Tag Archives: Sheila Jackson Lee

Can our dams handle the load?

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Pretty important question, wouldn’t you say? The state climatologist is warning that Texas dams will become less able to withstand extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey, which are expected to occur more frequently as the earth’s atmosphere and oceans warm … Continue reading →

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One more in CD32

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Meet Lillian Salerno, the third major candidate to take a crack at Rep. Pete Sessions in CD32. Lillian Salerno, who served as President Barack Obama’s deputy undersecretary of rural development for the Department of Agriculture, [officially launched] her candidacy for … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: The Congress you expect

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes the most predictable endorsements of the season, for Congress. Here’s Part 1: United States Representative, District 2: Ted Poe Consider this not just an endorsement for Ted Poe, but also heartfelt support as the six-term congressman recovers … Continue reading →

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Runoff watch: Leftovers

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Three last races that didn’t fit into any other categories. SBOE District 6 – Democratic Jasmine Jenkins and Dakota Carter, the two candidates that actually campaigned for this office in this three-way race, finished one and two in the voting … Continue reading →

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Where are the ladies?

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Not in Congress, where only three of the 36 members Texas sends to the House are of the female persuasion. Week after week at the U.S. Capitol, the Republican congressional delegation from Texas gathers for a ritual Thursday lunch. And … Continue reading →

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Hillary Clinton in town

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

You have a chance to see her if you act quickly: You can register here if you are interested. About the award: THE BARBARA JORDAN INAUGURAL GOLD MEDALLION will be presented in 2015 at Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland … Continue reading →

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Where are the women?

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I have several things to say about this. The slate running to replace Mayor Annise Parker features a globetrotting sailor, a triathlete grandfather, a millionaire minister and no women. Despite the most-crowded pack of mayoral contenders in decades, no female … Continue reading →

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Laurie Robinson to run in At Large #4

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

From Texpatriate: Laurie Robinson, a local businesswoman, will run for the Houston City Council next year. Specifically, as Houston Chronicle reported Theodore Schleifer reported on Twitter, she will seek out At-Large Position #4. The seat is currently held by Councilmember … Continue reading →

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The bricks of Freedmen’s Town

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Surely we can do something about this. Most in the Fourth Ward community know the lore – that freed slaves and descendants first laid the bricks on the streets 100 years ago. Now most agree the roads need repairs, but … Continue reading →

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Where are all the ladies?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Christy Hoppe of the DMN notices something missing on the Republican side of the 2014 ballot. The Texas Republican Party has a girl problem. A glance down the list of GOP nominees set after Tuesday’s runoffs makes it look as … Continue reading →

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The farm team

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Roll Call takes a look at the Texas Democrats of the future. Democrats rarely fielded competitive Senate candidates over the past two decades — the party’s three best performers in that time span received 44 percent, 43 percent and 43 … Continue reading →

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SJL for DHS?

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you heard Monday was a bunch of heads exploding. Conservative bloggers went wild Monday when they got wind of the Congressional Black Caucus’ suggestion that President Obama pick Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston for the post of … Continue reading →

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North Forest still fighting as the deadlines approach

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Never give up, never surrender. North Forest ISD has spent more than $595,000 appealing the state’s order to shut down, newly obtained records show, and the school district is continuing the court fight as its July closure date nears. Despite … Continue reading →

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At the Battleground Texas kickoff meeting

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I attended the Battleground Texas kickoff meeting for Houston on Saturday. Houston was one of the last stops on their statewide introduction tour. I estimated about 300 people in attendance; BGTX gives it as 350, which is probably the more … Continue reading →

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Not so fast on the North Forest charter plan

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Not everyone is convinced that the plan to allow a consortium of charter schools to take over North Forest ISD is a good idea. In interviews Monday, state Rep. Senfronia Thompson and Sens. Rodney Ellis and John Whitmire, all Democrats, … Continue reading →

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Charters apply to take over North Forest ISD

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Fine by me. In a potentially groundbreaking move, three of Houston’s top-performing charter schools are making a pitch to run the long-troubled North Forest school district. The charter groups — KIPP, YES Prep and Harmony — are asking Texas Education … Continue reading →

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SJL talks high speed rail

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The dream lives on. Officials in Japan and South Korea told Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee that they are interested in helping Texas build a high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas. The Houston Democrat said the foreign officials described … Continue reading →

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Trying to find a way with the WHP

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I admire and applaud the effort. I abhor the fact that it was needed. Leading Houston Democrats in favor of a seemingly doomed health care program for low-income women are pushing to bypass the state to keep federal money flowing … Continue reading →

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Football season is over, but political football season never ends

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It never even reaches the two minute warning. The committee chairman described it as a “food fight,” an after-midnight bout as Republican Congressman Blake Farenthold tried to jimmy legislation to block federal money for Metro to build or extend the … Continue reading →

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Three for HD144, Lee for HCDE

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Since Monday night, I have heard of three people who are interested in running for HD144, the State Rep district that was drawn to favor the election of a Democrat by the San Antonio court. For the record, the 2008 … Continue reading →

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Say “No” to Confederate license plates

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been in Texas over 25 years now, but sometimes I just can’t escape my Yankee heritage. A group of elected officials said Saturday that Texas cannot allow the Confederate flag – which they consider a symbol of oppression – … Continue reading →

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Ryan issues opinions about poll watching

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan has issued a couple of opinions relating to poll watching that may help clear things up a bit. The first opinion has to do with where poll watchers may and may not go: Poll watchers … 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: Obama for SJL

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

President Barack Obama has endorsed Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in her primary for CD18. From the press release: “Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is a tireless champion for Houston’s working families,” said President Obama. “That’s why we need her back in … Continue reading →

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Houston Press interview with Jarvis Johnson

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed it, David Ortez did an interview with CM Jarvis Johnson for the Democratic primary race in CD18. He had previously interviewed Sean Roberts, and will have one up with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee soon. You can … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Chron for SJL

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron recommends keeping Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in office. Over time, and with the Democratic takeover of the House, Jackson Lee has accumulated seniority and influence on a number of congressional committees and says she has used that added … Continue reading →

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I-10 frontage road update

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Via email from the CTC: More than 120 residents attended an informational meeting January 6th convened by State Representative Jessica Farrar concerning proposed IH-10 frontage roads inside the IH-610 loop. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and District H Council Member Ed … Continue reading →

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Interview with Council Member Jarvis Johnson

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Running to unseat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in CD18 is Houston City Council Member Jarvis Johnson, who was recently elected to a third and final term in District B. (My interview with him from that race is here.) As he … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We turn our attention now to CD18, where Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is running for re-election. I’ve lived in the 18th since 1989, and have had Congresswoman Lee as my Representative since she defeated Craig Washington in 1994. I don’t … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ahmad Hassan

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Also running for the Democratic nomination for Harris County Judge is businessman Ahmad Hassan. Hassan is a real estate and mortgage broker and the owner & President of Alexandria Real Estate and Mortgage. He has been a US citizen since … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: H-BAD and Tejano Dems

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We’re getting close to the start of early voting for the primaries, and that means endorsements are coming out from various groups. Today I got press releases from the Houston-Black American Democrats (H-BAD) and the Harris County Tejano Democrats with … Continue reading →

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Strange parallels

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This Chron story about the primary challenges to Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee goes out of its way to try to find parallels to Jackson Lee’s own successful primary election of 1994. A little too far, I think. The district looks … Continue reading →

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Jarvis Johnson files for CD18

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’d heard this was coming over the weekend, and here it is. Council Member Jarvis Johnson has filed for the Democratic primary in CD18, challenging Sheila Jackson Lee. From his press release: Houston City Council Member Jarvis Johnson filed today … Continue reading →

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A challenger for SJL

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, the 2010 election season is wide open already, isn’t it? Via email from Carl Whitmarsh comes the news of a potential primary challenger for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in CD18. From the email: Houston attorney Sean Roberts today announced … Continue reading →

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