Category Archives: Election 2009

Interview with Mills Worsham

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Next up is Mills Worsham, who is a candidate in District G. Worsham is the Houston Community College Trustee representing District 6, succeeding Jim Murphy after the latter’s election to the State Legislature in 2006. He is a native Houstonian … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Locke’s crimefighting plan

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In the past week or so I’ve had several Mayoral candidate issue papers hit my inbox. As there was one from each campaign, I thought I’d try to do a little analysis of each of them. We’ll start today with … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Endorsement watch: Planned Parenthood

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I consider the Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsements to be a big deal, because I think very highly of Planned Parenthood as an organization. They just released their endorsement list for the 2009 Houston elections, which are … Continue reading →

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Peter Brown on the air

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As noted last week, Mayoral candidate Peter Brown will start airing TV ads this week. A preview of the first ad, which doesn’t appear to be embeddable yet, can be seen here. It’s basically an intro spot, and it hits … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Endorsement watch: Can we get a list, please?

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

There’s been a lot of endorsement activity lately for the 2009 Houston elections, and since I don’t really want to reproduce every press release I get, I thought I’d try to link to endorsement lists from some of the groups … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Interview with Council Member Jolanda Jones

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I feel like Council Member Jolanda Jones needs no introduction. She’s got a fairly high profile these days, and if you follow Houston politics at all, you’ve probably got a familiarity with her and an opinion of her. Mine remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

It’s all about the runoff

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Professor Murray also comments on the Marc Campos post that assessed the state of the Mayoral race, and he hits on a lot of the same points that I did, with some more detail. And just in time, as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with Mike Laster

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Moving back to District F, today’s interview subject is Mike Laster. Mike is an attorney specializing in real estate, and was for six years a Senior Assistant City Attorney in the Real Estate Division of the City Attorney’s Office. Mike … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Interview with Jeff Downing

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Next up is Jeff Downing, who is running in District A. Jeff is an attorney who runs his own firm, after having been a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s office. He was an intern in the White House … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Interview with Council Member Melissa Noriega

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

One of the things planned to do with my interview series this year is include conversations with incumbent Council members. I’ve started on those and hope to get to all of them just as I hope to get to as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Endorsement watch: Tejano Democrats

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, I know they endorsed Gene Locke for Mayor, because I received a press release to that effect last night, which is reproduced below. I also know that the Tejano Dems were going to endorse a full slate of candidates, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Interview with Robert Kane

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Moving to a new part of town, today’s interview subject is Robert Kane, who is running for City Council in District F. Kane is a relative newcomer to Houston, living here for four years after living in various parts of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Mayor White wants to consider term limits review

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor White wants to reconsider term limits. In a City Council meeting Wednesday, White said he is not advocating an end to the policy, but rather a commission that would study the possibility of changing or eliminating the rule. Voters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mayoral forum focusing on non-profits

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

There are plenty of Mayoral forums going on. Here’s one that will cover some ground I haven’t seen trod before. Houston Area Table Mayoral Forum What role will non-profits and community based organizations play in the new mayor’s administration? Apearing … Continue reading →

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Interview with Alex Wathen

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Moving back to candidates for office, today I bring you a conversation with Alex Wathen, who is running in District A. Wathen is an attorney who has his own firm, where he specializes in bankruptcy law. He was the Republican … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Endorsement watch: We take it back

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s something you don’t see every election. The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, which had previously endorsed City Council Member Jolanda Jones for re-election to her At Large #5 seat, has now rescinded that endorsement. You can read their letter … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Interview with Natasha Kamrani

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been busy interviewing candidates for various offices, but today I’m going to step away from that and interview a current officeholder who will not be on the ballot this November. I’m talking about Natasha Kamrani, who last week announced … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Interview with Herman Litt

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

My next interview subject is Herman Litt, who is running for At Large #1. Litt is a rehabilitation counselor and hospital administrator who was elected to the HCC Board of Trustees in 1999 and served for awhile as its Chair. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Peter Brown’s traffic plan

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today I want to take a closer look at Peter Brown’s traffic plan, the highlights of which you can see here, with the longer and more detail-filled form here (PDF). My thoughts: – As with Annise Parker’s crimefighting plan, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Endorsement watch: HGLBT Political Caucus on Controller and Council races

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

From Wednesday night’s meeting of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus: The Houston Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered Political Caucus met on Wednesday evening to endorse candidates in the 2009 Houston municipal elections as well as HISD Board of Trustee elections. … Continue reading →

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Roy ‘n’ TJ

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Together at last, as Huntley says on Facebook. To all of my loyal supporters, I want to say thank you. Thanks for being behind me and standing in the gap for the things this city lacks. We all know that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Interview with Amy Peck

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Next on the interview list is Amy Peck, who is running in District A. She is a UT graduate who got a ME.d in Counseling Psychology from the University of Houston at the age of 22. She works as constituent … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Parker’s crimefighting plan

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Tis the season for Mayoral candidates to send out position papers on various issues. I’ve gotten a couple in my mailbox in the past few days and want to spend a little time examining them. First up is Annise Parker’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Jack Christie to run in At Large #5

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The field in At Large #5, which currently includes incumbent Council Member Jolanda Jones and challengers Carlos Obando and Davetta Daniels, has just gotten bigger as Jack Christie has filed to run for the seat as well. Christie is a … Continue reading →

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Kamrani not running for re-election as HISD trustee

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

There are now two open HISD Trustee seats up for election this fall as District I incumbent Natasha Kamrani announces that she will step down after this term. HISD Trustee Natasha Kamrani, who is completing her first term on the school … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Interview with Oliver Pennington

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Moving over to District G, my next interview is with Oliver Pennnington. Pennington is a retired attorney, a partner at Fulbright and Jaworski, whose practice focused on municipal law, and a Rice alumnus. Pennington has lived in District G for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Tuesday Council roundup

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Council Member Sue Lovell, who is running hard for re-election after her close win in 2007, has added some fundraising muscle to her team. Houston Vice Mayor Pro Tem Sue Lovell announced today that Robert Miller would lead the Finance … Continue reading →

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Interview with Brenda Stardig

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

And we return to District A for a conversation with Brenda Stardig. Brenda is a businesswoman and real estate broker who has served on the City of Houston District A Apartment Task Force as well as a number of boards … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Controller’s debate

Posted on August 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed it from Friday, here’s the Houston City Controller debate as hosted by Red, White, and Blue on KUHT. I was out of town this week and didn’t get a chance to set the TiVo on Friday, … Continue reading →

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NHPO online survey for July

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO), in conjunction with The Carreno Group, conducted an online survey of the Houston municipal elections earlier this month, for which they have just released the results. I’ve placed it under the fold for your … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Intown Q&A with Mayoral candidates

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Houston Intown magazine is one of those freebie publications you’ll find at your coffee shop and whatnot. The current issue has a Q&A with the five Mayoral candidates that’s worth a look. For whatever the reason, their website isn’t set … Continue reading →

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Interview with Noel Freeman

Posted on July 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing with the At Large candidate interviews, today we hear from Noel Freeman, who is running in At Large #4. Freeman was a candidate for the At Large #3 special election of 2007, finishing seventh in the field of 11. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

HISD trustee fundraising

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Yes! One more report on campaign fundraising, this time for HISD Trustees. These reports are online, but I didn’t know where to look for them. Fortunately, School Zone did, and that’s good because the July reports are still in paper … Continue reading →

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Interview with Lonnie Allsbrooks

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Returning to the At Large races, the next candidate for this year’s interview series is Lonnie Allsbrooks, who is running for At Large #1. Allsbrooks is the owner of the Beer Island bar in the Heights and has been in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments