giddings’ proposal, candidates for office would have to file their candidacies 65 days before the first Tuesday in February — shifting the traditional rush of declarations from the start of each even-numbered year to the beginning of December.
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February 22, 2007
Fort Worth, August
Fort Worth in August—beyond steamy.
So what, the Republican Party of Texas concludes.
The GOP is throwing an off-year convention to which it’s inviting some 40,000 people. Invitees will include delegates to the party’s last four state and last two national conventions. Those who come will be asked to consider national presidential candidates and participate in the party’s first straw poll—evidently a move intended to drive up candidates’ interest in Texas.
Tina Benkiser, the party’s chairwoman, told reporters today the gathering could draw 20,000 people.
Pencil in Aug. 31-Sept. 1 for the do in the Fort Worth Convention Center. We’ll speculate that shorts and swim suits are advised.
