Category Archives: Election 2018

CD06 poll: Wright 48, Sanchez 39

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Via Patrick Svitek on Twitter, I learned of a recent PPP poll in CD06. Here’s the polling memo, and here’s the information you’re most interested in: Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance? 48% Approve … Continue reading →

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State GOP sues to toss Gallego off SD19 runoff ballot

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, good grief. The Republican Party of Texas filed a lawsuit Friday aiming to kick Democrat Pete Gallego off the ballot in the special election runoff to replace convicted former state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio. Gallego is heading to … Continue reading →

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The range of Republican anxiety

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Some folks are a little scared about all this “blue wave” talk and poll numbers and what have you. As Ted Cruz took questions at a Republican women’s event [in Smithville] Saturday evening, Bastrop retiree Ronnie Ann Burt wanted to … Continue reading →

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Firefighter pay proposal officially on the ballot

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As required. Houston voters in November will choose whether to grant firefighters pay “parity” with police of corresponding rank and seniority. After weeks of wrangling over the issue — including angry debates, rare legislative maneuvers and allegations of electioneering — … Continue reading →

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Day Two flood bond EV totals

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry I wasn’t able to post the Day One totals yesterday, but here are the Day Two EV totals for the flood bond referendum. So far 4,984 people have voted in person, with almost exactly the same number on Monday … Continue reading →

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July 2018 campaign finance reports: State House

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We’e seen a lot of very good campaign finance reports, all of which speak to the enthusiasm and engagement of Democrats this cycle. This batch of reports is not as good. These are July reports from State House candidates, take … Continue reading →

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Flood bond referendum: Interview with Jen Powis

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, early voting for the flood bond referendum on August 25 begins today, running through the 21st. There are a lot of groups and organizations that are keenly interested in this bond issue and how it will affect … Continue reading →

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More details on the flood bond referendum

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting starts today. The Harris County Flood Control District on Monday released its complete list of projects that would be funded by the county’s $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond proposal, two days before early voting on the measure begins. … Continue reading →

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July 2018 campaign finance reports: State Senate

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to having a full slate of Congressional candidates for the first time since the 90s, we have a nearly-full slate of contenders for the State Senate as well. Of the twelve Republican-held Senate seats up for election this … Continue reading →

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Poll shows flood bond referendum in good shape

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Standard caveats apply. A majority of Harris County voters say they will support a $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond at the polls later this month, according to University of Houston research released Monday. Sixty-two percent of residents who said they … Continue reading →

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It’s been three years since Ken Paxton was indicted

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Surely that’s worth noting. It’s been three years since Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was indicted for securities fraud, and his Democratic challenger marked the date — with cake. Justin Nelson, a Houston attorney vying to strip the Republican incumbent of his title, released a YouTube video campaign ad … Continue reading →

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Flood bond referendum: Interview with Ed Emmett

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Believe it or not, early voting for the August 25 flood bond referendum begins this week, on Wednesday the 8th. Those of you who make the effort to show up and vote will get to decide whether or not to … Continue reading →

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From the “Many are called, but few are chosen” department

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here are your non-standard choices for the November election. Independent candidates Candidates unaffiliated with a political party are allowed access to the general election ballot as long as they file the necessary paperwork and gather a certain number of signatures — depending … Continue reading →

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PPP: Cruz 46, O’Rourke 42

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Once, twice, three times a poll result. A new Public Policy Polling survey finds that the Texas Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke is competitive as O’Rourke continues to close the gap. In the … Continue reading →

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Stalking Sessions

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It sure would be sweet to beat Pete. The man who engineered the 2010 Republican takeover of the House is racing to save himself in his own election this year — and he admits, in so many words, that President … Continue reading →

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Quinnipiac: Cruz 49, O’Rourke 43

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Two polls in one week. A new poll released Wednesday morning suggests a tightening race between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke. The newly released poll from Quinnipiac University gives Cruz a 6-point lead: 49 percent of … Continue reading →

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ReBuild re-vote

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Sort of. It’s complicated. Eight years after voters narrowly backed the idea, the controversial street and drainage program known as ReBuild Houston is expected to appear again on the November ballot in the form of an amendment to the city … Continue reading →

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Early voting for the flood bond referendum

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a little weird, but there’s two full weeks of it and for the most part you can vote at the usual places. Harris County will have 25 balloting locations during the first weekend of early voting for the $2.5 … Continue reading →

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Lyceum: Cruz 41, O’Rourke 39

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good result, though the others with it could be better. A new poll released Wednesday suggests that U.S. Sen Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, are in a dead heat. The poll from Texas Lyceum shows Cruz … Continue reading →

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Trib profiles Kim Olson

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have four things to say about this: Wherever she goes, Kim Olson carries with her packets of wildflower seeds advertising her campaign to unseat Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Olson calls the seed packets her “calling card.” She distributes … Continue reading →

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Gallego versus Flores in the SD19 runoff

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Get set for a noisy runoff. Republican Pete Flores and Democrat Pete Gallego are headed to a runoff in the special election to replace convicted former state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio. With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, Flores led … Continue reading →

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The Trib looks at the AG race

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

There’s case that this is the second-most interesting statewide race on the ballot. Three years ago almost to the day, a Collin County grand jury indicted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for securities fraud. As the state’s top lawyer turned … Continue reading →

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Two views of the flood bond referendum

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

View One, from Joe B. Allen and Jim Blackburn: Vote for it because there’s no real alternative. Proposition A — the proposal to allow Harris County to issue $2.5 billion in flood control bonds — will be on the ballot … Continue reading →

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July 2018 finance reports: Harris County candidates

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s take a look at where we stand with the candidates for county office. January report info is here. On we go: County Judge Ed Emmett Lina Hidalgo Commissioner, Precinct 2 Jack Morman Adrian Garcia Commissioner, Precinct 4 Jack Cagle … Continue reading →

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The STEM candidates

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

If there was ever a year for scientists to run for office, this was it. Across the country, hundreds of candidates with academic or professional experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics have left their businesses and laboratories to compete … Continue reading →

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Beto mostly accepts Cruz’s debate terms

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like we’re on. Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic nominee in Texas’ U.S. Senate race, is accepting Republican incumbent Ted Cruz’s proposal to debate five times over the next three months, though O’Rourke also is suggesting a few changes to the … Continue reading →

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Checking in on SD19

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Election Day is Tuesday. Long before the seat opened up here in Texas Senate District 19, state Rep. Roland Gutierrez was traveling the massive district, making friends as far west as Big Bend National Park’s Brewster County in anticipation of … Continue reading →

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Paxton joins the wimp brigade

Posted on July 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Seems fitting. Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a TV interview that he would be “happy to debate anybody on the issues” as he seeks re-election this fall, but he is now backing off that offer by refusing to debate … Continue reading →

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Republicans and Independents

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Something to ponder. The good news for President Trump in the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll — half of which was conducted before and the day of the Helsinki presser with Putin, half of which was conducted afterward — … Continue reading →

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Council discusses firefighter pay parity proposal

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It will cost some money if it passes. Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña said Thursday that his firefighters deserve raises, but he would be hard-pressed to maintain his department budget without reducing his ranks if voters approve a measure granting … Continue reading →

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Don’t expect any other debates

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Cowardice + lack of incentive = avoiding engagement. Land Commissioner George P. Bush (son of Jeb and nephew to George W.) has no plans to go one-on-one with his challenger, Miguel Suazo — at least, not as of Tuesday, July 24. … Continue reading →

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What’s the deal with that Civiqs poll?

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Last week, Markos at Daily Kos posted this: I didn’t want to believe Politico’s, “Beto-mania sweeps Texas.” But a look at our Civiqs Texas data (which we poll for our own use, not for any client), and holy shit, it’s … Continue reading →

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Cruz proposes five debates

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

All on Fridays, but at least he’s offering something. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has challenged Democratic opponent Beto O’Rourke to five topical debates before Election Day, about three months after O’Rourke challenged Cruz to six. Cruz strategist Jeff Roe … Continue reading →

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On campaigning for the flood bond

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

This is good, but I don’t know if it will be enough. The Harris County Flood Control District’s summer barnstorming tour of county watersheds to seek public input on its $2.5 billion flood bond proposal is getting officials exactly what … Continue reading →

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