Tag Archives: Harris County Judge

Sustaining the Harris County Democrats’ success

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

All things considered, I feel reasonably optimistic about Democratic prospects in Harris County going forward, but I felt that way in 2008 as well, so I certainly understand the inclination to be cautious. Democrats swept Harris County last Tuesday in … Continue reading →

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More on the jailed rape victim

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron pens a harsh editorial. Although a spokesman for the district attorney’s office has admitted this miscarriage of justice should never have happened, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson defends the prosecutor involved in the case. She says the … Continue reading →

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State of the county 2016

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This year’s theme is cooperation and meeting challenges. In his ongoing effort to revive the Astrodome, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Tuesday proposed using the aging landmark for an outdoor light show when Houston hosts the Super Bowl next … Continue reading →

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State of the county 2015: Please cooperate more

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett makes his eighth State if the County address. In his eighth State of the County address, Emmett had choice words for both Austin – which is weighing a reduction in property taxes that form the … Continue reading →

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And we’re still talking about the 2015 Mayor’s race

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go again. The mayor’s race may be more than a year away, but nearly all candidates have launched shadow campaigns – and not all shadow campaigns are created equal. [State Rep. Sylvester] Turner and Harris County Sheriff Adrian … Continue reading →

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Hassan drops out of County Judge race

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I’m okay with this. Democrat Ahmad Hassan has ended his campaign for Harris County judge, saying incumbent Republican Ed Emmett should be given another four-year term to finish projects vital to the community. Hassan, owner of the Katy-based Alexandria Realty … Continue reading →

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July finance reports for Harris County candidates

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

All of the July finance reports for Harris County candidates are in. You know what that means. County Judge Ed Emmett Ahmad Hassan Candidate Raised Spent Loan On Hand ================================================== Emmett 312,885 177,017 0 532,257 Hassan 0 0 0 0 … Continue reading →

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Who stands with Jared?

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I noted yesterday that soon-to-be-former Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodfill is busy trying to gather petition signatures to repeal the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Here’s the beginning of his pitch: I want to thank all of you who stood … Continue reading →

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January campaign finance reports for Harris County candidates

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

In our previous episode, we looked at the campaign finance reports for Democratic statewide candidates. Today, let’s have a look at the reports for candidates for countywide office in Harris County. I’m not going to get down to the Constable … Continue reading →

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Parker 2018

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It seems pretty certain that a statewide candidacy is in Mayor Parker’s future. LSQ: What’s next for you after your term expires at the end of 2015? There’s been a lot of talk that you will run for statewide office … Continue reading →

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Susan Criss to file in HD23

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some excellent news from the inbox, via Carl Whitmarsh: For fifteen years I was honored to wear a black robe for the people of Galveston County. Four times I raised my hand and swore, so help me God, to faithfully … Continue reading →

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LaCroix files in SD15

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As of the Monday candidate filing update from the HCDP, Damian LaCroix has made official his primary challenge to Sen. John Whitmire in SD15. He announced his challenge in August, and what I said at that time still holds true … Continue reading →

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July finance reports for Harris County officeholders and challengers

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Odd-numbered years are primarily about city elections, but primaries are just around the corner, and some hopefuls for county and state offices are already out there lining up support and raising money. Here’s a peek at some of the Harris … Continue reading →

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Medicaid expansion pressure is having an effect

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Despite the mountains of evidence in its favor, I still can’t say that I see a path to Medicaid expansion in Texas. But stories like this do give me some hope. Adamantly opposed to expanding Medicaid coverage under President Barack … Continue reading →

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A Republican view of 2014 in Harris County

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Big Jolly is feeling pessimistic about his team’s chances in Harris County next year. Now let’s look at who will be on the playing field for us. There will be a lot of statewide action, with unknown Dems – let’s … Continue reading →

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January finance reports for Harris County offices

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

For the most part, it’s way too early to start thinking about the 2014 Harris County elections – we have a legislative session and a city election cycle to get through first – but since January 15 is a reporting … Continue reading →

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Constable Trevino indicted

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Lovely. Longtime Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino was indicted Friday, accused of failing to report cash campaign contributions, diverting money from his youth charity for personal use and using deputies to serve eviction notices and then keeping the delivery fees. … Continue reading →

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Two views of county government

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

There was an interesting quasi-point/counterpoint in the Sunday op-eds between County Judge Ed Emmett and County Attorney Vince Ryan. I say “quasi” because it’s not really clear they were debating each other, but they were both talking about county government … Continue reading →

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Dallas County’s elections administrator resigns

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I spotted this story in the DMN the other day. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins has called a meeting of an obscure commission charged with appointing a county elections chief, raising the suspicion that it’s an attempt to oust longtime … Continue reading →

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County Judge race overview

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron overview of the race for Harris County Judge. Incumbent Ed Emmett, a Republican, talks of double-tracking bridges for freight, attracting foreign investment to build toll roads, and planning commuter rail in such a way that it can … Continue reading →

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Interview with County Judge Ed Emmett

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Those of you who have followed my blog and my interview series may be wondering why today’s interview subject is Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. I’m a Democrat, and I make no pretense of the fact that I do these … Continue reading →

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Interview with Gordon Quan

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We begin the wrapup of county candidates with Gordon Quan, who is running for County Judge. I interviewed him for the primary as well. As I said then, Quan has lived in Harris County since his family came here from … Continue reading →

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I-Day Houston

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox, from the League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters of the Houston Area and the American Society of Civil Engineers are set to host two debates, a candidate meet-and-greet, and infrastructure townhall meetings during the … Continue reading →

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The elections administrator

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron takes a look at the elections administrator proposal that has been under study. The idea of an elections administrator percolated during the spring as a way to cloak the function in a mantle of nonpartisanship, and incidentally, to … Continue reading →

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Cause of fire that destroyed voting machines still not determined

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I sure hope it’s not arson. Lord knows, though, there’s a million conspiracy theories you could spin if it turns out it was. Houston’s fire marshal’s office hasn’t made a ruling on whether Friday’s early-morning fire was accidental or deliberately … Continue reading →

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Fundraising: Harris County

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The top story for the Harris County money race is that County Judge Ed Emmett has a big lead in financial resources over challenger Gordon Quan. Gordon Quan said he knew from the start that challenging County Judge Ed Emmett … Continue reading →

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Get well soon, Gordon!

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I was not aware of this. Gordon Quan, the Democratic candidate for county judge, had multiple-bypass heart surgery in late May and said today that he expects to be back to campaigning and working after Independence Day. “My cardiologist says … Continue reading →

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Emmett speaks about his county elections administrator proposal

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

County Judge Ed Emmett has a brief op-ed in the Chron to respond to some concerns about his proposal to study the possibility of an appointed elections administrator. There have been several false statements made that an elections administrator would … Continue reading →

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Casey and the Chron on an elections administrator

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Casey sums up the recent proposal by County Judge Ed Emmett to consider adopting a non-partisan elections administrator for Harris County: While Dallas and Tarrant counties have found it a source of electoral confidence and stability, Bexar County went … Continue reading →

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Election results: Harris County

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It was a bad day to be the establishment candidate for Harris County Clerk, let me tell you. Ann Harris Bennett crushed Sue Schechter for the Democratic nomination, winning with 63% of the vote. On the Republican side, wingnut Stan … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: That’s a wrap

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Sunday Chron: Over the past few weeks, the Chronicle has made dozens of recommendations in selected contested races in the Democratic and Republican primaries. We reprint those endorsements here, roughly in the order they’ll appear on Tuesday’s ballot. … Continue reading →

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HBA 2010 Judicial Candidate Qualification Questionnaire

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Via Hair Balls, we find the 2010 version of the Houston Bar Association Judicial Candidate Qualification Questionnaire, in which the HBA’s membership rates judicial candidates, plus candidates for County Judge and District Clerk, as “Not Qualified”, “Qualified”, or “Well Qualified” … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Where I stand

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting begins in the primaries today. With that in mind, the following are Democratic candidates I will be voting for, or would be voting for if I lived in their district. I am only addressing contested races – you … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of County Judge primary

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

There’s been a whole lot of attention paid to the Governor’s races recently, but there are plenty of other contests of interest. The Chron gives its take on the Democratic primary for Harris County Judge. Hassan, 57, of Katy, wants … Continue reading →

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