Category Archives: Election 2016

Rep. McClendon resigns her seat

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Farewell to a good legislator. State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, who isn’t seeking re-election this year, has submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott effective Sunday, with 11 months remaining in her term. McClendon, D-San Antonio, has served … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Judge Elaine Palmer

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Angelique Bartholomew

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As noted, three-term Rep. Ron Reynolds has drawn three challengers in HD27. You’re aware of Rep. Reynolds’ recent issues, and he is aware of what I have said about him here. As such, he declined to be interviewed. You can … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Dudley and Sullivan

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes its endorsements in the Tax Assessor primaries. It is the time of year when the Harris County tax assessor-collector gains sudden prominence: Jan. 31 is the due date to pay property taxes, and Feb. 1 is the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Steve Brown

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

While HD137 is the only Democratic legislative primary in Harris County that features an incumbent and a serious opponent, it’s not the only one in the greater area. Over in Fort Bend, three-term Rep. Ron Reynolds has drawn three challengers … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Randy Roll

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Edward Pollard

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Four Democratic legislators in Harris County have drawn primary challengers this year. Three of them – Reps. Alma Allen, Jessica Farrar, and Hubert Vo – drew opponents who filed at the last minute. None of their challengers can be described … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of Sheriff primaries

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

No, it’s not 2008, though there are a couple of superficial similarities. On paper, Ed Gonzalez is a near-replica of former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. The Latino Democrats served in the Houston Police Department and represented the same district … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rep. Gene Wu

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We turn now to legislative races, where there are a couple of open seats and a couple of challenged incumbents to keep an eye on. State Rep. Gene Wu is in his second term, having won a four-way primary in … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Kristen Hawkins

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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More Commissioner hopefuls make themselves known

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The race is on. With former city attorney Gene Locke in place to finish the late Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee’s term, Democratic players are quickly emerging as candidates in the November general election. State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, … Continue reading →

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Sen. Ellis to seek Commissioner’s position

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We have our first public announcement of interest in filling the late El Franco Lee’s seat on Commissioner’s Court. Longtime state Sen. Rodney Ellis has begun making calls to local Democratic Party leaders and plans to run for the Harris … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Stephen Aslett

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of HD27 primary

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Also known as Ron Reynolds versus the world. “This is the biggest challenge of my political career,” Reynolds said. “It will be an uphill climb, but I’m confident.” The March 1 primary includes lawyer Angelique Bartholomew, prosecutor Christopher Henderson and … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Going Green

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron sticks with incumbent Rep. Gene Green in CD29. Former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia can point to 23 years on the Houston police force, six years on City Council, where he served as mayor pro tem, and six … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Nikita Harmon

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Sheriffs

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the time of the season again. In Ed Gonzalez, Democratic Party primary voters have a candidate with broad experience in law enforcement and governance. Gonzalez’s resume includes three terms as councilman of District H, and 18 years in the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Jeff Stauber

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As I said before, winning back the Sheriff’s office is a high priority for Harris County Democrats. Adrian Garcia won it in 2008 as an outsider. In 2016, Jeff Stauber is running on his years of experience on the inside. … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Julie Countiss

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ed Gonzalez

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

When Harris County Democrats broke through in 2008 to win their first countywide races in over a decade, the standard bearer was Adrian Garcia in the Sheriff’s race. Garcia won re-election in 2012, but stepped down in 2015 to run … Continue reading →

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Special election set for HD139

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ask, and ye shall receive. A special election for state House District 139 has been set for May 7, according to a gubernatorial proclamation issued Friday, setting in motion the race to serve out the remaining months of Houston Mayor … Continue reading →

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The Chron on the El Franco Lee successor selection process

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

First, a lamentation. Not even a month has passed since Sylvester Turner was sworn in as Houston’s new mayor, and already the next election cycle is just around the corner. Early voting for party primaries is about a month away, … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Joshua Verde

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ann Harris Bennett

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As I said in my earlier entry, Democrats came close to winning the office of Harris County Tax Assessor in 2012. The candidate who turned in that performance is Ann Harris Bennett, who is back this year to try again. … Continue reading →

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Is Green v Garcia about “the power of the Latino vote”?

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

To some degree, but I wouldn’t overstate it. When Adrian Garcia called last month asking for support in his congressional bid, East End community activist Jessica Hulsey did not hesitate. “I said, ‘Adrian, you’re my brother,’ ” Hulsey, 65, recalled. “ ’I … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Greg Glass

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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When will there be a special election to fill Mayor Turner’s legislative term?

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Leader News brings up a point that I haven’t seen mentioned elsewhere, namely that HD139 is now vacant since the inauguration of Mayor Sylvester Turner. They have their top-of-page-one story devoted to this, but of course you can’t find … Continue reading →

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Interview with Brandon Dudley

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Democrats haven’t held the Harris County Tax Assessor’s office since long-serving Tax Assessor Carl Smith passed away in 1998. They came close in 2012, as first term incumbent Mike Sullivan won a three-way race with a shade less than 49% … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Collegiality and cover

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

More support for Rep. Gene Green. Congressional Hispanics are lining up behind U.S. Rep. Gene Green as he seeks to fend off a primary challenge from former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. BOLD PAC, the political arm of the Congressional … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: David Singer

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Kim Ogg

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As I said before, there are two strong candidates who merit consideration for your vote for the Democratic nomination for District Attorney. Kim Ogg was our nominee for DA in 2014, having vanquished the annoying perennial candidate that is cluttering … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Dion Ramos

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Morris Overstreet

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

And just like that, we’re on to the 2016 primary elections. I know it feels like we’ve just barely finished with 2015 – the filing deadline for the 2016 primaries was two days after the 2015 runoff. Believe me, I … Continue reading →

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2016 Election page is up

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here it is. A few notes: – This is for races that will appear on the Harris County ballot only. Our ballot is big enough, with enough contested primary races, that I didn’t have the time or the energy to … Continue reading →

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