Category Archives: Election 2019

Trying to make “pay for play” an issue

Good luck. With more than nine months to go until Houston’s municipal elections, Mayor Sylvester Turner’s first two opponents turned their attention this week to limiting political donors’ influence at City Hall. Both challengers, millionaire lawyer and Texas A&M University … Continue reading

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Five file for HD125

Our fourth and hopefully final special legislative election for this cycle is now queued up. Five candidates have signed up for the Feb. 12 special election to fill the seat of former state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, according to the Secretary … Continue reading

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The 2019 elections

We haven’t forgotten that there are some big elections on tap for us this year, have we? Let’s go a quick rundown. May elections Election campaigns are already in progress in the cities that have May elections, which includes big … Continue reading

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Endorsement watch: Noriega for HD145

The Chron makes their choice for the special election in HD145. While the legislative session started in Austin last week, early voting begins today to select a representative for House District 145. That’s not the usual order of things. This … Continue reading

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A first look at contenders in HD125

Gilbert Garcia of the SA Express News points to a potential frontrunner for the HD125 special election. Ray Lopez never appears to be in a hurry. During his eight years on the City Council, the gray-haired, mustachioed former AT&T marketing … Continue reading

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Early voting begins Monday for HD145 special election

From the inbox: First week Early Voting hours for the January 29, 2019 Special Election To Fill A Vacancy For State Representative District 145 will now be extended from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Extended voting hours will now give … Continue reading

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HD125 special election set

It will overlap the ones going on now. Gov. Greg Abbott has picked Feb. 12 as the date for a special election to replace former state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, who stepped down last week to become a Bexar … Continue reading

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Rep. Justin Rodriguez resigns to take County Commissioner job

We will need that special election. State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, is leaving the Legislature to become a Bexar County commissioner. The county’s judge, Nelson Wolff, appointed Rodriguez on Friday to replace Paul Elizondo, the longtime commissioner who died … Continue reading

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Eight file for HD145

It’s a big field. Eight candidates filed by Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline for the Jan. 29 special election to fill the Texas House seat vacated by Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. Early voting begins Jan. 14, a little more than a … Continue reading

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We may soon need another legislative special election

In Bexar County. State Rep. Justin Rodriguez is expected to fill the vacant Commissioners Court seat of political icon Paul Elizondo, a major local power broker and a veteran of the commission for more than 30 years who died last … Continue reading

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HD145 and HD79 special elections set

Another sprint. Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday set a Jan. 29 special election to fill state Sen. Carol Alvarado’s seat in the Texas House, hours after she was sworn in to the upper chamber. Alvarado, D-Houston, won a special election … Continue reading

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Metro moving forward on 2019 referendum

I’m ready for it. The Metropolitan Transit Authority is expected to ask voters next fall for more than $3 billion in borrowing authority to implement its next wave of transit projects. The 20-year plan laid out by Metro officials includes … Continue reading

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Rep. Joe Pickett to resign

We will now need two special House elections to get to full membership. State Rep. Joe Pickett of El Paso will leave his post effective Jan. 4. Pickett, a Democrat, made the announcement Saturday morning that he will step down … Continue reading

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Oh Lord, it’s Bill King again

siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh Bill King, a Houston businessman who narrowly lost his bid for mayor in 2015, filed paperwork with the city secretary Wednesday marking his likely intent to challenge Mayor Sylvester Turner again in 2019. King lost to Turner, then a … Continue reading

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Garcia officially resigns from the Senate

We will finally get that special election to succeed her in SD06. State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat elected to Congress earlier this week, announced Friday she is resigning from the Texas Senate, setting in motion a process to fill … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2018, Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Buzbee for Mayor?

Oh, good grief. Tony Buzbee, a high-wattage trial lawyer, big-time political donor and Texas A&M University System regent, says he is running to be the mayor of Houston in 2019. “The mayor’s race in Houston traditionally has been as boring … Continue reading

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County officially puts flood bond referendum on the ballot

Here we go. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously agreed to place a $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond before voters on Aug. 25, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. If passed, the bond would be the largest local investment … Continue reading

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HISD begins prep on a 2019 bond issue

Wait till next year. Administrators on Thursday recommended Houston ISD seek voter approval for a $1.7 billion capital projects bond in May 2019, charging forward with long-term spending plans even as the district faces uncertainty about its leadership and ability … Continue reading

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No Metro vote this year

One thing that won’t be on your ballot this fall. Voters will have to wait a few more months to decide Houston’s transit future, as Metro officials said Monday they are taking a more deliberative approach to developing a long-term … Continue reading

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Firefighters have their signatures

On to the next act in this drama. A petition Houston firefighters submitted last summer seeking pay parity with police contains enough valid signatures to trigger a referendum election, City Secretary Anna Russell reported to Mayor Sylvester Turner and the … Continue reading

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Count of firefighters’ pay parity petitions needs to be done by Friday

Or else. Not sure what follows the “or else”, but maybe we won’t have to find out. City Secretary Anna Russell has one week to finish verifying a petition Houston firefighters submitted last summer seeking pay parity with police or … Continue reading

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Rep. Gutierrez is in for SD19

Whenever that election may be. State Rep. Roland Gutierrez is running for Texas Senate District 19, a Democratic-leaning San Antonio district that overlaps with his own. The only problem: That seat is still held by state Sen. Carlos Uresti, who … Continue reading

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Looking ahead to 2019

Yes, yes, I know. We’ve barely begun the 2018 cycle. Who in their right mind is thinking about 2019? I plead guilty to political insanity, but the beginning of the year is always the best time to look forward, and … Continue reading

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July 2017 campaign finance reports – City of Houston

Let’s continue our survey of campaign finance reports with reports from the city of Houston. Name Raised Spent Loans On Hand ================================================ Turner 520,430 138,068 0 1,643,519 Stardig 59,470 36,402 0 102,289 Davis 5,500 13,231 0 147,050 Cohen 5,000 8,382 … Continue reading

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Here come the LGBT candidates

Keep your eyes on these folks. At least four Houstonians are among the numerous LGBTQ Texans eyeing campaigns in 2018 and 2019. One of the Houston candidates has formally announced, and three others are strongly considering runs. “People are fed … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2018, Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Booker T still running for Mayor

He says he’s serious. We’ll see. On Tuesday, [Booker T. Huffman] sat down with KHOU 11 News to tell us how he plans to court voters in this new year, nearly three years before Election Day. “I want the people … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Booker T for Mayor

Well, this is different. Now that a WWE Hall of Famer is preparing to take the White House, a fellow honoree wants to take over Houston. Booker T., a wrestling legend and Houston native, said Saturday night that he’s in … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments