Category Archives: Election 2012

Canseco’s poll response

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Quico Canseco has released his own poll in CD23. New polling data released by Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco’s campaign shows the freshman congressman with a 10-point lead on his Democratic challenger, Pete Gallego. The new poll is radically different … Continue reading →

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Interview with County Commissioner Steve Radack

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

To wrap up my series of interviews relating to the Metro referendum, I spoke to the person with whom Metro Chair Gilbert Garcia brokered the deal on the GMP reauthorization: County Commissioner Steve Radack. Commissioner Radack is a strong advocate … Continue reading →

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Settlement reached in “dead voter” lawsuit

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s something. A lawsuit by four registered voters alleging that the state of Texas was violating their civil rights by purging them from voter rolls has been dropped after the plaintiffs and the state reached an agreement. The Texas residents … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Constables

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes recommendations in the three contested races for Constable. Alan Rosen for Constable, Precinct 1: As a reserve major and commander of the Special Operations Bureau for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Alan Rosen has the law enforcement … Continue reading →

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Interview with Sue Lovell

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Former Council member Sue Lovell was not directly involved in the current Metro referendum, but as the past Chair of the Transportation Committee on Council under Mayor Bill White, she was instrumental in the creation and adoption of the city’s … Continue reading →

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Lyceum poll: Romney 58, Obama 39

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This one is just nuts. Republican Mitt Romney has a commanding lead over Democrat Barack Obama in the presidential race in Texas, with 58 percent to the incumbent’s 39 percent, according to a new Texas Lyceum Poll. The same survey … Continue reading →

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Interview with Gilbert Garcia and Christof Spieler

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing the discussion of the Metro referendum, today’s interview is with Metro Board Chair Gilbert Garcia, and Board Member Christof Spieler. Garcia originally proposed a referendum that would continue the GMP but freeze revenues for the member entities at 2014 … Continue reading →

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Another reason to vote early

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Your Election Day polling location may not be what you’re used to. Recent redistricting will force about 20 percent of Harris County voters to cast ballots at new polling locations on Election Day, County Clerk Stan Stanart said Monday. That … Continue reading →

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Interview with David Crossley

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This week I’m going to take an in depth look at the one contentious referendum on the ballot, the Metro referendum. The purpose and the language of the referendum is whether or not to reauthorize the General Mobility Program, in … Continue reading →

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How about those judicial races?

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron takes a look downballot. Democratic judges who surprised Harris County in a 2008 rout because of strong turnout for Barack Obama are bracing for a tough fight in November after seeing the GOP, which had a clean sweep … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: The easy calls

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes an easy call. One of the clearest choices Harris County voters have in the 2012 election season comes in the race to succeed Pat Lykos as district attorney. Mike Anderson, a 30-year veteran of the DA’s office … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: HAR for the bonds

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Association of Realtors has announced its endorsement of all of the referenda on the November ballot. The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) board of directors has approved motions supporting the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: A useful explanation

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorsed the two Republican incumbents for Harris County Civil Court At Law – they were both appointed to fill vacancies, so it’s not accurate to say they’re running for re-election – but the interesting thing about the endorsement … Continue reading →

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Texas Freedom Network’s guide to the SBOE elections

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Freedom Network has put out a useful little voter’s guide to the 2012 State Board of Education elections, which covers a range of topics from creationism and climate change to bullying and SBOE procedures. You might look at … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Criminal district courts

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Nine of the 22 Criminal District Court benches are up for election this year in Harris County. Democrats hold seven of those nine positions. The Houston Chronicle has endorsed for of those seven incumbent judges for re-election. 176th Criminal District … Continue reading →

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Interview with Terry Grier

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to the many races for office this year, there are several referenda on the ballot that are worthy of your attention. I will be conducting interviews to discuss them as well. The first one up is the HISD … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Michele Petty

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Note: As I have done in years past, I am conducting written Q&As with judicial candidates. This one is a little different in that the questions were originally asked by someone else, but the idea is the same. Further explanation … Continue reading →

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Interview with Brad Neal

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Also up in the northern parts of Harris County is HD150, home of the notorious Rep. Debbie Riddle, for whom I trust no introduction is necessary, though this is a good start if you need it. Opposing The Riddler for … Continue reading →

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YouGov: Romney 52, Obama 41

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Another new poll of Texas, from YouGov: Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney holds a solid, eleven-point lead over Democratic President Barack Obama in Texas, 52% Romney to 41% Obama, in a poll of 1,254 registered voters statewide, conducted by YouGov. … Continue reading →

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Poll claims lead for Gallego in CD23

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

A poll commissioned by the League of Conservation Voters shows Democratic challenger Pete Gallego with a lead in CD23. Democratic challenger Pete Gallego is leading Republican incumbent Quico Canseco (43% Gallego / 38% Canseco) in the race to represent Texas’ … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Civil courts, part 2

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Finishing what they started the day before, the Chron endorses three of the four remaining Democratic civil district court judges for re-election. Civil District Court 133: With 30 years’ legal experience under her belt, Democratic incumbent Judge Jaclanel McFarland was … Continue reading →

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“Dead voter” purge finally laid to rest

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Our long countywide nightmare is finally over. The running dispute over presumed-dead voters on Harris County rolls was substantially resolved Wednesday between the Texas Secretary of State’s office and Harris County’s tax registrar just hours before a Travis County judge … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Civil courts, part 1

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron gets started on candidate endorsements with a first look at the civil court races. They made recommendations in seven of the 14 District Civil Court races, and in five of those seven they endorse the Democratic incumbent for … Continue reading →

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If you knew Paul Sadler

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

If you knew Paul Sadler, you’d probably think he was an experienced, well-qualified candidate for the US Senate. And you’d be right. Unfortunately, not enough people know Paul Sadler well enough to know this. In 2002, state Rep. Paul Sadler … Continue reading →

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Interview with Cody Pogue

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Running for office is always a challenge, but some challenges are bigger than others. HD127 up in the Kingwood area is a particularly large challenge for a Democratic candidate. Cody Pogue has undertaken that challenge. Pogue, who can trace his … Continue reading →

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What that Wilson Perkins poll really tells us

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There’s something about that poll of Texas last week that I don’t think has gotten enough attention. I only mentioned it in passing myself, so I want to go back and spend a little more time on it. As I … Continue reading →

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Guinn files suit over Constable Precinct 2 runoff

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I doubt it’ll make any difference, but it’s his right. The loser of the Democratic runoff for Harris County Precinct 2 constable has sued winner Chris Diaz, contesting the election result. Zerick Guinn said he thought a recount he requested … Continue reading →

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Interview with Vy Nguyen

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Fort Bend County is one of the most diverse places in America, with roughly equal shares of Anglo, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian populations. It’s fast-growing, now with three full State Rep. districts and a part of a fourth, and becoming … Continue reading →

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Castro’s road show

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, racking up the frequent flyer miles. On Saturday, Castro spoke to Democratic campaign workers at a strip mall near Fort Belvoir and to students at George Mason University in a coordinated effort by the Obama … Continue reading →

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Traci Jensen’s challenge

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I got the following from the Traci Jensen campaign the other day: This past Wednesday morning, Traci and her Republican opponent Donna Bahorich participated in the Greater Houston Partnership’s “Meet the Candidates: State Board of Education” forum. This was the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ann Johnson

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County has been a hotbed of interesting legislative races over the past decade, with five incumbents losing general elections in State Rep. contests since 2004. Two of those victories by challengers occurred in HD134. Trying to make the third … Continue reading →

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A look at HD136

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Statesman takes a look at the new State Rep. district in Williamson County. All county and state elected officeholders from Williamson County are Republicans. The party has long dominated the area. But Democrats are eyeing the new district as … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Craig Eiland

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

We now move into the State Rep. races, and as with the Congressional portion of my interview series I’m very pleased to kick things off with a distinguished veteran lawmaker. State Rep. Craig Eiland has represented House District 23 since … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: For Metro

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron comes out in favor of another referendum. If you look closely at the weekday mix of traffic, you’ll finds lots of 18-wheelers inching along during rush hour. That makes congestion more than an annoyance for individual commuters. Along … Continue reading →

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