Category Archives: Election 2010

The Dirty Dozen

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Today, the national League of Conservation Voters (LCV), which works to turn environmental values into national priorities, announced the inaugural state-level Dirty Dozen program. Rick Perry is one of 12 candidates for state office from around the … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Sherri Cothrun

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Paper ballots on the menu

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The county’s plan for dealing with the loss of all of its voting machines includes some low technology. Despite a fire that destroyed Harris County’s voting machines Friday, County Clerk Beverly Kaufman said she intends to keep all polling places … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Sen. Rodney Ellis

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We move from the House to the Senate this week for conversations with the Democratic Senate delegation of Harris County. First up is State Sen. Rodney Ellis, who served three terms on Houston City Council in District D before being … Continue reading →

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Cause of fire that destroyed voting machines still not determined

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I sure hope it’s not arson. Lord knows, though, there’s a million conspiracy theories you could spin if it turns out it was. Houston’s fire marshal’s office hasn’t made a ruling on whether Friday’s early-morning fire was accidental or deliberately … Continue reading →

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Rick Perry isn’t the only debate ducker out there

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Speaking of debates and those who don’t want to have them, meet Greg “I’ll leave the decision about whether or not I participate in a debate to my staff” Abbott. What are these guys afraid of? Is the thought of … Continue reading →

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The one-man debate

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

One way or another, we will have a gubernatorial debate. The Houston Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman and the state’s other major newspapers will host a gubernatorial debate this fall, even if just one candidate shows up. The newspapers, along with Austin … Continue reading →

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Elections equipment damaged in fire

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Uh oh. Harris County voting machines were heavily damaged in a 3-alarm fire at warehouse in north Houston early this morning. The fire broke out about 4:15 a.m. at the county’s election equipment storage facility in the 600 block of … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Kristi Thibaut

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Kristi Thibaut is a freshman representing HD133 out in west Harris County. She’s a former legislative aide and was a fundraiser for various organizations before winning election in 2008 in her second attempt. Hers is a true swing … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Al Leal

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Ellen Cohen

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Ellen Cohen was elected to the House in 2006 after an 18-year stint as the President and CEO of the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) in a high-profile and hard-fought race that tipped the partisan balance of the Harris … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Brandon Dudley

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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More judicial Q&As

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As was the case with the primary, David Jennings of Big Jolly Politics is doing a similar set of judicial Q&As for Republican candidates, most of whom are the incumbents in these races. You can see the Q&A responses he … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Katie Kennedy

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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His calendar is wide open

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Let me briefly sum up Elise Hu’s story about the sparseness of Governor Perry’s calendar: Either he’s lying about how much he actually works, or he does an awful lot of stuff that he doesn’t want the public to know … Continue reading →

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A preview of tomorrow’s paper

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Look for the following ad in Tuesday’s newspaper: Click on it to see a larger version, and to visit the latest site that the Back to Basics PAC has worked up. I confess, I’m still rather partial to the chicken … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Armando Walle

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Armando Walle is finishing his first term representing HD140 in northeast Harris County. Walle won a contested primary in 2008 against Craddick D Kevin Bailey, which helped contribute to the downfall of the former Speaker. At 32 years … Continue reading →

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Double-Dip Driver

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed this the other day. State Rep. Joe Driver of Garland, who rails against the evils of runaway government spending, admitted Monday that he has pocketed thousands of dollars in taxpayer money for travel expenses that his … Continue reading →

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Chron opines on Renew Houston

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is a pretty fair take on it. Given Houston’s history of flooded streets, businesses and homes over the past decade, the Chronicle agrees with the aims of Renew Houston, the organization of engineers that is backing the proposition. What … Continue reading →

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Interview with Silvia Mintz

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Our third candidate this week is one of the more interesting people you’ll meet this cycle. Silvia Mintz came to the US from Guatemala when she was 17. She worked as a janitor and a nanny, learned English, and eventually … Continue reading →

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Birdwell will be on the ballot

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So says the Fifth Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel from that court ruled against the Democrats and said it won’t consider rehearing the case because of pending election deadlines: We conclude relators have not shown they are entitled to … Continue reading →

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Election called to fill HISD open seat

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston ISD trustees unanimously opted today to let voters choose the next school board representative of the city’s east side. A special election will be held Nov. 2 to serve the remainder of former Trustee Diana Davila’s term, which … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Vivian King

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rick Molina

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Next up is Rick Molina, who is running in HD144 against freshman Rep. Ken Legler. Molina is an attorney and a longtime resident of Pasadena. He’s also a graduate of Rice University, which always counts for a little extra credit … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Bruce Kessler

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Kathy Vossler

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Interview with Joe Montemayor

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We turn our attention this week to some of the Democratic candidates who are running in Republican-held districts. First up is Joe Montemayor, who ran for HD127 in 2008 against Joe Crabb and is running for it again this year … Continue reading →

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Is that really the argument you want to make?

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

SD22 special election winner and GOP nominee for November Bill Birdwell filed his response to the lawsuit that challenged his residency on Friday, and, well, color me puzzled. “It has been Texas law for over 40 years that a person’s … Continue reading →

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How much better is the fundraising picture for Democrats in Texas?

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

By one important measure, it’s a lot better. The financial success of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White has revealed a new generation of wealthy contributors who are stepping forward to back Texas Democratic candidates. White’s campaign has been able to … Continue reading →

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There’s playing chicken, and there’s being chicken

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Quite the suitable choice of words here. Suggesting his opponent has something to hide, Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday he will not budge on his refusal to debate unless Democrat Bill White releases more income tax returns. The Republican governor … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Jessica Farrar

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Jessica Farrar has represented me in the Lege since I moved into the Heights in 1997; she was first elected in 1994, and is now the longest-serving Latina in the House. I have always admired her progressive values … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: William “Bill” Rice

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Birdwell ballot challenge timeline

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, the Texas Democratic Party and its candidate for SD22, John Cullar, have filed a lawsuit challenging the residency of Republican candidate Bill Birdwell. Here’s the latest news regarding that: The Dallas Court of Appeals has asked Sen. … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Sylvester Turner

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Sylvester Turner is one of the senior members of the Houston-area delegation, having served HD139 since he was first elected in 1988. He doesn’t have a campaign webpage, so let me refer you to his Texas Tribune biography … Continue reading →

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