Category Archives: Election 2012

Lawsuit filed against Justice Hecht’s ballot access

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht’s Democratic opponent has filed suit seeking to delay the printing of ballots and other election material to allow time to investigate potential problems with Hecht’s candidacy petitions. Several unfilled blanks in petitions from … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Sadler

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Paul Sadler for the Democratic nomination for Senate. Sadler, 57, a father of five who served in the Texas House from 1991 to 2003, is an East Texas Democrat from the classic mold – a populist with … Continue reading →

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How many votes will be cast early this year?

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not talking total number, I’m talking what share of the vote will be cast early. The professionals think it will be a lot. “The early vote is more important this time than perhaps in any cycle in my lifetime … Continue reading →

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The Parent PAC slate

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned some of the candidates that have been endorsed by the Texas Parent PAC in this post, but since then they have released their full slate of endorsees. Texas Senate S.D. 9: Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless  www.toddsmithfortexas.com S.D. 11: Dave … Continue reading →

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Another story about parents and education cuts

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I really want to believe that there’s an uprising in the works and that the Lege could be a very different place for the better next year, but I’m reserving judgment on that for now. Deep cuts in school funding … Continue reading →

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First day EV totals

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Here they are, courtesy of the County Clerk. Dems had 1,570 in person votes and 4,644 mail ballots returned out of 11,722 requested; Rs had 3,380 and 10,027 mail ballots out of 22,369 requested. There’s no point in making comparisons … Continue reading →

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Early voting begins today

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Feels weird to be talking about early voting for the primaries now, doesn’t it? Well, ready or not after all this time and all these twists in the road, here we are. Here are your early voting locations and schedule. … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: The list so far

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron printed their list of primary endorsements so far yesterday. It’s more impressive for what they haven’t done yet as early voting starts. After a couple of years of getting most of their business done before actual voters started … Continue reading →

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Express-News overview of Romo versus Doggett

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Some interesting tidbits in here. Despite the minority makeup of a newly drawn congressional district, a San Antonio Latina candidate faces a steep uphill climb against a white Austin liberal with a long tenure in the nation’s capital. Sylvia Romo, … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the Tax Assessor primary

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Having just reported on the vehicle registration problems at the Harris County Tax Assessor’s office, the Chron now writes about the GOP primary for that office. A Houston Chronicle story Friday reported Sumners’ staff is working overtime to process a … Continue reading →

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News flash: Texas Dems give lots of money to candidates outside Texas

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I know, I’m as shocked as you are. An analysis of Federal Election Commission data by the Houston Chronicle found that more than three-fourths of Democratic political money raised in Texas has left the state. Of the $21 million Texas … Continue reading →

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The out candidates

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There are four LGBT candidates running for the Lege this year. Since 2003, when Austin Democrat Glen Maxey left the Texas House, no out LGBT person has served in the Texas Legislature. The Lone Star State is now one of … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Kirkland

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Nearly all of the judicial primary action this year is on the Republican side, since nearly all of the incumbents running for re-election are Democrats; there are no contested Democratic primaries for the few Republican-held benches. The one contested Democratic … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Three’s company

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not uncommon to see dual endorsements in multi-candidate races. Even the Chron did one for the 2009 Mayor’s race. But this is the first time I can ever recall seeing a three-way endorsement. The creation of District 36 has … Continue reading →

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Updated 30 Day finance reports for other state races

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

After I posted my overview of 30 Day campaign finance reports for other state races, I got an email from Cliff Walker, the Executive Director of the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee, with a more accurate list of races and … Continue reading →

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30 Day finance reports, other state races

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

To complete my tour of the 30 day finance reports, here are the 30 day finance reports from Democratic legislative primaries around the state. Dist Candidate Raised Spent Loans Cash ========================================================== 035 Gus Ruiz 11,047 27,858 25,000 2,067 035 Joseph … Continue reading →

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Recap of all my interviews so far this cycle

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

To say the least, there was a lot of uncertainty at the beginning of the year when I was planning out my interview schedule for the primary election. There were no maps for the State House, State Senate, and Congress. … Continue reading →

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Interview with Domingo Garcia

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

My last interview for this primary cycle is with another one of the leading contenders in the crowded CD33 primary, Domingo Garcia. Garcia is an attorney and activist who served for eight years on the Democratic National Committee beginning in … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Fertitta and Lykos

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes its endorsements in the two primary races for District Attorney. On the Democratic side, they make the easy and obvious call for Zack Fertitta. Zack Fertitta represents a new generation at the Harris County courthouse, and deserves … Continue reading →

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Will SOPA sink Smith?

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Probably not, but I sure don’t mind seeing his opponents use it against him. Republican long-shot candidates are citing high-tech discontent over Rep. Lamar Smith’s proposed government regulation of the Internet in an attempt to knock off the 13-term incumbent … Continue reading →

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30 day financial reports, Harris County offices

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Candidates for county offices who are in contested primaries are also required to submit 30 day campaign finance reports. I’ve been going through the County Clerk’s campaign finance reports page to collect what’s there; ones for Democratic races are on … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Sheriffs

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Sheriff Adrian Garcia for renomination. When the incumbent took over four years ago, he faced a particularly daunting job. The sheriff’s office had been plagued by a series of controversies ranging from federal investigation of prisoner deaths … Continue reading →

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30 day reports, Harris County candidates for state office

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

We’re now 26 days out from the May 29 primary, which means more campaign finance reports from candidates for state and county offices who are in contested primaries. I’m going to post about all of these, starting today with reports … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ronnie McDonald

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

One of the more interesting candidates in a race that isn’t currently considered top tier is Ronnie McDonald, who is running in the redrawn CD27 against first term Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold. McDonald has been a trailblazer for much of … Continue reading →

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Interview with Sylvia Romo

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

One of the most closely watched Congressional primaries this cycle will be in the new CD35, the district to which Rep. Lloyd Doggett moved after redistricting and the second interim map made his CD25 hostile territory. In this Austin-to-San Antonio … Continue reading →

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The Democrats have a DA race, too

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

For which the Chron has an overview. A political newcomer with a famous family name, Houston attorney Zack Fertitta, 36, hopes to succeed Lykos – if, that is, he gets past a perennial candidate in the Democratic primary and if … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Sullivan for Tax Assessor

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron made its first primary endorsement on Friday, and I just now noticed. The [Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office] is, or should be, the quintessential service department – run with the customer’s satisfaction uppermost in mind. For almost half … Continue reading →

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Interview with Joaquin Castro

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Texas will elect at least six new members of Congress this year, as there are four new seats and two members have retired. Contested primaries may produce other new members, but for sure there will be six new faces. We … Continue reading →

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The battle for Williamson County DA

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Outside of the Congressional races, the hottest primaries this year are District Attorney races. We’ve got them in Harris County, in Travis County, and of course in Williamson County. An 11-year Republican incumbent who hasn’t faced an opponent since 2002, … Continue reading →

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The other PPP April polls

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to their Presidential poll, Public Policy Polling asked about the Senate race and the future of Rick Perry. In their poll of the GOP Senate primary, they see things tightening up. Every time PPP polls Texas the Republican … Continue reading →

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Residency is more state of mind than anything else

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From the “Home is where you say it is” department. Her dogs live there, her mail arrives there, and her “stuff” is still there. But Delicia Herrera insists she no longer lives at the home she owns on SW 39th … Continue reading →

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Your voter registration card is in the mail

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Someone was just asking me about this, so I’m glad to see that they’re on their way. Harris County officials prepared to ship out 1.7 million voter registration cards Tuesday – after an unprecedented nearly five-month delay resulting from a … Continue reading →

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Interview with Anthony Troiani

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I have one more interview in CD34 today, and will be back next week with three more interviews. I’m still working on getting more lined up. Today’s subject is Anthony Troiani, who is currently serving as City Commissioner At Large … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ramiro Garza

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Next I have two interviews from a seat that’s new in number but not really in composition. CD34 is the updated version of what was CD27, now with no incumbent, and as an open seat it has attracted a large … Continue reading →

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