Category Archives: Election 2008

How many candidates for any political office can day they’ve had nearly the entire cast of a highly praised TV show campaign for them? Probably not too many, I’d guess. Here’s how that went. If that doesn’t impress you, perhaps … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m going to toot my own horn here: My guess would be 675,000 early votes [in Harris County], which should yield about 730,000 total votes. And here’s here’s today’s Chron story about the final tally: After shutting the doors Friday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I was sure the Chron would still be doing endorsements right up until Election Day, but I’m glad to see they beat that deadline by finishing the last of them off today. First, they make their choices for Constable: Jack … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Just some bits and pieces for your late Halloween/early Dia de los Muertos perusal… KHOU shines a spotlight on Sherrie Matula and her two opponents in HD129. Former Clear Creek schoolteacher Sherrie Matula is running for the Texas House. She … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Yes, today is the last day of early voting. Vote today, or wait till Tuesday. Today is likely to be very busy, possibly busier than Tuesday at your usual polling place, but I’d still try to cast my ballot today … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I don’t know if the Chronicle was motivated by the end of early voting today or if they just finally broke through a logjam, but we have a veritable cornucopia of endorsements in this edition. First, they go for Loren … Continue reading → Continue reading →

So you think you know what’s going to happen on Election Day? Put your money where your mouth is and take The Roundtable challenge to see if you can do better than the local punditocracy and media moguls. All in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Item: Texans for Lawsuit Reform rents a candidate. Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a business group instrumental in winning significant restrictions on civil lawsuits, has endorsed two candidates — Republican Joan Huffman of Southside Place and Democrat Stephanie Simmons of Missouri … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I repeat, sign stealing is lame. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with it. And if you must, it pays to think outside the box. Bravo, sir. And while we’re on the subject, Harold Cook has a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

One more poll to consider as we approach the end of early voting. This one is from the University of Texas. The UT poll shows McCain running ahead of Obama statewide, with a 51 percent to 40 percent margin. Cornyn, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Here’s your daily EV update. A total of 70,621 in-person votes were cast yesterday, which is a 42.8% gain over 2004’s figure of 49,449. Not quite the Birnberg number, but close enough. The grand total with two days to go … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Before I get to today’s endorsements, let’s briefly discuss this item from yesterday, in which the Chron gravely intoned of a looming catastrophe. We would respectfully request those considering a straight ticket vote in either party to reconsider their decision. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Just a few thoughts regarding this article about the sSlate machines that Harris County uses. County Clerk Beverly Kaufman, a Republican who administers elections, pointed out that eSlates have had many fewer reported problems than “touch-screen” technology, which has led … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The anachronistically named Texas Railroad Commission is pretty high up there in the power-to-prominence ratio. This year’s race for Railroad Commissioner is pretty typical, modulo the unusual three-way Democratic primary that left the little-known contender Mark Thompson standing. The Chron … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The early vote in Harris County was 66,506 yesterday, the busiest day yet. That matches the pattern from 2004, except at a higher level – the corresponding 2004 number was 46,393, and the nine-day total was 240,846 then and 443,267 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

For what will probably be my last interview of this cycle (there’s still a chance I’ll have one more), I bring you a conversation with Larry Joe Doherty, who is running a spirited and closely contested campaign in CD10. Larry … Continue reading → Continue reading →

As expected, the Chron gives thumbs up to Michael Skelly in CD07. Michael Skelly for U.S. Representative, District 7: For a diverse range of communities stretching from the Texas Medical Center and West University Place to the far northwest suburbs … Continue reading → Continue reading →

We have a rarity in Harris County politics this year – an actual Democrat-versus-Republican race for a County Commissioners Court seat. That race is for Precinct 3, where long-term incumbent Steve Radack faces Democrat Dexter Handy. Radack last had a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Some highlights from the eight days out reports, where the real money often gets spent, for Harris County races. HD149: Greg Meyers gets a huge cash injection from a couple of Republican PACs as they try to knock off Rep. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Some days, it’s all about the videos. My apologies for the earworm, and props to whoever found that awesome font. Continue reading →

I didn’t think the double-the-rate-of-2004 pace for early voting could be maintained all the way through to the end, and the Monday results bear that out, as “only” 62,509 voters showed up at the polls yesterday. That’s a slight drop … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates who will be on the ballot in Harris County. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates. 1. Who are you, and what are you … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Best endorsement video ever: See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die Just too bad he didn’t include Mr. and Mrs. C. Anyone know who Tom Bosley and Marian Ross are voting for? For what it’s worth, McCain recently … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I have three things to say about this story, which gives an overview of the races for the Court of Criminal Appeals. Problems in the criminal justice system, highlighted by a series of exonerations, are the top issue in this … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I hope you’ve now had a chance to digest the latest poll news from the Chron, because the campaigns for Rep. Nick Lampson and Michael Skelly would like you to hear their side of the story. I have in my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

One full week of early voting is in the can, and as you can see, the pace compared to 2004 continues. So far, 314,252 in person votes have been cast, which rises to 359,613 when mail ballots are added in. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

After two days of mostly discouraging news for the local GOP, today’s Chron poll of two area Congressional races should make them feel better. Two Houston-area congressmen under political siege likely face opposite fates in the Nov. 4 election, according … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I am almost completely done with my series of candidate interviews for this cycle – I expect to do one more, which should be published by Wednesday, then it’s all over till the 2009 municipal elections. I hope you’ve found … Continue reading → Continue reading →

As we enter the last week of early voting, here are the races in which the Chron has not yet made a recommendation: 1. Railroad Commissioner 2. US House, Districts 07 and 10 3. State Senate, District 17 4. State … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Sign stealing is lame, no matter who does it. And here’s what I have to say about it: Don’t mess with my signs. Continue reading →

Just a couple of thoughts regarding this Chron overview of the SD17 special election. First, not to sound like a one-note Johnny or something here, but it would be nice to see some updated poll numbers for this race. Have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I am exceedingly pleased to note that the Chronicle has endorsed Diane Trautman for Harris County Tax Assessor. The duties of the Harris County tax/assessor collector are straightforward: collecting and disbursing property taxes, registering and titling motor vehicles, and registering … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Continuing from yesterday, the Chron gives us more catnip. Democrats have reclaimed the voting advantage they lost 14 years ago in elections for Harris County offices, according to a poll conducted for the Houston Chronicle. But Republican County Judge Ed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

You know the story by now. Here’s some detail to add a little pep to it. Leaning against a weathered brick wall outside the Palm Center early voting station, Dexter Willis crossed his arms, took a deep breath and soaked … Continue reading → Continue reading →