Note: This entry is part of a series of recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. I am also doing written Q&As with judicial candidates.
Another hot local contest is out in Fort Bend County's HD27 between incumbent Rep. Dora Olivo and challenger Ron Reynolds. Rep. Olivo has a long record of public service, and is on most issues a strong and reliable progressive. I hadn't had the opportunity to meet and talk with her before this, so I'm glad that I got that chance. My conversation with Rep. Olivo is here, as always in MP3 format. Let me know what you think.
PREVIOUSLY:
Jim Wrotenbery, candidate for 125th District Court (Civil).
Diane Trautman, candidate for Harris County Tax Assessor.
Judge Susan Criss, candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Position 8.
Joe Jaworski, candidate for State Senate, District 11.
Baltasar D. Cruz, candidate for Texas Supreme Court, Position 7.
State Rep. Garnet Coleman, District 147.
Armando Walle, candidate for State Representative, District 140.
Carol Alvarado, candidate for State Representative, District 145.
Andres Pereira, candidate for 190th District Court (Civil).
Ron Reynolds, candidate for State Representative, District 27.
Sam Houston, candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Position 7.
State Rep. Jessica Farrar, District 148.
Fred Cook, candidate for 215th District Court (Civil).
Adrian Garcia, candidate for Harris County Sheriff.
Steve Kirkland, candidate for 215th District Court (Civil).
David Mincberg, candidate for Harris County Judge.
Kyle Carter, candidate for 125th District Court (Civil).
Dan Grant, candidate for US Congress, District 10.
Bruce Mosier, candidate for 190th District Court (Civil).
Rick Noriega, candidate for US Senate.
Judge Linda Yanez, candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Position 8.
Larry Joe Doherty, candidate for US Congress, District 10.
Harold Landreneau, candidate for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1
Posted by Charles Kuffner on February 15, 2008 to Election 2008thanks for posting the interview with dora olivo. it was very interesting.
as a former dora staffer, I saw her as someone who either didn't understand the legislative process (hard to believe given her many years as a rep), or willfully chose not to do what needed to be done to pass bills that she claims matter to her. you'll note in her interview how quick she is to blame others for her not passing bills. I submit that she's too lazy to do the work.
she points with satisfaction to her seat on the house public education committee, an important assignment at the lege. OK, so ... as a member of that key committee, what's her success rate for passing education legislation?
it's a real short list; it contains no bills.
yep, you read that right. 2001. that was three sessions ago.
seriously, she says she works really hard for her district. sadly for HD27, her legislative record - calling it thin is being generous - doesn't support her claim. but check her record for yourself, easy to do on the house website.
so, if this is all she can do, then it's time for new blood. time to say so long, dora, and elect someone who will actually do the work.
Posted by: jolie on February 15, 2008 11:49 AMThe AVERAGE "bill fail rate" of Democratic legislators is 18.7% - Meaning less than 20% of their bills were killed outright last session.
Dora's is 44.9%, the worst in the State House last session.
The AVERAGE "pass rate" for Dems is around 18%.
Dora's is 6.9%, the fifth lowest in the State House last session.
And let us not forget that she is generously funded by the three biggest GOP lobbyists in Texas, as well as Bob Perry and Speaker Craddick's PACs.
Oh, and that she has a hostile relationship with many of her Democratic peers, and sabotages legislation by Reps like Coleman and Farrar in committee.
And she wrote the bill that outlawed stem cell research.
And she co-wrote a GOP developer give-away (the Booth Ranch MUD) with a GOP State Senator.
And that the only bills she passed last session were co-authored with Republicans.
And that she has never donated or assisted with any fellow Democratic campaigns, whether state, local or national.
And that she is not endorsed by ANY local Democratic leaders.
......
Reliable progressive?
Or dead-weight who turned her back on her party?
?
Posted by: Mark Bankston on February 16, 2008 2:05 PMhey mark, good research.
keep it coming! we're only scratching the surface here. I suspect if we put our minds to it we would find some questionable financial dealings as well as a poor legislative record.
Posted by: jolie on February 17, 2008 10:15 AM