What we have to look forward to

Contenders for the 2003 Houston mayoral race are lining up already in anticipation. I agree with Kevin in that Michael Berry has no chance. The reason is right here in the Chron story:

Berry, 30, has served on council since January after beating Claudia Williamson in a runoff election for the at-large seat formerly held by Chris Bell, who ran last year for mayor and now is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.

So far in his short council tenure, Berry's only real push was for a property tax rollback that council rejected last month when it set the city budget. He has said he will make another run at cutting taxes by 1 cent per $100 valuation this September.

In other words, he's a one-issue candidate who hasn't had any success on that one issue just yet. There's a compelling resume for you.

None of the known or rumored candidates so far excites me. I'm still holding out hope for Gabriel Vasquez, my City Council person, but given how bloody and expensive the race is likely to be, I'd rather he stay in his nice, safe Council seat until he's term-limited out.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on July 08, 2002 to Election 2003