Category Archives: Election 2018

The Republicans really, really want to win SD19 by forfeit

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Sure is what it looks like. With early voting set to begin in less than two weeks, the Republican Party of Texas is continuing efforts to have Democrat Pete Gallego removed from the ballot, which if successful would leave only … Continue reading →

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County Attorney declares registration challenges invalid

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

That’s one word for it. The Harris County Attorney’s office said Tuesday that the 4,000 voter registrations challenged by a county Republican Party official were invalid, and the voter registrar should not have sent suspension notices to more than 1,700 … Continue reading →

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Valdez and Abbott come to terms on September debate

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Lupe Valdez, the Democratic candidate for governor, has agreed to debate the Republican incumbent, Greg Abbott, on Sept. 28 in Austin, ending weeks of uncertainty over whether the two would face off. Earlier this summer, Abbott announced his RSVP … Continue reading →

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Nelson attacks Paxton over Obamacare lawsuit

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The Democrat challenging Ken Paxton is denouncing the attorney general for suing to wipe out the Affordable Care Act‘s health care protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. Justin Nelson, a Houston attorney, plans to hold a rally outside the federal courthouse in Ft. … Continue reading →

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Beto and the downballot Dems

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t sweat this too much, but there are a couple of points to address. “If there’s $20 in a room, $10 of it is going to Beto. That’s just happening right now,” said [Joanna] Cattanach, who’s challenging Republican state … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Stanart responds to Garcia

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart issued the following statement in regards to the letter received from Texas State Senator Sylvia Garcia, by way of social media and her attorney, that asserts a County Clerk has the power … Continue reading →

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ECPS: Cruz 38, O’Rourke 37

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Closest result yet, but it comes with a couple of caveats. A new Emerson College e-Poll finds the US Senate race neck and neck with Senator Ted Cruz at 38% and US Rep Beto O’Rourke at 37%; 4% are voting … Continue reading →

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Patrick finally finds a debate opponent he thinks he can handle

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Danno versus Geraldo, coming soon to the eleventh layer of hell. After refusing to go toe-to-toe with his general election opponent, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick agreed Thursday to debate television personality Geraldo Rivera over immigration and the murder of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Flood bond referendum passes easily

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It was in the 85-15 range as of the 8:30 update from the County Clerk. Only a handful of precincts had reported as of that time, and I’m not going to stay up late waiting for more comprehensive numbers – … Continue reading →

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On giving to “longshot” candidates

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Thara Narasimhan, who hosts an Hindu radio program in Houston, has already given $1,200 to a Democrat running against Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, who once drove around his solidly conservative Texas … Continue reading →

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Flood bond election day is today

Posted on August 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a Trib story about the bond. Flood experts say the bond is a good start — and indicative of an unprecedented shift in the collective mindset of local leaders and residents — but that it won’t come close to … Continue reading →

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NBC News: Cruz 49, O’Rourke 45

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been three weeks since our last poll result. In a head-to-head match up, Cruz held a 4-point lead over O’Rourke. Forty-nine percent of respondents backed Cruz, compared to 45 percent who supported O’Rourke. Six percent of respondents remain undecided. … Continue reading →

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If Greg Abbott won’t call a special election in SD06, maybe Stan Stanart will

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Dear Mr. Stanart, My firm and I, together with Robert Icesezen, Esq., have been engaged to represent Sen. Sylvia R. Garcia, individually and as the elected representative of the citizens of Texas Senate District 6. Governor Abbott … Continue reading →

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Vote suspension update

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The situation gets more complicated. Harris County mistakenly placed more than 1,700 voters on its suspension list in response to a local Republican official’s challenge of nearly 4,000 voter registrations, county Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett said Wednesday. The situation … Continue reading →

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One more for Speaker

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

And then there were five. State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, filed Monday morning to run for speaker of the Texas House, making him the fourth Republican to throw his hat in the ring in the race to succeed retiring House … Continue reading →

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Final EV turnout for the flood bond referendum

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Lower than initial estimates, though I think the initial estimates were on the optimistic side. But really, we were all guessing. Tuesday is the final day of early voting for Harris County’s proposed $2.5 billion flood bond, and as residents … Continue reading →

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If you can’t win, cheat

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

This is some bullshit. Harris County residents keen to vote in the upcoming midterm elections should be very careful about checking their mail. Recently, some residents of Third Ward received letters informing them of an address change they had not … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Crosstab versus 538

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You are familiar with the Congressional race projections from G. Elliott Morris at The Crosstab, which I’ve noted here and here. He uses a probabilistic model for each district. Which as it happens is also the approach taken by FiveThirtyEight … Continue reading →

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Today is the last day for early voting for the flood bond

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: “Don’t put off until Election Day what you can do now,” said Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, as he reminded voters that Tuesday, August 21, is the last day to vote early in the Harris County Flood … Continue reading →

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The firefighter pay parity referendum won’t be decided by the voters

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

it will be decided by the courts. Here’s a story out of Austin to illustrate. Former Travis County judge Bill Aleshire has sued the city of Austin in the Texas Supreme Court, challenging the ballot language of a proposition up … Continue reading →

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Beto’s ad strategy

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Nothing wrong with a little low-tech outreach. Over the last year, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has drawn national fanfare as a thoroughly modern, digital-first campaign. He regularly draws an audience of thousands to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

CD32 poll: Sessions 47, Allred 45

Posted on August 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Another internal poll, another close race. Texas Rep. Pete Sessions’ re-election race is looking increasingly competitive, with Democrat Colin Allred polling close to the longtime Republican lawmaker, according to a new internal Democratic survey. The Dallas-area 32nd District is traditionally … Continue reading →

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It depends what the meaning of “intent” is

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Give me a break. It has been about three weeks since state Sen. Sylvia Garcia submitted a letter declaring her “intent to resign,” but whether it qualifies as an actual resignation has fallen into dispute — and has threatened to … Continue reading →

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ReBuild re-vote approved

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Add another item to the ballot. City Council on Wednesday unanimously agreed to put the controversial street and drainage program known as ReBuild Houston before voters again in November, but not before tweaking the ballot language in hopes of avoiding … Continue reading →

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This will be your last year to vote a straight party ticket

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Whether you like it or not. The linked story looks at how this upcoming change, to go into effect in 2020, may affect judicial elections. Texas elects its judges, leaving the nearly anonymous people in charge of the third branch … Continue reading →

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Dallas County Republicans still trying to knock all the Dems off the ballot

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here comes the appeal. Dallas County Republicans will appeal a ruling that blocked efforts to remove scores of Democrats from the November election ballot. A formal intent to appeal was filed Monday on behalf of Missy Shorey, the chairwoman of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What if we held a debate and only one candidate showed up?

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Not a rhetorical question. The Fox News affiliate in Houston has offered to host a debate between Dan Patrick and his Democratic opponent, but it’s unlikely the lieutenant governor will accept. “We understand that currently there are no plans for … Continue reading →

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Trump’s Texas beneficiaries

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. Six Texas Republican in Congress received a show of financial support from their party’s leader this week. President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign announced Thursday that it was donating the maximum contribution possible to around 100 House and Senate Republican … Continue reading →

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Day Seven flood bond EV totals

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The word of the week is “slow”. Fewer than 46,000 ballots have been cast in the first week of early voting on Harris County’s $2.5 billion flood bond referendum, but county officials on Monday said they expect many more voters … Continue reading →

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Chron goes on a road trip with Beto

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

This covers a lot of ground we’ve been over before, along with some anecdotes of interaction with various voters. It also has a nice, concise summary of the nature of the Beto O’Rourke go-everywhere strategy. O’Rourke’s visit came during a … Continue reading →

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SD19 runoff date set

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has picked Sept. 18 as the date of the special election runoff to replace convicted former state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio. Early voting will run Sept. 10-14. The runoff pits Republican Pete … Continue reading →

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Ted and Trump

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Two lousy tastes that taste worse together. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has asked President Donald Trump to come to Texas to campaign for him. During a campaign stop in Seguin [last] Monday, Cruz said he has reached out to his … Continue reading →

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Flood bond referendum: Interview with Lina Hidalgo

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I do have one more interview to bring you for the flood bond referendum, for which we are already in the early voting period, and that interview is with Lina Hidalgo, the Democratic candidate for Harris County Judge. Had this … Continue reading →

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The meta-campaign for Senate

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s talk about what we talk about when we talk about the Senate campaign. It’s the most backhanded of compliments. U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s campaign for U.S. Senate has caught so much fire throughout the state that the new favorite … Continue reading →

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