Category Archives: Election 2020

Roland Gutierrez running in SD19

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Most of the action in Texas in 2020 is in the Congressional and State Rep races, but there’s one big State Senate pickup opportunity, and we need to close the deal on it. State Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

October 2019 campaign finance reports: Congress

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Moving on to the Q3 FEC reports, we again have new candidates making their appearance. The January roundup is here, which closed out the 2017-18 election cycle, the April report is here, and the July report is here. For comparison, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

UT/Trib: Impeachment inquiry more popular than not

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Seems like a big deal. Not quite half of Texas registered voters agree that “Congress is justified in conducting impeachment investigations into actions Donald Trump has taken while president,” according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Almost as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on UT/Trib: Impeachment inquiry more popular than not

The case of Justice Laura Higley

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This is a sad situation, one with potentially fraught political implications. An appeals court justice serving Southeast Texas continues to sit on the bench as she suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, all while facing familial discord over the control of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The case of Justice Laura Higley

The Democratic Senate candidate forum

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This was a good event. Six of the Democrats hoping to defeat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn next year will square off in the first big candidate’s forum in Houston tonight in what promises to be one of the hottest political … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Democratic Senate candidate forum

Warren’s interest in boosting Texas Dems

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I heartily approve of this. As Elizabeth Warren climbs the polls — threatening Joe Biden’s lead in the Democratic primary — her campaign is turning its attention to Texas, a state she called home for a decade and a place … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Warren’s interest in boosting Texas Dems

Still more Bonnen business

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know how much longer we’re going to be obsessing over the Bonnen implosion, but we’re not done yet. Today’s topic is What It All Means for 2020. “The quarterback and coach have been taken off the field,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Still more Bonnen business

Bye bye, Bonnen

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. First-term Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen on Tuesday announced he will not seek reelection to the lower chamber in 2020 — completing a stunning fall for the Angleton Republican who enjoyed near unanimous support in the House just months … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jackson to challenge Ellis in Precinct 1

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Former Harris County criminal court judge Maria T. Jackson will challenge incumbent Rodney Ellis for Harris County Precinct 1 commissioner, her campaign announced Monday. Jackson, the county’s longest serving felony judge until her resignation last month, plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jackson to challenge Ellis in Precinct 1

Chrysta Castañeda

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Senate race will be the top statewide contest in 2020, but beyond that it’s the judicials and the one Railroad Commissioner slot on the ballot. Candidate Chrysta Castañeda has thrown her hat into the ring for that job. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Our increasingly diverse swing districts

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Current trends keep on trending. New 2018 census data shows that some of the most competitive congressional districts in Texas are continuing to become more diverse, as campaigns gear up for what’s expected to be the state’s most competitive election … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fallon stands pat

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Big John Cornyn can breathe a little easier. State Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, has decided against a primary challenge to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Fallon revealed the decision Thursday, about a month after he announced at a North Texas Tea … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fallon stands pat

Secondhand Sessions

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

If at first you don’t succeed, find something easier to do. Former U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions formally launched his campaign Thursday to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, opting against running again in his old Dallas-based district and pressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Secondhand Sessions

John B. Love III

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Meet the ninth Democratic candidate in the Senate primary. John B. Love III, a Midland city councilman, is the latest Democrat to jump into the crowded race to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, saying in his announcement that gridlock in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on John B. Love III

Barohich not running again in SBOE6

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Another open seat. Texas State Board of Education chairwoman Donna Bahorich, who represents part of Harris County, announced Friday she will not seek reelection in 2020 as the District 6 representative. “I have 8 years of service on the board,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Gina Ortiz Jones is doing big fundraising numbers again

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. Gina Ortiz Jones, the leading Democratic candidate to replace U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, raised over $1 million in the third quarter, her campaign announced Tuesday morning. The figure represents a massive haul that her campaign described as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Gina Ortiz Jones is doing big fundraising numbers again

PPP: Competitive Congressional districts are competitive

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Some nice data points for you. A handful of Republican-held House seats in the Texas suburbs represent fertile ground for competitive races in 2020, according to recent Democratic polling. The surveys in six GOP districts, shared first with CQ Roll … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Julián Castro will not be running for Senate, either

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

In case you were wondering. Julián Castro said Saturday at the Texas Tribune Festival that he would not seek the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in 2020 even if he were to drop out of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Julián Castro will not be running for Senate, either

Rep. Mac Thornberry to retire

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Six down. U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon, announced Monday that he will not seek reelection in 2020, making him the sixth GOP congressman from Texas to say he’s retiring in recent weeks. “It has been a great honor for me … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Rodney Ellis may have an opponent in 2020

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Keep your eye on this: NEW: Maria Jackson, #HarrisCounty’s longest-serving felony court judge, today announced her resignation after 10yrs, effective 9/30. County scuttlebutt for months has been Jackson will challenge Pct. 1 Commissioner @RodneyEllis in the 2020 Democratic primary. (h/t … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I’m not that worried about the Green Party effect in Texas

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not nothing, but it’s unlikely to be much. Texas House Bill 2504, passed along party lines by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature in May and signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in June, lowers the threshold that minor political parties … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Another primary challenger to Cornyn

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck, but don’t expect much. A Dallas investor branding himself a “Reagan Republican” has launched a primary challenge against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, calling one of the top-ranking GOP senators a lackey of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

State Rep. Dwayne Bohac to retire

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Another open seat for the Republicans to defend. State Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, announced Wednesday he is not seeking reelection. Bohac won reelection last year by just 47 votes, and his retirement gives Democrats a ripe pickup opportunity as they … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The MJ Hegar movie

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Coming to Netflix. Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar stepped away from her last movie deal as it became, as she says, “too blockbuster-y.” The decorated war veteran now has a deal with Netflix for the movie that has long been in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The MJ Hegar movie

UT-Tyler: Trump still looks weak in Texas

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Two months later, there may be a story line to watch. Beto O’Rourke remains competitive against President Donald Trump in a Texas head-to-head matchup, according to a poll released Thursday by the Center for Opinion Research at the University of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bell officially begins his Senate campaign

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Yeah, I know, I also thought that this had already happened. Just a reminder that these things occur in stages. Democrat Chris Bell, the former Houston congressman and gubernatorial nominee, is formally announcing his U.S. Senate campaign. Bell, who has … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Bell officially begins his Senate campaign

Beto v Briscoe

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I approve of this, with some small reservations. Presidential contender Beto O’Rourke is helping a fellow Democrat raise money to unseat the Texas Rep. Briscoe Cain, after the Republican lawmaker tweeted last week that his AR-15 is “ready” for O’Rourke. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Rep. Cesar Blanco to run for Sen. Jose Rodriguez’s seat

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like this has been settled quickly. State Rep. César Blanco, D-El Paso, is running for the seat being vacated by state Sen. José Rodríguez. In a video published Monday, Blanco alluded to the deadly mass shooting last month in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rep. Cesar Blanco to run for Sen. Jose Rodriguez’s seat

The TDP 2020 plan

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Bring it on. The Texas Democratic Party is pulling back the curtain on its 2020 strategy ahead of the Houston presidential debate, releasing a plan to flip the state that targets 2.6 million potential Democratic voters who are not registered … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

State Sen. Jose Rodriguez to retire

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Sad to see him go. State Sen. José Rodríguez, an El Paso Democrat, announced Friday that he will not seek reelection to the upper chamber in 2020. Rodriguez informed El Paso colleagues of his decision in a text late Thursday … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on State Sen. Jose Rodriguez to retire

Quinnipiac: Lots of Texans don’t intend to vote for Trump

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

More nice polling news. President Trump’s job approval rating remains marginally underwater in Texas, with 45 percent of registered voters saying that they approve and 50 percent saying that they disapprove. Thinking ahead to 2020, 48 percent of Texas voters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Univision News poll: Trump 42, Dem 47

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a fun poll. Days away from the third Democratic debate in Houston and over a year from the 2020 presidential election, an exclusive poll by Univision News found that 40% of registered voters in the state say they will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Endorsement watch: Warren sticks her neck out

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Very interesting. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is wading into one of Texas’ highest-profile intraparty fights, endorsing Jessica Cisneros, the primary challenger to U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo. “The people of Texas’ 28th district are ready for systematic change and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Harris County GOP thinks it can come back in 2020

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

They’re so adorable. Once a rock of Republican politics in Texas, Harris County has become nothing short of a nightmare for the GOP over the last four years as Hillary Clinton and Beto O’Rourke carried the county and Democrats dominated … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments