Tag Archives: Election 2020

Filing period preview: Harris County

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress, Statewide, and SBOE/Senate/House. For County races, I cannot use the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet, as it doesn’t include local races. I am instead using the Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports for Various County Offices link on the County Clerk … Continue reading →

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

Filing period preview: SBOE, Senate, House

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress, and Statewide. As before, I am using the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet as my primary reference. Buckle up, there’s a lot to talk about here. I’m going to limit my discussion of State House races to the greater Houston … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Filing period preview: Statewide

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress. As before, I am using the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet as my primary reference. Statewide elections are much less exciting in Presidential years in Texas, since the state offices are on the ballot in the off years. We do … Continue reading →

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

Filing period preview: Congress

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

So even though we still have the 2019 runoffs to settle, the 2020 election is officially upon us. I say this because the filing period for 2020 candidates began on Saturday the 9th, closing on December 9. I expect there … Continue reading →

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

The evolving CD31 candidate landscape

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We have a lot of Democratic candidates raising 2018-type money in the big, targeted Republican-held Congressional districts. Some have clear frontrunners, at least based on money raised – Wendy Davis in CD21, Sri Kulkarni in CD22, Gina Ortiz Jones in … Continue reading →

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

District Court Judge Smoots-Thomas accused of wire fraud

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Yikes. A Harris County judge is facing federal charges that accuse her of using campaign donations for personal expenses, including for mortgage payments, private school tuition and travel. Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas, 44, is charged with wire fraud charges, according to … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

You really have to plan for every election

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Whether or not they actually happen. For months, Democrats Mark Watson and Mike Snipes have been running 2020 campaigns for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 6. They’ve raised money, filed official paperwork, gathered signatures, traveled to far corners of … Continue reading →

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

Justice Higley resigns

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This is clearly the best course of action. Justice Laura Carter Higley, who lives in West University and served on the Houston-based court, submitted her notice to Gov. Greg Abbott, the appeals court’s clerk confirmed Tuesday. In the letter, she … Continue reading →

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

Roland Gutierrez running in SD19

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Most of the action in Texas in 2020 is in the Congressional and State Rep races, but there’s one big State Senate pickup opportunity, and we need to close the deal on it. State Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, is … Continue reading →

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

So what happened with the election returns?

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The County Clerk puts the blame on the Secretary of State. Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman said a last-minute directive from the secretary of state caused significant delays in reporting election results on Tuesday evening. Trautman said an Oct. 23 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2019 election results: State

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Nine out of ten Constitutional amendments are on their way to passing. Amendments to the state constitution that would make it harder to enact a state income tax, stabilize funding for state parks and allow retired law enforcement animals to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

October 2019 campaign finance reports: Congress

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Moving on to the Q3 FEC reports, we again have new candidates making their appearance. The January roundup is here, which closed out the 2017-18 election cycle, the April report is here, and the July report is here. For comparison, … Continue reading →

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

UT/Trib: Trump 46, others 39

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Election Day, so I’m going to be brief about this. None of the top Democrats seeking the presidential nomination would beat President Donald Trump in Texas in an election held today — and neither would either of the Texas … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on UT/Trib: Trump 46, others 39

UT/Trib: Impeachment inquiry more popular than not

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Seems like a big deal. Not quite half of Texas registered voters agree that “Congress is justified in conducting impeachment investigations into actions Donald Trump has taken while president,” according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Almost as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on UT/Trib: Impeachment inquiry more popular than not

Dan Patrick’s budget destruction

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not what you think it is, but it’s still bad. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Texas state government, an arcane team of 100 or so budget nerds has led a private, if stressful, life — running financial … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dan Patrick’s budget destruction

Every Speaker’s race is unique

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The one to come has a more uncertain outcome than the last few we’ve seen. The current party mix is 83 Republicans and 67 Democrats. Republicans hope to hold their advantage after the 2020 elections, while Democrats, encouraged by their … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Every Speaker’s race is unique

A wrapup for early voting

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story on the end of early voting. Early voting ended Friday with a late surge in turnout among Harris County voters, surpassing voter participation in some prior mayoral election years but falling short of totals seen during … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The case of Justice Laura Higley

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This is a sad situation, one with potentially fraught political implications. An appeals court justice serving Southeast Texas continues to sit on the bench as she suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, all while facing familial discord over the control of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The case of Justice Laura Higley

Beto ends his Presidential campaign

Posted on November 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It was fun while it lasted. Beto O’Rourke is dropping out of the presidential race. The former El Paso congressman announced the decision Friday evening, ahead of a major Democratic gathering here in Iowa. “Though it is difficult to accept, … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The next bathroom bill

Posted on November 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

You can see it coming from here. The Texas House LGBTQ Caucus is counting on Democrats flipping the Republican-held House to keep another possible ‘bathroom bill’ off the table during the 2021 legislative session. Texas Republicans last week rallied around … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Last bail lawsuit hearing

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

At least I assume it’s the last one. I’ve been thinking this was all over but for the formality for months now, so what do I know? Dianna Williams has witnessed the “collateral damage” of jailing on the fabric of … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Last bail lawsuit hearing

The Democratic Senate candidate forum

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This was a good event. Six of the Democrats hoping to defeat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn next year will square off in the first big candidate’s forum in Houston tonight in what promises to be one of the hottest political … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Democratic Senate candidate forum

Warren’s interest in boosting Texas Dems

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I heartily approve of this. As Elizabeth Warren climbs the polls — threatening Joe Biden’s lead in the Democratic primary — her campaign is turning its attention to Texas, a state she called home for a decade and a place … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Warren’s interest in boosting Texas Dems

No charges against Bonnen

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise. Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen will not be criminally prosecuted for the things he said during a secretly recorded June meeting with a hardline conservative activist, the district attorney in his hometown announced Thursday. “As repugnant as Speaker … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on No charges against Bonnen

Still more Bonnen business

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know how much longer we’re going to be obsessing over the Bonnen implosion, but we’re not done yet. Today’s topic is What It All Means for 2020. “The quarterback and coach have been taken off the field,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Still more Bonnen business

Bye bye, Bonnen

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. First-term Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen on Tuesday announced he will not seek reelection to the lower chamber in 2020 — completing a stunning fall for the Angleton Republican who enjoyed near unanimous support in the House just months … Continue reading →

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

Jackson to challenge Ellis in Precinct 1

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Former Harris County criminal court judge Maria T. Jackson will challenge incumbent Rodney Ellis for Harris County Precinct 1 commissioner, her campaign announced Monday. Jackson, the county’s longest serving felony judge until her resignation last month, plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jackson to challenge Ellis in Precinct 1

So now what with Bonnen?

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Democrats will wait and see. On Thursday night, as Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen’s political fate continued to hang in the balance, some of the most influential Democrats were in El Paso for a town hall and were split on … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Chrysta Castañeda

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Senate race will be the top statewide contest in 2020, but beyond that it’s the judicials and the one Railroad Commissioner slot on the ballot. Candidate Chrysta Castañeda has thrown her hat into the ring for that job. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

So are there any legal consequences to the Bonnen tape?

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Probably not, but maybe a little. Does that help? It was, according to his critics, “hurtful,” “vindictive” and “unbefitting of the high office he holds.” But was House Speaker Dennis Bonnen’s June 12 meeting with conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on So are there any legal consequences to the Bonnen tape?

The Bonnen tape is out

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a doozy. During a June conversation at the Texas Capitol, Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen urged hardline conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan to target members of their own party in the 2020 primaries and suggested he could get Sullivan’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Our increasingly diverse swing districts

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Current trends keep on trending. New 2018 census data shows that some of the most competitive congressional districts in Texas are continuing to become more diverse, as campaigns gear up for what’s expected to be the state’s most competitive election … Continue reading →

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

Ogg continues to have problems with the bail settlement

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t like this. District Attorney Kim Ogg is rallying police officers across Harris County to show up in federal court en masse to oppose to a landmark bail reform agreement at a final hearing set for this month. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The need for voter registration never ends

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A small step back, but I expect a big step forward next year. Democrats in Texas see registering new voters as crucial to winning statewide elections in 2020, but the number of registered voters in Harris County, the state’s largest, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The need for voter registration never ends