Category Archives: Election 2014

Petition forgery case (probably) resolved

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Hadn’t seen an update on this in awhile. An appeals court has ruled that forged signatures will keep a candidate off the November ballot, a decision the Pasadena justice of the peace hopeful said she will appeal, But unless Leonila … Continue reading →

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

Davis proposes minimum wage increase

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle buries the lede. Down in the polls and facing an opponent with a cash advantage, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis on Thursday took her campaign to the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she told supporters the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Paxton’s “poll”

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, please. State Sen. Ken Paxton‘s campaign is touting a double-digit lead over his Democratic opponent in the race for Texas attorney general, citing a poll commissioned for his campaign and released Tuesday. The poll was performed by Wilson Perkins … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Paxton’s “poll”

Judicial Q&A – Tracy Good

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Judicial Q&A – Tracy Good

Let there be an AG debate

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t think of any good reason why there shouldn’t be a debate between Sam Houston and Ken Paxton. Democratic candidate for attorney general Sam Houston wants his opponent, state Sen. Ken Paxton, to agree to a debate ahead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Let there be an AG debate

It’s about more than the Davis campaign

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Gromer Jeffers highlighted something recently that I think hasn’t gotten enough attention. In her race for Texas governor, Wendy Davis’ sisters have her back. I’m not talking about her biological family. Davis is getting support from a group of female … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on It’s about more than the Davis campaign

Abbott keeps moving the debate goal posts

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s like he’s afraid to directly engage on the issues or something. Four days after Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott backed out of a planned debate with Democrat Wendy Davis in Dallas, it was unclear Tuesday whether there would be … Continue reading →

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

Interview with Kim Ogg

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time to start the interview series for the fall elections. As you know, I did interviews with various Democratic primary candidates earlier this year. As a rule, I’m not going to re-interview candidates that made it to the fall … Continue reading →

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

Abbott will duck Dallas debate

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

How very statesmanlike of him. Republican candidate Greg Abbott has reversed his decision to appear in the only gubernatorial debate scheduled to be broadcast statewide on television. Abbott and his Democratic opponent, Wendy Davis, had both agreed to participate in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

More education policy from Davis

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

A lot to like here. Saying she wants to expand Texas high schoolers’ access to technical job training programs, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis announced a plan to create a Career-Technical Coordinating Board. The plan is the latest in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We need more mobile ID stations

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox, from the League of Women Voters. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TEXAS CALLS ON SECRETARY OF STATE TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ELECTION IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATES AUSTIN, TX – “We are deeply concerned that eligible voters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

LVdP for Medicaid expansion

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise here. Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte vowed to overturn Republican opposition to expanding the state’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act if elected lieutenant governor, saying the state should act to protect poor, uninsured adults. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on LVdP for Medicaid expansion

Ogg challenges Anderson’s handling of Ryan Chandler investigation

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

This gets a little complicated, so stay with me. A county prosecutor who was engaged to fired Houston homicide detective Sgt. Ryan Chandler emailed him an office database search of all his cases as he was under investigation for possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

We have a Lite Guv debate agreement

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars for September 29. Both campaigns confirmed the date via email Thursday after the two sides had agreed to a Texas Tribune-hosted debate but couldn’t reach a consensus on a day. The Tribune originally proposed Sept. 24 and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on We have a Lite Guv debate agreement

On the death penalty

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Most of what you need to know about this story concerning Wendy Davis, the death penalty, and the Governor’s race can be found at the end of it. In July 2000, when she was a relatively new member of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On the death penalty

Wait, there’s another special Senate election coming up?

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Yes, there is. And you thought (okay, I had thought) SD04 was the last election till November. The field is taking shape for the special election next month in Senate District 28, with at least five people announcing they’re running … Continue reading →

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

Collier keeps up the attack

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I really like the way he’s running his campaign. Democratic comptroller nominee Mike Collier says his Republican opponent Glenn Hegar bragged to a Houston-area tea party interviewer last year that he was proud of the Legislature’s 2011 budget cuts to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Collier keeps up the attack

If you read just one more story about Wendy Davis’ campaign

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I would recommend you read this one, by Andrea Grimes. In four months, Texans are guaranteed to elect a new governor for the first time in 14 years, and Davis’ battle stance is appropo: She’s been under attack from naysayers, … Continue reading →

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

More on the Abbott-Duntsch connection

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Observer advances the ball. How immune are hospitals? Under the current law, for Baylor to be liable for Duntsch’s mistakes, the plaintiffs have to prove that hospital administrators let him operate because they specifically intended to harm patients. Soon … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on More on the Abbott-Duntsch connection

LVdP calls out Patrick on debates

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

You tell him, Leticia. Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Letitica Van de Putte said Thursday that her Republican opponent, Sen. Dan Patrick, has yet to respond to her proposal for a series of debates ahead of the Nov. 4 election. Van … Continue reading →

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

Rasmussen: Abbott 48, Davis 40

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Make of it what you will. The gubernatorial race in Texas is slightly closer than it was earlier this year. A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Texas Voters finds Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott picking up 48% … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rasmussen: Abbott 48, Davis 40

State bar grievance filed against Paxton

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s getting to be hard to keep track of all of the complaints and legal actions being filed against the man who would be the state’s top lawyer. This one is a grievance filed with the State Bar of Texas … Continue reading →

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

SD04: Creighton defeats Toth

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I went to bed before the final wrapup stories were written, but trust me, Rep. Brandon Creighton is now Sen. Brandon Creighton. In early returns in the race to succeed Sen. Tommy Williams, state Rep. Brandon Creighton was ahead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on SD04: Creighton defeats Toth

HERO repeal effort falls short

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Too bad, so sad (not really). Opponents of Houston’s new non-discrimination ordinance did not get enough valid signatures to force a November repeal referendum, Mayor Annise Parker and City Attorney David Feldman announced Monday. “With respect to the referendum petition … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Decision on validity of HERO-repeal petitions coming today

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Get ready for the fireworks. City of Houston officials plan to announce Monday whether a petition submitted by opponents of the city’s new nondiscrimination ordinance contains enough valid signatures to force a vote on repealing the measure this November. Opponents … Continue reading →

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

Hassan drops out of County Judge race

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I’m okay with this. Democrat Ahmad Hassan has ended his campaign for Harris County judge, saying incumbent Republican Ed Emmett should be given another four-year term to finish projects vital to the community. Hassan, owner of the Katy-based Alexandria Realty … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hassan drops out of County Judge race

YouGov: Abbott 50, Davis 34

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Whatever. With just under 100 days to go until the gubernatorial election, an overwhelming majority of voters have made up their minds and favor Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott over Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis by double digits, according to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on YouGov: Abbott 50, Davis 34

More on the Denton fracking referendum

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I think everyone agrees the Denton anti-fracking referendum will wind up in court if it passes. It’s just a question of how wired the courts will be for the plaintiffs. Voters will decide whether the city will become the state’s … Continue reading →

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

We will have exit polls this year

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Two years ago, a consortium of news outlets that conducts nationwide exit polls during every November election announced it was scaling back efforts in Texas and 18 other states. The move left political researchers with little data to study … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on We will have exit polls this year

Dems prep for voter ID

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s good to have a plan. Texas Democrats are renewing their opposition to the state’s voter-identification law, rolling out a program to educate voters ahead of a decisive few months that could see the controversial statute become a top issue … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dems prep for voter ID

HERO repeal petitions announcement today

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s the day we find out what happens. The city’s controversial HERO ordinance prohibits discrimination based on federally recognized groups such as race and age, but also extends those rights to sexual orientation and gender identity. Opponents of the ordinance … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

July finance reports for Harris County candidates

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

All of the July finance reports for Harris County candidates are in. You know what that means. County Judge Ed Emmett Ahmad Hassan Candidate Raised Spent Loan On Hand ================================================== Emmett 312,885 177,017 0 532,257 Hassan 0 0 0 0 … Continue reading →

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

Who watches the fox while he guards the henhouse?

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Railroad Commission needs an ethics upgrade. The race for Texas railroad commissioner has revived — at least in the short term — debate around a series of thwarted legislative proposals to overhaul the state’s curiously named oil and gas … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Who watches the fox while he guards the henhouse?

Endorsement watch: Chron for Creighton

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, did you know that there’s an election coming up? It’s the special election runoff for SD04 to succeed Tommy Williams and it features the ghastly Rep. Steve Toth and the slightly less ghastly Rep. Brandon Creighton. The Chron, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments