Monthly Archives: November 2019

The quiet runoff

Posted on November 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Have you been enjoying this little break from the Mayor’s race? Break’s over, but then we’re now into early voting, so we don’t have much longer to go. After a colorful first round defined by biting attack ads, mudslinging debates … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the At Large #1 runoff

Posted on November 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

“Sharp contrasts” is a good description of this race. “Clear choice” also works. A runoff between a conservative incumbent and liberal challenger for one of Houston’s citywide council seats presents arguably the sharpest contrast of any race on Houston’s December … Continue reading →

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Second mobile voting locations lawsuit filed

Posted on November 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Same claims, different plaintiffs. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in Austin. It is led by former Austin Assistant City Manager Terrell Blodgett, Texas Young Democrats (TYD) and Texas College … Continue reading →

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Texas GOP accidentally releases its 2020 strategy

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Oops. In a bizarre political blunder, a document laying out the Republican Party of Texas’s election strategy for the 2020 elections has ended up in the hands of Texas Democrats. Attacking Democratic candidates through websites and mitigating “the polarizing nature” … Continue reading →

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Trib overview of CD28

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s going to be an interesting race. I have no idea what will happen, and anyone who says with any confidence that they know is suspicious to me, but we will learn something from it, however it goes. Not many … Continue reading →

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Runoff endorsement watch: Revisiting races

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Most of the candidates that the Chron endorsed for November either won their races or made it to the runoff. A few fell short, which leaves a bit of unfinished business for them. They have since addressed that, in the … Continue reading →

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Day One Runoff 2019 EV totals: Wait, there was early voting?

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Did you vote on that bonus early voting day on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving? Nine thousand four hundred and ninety people did – you can see the day one EV report here. For comparison, the final November 2019 EV … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving video break: I haven’t done one of these in awhile

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

So let’s redo one of my greater hits: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

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The aoudad story

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Did you know before reading this post what an aoudad is, other than a potentially useful word to know the next time you play Scrabble? I admit that I had never heard of them, but the state is Texas has … Continue reading →

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Beep baseball

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a cool thing you might not know about. Beep Baseball isn’t the only sport for the blind, and most players are multi-sport athletes. A sport called Goalball – think, if you can, of a cross between bowling and soccer … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2019 At Large #5

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Our last At Large race, and another one with many candidates. There wasn’t a clear division among the nine contestants here, so I’m presenting them all. Dist Batteau Garcia Flowers Dick Rivera Bonton Alcorn Woods McNeese ============================================================================ A 654 955 … Continue reading →

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People liked the voting centers

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

They’re great, so of course they do. Half of Harris County voters who turned out Nov. 5 cast ballots outside of their home polling places, taking advantage of a new program that lets citizens vote at any Election Day polling … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the District D runoff

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The story headline about it as a “friendly runoff” between two very different candidates is a good summary. Standing beneath a papier-mâché toucan earlier this month, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz told a handful of potential voters about her aspirations to be a … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 25

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes everyone a very happy Thanksgiving as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Brad Jordan

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of people who run for Houston City Council are first-time candidates. Along with the State House, it’s a great entry point to elected office. And lots of first time candidates have profiles and backgrounds that are outside the traditional … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the District A runoff

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. Two candidates with different approaches to politics but agreement on some key issues are facing off for the District A seat on City Council. Amy Peck, a Houston native and seasoned … Continue reading →

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Early voting for the 2019 runoffs begins tomorrow

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Early Voting for the December 14 Joint Runoff Election begins Wednesday, November 27, halts for Thanksgiving break, and resumes December 2-10. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sunday, December 8, when … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2019 At Large #4

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We move now to the first of two open seat At Large races, where the candidates were many and the clarity was lacking. Here’s an abridged look at At Large #4: Dist Ericka Hillyer Baldwin Dolce Javier Plummer ==================================================== A … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the District H runoff

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This one’s in my back yard. Strolling through Independence Heights one recent cloudy afternoon, Councilwoman Karla Cisneros encountered reminders of the issues facing her district: a stray dog roaming from home to home, illegally dumped trash blocking a drainage ditch, … Continue reading →

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Another District B update

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This whole situation is so unfortunate, and more than a little infuriating. The two candidates who qualified for a stalled runoff in Houston City Council’s District B joined hands in unity on the steps of City Hall Friday, condemning the … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for November 24

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Say what you want about Bill Belichick, but NFL coaches go for it more on fourth down now thanks to a famous failed fourth-down conversion attempt by the Patriots ten years ago. “The television show The Golden Girls was originally … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2019 At Large #3

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Another At Large race, another incumbent in a runoff. Here’s At Large #3: Dist JCGonz Kubosh Marcel Janaeya ==================================== A 2,944 7,730 1,698 2,395 B 2,405 5,417 2,293 4,802 C 5,452 17,022 3,402 9,584 D 3,554 8,903 3,052 6,250 E … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the At Large #4 runoff

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It was a weird election, but there’s a clear distinction between the candidates in the At Large #4 runoff. The race to succeed City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards pits youth and name recognition against real world experience and a business mindset. … Continue reading →

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MLB investigating more than 2017 for Astros’ alleged sign stealing

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This sounds ominous. Major League Baseball’s investigation into the Astros’ alleged sign-stealing will include the 2018 and 2019 seasons, commissioner Rob Manfred revealed Thursday, adding two more years to an inquiry already involving Houston’s World Series-winning 2017 team. “We are … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2019 At Large #2

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome to At Large #2, the second of three At Large races in which an incumbent is in the runoff. Dist DavidR Davis Griff DeToto Honey ============================================ A 4,570 3,995 1,643 3,575 809 B 5,779 5,416 958 1,921 391 C … Continue reading →

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Judge officially approves final Harris County bail settlement

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s officially finally final and official. A federal judge has signed off on a historic bail reform agreement for Harris County, setting in place new protections for people accused of minor offenses in the country’s third largest criminal justice system. … Continue reading →

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Metro moves towards cashless fares (maybe)

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We started with this. The Metropolitan Transit Authority on Thursday will consider the first in a series of agreements to revamp its fare payment system that eventually could offer riders the option of using smartphones, credit cards and electronic wallets … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2019 At Large #1

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to take a look at the five At Large Council races as well, since all of them have interesting things to say about what happened. First up is At Large #1, where incumbent Mike Knox will face first … Continue reading →

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HERO 2.0

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been waiting for this, though in reading this story I’d argue we should wait just a little bit more. Houston’s two mayoral candidates say they support expanded anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community, but would leave it to voters … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the District F runoff

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s one with a very clear choice. District F residents have two distinct choices in the City Council runoff election — stay the course with an aide to the incumbent councilman or choose a fresh start with a former Alief … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2019 Mayor’s race

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I know you’ve been waiting for this. I have the draft canvass, I’ve been doing the Excel things, so let’s get down to it. Dist Lovell King Turner Buzbee Boykins Others ==================================================== A 217 3,002 6,481 7,061 646 727 B … Continue reading →

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District B runoff still up in the air

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Hoo boy. The runoff in the contested District B race for Houston city council almost certainly will be decided with a special election, due to an election contest filed by the third-place finisher, officials said Wednesday. Renee Jefferson-Smith, who missed … Continue reading →

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MLB has had its eye on the Astros

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The story develops. Early in the 2019 season, Major League Baseball instructed video monitors working in Minute Maid Park to listen for banging sounds emanating from the Astros’ dugout, a person with knowledge of the directive said Monday. The Astros … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 18

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance had no idea it was pronounced “keev” as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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