Tag Archives: Republican Party

We won’t have Robert Morrow to kick around any longer

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Valar morghulis, y’all. The brief, zany tenure of Travis County GOP Chairman Robert Morrow came to an end Friday, as party officials made clear the conspiracy theorist abandoned his post by running for president and he accepted their conclusion without … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on We won’t have Robert Morrow to kick around any longer

Taking on Ted

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Mike McCaul isn’t saying that he will, but he isn’t saying that he won’t, either. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, is not ruling out challenging U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2018, but he’s emphasizing that he is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Taking on Ted

AG asked to investigate Hill County ballot irregularities

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Weird, but we’ll see. The Texas Attorney General’s office has been asked to launch an investigation into allegations that multiple people voted illegally in the 2016 Republican primary elections in Hill County, despite local officials’ claims that the discrepancies were … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on AG asked to investigate Hill County ballot irregularities

Tesla tries another approach to getting access to Texas

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

If at first you don’t succeed, change your strategy. Tesla Motors’ Lone Star ambitions won the blessing of the Texas GOP at the party convention in Dallas this month, paving the path towards a possible end to the three years … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cain retains lead in HD128 after recount

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s all over. After a recount, Briscoe Cain remains the winner in his Republican primary challenge to state Rep. Wayne Smith of Baytown. Cain, an attorney from Deer Park, edged out Smith, a longtime incumbent, by 23 votes last month … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cain retains lead in HD128 after recount

Two runoff recounts in the works

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not over yet in HD128. In a reversal, state Rep. Wayne Smith is now pursuing a recount in his narrow loss in Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff. Deer Park attorney Briscoe Cain beat Smith, a longtime incumbent from Baytown, by … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Republican primary runoff results

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County results Statewide results Trib liveblog Your new State Senators are Bryan Hughes, who defeated his former House colleague David Simpson, and Dawn Buckingham, who defeated former Rep. Susan King. Hughes is a Dan Patrick buddy, who will fit … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Republican primary runoff results

Overview of the Harris County GOP Chair runoff

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This is the Republican runoff I’m most interested in. Two years after wresting control of the Harris County Republican Party, Paul Simpson is facing an unexpected runoff challenge from political newcomer Rick Ramos in a race that again pits establishment … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

By all means, go for Jared

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Keeping it classy. The race for chairman of the Texas Republican Party has spawned charges that the party’s current leader, Tom Mechler, supports a “disgusting homosexual agenda.” A supporter of Jared Woodfill, a Houston lawyer and former chairman of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Runoff watch: Leftovers

Travis County GOP shakes its fist at its new Chair

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Poor babies. At a packed Travis County GOP executive committee meeting Tuesday night, it took less than a minute for someone to acknowledge the elephant not in the room. “Give us wisdom to deal with the situation that we’re in,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Greg Abbott does not approve of Robert Morrow

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Aw, that’s so cute. As the battle for control of the Travis County GOP heats up, and its newly elected chair writes increasingly raunchy tweets at breakneck speed, Gov. Greg Abbott has stepped into the fray to condemn his fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

2016 primary reactions and initial impressions

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

First, a couple of minor notes. Rep. Byron Cook ultimately pulled out a win in his nasty and high-profile primary. That’s good news for Speaker Joe Straus and the general forces of “government that isn’t like a three-year-old coming off … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2016 primaries: Harris County

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Though this will be the first entry published in the morning, it was the last one I wrote last night, and I’m super tired. So, I’m going to make this brief. Harris County Dem results – Harris County GOP results … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Republican filing deadline highlights

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

As a followup to this, here’s a look at who filed for what in the Republican primary here in Harris County. Set your phasers to “snark” and come on in with me. Congress There are nine Congressional districts partially or … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Just leave already

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Seriously. State GOP leaders, in a predictable but closely watched vote, have defeated a proposal to ask Texas voters whether they favor secession. In a voice vote Saturday afternoon, the State Republican Executive Committee rejected a measure that would have … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Just leave already

GOP versus Hall

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Pass the popcorn. The Harris County Republican Party released a flyer Monday attacking Houston mayoral candidate Ben Hall for his Democratic ties and previous support for a nondiscrimination ordinance. Among top-tier mayoral candidates, Hall, a Democrat, is the most ardent … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2015 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The new closet

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

From this Observer story about how Democrats finally managed to put a stake through Rep. Cecil Bell’s awful anti-same-sex-marriage-license bill, comes word of the legislative preference that dare not speak its name: [Rep. Jason] Villalba’s statements were a clear reminder … Continue reading →

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

Another data point on Uber and Republicans

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From Josh Barro. Republicans have hailed Uber, the smartphone-based car service, as a symbol of entrepreneurial innovation that could be strangled by misplaced government regulation. In August, the Republican National Committee urged supporters to sign a petition in support of … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Another data point on Uber and Republicans

Steven Hotze in his own words

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Media Matters sat in on a conference call of professional haters, and, well, see for yourself. Fox News hero and prominent Texas conservative Dr. Steven Hotze warned supporters during a conference call that gay activists want to overturn laws prohibiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Steven Hotze in his own words

Greg Enos turns his spotlight to Gary Polland

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be good. There can be no doubt: Gary Polland is a smart, successful lawyer who knows how to make a lot of money from the practice of law. Polland is politically powerful and able to influence and … Continue reading →

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

Petition deadline coming

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Scott Braddock takes a look at the petition effort to repeal the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, which must turn in its homework this week. Opponents led by longtime – and now former because he was recently ousted – Harris County … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Petition deadline coming

I repeat: Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

This is what I’m talking about. At its state convention in Fort Worth last week, the Texas GOP amended its platform to include support for reparative therapy “for those patients seeking healing and wholeness from their homosexual lifestyle.” In response … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on I repeat: Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

Being an idiot, on the other hand, is totally treatable

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s actually a little amazing that stuff like this doesn’t happen more often. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, speaking in San Francisco on Wednesday night, said the U.S. would better serve its diverse population by letting the states handle many economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Being an idiot, on the other hand, is totally treatable

Yes, Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, Greg. You can mumble all the vague platitudes you want, but this baby’s all yours. In the wake of the GOP’s approval of a platform that includes a hardline stance on immigration, Attorney General Greg Abbott finds himself at … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Yes, Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

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 →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Who stands with Jared?

Yes, Greg Abbott opposes the HERO

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

He just doesn’t want to be forced to admit it. When the Houston City Council passed its nondiscrimination ordinance including gay and transgender protections, top Democratic statewide candidates such as Sen. Wendy Davis were quick to celebrate. “All people should … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mail ballots being mailed out for primary runoffs

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The first batch of over 38,000 postal ballots for the May 27, 2014 Primary Runoff Elections have been mailed and will be arriving in voters’ mailboxes this week. This mailing represents the highest number of mail ballots … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mail ballots being mailed out for primary runoffs

Who’s afraid of the Republican slate?

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I was reading this story about a kerfuffle in the Republican runoff for Railroad Commissioner when a thought struck me. A Republican candidate seeking a post that regulates the state’s oil and gas industry said he won’t cut ties to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Who’s afraid of the Republican slate?

Pratt Mess gets messier

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

How much worse can it get? Hundreds of divorce, child support and custody cases dating back to 2012 will have to be revisited – and possibly sent back to trial – as a court administrator sorts out what he called … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Pratt Mess gets messier

National ag groups not happy with Republicans

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s all about immigration reform. Craig Regelbrugge, who co-chairs the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, says a large majority of his group’s members — which include large and small farming enterprises and growers all around the country — are Republican, … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on National ag groups not happy with Republicans

How can we miss you if you won’t go away?

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Denise Pratt is a gift that keeps on giving. Denise Pratt may not be gone just yet. Two days after announcing her immediate resignation as presiding judge of the 311th family District Court – and the suspension of her re-election … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Precinct analysis: Republican primary election

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve done the Democrats, so now let’s take a look at the Republicans. In this case, I did have a few specific questions in mind, so my approach here will be a little different. First, we all know that Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Precinct analysis: Republican primary election

Always going backwards

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the Republican Party of Texas. When the Texas Republican Party made a guest worker program part of its 2012 platform, it was hailed as an important step forward for the party. The GOP needed to adjust itself, people said, … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment