Tag Archives: Election 2010

Interview with State Rep. Armando Walle

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Armando Walle is finishing his first term representing HD140 in northeast Harris County. Walle won a contested primary in 2008 against Craddick D Kevin Bailey, which helped contribute to the downfall of the former Speaker. At 32 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Double-Dip Driver

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed this the other day. State Rep. Joe Driver of Garland, who rails against the evils of runaway government spending, admitted Monday that he has pocketed thousands of dollars in taxpayer money for travel expenses that his … Continue reading →

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Chron opines on Renew Houston

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is a pretty fair take on it. Given Houston’s history of flooded streets, businesses and homes over the past decade, the Chronicle agrees with the aims of Renew Houston, the organization of engineers that is backing the proposition. What … Continue reading →

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Interview with Silvia Mintz

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Our third candidate this week is one of the more interesting people you’ll meet this cycle. Silvia Mintz came to the US from Guatemala when she was 17. She worked as a janitor and a nanny, learned English, and eventually … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Birdwell will be on the ballot

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So says the Fifth Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel from that court ruled against the Democrats and said it won’t consider rehearing the case because of pending election deadlines: We conclude relators have not shown they are entitled to … Continue reading →

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Election called to fill HISD open seat

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston ISD trustees unanimously opted today to let voters choose the next school board representative of the city’s east side. A special election will be held Nov. 2 to serve the remainder of former Trustee Diana Davila’s term, which … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Vivian King

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Meet the HISD hopefuls

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The people who are hoping to be appointed to the open HISD Trustee seat made their appearance at Furr High School and made their pitch. Trustees are slated to discuss their options Thursday and must make a decision by next … Continue reading →

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Term limits referendum not adopted by Council

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is a bit of a surprise. The Houston City Council today surprised Mayor Annise Parker and rejected a proposal to change the terms to which city officials are elected from three, two-year terms to two, four-year terms. The seven … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rick Molina

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Next up is Rick Molina, who is running in HD144 against freshman Rep. Ken Legler. Molina is an attorney and a longtime resident of Pasadena. He’s also a graduate of Rice University, which always counts for a little extra credit … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Bruce Kessler

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Kathy Vossler

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Interview with Joe Montemayor

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We turn our attention this week to some of the Democratic candidates who are running in Republican-held districts. First up is Joe Montemayor, who ran for HD127 in 2008 against Joe Crabb and is running for it again this year … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How much better is the fundraising picture for Democrats in Texas?

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

By one important measure, it’s a lot better. The financial success of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White has revealed a new generation of wealthy contributors who are stepping forward to back Texas Democratic candidates. White’s campaign has been able to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

There’s playing chicken, and there’s being chicken

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Quite the suitable choice of words here. Suggesting his opponent has something to hide, Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday he will not budge on his refusal to debate unless Democrat Bill White releases more income tax returns. The Republican governor … Continue reading →

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Trustees still dithering about replacing Davila

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Still no action from the HISD Board of Trustees regarding Diana Davila’s open seat. Trustee Larry Marshall called for holding an election in November but his motion failed 3-5, mostly along racial lines. The board plans to screen possible appointees … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Jessica Farrar

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Jessica Farrar has represented me in the Lege since I moved into the Heights in 1997; she was first elected in 1994, and is now the longest-serving Latina in the House. I have always admired her progressive values … Continue reading →

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Renew Houston proposition officially on the ballot

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

City Council voted to put the Renew Houston referendum on the ballot Wednesday. Details about how much the drainage fee it calls for will be, and other aspects of it are still to be worked out by the city before … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Judicial Q&A: William “Bill” Rice

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Birdwell ballot challenge timeline

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, the Texas Democratic Party and its candidate for SD22, John Cullar, have filed a lawsuit challenging the residency of Republican candidate Bill Birdwell. Here’s the latest news regarding that: The Dallas Court of Appeals has asked Sen. … Continue reading →

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The residency referendum

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, Houston will get two more City Council districts after the 2010 Census is completed. To allow potential candidates sufficient time to adjust to the new map, Council will put a charter amendment on the ballot that reduces … Continue reading →

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Interview with State Rep. Sylvester Turner

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Sylvester Turner is one of the senior members of the Houston-area delegation, having served HD139 since he was first elected in 1988. He doesn’t have a campaign webpage, so let me refer you to his Texas Tribune biography … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Tom Berg

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Red light camera opponents turn in their petitions

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I was beginning to wonder if the anti-red light camera crowd was ever going to turn in their petition signatures, as it’s starting too get a little late in the game. They made their move on Monday, submitting 30,000 petition … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Mark Diaz

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

There goes the bag drag

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you heard was many thousands of dollars being taken in by the President and the DNC. For the past 22 years, some state Democrats complain, the national party has used Texas like an ATM. The national party’s constant … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rep. Scott Hochberg

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Scott Hochberg, who represents HD137, is generally considered the Legislature’s leading expert on public education and school finance. He’s the Vice Chair of the House Public Education Committee, and he chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. With so … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

What will the HISD board do with its open seat?

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

HISD Trustee Diana Davila announced her intention to resign on July 16. That became official on the 30th. The HISD Board of Trustees has the option of appointing someone to replace her, or to call a special election. So far, … Continue reading →

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Candidate named, suit filed in SD22

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

My questions have been answered. Democratic officials in Senate District 22 got together in a Hillsboro restaurant Thursday evening and nominated John Cullar to run for the state Senate seat now held by Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury. Cullar is a Waco … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with State Rep. Garnet Coleman

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Garnet Coleman of HD147 is one of my favorite elected officials anywhere. A 20-year veteran of the House and a member of the House leadership team, he’s a strong progressive advocate and a policy wonk who’s always on … Continue reading →

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Will they or won’t they field a challenger to Birdwell?

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the question for Democratic Part chairs in SD22. According to several Democratic consultants and officials knowledgeable about strategic discussions, a number of factors are being considered. These include the political makeup of the district, the cost of running a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Win a date with Karl Rove

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Desperate times and all that. The Perry campaign is offering supporters who submit 11 names of registered voters for the campaign to contact a chance to win prizes in a raffle. The gifts include a jogging lesson from RunTex founder … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Dion Ramos

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Judicial Q&A: Tim Riley

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments