If my endorsements for the Democratic primary weren't enough for you, there's plenty more where that came from: See Vince, Perry, Stace, Eddie, and Greg and get your fill.
On further reflection, I want to add some recommendations for races outside of Harris County. Let's start with a non-endorsement:
U. S. Representative, District 1 - Whatever you do, do not vote for Roger Owen. Patrick Franklin, candidate for HD07, tells you why. (More here.) I don't expect candidates to agree with me on everything, but I do expect them to treat all of their constituents like human beings with a full slate of civil rights. If you can't do that, stay home. And if you live in CD01, vote for Lufkin attorney Duane Shaw in the primary.
Moving on to other races of interest:
U. S. Representative, District 28 - Ciro Rodriguez
State Senate, District 19 - Carlos Uresti
State Representative, District 48 - Donna Howard. As I recall, Andy Brown dropped out of the primary after he was ruled ineligible for the special election, but I'm not aware of Kathy Rider doing the same. I don't expect any oopsies here, but let's not take a chance. If you're in HD48, make sure you vote for Donna Howard.
State Representative, District 122 - Larry Stallings. This is an uncontested race, but Larry deserves special mention and support for running such a good blog. Help him run his total up so he can get some attention outside the blogosphere.
Finally, a reminder that there are many judicial races on the ballot in Harris County as well. I've listed those races and candidates beneath the fold, since they rarely get any attention in the press. Get to know these folks, because they need support, too.
UPDATE: Oh, and don't forget the special election in HD106, in which Katy Hubener deserves your support. Harvey Kronberg says:
In exactly one week, we get to see if the [Donna] Howard win was a fluke or the beginning of a trend. Up in Irving, Democrat Katy Hubener takes on Republican Kirk England in another special election. This race is also in a 58 percent Republican district, but one far more blue collar than West Austin.In contrast to Austin, early voting has been fairly light. But some Republicans in the district say Hubener has a real shot at a win.
If lightning does strike twice, all bets are off for Republicans incumbents being challenged by moderates in their primary a week later.
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Pl. 9
Jim Sharp
(713) 869-0090
Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 6
Leora T. Kahn
(713) 222-1353
[email protected]
Justice, Texas Supreme Court, Place 2
William E. (Bill) Moody
(915) 546- 2101
Judge, Civil District Court District 189
Charles (Chuck) Silverman
(713) 238-6775
[email protected]
Judge, Criminal District Court District 183
Robert Voight
Judge, Criminal District Court District 185
Randall Kallinen
[email protected]
Judge, Criminal District Court District 232
Herb Ritchie
(713) 521-9216
Judge, 245th Judicial District Court (Family)
Mary Kay Green
Judge, Criminal District Court District 248
Lydia Clay-Jackson
Judge, Juvenile District Court District 315
Bill Connolly
(713) 520-5757
Judge, County Criminal Court at Law Number 1
Joan Nwuli
Judge, County Criminal Court at Law Number 2
Silvia Pubchara
(713) 446-9420
Judge, County Criminal Court at Law Number 8
Alfred (Bud) Valdez
(713) 271-0719
Judge, County Criminal Court at Law Number 9
Randy E. Roll
(713) 869-7933
Judge, County Criminal Court at Law Number 11
Ira Chenkin
(713) 626-7400
Harris County Clerk
James G. Pierre
Harris County Treasurer
Richard Garcia
(281) 655-9308
[email protected]
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2
David Patronella
(713) 755-5195
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 2
George Risner
(713) 920-1045
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 2
Leobardo “leo” Cardenas
(713) 637-8057
Justice of the Peace Pct. 2, Place 2
Vicky Morris
(832) 867-1779
www.morrisforjp.com
[email protected]
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 2
Tony Polumbo
(281) 427-3838
Justice of the Peace Pct. 6, Place 2
Armando V. Rodriguez
(713) 921-6141
Justice of the Peace Precinct 7, Place 2
Zinetta Burney
Justice of the Peace Precinct 7, Place 2
William M. Bowers, Jr.
County School Trustee, Position 3 At Large
Andrew C. Burks, Jr.
Ouch! San Antonio Express News endorses Cuellar. Ciro, an 8 year congressman, can't even get his hometown paper's endorsement.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/stories/MYSA021906.2H.Congress1ed.1b514a46.html
Posted by: Chito on February 21, 2006 6:00 PMFrom the Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/22congress_edit.html
District 28
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo has managed in his freshman year to alienate his colleagues so that some of them have broken with tradition in supporting his opponent, Ciro Rodriguez.
Rodriguez represented the district effectively from 1998 until he surrendered the seat to Cuellar two years ago. The sprawling district, which stretches from the border to Central Texas, needs Rodriguez again. Cuellar, 50, a former Texas House member and former Texas secretary of state, has run into a buzzsaw in Washington, which works — for bad or ill — along partisan lines. Any representative held in low esteem by his party's leadership isn't going to get any meaningful committee assignments. Without committee assignments to speak of, the House member might as well stay home.
Rodriguez, 59, on the other hand, served effectively on committees of importance to the district, including the House Armed Services Committee.
Cuellar serves on the budget and agriculture committees, but his prospects for anything better aren't good.
Rodriguez is the better choice in this Democratic primary rematch.
Posted by: Marie on February 21, 2006 9:10 PMRegarding the HD48 race, Kathy Rider ended her campaign and endorsed Donna Howard in January, the evening of the Special Election.
Also, just to be accurate, Andy Brown dropped out of the primary a few days after Rider. His decision had nothing to do with his prior ineligibility, it was because Howard came so close to winning the special.
All three names should still appear on the ballot, however.
Posted by: paulrobeson on February 22, 2006 12:10 AMI love this comment from the Statesman posted by Marie.
Cuellar, 50, a former Texas House member and former Texas secretary of state, has run into a buzzsaw in Washington, which works — for bad or ill — along partisan lines.
So the two choices options are bad and ill. That doesn't sound too good. So what's their position? They suggest you vote for the candidate who while he may be more effective at operating is a toxic climate is more likely to perpetuate it. Brilliant.
And before you draw your knives...
If lightning does strike twice, all bets are off for Republicans incumbents being challenged by moderates in their primary a week later.
'Nuff said.
Not quite. I think a move toward moderation, away from the extreme wings of BOTH parties is a good thing.