Tag Archives: Election 2012

Interview with David Crossley

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This week I’m going to take an in depth look at the one contentious referendum on the ballot, the Metro referendum. The purpose and the language of the referendum is whether or not to reauthorize the General Mobility Program, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How about those judicial races?

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron takes a look downballot. Democratic judges who surprised Harris County in a 2008 rout because of strong turnout for Barack Obama are bracing for a tough fight in November after seeing the GOP, which had a clean sweep … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: The easy calls

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes an easy call. One of the clearest choices Harris County voters have in the 2012 election season comes in the race to succeed Pat Lykos as district attorney. Mike Anderson, a 30-year veteran of the DA’s office … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: HAR for the bonds

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Association of Realtors has announced its endorsement of all of the referenda on the November ballot. The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) board of directors has approved motions supporting the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

No help from SCOTUS on voter registration

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Bummer. The U.S. Supreme Court late Tuesday denied an emergency request by a voter registration group that sought to block the state from enforcing changes made last year. The legislation adds hurdles for canvassers or groups that seek to increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: A useful explanation

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorsed the two Republican incumbents for Harris County Civil Court At Law – they were both appointed to fill vacancies, so it’s not accurate to say they’re running for re-election – but the interesting thing about the endorsement … Continue reading →

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It must be time for another Speaker’s Race

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Those fun-loving chuckleheads at FreedomWorks are at it again. FreedomWorks, which helped insurgent Ted Cruz snatch the GOP nod for U.S. Senate from Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, said Monday it will put its muscle behind toppling Texas House Speaker Joe … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Texas Freedom Network’s guide to the SBOE elections

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Freedom Network has put out a useful little voter’s guide to the 2012 State Board of Education elections, which covers a range of topics from creationism and climate change to bullying and SBOE procedures. You might look at … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Criminal district courts

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Nine of the 22 Criminal District Court benches are up for election this year in Harris County. Democrats hold seven of those nine positions. The Houston Chronicle has endorsed for of those seven incumbent judges for re-election. 176th Criminal District … Continue reading →

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Interview with Terry Grier

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to the many races for office this year, there are several referenda on the ballot that are worthy of your attention. I will be conducting interviews to discuss them as well. The first one up is the HISD … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Michele Petty

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Note: As I have done in years past, I am conducting written Q&As with judicial candidates. This one is a little different in that the questions were originally asked by someone else, but the idea is the same. Further explanation … Continue reading →

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Will voters understand the Metro referendum?

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the question that people on both sides of the issue are asking themselves. “You have some people who will read it and maybe they don’t like Metro and so they’re going to vote against it, without realizing that by … Continue reading →

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Interview with Brad Neal

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Also up in the northern parts of Harris County is HD150, home of the notorious Rep. Debbie Riddle, for whom I trust no introduction is necessary, though this is a good start if you need it. Opposing The Riddler for … Continue reading →

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YouGov: Romney 52, Obama 41

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Another new poll of Texas, from YouGov: Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney holds a solid, eleven-point lead over Democratic President Barack Obama in Texas, 52% Romney to 41% Obama, in a poll of 1,254 registered voters statewide, conducted by YouGov. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The “dead voter” saga still has some life in it

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like I spoke too soon when I said that the “dead voter” purge story was over. Remember that lawsuit filed by four voters and the temporary injunction granted by a Travis County judge forbidding the Secretary of State from … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Civil courts, part 2

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Finishing what they started the day before, the Chron endorses three of the four remaining Democratic civil district court judges for re-election. Civil District Court 133: With 30 years’ legal experience under her belt, Democratic incumbent Judge Jaclanel McFarland was … Continue reading →

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“Dead voter” purge finally laid to rest

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Our long countywide nightmare is finally over. The running dispute over presumed-dead voters on Harris County rolls was substantially resolved Wednesday between the Texas Secretary of State’s office and Harris County’s tax registrar just hours before a Travis County judge … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Civil courts, part 1

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron gets started on candidate endorsements with a first look at the civil court races. They made recommendations in seven of the 14 District Civil Court races, and in five of those seven they endorse the Democratic incumbent for … Continue reading →

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If you knew Paul Sadler

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

If you knew Paul Sadler, you’d probably think he was an experienced, well-qualified candidate for the US Senate. And you’d be right. Unfortunately, not enough people know Paul Sadler well enough to know this. In 2002, state Rep. Paul Sadler … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Interview with Cody Pogue

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Running for office is always a challenge, but some challenges are bigger than others. HD127 up in the Kingwood area is a particularly large challenge for a Democratic candidate. Cody Pogue has undertaken that challenge. Pogue, who can trace his … Continue reading →

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Deal reached to restore SOS funding for Tax Assessor

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This whole protracted standoff between Harris County Tax Assessor Don Sumners and the Secretary of State over the “dead voter” purge has apparently been the result of a misunderstanding. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett has brokered a deal with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What that Wilson Perkins poll really tells us

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There’s something about that poll of Texas last week that I don’t think has gotten enough attention. I only mentioned it in passing myself, so I want to go back and spend a little more time on it. As I … Continue reading →

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Guinn files suit over Constable Precinct 2 runoff

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I doubt it’ll make any difference, but it’s his right. The loser of the Democratic runoff for Harris County Precinct 2 constable has sued winner Chris Diaz, contesting the election result. Zerick Guinn said he thought a recount he requested … Continue reading →

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Once again on bail and jail overcrowding

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Grits returns to a familiar topic. Harris County has successfully reduced its jail population in the last couple of years to the point where they no longer must ship inmates to jails in Louisiana and other Texas counties due to … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Voting-related lawsuit updates

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From Texas Redistricting: The three-judge panel presiding over the Texas voter ID entered an order this morning adopting a briefing schedule for questions about the constitutionality of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. With minor differences, the schedule tracks … Continue reading →

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Interview with Vy Nguyen

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Fort Bend County is one of the most diverse places in America, with roughly equal shares of Anglo, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian populations. It’s fast-growing, now with three full State Rep. districts and a part of a fourth, and becoming … Continue reading →

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SOS ups the ante against Sumners

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s getting real at the Tax Assessor’s office. Harris County election officials got a bit of a surprise Friday morning when they attempted to open the county’s spending account on the Texas Secretary of State’s office website and found their … Continue reading →

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Castro’s road show

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, racking up the frequent flyer miles. On Saturday, Castro spoke to Democratic campaign workers at a strip mall near Fort Belvoir and to students at George Mason University in a coordinated effort by the Obama … Continue reading →

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HISD board passes ethics reform

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It was a unanimous vote at Thursday’s board meeting. Under the new rules, which will be finalized next month, trustees will have to abstain from voting on deals involving vendors who contributed at least $500 to their political campaigns the … Continue reading →

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Traci Jensen’s challenge

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I got the following from the Traci Jensen campaign the other day: This past Wednesday morning, Traci and her Republican opponent Donna Bahorich participated in the Greater Houston Partnership’s “Meet the Candidates: State Board of Education” forum. This was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can’t we all just get along?

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I have a question about this. Commissioner Steve Radack has already been heaped with praise from his colleagues for helping broker a deal with Metro chairman Gilbert Garcia and Houston Mayor Annise Parker that replaced an earlier proposal that would … Continue reading →

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Castro puts pre-K on the national stage

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to thrusting himself into the national spotlight with his DNC keynote address, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro also brought the discussion about pre-kindergarten education to the fore. Under the biggest spotlight of his political career, Mayor Julián Castro … Continue reading →

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HISD board to vote on ethics reform

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston ISD trustees would have to abstain from voting on deals involving big campaign donors and disclose potential conflicts of interest with a wider range of vendors under new policies up for consideration Thursday. The board has been working … Continue reading →

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New pollster says Romney leads 55-40 in Texas

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It would figure that the day after I complain about a lack of polling data in Texas we get a fresh poll result for the state. Thanks to a lopsided lead among white voters, Romney is leading President Barack Obama … Continue reading →

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