Special election called for May 12

It’s not on the Chronicle’s website yet (I daresay the weather news might have overshadowed it), but I am told that the May 12 special election to replace Shelley Sekula Gibbs on City Council has been officially declared by Council. It was on yesterday’s Council agenda and was addressed late in the session – there had been speculation that it’d get tagged and thus delayed for a week, but apparently that didn’t happen. What this means is that now all prospective candidates can file a Treasurer’s report, and thus can begin raising and spending money on their campaigns. I don’t know exactly when the filing period the declare one’s candidacy will run, but I’d expect it to go into March. We should know more soon, and we should start to see some real activity as well. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Here it is on the City Council agenda from yesterday:

24. ORDINANCE ordering and giving notice of a Special Election to be held on May 12, 2007, for the purpose of filling a vacancy in the Office of Council Member, At-Large Position 3 on the Houston City Council – PASS

So there you have it.

(Cross posted from Kuff’s World.)

UPDATE: From candidate David Goldberg, via email:

I actually managed to attend the City Council Meeting yesturday and witness the vote. I also went ahead and filed my Campaign Treasurer Appointment and Ethics Commitment with the City Secretary. So I am now able to accept donations. While there, I was able to go through the other candidate’s filings. I only found filings for Melissa Noriega, Noel Freeman, and Tom Reiser.

I also talked with the Legal Department. Apparently the City Attorney will release a revised Filing schedule and other election information changes in the coming days. I was also warned that since the State Legislaturer is in session right now, all election laws are subject to change. That really makes things interesting.

Filing the Campaign Treasurer Appointment and Ethics Commitment doesn’t commit one to running for office, but I’d say this makes Tom Reiser much more likely to actually do it. Interesting. Also, while it’s true that election laws are subject to change, without a declared emergency from Governor Perry, I’d bet large sums of money that today’s relevant laws will be in effect on May 12.

Oh, and May 12 is also the day of the Art Car Parade. That sound you just heard was turnout for this election dropping by another ten percent. Make sure you vote early for this one, y’all. Thanks to ‘stina for the tip.

Finally, here’s a statement about her entry into the race from Melissa Noriega:

Former State Representative Melissa Noriega announced today that she is a candidate for the at-large council seat vacated by Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. In yesterday’s meeting, City Council officially called for a special election to be held on May 12, 2007.

“I am encouraged and honored by the support I am receiving from all around the city. I look forward to the campaign, and to serving my neighbors in a whole new way,” said Noriega. “I have always believed that this city can do anything, and together we can turn our ideas for a better Houston into reality.”

With a long history of service in public education and a stint in the Texas Legislature while her husband Rick, served our country in Afghanistan, Noriega brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the race and the council table.

“We face a lot of challenges, but working together, we can have that “city on a hill” that provides the best public protection and the most opportunity for our families, while holding the line on taxes and spending those dollars wisely.

I couldn’t be more excited about our future.”

More to come as I get it.

UPDATE: Another challenger, Andy Neill, emails me to say that he has also filed today.

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