Tag Archives: Sergio Lira

LULAC files that lawsuit to end Houston City Council At Large districts

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve been waiting for this. The League of United Latin American Citizens on Monday filed its long-anticipated lawsuit against the city of Houston, seeking to get rid of at-large City Council seats that it says leave Hispanic residents with insufficient representation at City Hall. … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged At Large, Census, demography, District A, District F, District H, District I, District J, Election 2023, Farmers Branch, fundraising, Houston, Houston City Council, Karla Cisneros, Latino voting, lawsuit, LULAC, Mayor, Pasadena, redistricting, Robert Gallegos, Roy Morales, Sergio Lira, Sylvester Turner | 6 Comments

Houston City Council approves its new map

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Now we wait for the lawsuit(s). City Council on Wednesday approved new boundaries for the city’s 11 districts for the 2023 elections, featuring modest adjustments affecting parts of downtown, Braeburn, Greater Inwood and a few areas in southeast Houston. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Dave Martin, District C, District H, District I, Election 2023, Houston, Houston City Council, lawsuit, LULAC, redistricting, Robert Gallegos, Sergio Lira, Sylvester Turner | 1 Comment

Chron story on the proposed new City Council map

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Remember, you heard it here first. Houston’s proposed City Council maps for 2023 elections make only minor changes to district boundaries near Rice University, Freedmen’s Town and parts of downtown. Overall, less than 3% of Houston’s 2.3 million residents will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023, Local politics | Tagged At Large, Austin, Census, demography, District C, District D, District G, District H, District I, District J, Election 2023, Farmers Branch, Houston, Houston City Council, Irving, Latino voting, lawsuit, LULAC, Pasadena, redistricting, Sergio Lira, Sylvester Turner, Voting Rights Act | 3 Comments

Chron story on City Council redistricting

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Lots more info now. As Houston begins to redraw its City Council map for the 2023 elections, two districts representing western portions of the city, including Montrose, the Heights, River Oaks, and Uptown, among other neighborhoods, have out-sized populations that … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Census, Election 2023, Houston, Houston City Council, lawsuit, LULAC, redistricting, Robert Gallegos, Sergio Lira, Texas | Comments Off

Is it time to ditch At Large seats on Houston City Council?

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s one argument for it. The lack of Latinos on the City Council undermines the legitimacy of Houston’s government, experts say, and is something that a prominent Hispanic organization is pushing to change with a lawsuit and ballot proposition. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged At Large, Austin, Census, demography, District A, District F, District H, District I, District J, Domingo Garcia, Election 2007, Election 2013, Election 2015, Election 2019, Election 2023, fundraising, Gracie Saenz, Houston, Houston City Council, Joe Trevino, Jolanda Jones, Karla Cisneros, Latino voting, lawsuit, LULAC, Mayor, Michael Kubosh, Orlando Sanchez, petitions, redistricting, Robert Gallegos, Roy Morales, Sergio Lira, Sylvester Turner | 17 Comments

Why not appoint newly elected Trustees to the Board of Managers?

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a perfectly reasonable question, posed recently in the Chron op-ed pages by two of those new Trustees-to-be, Judith Cruz and Dani Hernandez. As former Houston Independent School District educators, a product of HISD, and a parent in HISD, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, School days | Tagged Board of Managers, Dani Hernandez, Diana Davila, Election 2019, ethics, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Judith Cruz, Mike Morath, Sergio Lira, Texas Education Agency | 4 Comments

Final results are in

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here they are. Refer to my previous post for the initial recap, I’m going to be very minimalist. Let’s do this PowerPoint-style, it’s already been a long day: Mayor – Turner fell short of 50%, landing up a bit below … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Amy Peck, Anna Eastman, Anthony Dolcefino, Brad Jordan, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Brown, Cynthia Bailey, Dani Hernandez, Dave Wilson, David Robinson, Diana Davila, Edward Pollard, Election 2019, Eric Dick, George Zoes, HCC, HD148, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, Isabel Longoria, Janaeya Carmouche, John Curtis Gibbs, Judith Cruz, Karla Cisneros, Kathy Blueford Daniels, Kathy Lynch Gunter, Letitia Plummer, Lui LaRotta, Matt Barnes, Mayor, Michael Kubosh, Mike Knox, Monica Flores Richart, Patricia Allen, Raj Salhotra, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, runoff, Sallie Alcorn, Sandra Rodriguez, Sergio Lira, Shelley Kennedy, special election, Sylvester Turner, Tarsha Jackson, Texas, The Lege, Tiffany Thomas, Tony Buzbee, Van Huynh, Willie Davis | 9 Comments

2019 election results: Houston and Metro

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Unfortunately, we have to start with this: Results of Tuesday’s election could take until 2 a.m. Wednesday after the Texas Secretary of State issued a new regulation that upended plans by the Harris County Clerk’s Office to speed vote counting. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Amy Peck, Anna Eastman, Anthony Dolcefino, Bill King, Brad Jordan, Carla Brailey, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Brown, Cynthia Bailey, Dani Hernandez, Dave Wilson, David Robinson, Diana Davila, Diane Trautman, Dwight Boykins, early voting, Edward Pollard, Election 2019, Eric Dick, George Zoes, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, HCC, HD148, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, Isabel Longoria, Janaeya Carmouche, John Curtis Gibbs, Judith Cruz, Karla Cisneros, Kathy Blueford Daniels, Kathy Lynch Gunter, Letitia Plummer, Lui LaRotta, Matt Barnes, Mayor, Metro, Michael Kubosh, Mike Knox, Monica Flores Richart, Patricia Allen, Raj Salhotra, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, runoff, Sallie Alcorn, Sandra Rodriguez, Secretary of State, Sergio Lira, Shelley Kennedy, special election, Sue Lovell, Sylvester Turner, Tarsha Jackson, Texas, The Lege, Tiffany Thomas, Tony Buzbee, Van Huynh, Willie Davis | 7 Comments

30 Day finance reports: HISD

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron notes that where there are elections there are contributions, even for our diminished HISD Trustees. The threat of state officials stripping power from Houston ISD trustees has not scared off donors interested in the district’s school board elections, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged campaign finance reports, Cris Moses, Dani Hernandez, Diana Davila, Election 2019, fundraising, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jevon German, Judith Cruz, Kathy Blueford Daniels, Matt Barnes, Patricia Allen, Reagan Flowers, Sergio Lira | 2 Comments

Endorsement watch: One more HISD, two in HCC

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Some pretty easy calls for the Chron here. In HISD VII, they go with Judith Cruz. Houston Independent School District does not need more of the same in its leadership. The embattled district must move away from the dysfunction that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Brendon Singh, Dani Hernandez, Dave Wilson, Diana Davila, Election 2019, endorsements, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Judith Cruz, Kathy Lynch Gunter, Monica Flores Richart, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, Texas Education Agency | 5 Comments

Endorsement watch: Two in HISD

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron goes against the incumbent in District III. [Incumbent Sergio] Lira, who was elected in 2017 after the death of longtime trustee Manuel Rodriguez, has 30 years of experience in education, with a doctorate in educational leadership and policy … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Chloe Veal, Cris Moses, Dani Hernandez, Election 2019, endorsements, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jevon German, John Curtis Gibbs, Kathy Blueford Daniels, Sergio Lira, Texas Education Agency | 1 Comment

HISD’s appeal of the Wheatley rating

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Not much there. You can read whatever you want into that. If Houston ISD trustees expected the district’s administration to make an impassioned, detailed appeal to the state for an accountability reprieve at Wheatley High School — a last-ditch effort to avoid … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Grenita Lathan, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Sergio Lira, STAAR, standardized testing, Texas Education Agency | 2 Comments

Why would you run for HISD Board of Trustees this year?

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a good question. As she campaigns door-to-door to become the newest member of Houston ISD’s school board, Reagan Flowers is encountering many confused voters. They ask whether school board elections matter this year, given the growing likelihood that state officials will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Diana Davila, Election 2019, Grenita Lathan, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Patricia Allen, Reagan Flowers, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, Texas Education Agency | 2 Comments

The 2019 lineups are set

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Barring any late disqualifications or other unexpected events, we have the candidates we’re getting on our 2019 ballot. More than 125 candidates turned in paperwork to run for city office by Monday’s filing deadline, setting up a packed November ballot … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Bill King, Brendon Singh, Chris Brown, Cris Moses, Cynthia Gary, Dani Hernandez, Dave Wilson, Diana Davila, Dwight Boykins, Election 2019, Eric Dick, Griff Griffin, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, Jolanda Jones, Kathy Lynch Gunter, Mayor, Michael Maloney, Monica Flores Richart, Neeta Sane, Orlando Sanchez, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Rodrick Davison, Sergio Lira, Sue Lovell, Sylvester Turner, term limits, Tony Buzbee | 2 Comments

July 2019 campaign finance reports: HISD and HCC

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

One last look at July finance reports. I’m lumping together reports for HISD and HCC, in part because there’s some crossover, and in part because there’s not all that much to these. As always, refer to the Erik Manning candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Ashley Butler, Brendon Singh, campaign finance reports, Cynthia Gary, Dave Wilson, Diana Davila, Election 2019, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Judith Cruz, Larry McKinzie, Matt Barnes, Monica Flores Richart, Neeta Sane, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Rodrick Davison, Sergio Lira | Comments Off

Previous interviews with current candidates

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve said a few times that I’m going to be doing just a few interviews this fall. I will start publishing them tomorrow. I may pick up some more for the runoffs, but for now my schedule just does not … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Alvin Byrd, Amy Peck, Bill King, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Brown, David Robinson, Dwight Boykins, Edward Pollard, Election 2019, Georgia Provost, Greg Travis, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, interviews, Jim Bigham, Jolanda Jones, Judith Cruz, Karla Cisneros, Kendra Yarbrough Camarena, Letitia Plummer, Mayor, Michael Kubosh, Mike Knox, Monica Flores Richart, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Richard Nguyen, Robert Gallegos, Sergio Lira, Sue Lovell, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

Initial reaction to the TEA action on HISD

Posted on August 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of wait and see so far. Houston-area political and community leaders offered muted response Thursday to a state recommendation issued this week to replace Houston ISD’s school board, reserving judgment until more details are known about a Texas Education … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Abe Saavedra, Anne Sung, Carol Alvarado, Diana Davila, Election 2019, Elizabeth Santos, Grenita Lathan, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Mike Morath, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, Sue Deigaard, Texas Education Agency, Wanda Adams | Comments Off

It looks like we’re getting a new school board

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

What a mess. Texas Education Agency officials have recommended that a state-appointed governing team replace Houston ISD’s locally elected school board after a six-month investigation found several instances of alleged misconduct by some trustees, including violations of the Texas Open … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Abe Saavedra, Anne Sung, Diana Davila, Election 2019, Elizabeth Santos, Grenita Lathan, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Mike Morath, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Richard Carranza, schools, Sergio Lira, STAAR, Sue Deigaard, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas Open Meetings Act, Wanda Adams | 12 Comments

An update on the races in HISD and HCC

Posted on July 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, there’s been a lot of action not just in the Houston City Council races but also in the 2020 election races. That doesn’t mean things have been dull in HISD and HCC, which of course have elections … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Dave Wilson, Diana Davila, District D, Election 2013, Election 2015, Election 2017, Election 2019, Election 2020, Eva Loredo, filing deadline, Grenita Lathan, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Council, Jolanda Jones, Judith Cruz, Juliet Stipeche, Larry McKinzie, lawsuit, Matt Barnes, Monica Flores Richart, Neeta Sane, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, term limits, Zeph Capo | 7 Comments

January 2019 finance reports: HISD

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Odd-numbered years mean three types of elections in Houston – city, HISD, and HCC. We’ve looked at the finance reports for city candidates, now let’s have a look at the reports for HISD trustees, which I’ve separated into those up … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged campaign finance reports, Diana Davila, Election 2018, Election 2019, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, Wanda Adams | 3 Comments

HISD back under scrutiny

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s hope this turns out to be no big deal. The Texas Education Agency is investigating possible open meetings violations by some Houston ISD trustees last year when they engaged in private discussions that led to the abrupt ouster of … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Abe Saavedra, Anne Sung, Diana Davila, Doris Delaney, Elizabeth Santos, Grenita Lathan, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Sergio Lira, Texas Education Agency, Texas Open Meetings Act | 5 Comments

The 2019 elections

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We haven’t forgotten that there are some big elections on tap for us this year, have we? Let’s go a quick rundown. May elections Election campaigns are already in progress in the cities that have May elections, which includes big … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Bill King, Bob Nowak, City Council, Dave Wilson, Diana Davila, Election 2013, Election 2015, Election 2019, Harris County, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, Jolanda Jones, Laurie Robinson, Mayor, Metro, Neeta Sane, Nick Hellyar, Pasadena, Raj Salhotra, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, Shelley Kennedy, Sugar Land, Sylvester Turner, term limits, Tony Buzbee, Zeph Capo | 14 Comments

Trustees apologize for Saavedra/Lathan mess

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a start. Houston ISD trustees on Monday offered a public apology to students, parents and teachers for their behavior the past 10 months, particularly the chaotic meeting last week when a faction of the board surprised their colleagues and … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Abe Saavedra, Anne Sung, Diana Davila, Elizabeth Santos, Grenita Lathan, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Richard Carranza, schools, Sergio Lira, Texas Education Agency, Texas Open Meetings Act | 5 Comments

July 2018 campaign finance reports: HISD

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Every level of government requires finance reports in January and June, whether or not there is an active election cycle in that year. That includes HISD and HCC, which are the last two groups I’ll be examining. I didn’t get … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Anne Sung, campaign finance reports, Diana Davila, Election 2019, Elizabeth Santos, fundraising, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, Sue Deigaard, Wanda Adams | Comments Off

HISD nixes charter partnership

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

First there was this. Houston ISD board members adjourned late Tuesday without voting on a controversial measure to give up control over 10 low-performing schools after the meeting turned physical and police escorted members of the public — nearly all … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Anne Sung, charter schools, Elizabeth Santos, Energized For STEM Academy, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Jolanda Jones, Mike Morath, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, schools, Sergio Lira, Sue Deigaard, Sylvester Turner, Texas Education Agency | 1 Comment

Looking ahead to 2019

Posted on January 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Yes, yes, I know. We’ve barely begun the 2018 cycle. Who in their right mind is thinking about 2019? I plead guilty to political insanity, but the beginning of the year is always the best time to look forward, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged At Large #5, Brenda Stardig, Dave Wilson, Diana Davila, District A, District B, District C, District J, District K, Election 2013, Election 2015, Election 2017, Election 2019, Ellen Cohen, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Council, Jack Christie, Jerry Davis, Jolanda Jones, Larry Green, Mayor, Mike Laster, Neeta Sane, Pasadena, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Sergio Lira, Zeph Capo | 1 Comment

Santos, Lira, and Stallworth win runoffs

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to all, and on to 2018. Two current educators, Elizabeth Santos and Sergio Lira, won seats on the Houston ISD school board, according to preliminary results from Saturday’s runoff election. Voters also chose Pretta VanDible Stallworth, a business consultant … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Election 2017, Elizabeth Santos, Eugene Pack, Gretchen Himsl, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jesse Rodriguez, Pretta Stallworth, runoff, Sergio Lira | Comments Off

Runoff Day for HISD and HCC is tomorrow

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Saturday, December 9, is Election Day for voters in Houston Community College District IX and HISD Trustee Districts I and III. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must vote at their designated … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged early voting, Election 2017, Elizabeth Santos, Eugene Pack, Gretchen Himsl, Harris County, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jesse Rodriguez, Pretta Stallworth, runoff, Sergio Lira, turnout | Comments Off

Endorsement watch: HISD and HCC runoffs

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

In two of the three runoffs on the ballot, the Chron endorsed candidates who did not make the cut. As early voting begins for the runoffs, they make their new choices and reiterate the one they got right. Houston Community … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged early voting, Election 2017, Elizabeth Santos, endorsements, Eugene Pack, Gretchen Himsl, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jesse Rodriguez, Pretta Stallworth, runoff, Sergio Lira | Comments Off

Early voting for HISD and HCC runoffs begins today

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart announced today that nine Early Voting locations will open starting Nov. 29 where eligible voters may cast a ballot during the early voting period for theDecember 9, 2017 Joint Runoff Election. The Early Voting Period for … Continue reading →

Early voting set for HISD and HCC runoffs

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the schedule and locations. Note that while the early vote period covers a week, from Wednesday, November 29 through Tuesday, December 5, there are only six days to vote, as there is no voting on Sunday the 3rd. Runoff … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Anne Flores Santiago, early voting, Election 2005, Election 2017, Elizabeth Santos, Eugene Pack, Gretchen Himsl, Harris County, HCC, HISD, Houston, Jesse Rodriguez, Natasha Kamrani, Pretta Stallworth, runoff, Sergio Lira, turnout | 2 Comments

My thoughts following the 2017 election

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

1. Turnout in Houston was considerably higher than anyone predicted. Adding in Fort Bend to Harris yields 101,178 voters. Harris County had 149,730. The Houston share of Harris County was 66.43%, which is lower than I expected as well. 2. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged bond referendum, bonds, early voting, Election 2017, Elizabeth Santos, Eugene Pack, Gretchen Himsl, Harris County, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jesse Rodriguez, pension obligation bonds, Pretta Stallworth, runoff, Sergio Lira, turnout | 8 Comments

2017 results: HISD and HCC

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There were still precincts to be counted as I was writing this so there are a couple of races where I’ll have to equivocate, but here’s what happened in the local races that had actual candidates in them. Let’s start … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged absentee ballots, Anne Sung, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, early voting, Election 2017, Elizabeth Santos, Eugene Pack, Gretchen Himsl, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Jesse Rodriguez, Pretta Stallworth, Robert Glaser, runoff, Sergio Lira, Sue Deigaard, Wanda Adams | Comments Off

Endorsement watch: HISD I and III

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We have our first candidate endorsements of the season. Houston ISD, Trustee, District I: Monica Flores Richart In this heated race between three passionate candidates to represent Garden Oaks, the Heights and Near Northside, we endorse Monica Flores Richart. No … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Carlos Perrett, Election 2017, Elizabeth Santos, endorsements, Gretchen Himsl, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jesse Rodriguez, Monica Flores Richart, Rodolfo Reyes, Sergio Lira | Comments Off

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