Tag Archives: Election 2020

House adopts its rules

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Here you go. The Texas House unanimously adopted rules Thursday that will require members to wear masks in the chamber and during committee hearings and allow them to cast votes on legislation from outside the House floor. But the chamber … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on House adopts its rules

The five-ninths rule

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

All hail the new “smaller than three-fifths” rule. The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved a fundamental alteration of its rules, ending the minority party’s ability to block legislation it unanimously opposes in the Republican-controlled upper chamber. In a 18-13 vote, … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The five-ninths rule

How bad will the attack on voting be this session?

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Hard to say, but there’s no reason to be particularly optimistic. As the country’s political polarization reaches a boiling point — illustrated vividly Wednesday by the violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the president who believed his … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Why would he condemn something he supported?

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

We know who and what Ken Paxton is. Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is the only state attorney general to decline to join letters over the past week condemning the Capitol riot. In a Jan. 12 letter, 50 state … Continue reading →

Posted in National news, Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Precinct analysis: Tax Assessor 2020 and 2016

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities District Attorney County Attorney Sheriff Tax Assessor Ann Harris Bennett is … Continue reading →

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

What is the direction of voting by mail?

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

It was different in 2020, but that doesn’t mean it’s permanently different. Democratic voters in Texas were more likely to cast their ballots by mail than Republican voters in the last election. Today, that may sound like a forgone conclusion, … Continue reading →

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

Precinct analysis: Sheriff 2020 and 2016

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities District Attorney County Attorney Behold your 2020 vote champion in Harris … Continue reading →

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

You can’t escape your culpability, Ted

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The stench will be on you forever, Ted. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has sharpened his criticism of President Donald Trump, saying the president’s rhetoric “certainly contributed to the violence that occurred” as Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

On prosecuting the insurrectionists

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This is a good start. While federal prosecutors in the nation’s capital will likely tackle the bulk of criminal charges for the perpetrators of Wednesday’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Ryan K. Patrick is among a growing number of U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

The Republican war against Harris County

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

To be fair, it’s not just Harris County that’s in the crosshairs, it’s the big urban counties, and cities in general. But it’s real and it’s dangerous and it’s anti-democratic. Republicans in the Texas Legislature are gearing up to bar … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

What to do about Ted and Kenny?

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

You wouldn’t think it would be possible for Ted Cruz to become more loathesome, but if you think that you seriously underestimate him. Two nights before the Electoral College certification in Congress, Ted Cruz was in vintage form. The junior … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Impeach him again

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This is Donald Trump’s fault. All of it, though he did have plenty of assistance. Impeach him again, convict him this time, and then arrest him on the way out the door. There had been a call for censure before … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

Dems go two for two in Georgia

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

It’s hard to talk about anything else, given the violent debacle in Washington yesterday, but the two Democratic Senate candidates in Georgia won their runoff elections, giving control of the Senate to the Democrats, and putting an emphatic final exclamation … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Precinct analysis: County Attorney 2020 and 2016

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities District Attorney The office of County Attorney gets less attention than … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Precinct analysis: County Attorney 2020 and 2016

Precinct analysis: District Attorney 2020 and 2016

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities We move on now to the county executive office races for … Continue reading →

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

Ted Cruz says “Look at me! Look at meeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Also, “Look at me!” Continuing to pursue unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and some of his fellow GOP senators announced they would vote to reject the certification of Electoral College votes for the presidential election … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

So is anyone going to try to collect Dan Patrick’s reward money?

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a nice little research paper for you: On November 10, 2020, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick put out a press release stating, in relevant part, “[S]tarting today [I] will pay up to $1 million to incentivize, encourage and reward … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Fifth Circuit bats aside Gohmert appeal

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

In case you were wondering… . The Fifth Circuit cuts everything short on the stupid Gohmert suit with these brutal disposition. A very conservative panel btw. — Raffi Melkonian (@RMFifthCircuit) 07:32 PM – 02 January 2021 . I’m sitting here … Continue reading →

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

Gohmert lawsuit tossed

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

As expected. A judge dismissed a lawsuit from Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, that was aimed at Vice President Mike Pence, seeking to put the authority to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s election win in the vice president’s hands. U.S. District Court … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Census Bureau will miss deadline that would allow for apportionment shenanigans

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The Census Bureau will miss a year-end deadline for handing in numbers used for divvying up congressional seats, a delay that could undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to exclude people in the country illegally from the count if the … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pence asks for deranged Gohmert lawsuit to be dismissed

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Vice President Mike Pence has asked a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit brought against him by Republicans seeking to empower him to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The suit, brought by Rep. … Continue reading →

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

Do we still have to worry about the Elections Administrator’s office?

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I’m a little hesitant to bring this up, but… This year, Harris County began the process of consolidating the two offices that have historically handled elections — the county clerk and the tax assessor-collector’s office — under one roof. Isabel … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Precinct analysis: Other cities

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages I mentioned in an earlier post that I might look at election results … Continue reading →

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

HD68 special election set

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome to your first election of 2021. Gov. Greg Abbott has selected Jan. 23 as the date of the special election to fill the seat of state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, who recently won a promotion to the Texas Senate. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on HD68 special election set

Okay, so *this* is the last pointless gesture

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You can always count on Louie Gohmert to find the stupidest thing possible to do. Vice President Pence was sued Sunday by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and several other Republicans in a far-fetched bid that appeared aimed at overturning President-elect … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Abbott appoints another statewide judge

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

From before the holidays: Jesse McClure, a trial judge on a criminal court in Houston, will join the state’s highest court for criminal matters in the new year. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed McClure, a Republican, to the Court of Criminal … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Precinct analysis: The judicial averages

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 As you know, I use the average totals and percentages from local judicial races as … Continue reading →

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

One last (?) pointless gesture

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Because true desperation never dies, I guess. Rep. Lance Gooden of Terrell is one of the latest members of Congress to say he is going to object to the Electoral College certification on Jan. 6. Now, he says he just … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The proper level of seriousness

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Meet John Fetterman (if you haven’t already), Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and America’s foremost Dan Patrick troll. All John Fetterman wants for Christmas is the $3 million he says Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick owes him. The Democratic lieutenant governor … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Harris County Election Security Task Force

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I hadn’t realized that this was a thing, but it was and I’m glad it was. A task force formed to ensure the security of the November election in Texas’ biggest county has found no evidence of wrongdoing after finishing … Continue reading →

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

Ken Paxton’s attempted jihad against Harris County

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. Attorney General Ken Paxton tried to get the Trump administration to revoke millions in federal COVID relief funding that Harris County budgeted for expanding mail-in voting earlier this year, newly revealed records show. Paxton wrote in a May 21 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ken Paxton’s attempted jihad against Harris County

Precinct analysis: Appellate courts, part 2

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Here’s the more traditional look at the Court of Appeals races. Unlike the Supreme Court and CCA, all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Precinct analysis: Appellate courts, part 2

More on the TDP 2020 audit

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I’m very much looking forward to seeing the final report, but I don’t have a clear idea of the objectives from this story. [Unsuccessful State House candidate Brandy Chambers’] election night confusion mirrors the second-guessing going on within the Texas … Continue reading →

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

You’d think with all that voter fraud out there, they could actually find some

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

So much effort, so little to show for it. The Texas Attorney General’s office this year almost doubled the amount of time it spent looking into and working on voter fraud cases in 2018 — more than 22,000 staff hours … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments