Governor Perry hasn't even announced a date for the special election to replace the late Rep. Joe Moreno from HD143 (the earliest it can be is September 10), but there's already three candidates that I know of out there for the race. One is Ana Hernandez, who served as an aide to Rep. Moreno and was apparently being groomed for eventual run for office by him. She was introduced in Jacinto City recently by Rep. Jessica Farrar and appears to have labor support.
Marc Campos says he "will serve as Senior Political Consultant to Laura Salinas, Democrat, soon to be candidate for Texas House of Representatives, District 143". You'll have to email him if you want to know more, since he won't be writing about the race on his site in order to avoid any conflicts of interest.
Lastly, via the ubiquitous Carl Whitmarsh, there's an email from labor leader Allen Jamail (who announced Ana Hernandez's candidacy in a subsequent mailing) identifying "Republican Al Flores" (his words) as "testing the waters" for a bid in HD143. Jamail writes that Flores would probably run as a Democrat if he runs.
At this point, this is the sum total of my knowledge of these three potential and/or actual contenders. I'm sure there'll be plenty more soon, and I'll pass along what I hear as I hear it.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on May 16, 2005 to Election 2005 | TrackBackHope whoever wins keeps up Joe's stand on air quality. Will be interesting, but I would rather have Joe back any day of the week.
Posted by: Red Dog on May 16, 2005 2:09 PMAna Hernandez is by far the best candidate to replace Joe and continue his legacy.
Marc Campos' recruitment of another candidate just to give himself a payday is the worst example of consultant-driven politics I've seen in a awhile.
Al Flores is an opportunistic wannabe who already switched parties to lose in this race once previously.
Posted by: Zangwell Arrow on May 16, 2005 8:28 PMSo Marc Campos, the blowhard who couldn't even eulogize his "friend" Joe Moreno a week ago without claiming credit for his election victories, now decides to run a candidate against Joe's REAL friends' chosen successor? Pathetic.
Posted by: Gus Rinaldini on May 16, 2005 9:28 PMOn the morning of Joe's tragic death, by 9:00 a.m., Dorothy Olmos was calling the Governor's office seeking appointment and precinct chairs seeking their support to make her the nominee...Since this is an election to fill an unexpired term and any and everybody can run, makes one wonder just how qualified some of these folks looking at running really are.
Ms. Olmos is the sister of HCCS Trustee Diane Olmos and the daughter of A.B. Olmos, long active in the Democratic Party, but removed from the Harris County Democratic Executive Committee by Sue Schechter in 1998 for supporting the Republican nominee against Joe in his very first race. God only knows what they call themselves today.
Reggie Gonzales, former Democrat turned Repub, was making calls on the AFL-CIO leadership seeking support the day Joe was buried.
One of Justice of the Peace George Risner's sons is looking at jumping into the fray. He is a Democrat.
Look for a barn burner as traditional enemies join up with supposed friends in this cast of thousands race.
Remember that this was one of the three lowest turnout districts in Harris County in 2004 and with a special coming in September, will be interesting to ss how many people actually pick the new Representative.
Posted by: Carl Whitmarsh on May 16, 2005 10:08 PMIsn't this guy Campos the same guy who went off on a rant on Mario Gallegos, "had a client last year in a highly publicized race, whose mistress went public with secretly tape recorded phone calls, granted countless news media interviews on their 17 year relationship, sordid details galore, by the way, did we mention that she was a former topless dancer." What are the chances the Gallegos comes out and endorses Campos' new client?
Campos and Shipley, top of the consultant food chain.
Posted by: John on May 17, 2005 10:34 AMI only found out about this site a few days ago and as a life long resident of dist. 143 I've (1) never heard of these candidates or (2) think very little of the person(s) who have ran for office unsuccessfully in the past. I can't believe this community is not able to produce the leadership that won't look questionable at the capital!
Pico
Posted by: pico on May 17, 2005 3:28 PM