Category Archives: Election 2018

Hidalgo gets started

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

If you weren’t paying attention to County Judge-elect Lina Hidalgo before, you are now. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the lone Democrat currently on the court, said Hidalgo is a quick study who will settle into the role quickly. “She’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Judge, Jack Cagle, Lina Hidalgo, Robert Eckels, Rodney Ellis, Steve Radack | 2 Comments

Now how about that Speaker’s race?

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a little different now. Democrats picked up 12 state House seats and are now confident they’ll have a stronger hand in electing the next leader. It’s an outlook even some Republicans agree with, although they’ll only say so privately. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, That's our Lege | Tagged Dennis Bonnen, Drew Darby, Election 2018, Eric Johnson, Four Price, Joe Straus, Phil King, Speaker's race, Tan Parker, Texas, The Lege, Travis Clardy | 1 Comment

How Ted Cruz barely hung on

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s check some hot takes on what happened in the Senate race. All in all, Beto improved upon Democratic gains in Texas’ 10 most populous counties, long central to their hopes of turning the state purple. But what about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Election 2012, Election 2018, Paul Sadler, precinct analysis, Senate, Ted Cruz, Texas, turnout | 10 Comments

Garcia officially resigns from the Senate

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We will finally get that special election to succeed her in SD06. State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat elected to Congress earlier this week, announced Friday she is resigning from the Texas Senate, setting in motion a process to fill … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Election 2019 | Tagged Ana Hernandez, Carol Alvarado, CD29, Congress, Election 2018, Election 2019, Greg Abbott, HD143, HD145, runoff, SD06, Senate, special election, Sylvia Garcia, Texas, The Lege | 4 Comments

Their whining is like music to my ears

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox, possibly the most unintentionally hilarious press release I’ve ever had the privilege to receive, from the Harris County Republican Party: “I am mad. Mad at the avoidable losses wreaked across Texas by the Beto Wave of straight-ticket … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Election 2010, Election 2018, Election 2020, Harris County, Republican Party, straight ticket voting, Texas, turnout | 4 Comments

How many recounts might there be?

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

More than one, is my guess. On Wednesday, Dallas state Rep. Morgan Meyer, a Republican, tweeted that he was “honored and grateful” voters had decided to send him back to the Texas Legislature for another term in office. But his … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged absentee ballots, Adam Milasincic, CD23, Congress, Dwayne Bohac, Election 2018, Gina Calanni, Gina Ortiz Jones, HD108, HD132, HD138, HD66, Joanna Cattanach, Matt Shaheen, Mike Schofield, Morgan Meyer, provisional ballots, recount, Sharon Hirsch, Texas, The Lege, Will Hurd | 4 Comments

Initial reactions: Harris County

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start with the obvious. Harris County Democrats rode a surge in voter turnout to a decisive victory on Tuesday, unseating several countywide Republican officials, including longtime County Judge Ed Emmett, and sweeping all 59 judicial races. Emmett, who courted … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Andrea Duhon, bail, Commissioners Court, Diane Trautman, Ed Emmett, Election 2010, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Judge, HCDE, Jack Morman, lawsuit, Lina Hidalgo, redistricting, Stan Stanart, Steve Radack, straight ticket voting, Texas | 21 Comments

The CD23 race isn’t quite over yet

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I believe it is highly unlikely that the outcome in CD23 will change from the current close win for Rep. Will Hurd, but we are not done counting the votes just yet. The Texas congressional race between incumbent Republican Will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged absentee ballots, Bexar County, CD23, Congress, El Paso, Election 2016, Election 2018, Gina Ortiz Jones, Maverick County, Medina County, Pete Gallego, polls, provisional ballots, recount, Texas, turnout, Val Verde County, Will Hurd | 1 Comment

Metro’s post-Culberson future

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You might not be aware of this, but famously anti-Metro Congressman John Culberson lost his bid for re-election on Tuesday. What might that mean for Metro? In one of the more stunning defeats of incumbent Republicans on Tuesday night, Lizzie … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged BRT, budget, Carrin Patman, CD07, Commissioners Court, Congress, Election 2018, Election 2019, HGAC, Houston, John Culberson, light rail, Lizzie FLetcher, Metro, Richmond, University line, Uptown line | 5 Comments

Initial reactions: Statewide

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to do a few of these “Initial reaction” posts about Tuesday’s elections as I try to make sense of all that happened. Here we go. Let me start with a number. Two numbers, actually: 4,017,851 and 48.26%. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Ag Commissioner, Attorney General, Beto O'Rourke, Court of Criminal Appeals, Donald Trump, Election 2008, Election 2012, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, Governor, Greg Abbott, Hillary Clinton, Joi Chevalier, Justin Nelson, Kathy Cheng, Kim Olson, Land Commissioner, Lite Gov, Lupe Valdez, Maria Jackson, Miguel Suazo, Mike Collier, Railroad Commission, Ramona Franklin, RK Sandill, Roman McAllen, Senate, Steven Kirkland, Supreme Court, Texas, turnout | 8 Comments

We’ll have to wait a little longer for the inevitable Prop B lawsuit

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s still coming, just not, like, today. Mayor Sylvester Turner on Wednesday said he would delay a City Council vote to hire a law firm to represent the city in possible litigation over Proposition B, the ballot item passed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged budget, Chris Brown, Election 2018, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HPFFA, lawsuit, revenue cap, Samuel Pena, Sylvester Turner | 15 Comments

From the “I may have spoken too soon” department

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

First, Will Hurd was declared the winner in CD23. But there were still a few precincts out, some in deep red Medina County and others in El Paso County. Hurd started the evening with a 6K early vote lead, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged CD23, Congress, Election 2018, Gina Calanni, Gina Ortiz Jones, HD132, Mike Schofield, recount, Secretary of State, Texas, The Lege, Will Hurd | 9 Comments

Omnibus election report

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s after midnight, I’ve mostly posted stuff on my long-dormant Twitter account (@kuff), and I will have many, many thoughts in the coming days. For now, a brief recap. – As you know, neither Beto nor any other Dem won … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged 13th Court of Appeals, 14th Court of Appeals, 4th Court of Appeals, 5th Court of Appeals, Adrian Garcia, Ana-Maria Ramos, Beto O'Rourke, Beverly Powell, Brian Middleton, CD02, CD03, CD06, CD07, CD10, CD21, CD22, CD23, CD24, CD25, CD31, CD32, Colin Allred, Commissioners Court, Congress, Dallas County, Denton County, District Attorney, Ed Emmett, Election 2016, Election 2018, Election 2020, Election 2022, Erin Zwiener, First Court of Appeals, Fort Bend County, Gina Ortiz Jones, Harris County, Harris County Judge, Hays County, HD102, HD105, HD113, HD114, HD115, HD135, HD136, HD45, HD47, HD52, HD65, Houston, Jack Morman, James Talarico, Jan McDowell, Jana Sanchez, Joe Kopser, John Bucy, John Turner, Jon Rosenthal, judicial races, Julie Johnson, Julie Oliver, Lina Hidalgo, Lizzie FLetcher, Lorie Burch, Michelle Beckley, Mike Siegel, MJ Hegar, Nathan Johnson, Rhetta Andrews Bowers, SD10, SD16, Senate, Sri Kulkarni, Terry Meza, Texas, The Lege, Third Court of Appeals, Todd Litton, turnout, Vikki Goodwin, Williamson County | 13 Comments

Lawsuit filed over late start times at several precincts

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

This crap should not happen. After several polling locations in Harris County failed to open on time this morning, the Texas Civil Rights Project and the Texas Organizing Project are suing the county in hopes of extending Election Day voting … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, lawsuit, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Organizing Project | 6 Comments

Today is election day

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s what we’ve been waiting for, for what seems like forever. From the inbox: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 is Election Day. Voting locations will be open from 7 am to 7 pm. Voters may visit www.HarrisVotes.com, the County Clerk’s election … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Election 2008, Election 2012, Election 2016, Election 2018, Election Day, Harris County, HFD, Houston, HPFFA, lawsuit, Sylvester Turner, Texas, turnout | 1 Comment

An under the radar pickup opportunity

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s an open seat in the SBOE. Suzanne Smith says she has tried to run a nonpartisan campaign in her low-profile bid for a place on the State Board of Education. But she stands to benefit from the current contentious … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, fundraising, Geraldine Miller, Pam Little, SBOE, Suzanne Smith, Texas | Comments Off

Two possible straws in the wind

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Ken Paxton seems a little nervous. Less than 36 hours before Election Day, the race for attorney general is showing signs of competition that have been absent in just about every other statewide contest. Republican incumbent Ken Paxton, who was … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged advertising, attack ads, Attorney General, Election 2018, Eric Holder, Forward Majority, fundraising, Greg Abbott, HDCC, Justin Nelson, Ken Paxton, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

The trend in mail ballots

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Wanted to take a closer look at the not-in-person aspect of early voting: Year Mailed Returned Return% Dem % ========================================= 2008 76,187 68,612 90.06% 36.60% 2010 69,991 55,560 79.38% 30.82% 2012 92,290 76,085 82.44% 41.79% 2014 89,073 71,994 80.83% 48.94% … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged absentee ballots, early voting, Election 2008, Election 2010, Election 2012, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, Harris County, turnout | 23 Comments

Texas and Tarrant

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib looks at Beto O’Rourke’s campaign focus on Tarrant County. Fort Worth and its outlying ranches and suburbs are mostly a backwater in Texas politics. Gerrymandered to the hilt, the national parties have mostly ignored this county. But since … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Election 2006, Election 2010, Election 2014, Election 2018, Lite Gov, President, Senate, Tarrant County, Ted Cruz, Texas | 2 Comments

Another reminder that the judicial elections are important

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the Trib: Across the country, many public defender’s offices are overwhelmed with cases. But the public defenders in Harris County’s juvenile division are in an unusual situation: They say that they aren’t getting assigned enough cases. And advocates say … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Alex Bunin, Bonnie Fitch, campaign finance reports, Election 2018, fundraising, Gary Polland, Harris County, judicial races, Oliver Sprott, public defender, Texas Criminal Justice Coalition | Comments Off

Two stories about grassroots GOTV efforts

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Both from the Observer. First, Inside Beto’s Plan to Turn Out Black Voters in Houston: With two days till early voting, Cameron Mayfield, a Beto O’Rourke field organizer, gets busy setting up a makeshift campaign office in a corner of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, CD07, Congress, Election 2018, Harris County, Lizzie FLetcher, Senate, Swing Left 7, Texas, turnout | 1 Comment

Projecting Tuesday turnout

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the statewide view. By the time the polls closed Thursday, 33.7 percent of registered voters in Bexar County had voted, well past the 17.3 percent turnout at the same point in 2014, the last midterm, and close to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged absentee ballots, Bexar County, Collin County, Denton County, early voting, Election 2008, Election 2010, Election 2012, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, Harris County, judicial races, Texas, Travis County, turnout, Williamson County | 1 Comment

The Courts of Appeals

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The other judicial races where Dems have a chance to gain ground. Republicans dominate Texas politics — but their stranglehold is especially noticeable in the courts. Republicans hold all 18 seats on the state’s two high courts. Of the state’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged 13th Court of Appeals, 14th Court of Appeals, 4th Court of Appeals, 5th Court of Appeals, Brazoria County, Dallas County, Election 2010, Election 2012, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, First Court of Appeals, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Harris County, judicial races, Texas, Third Court of Appeals, Travis County, turnout | 1 Comment

A macro view of the Asian-American vote in 2018

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good article. Minority voter engagement in Texas is often viewed as an effort to get Hispanic and African Americans to the polls. But Asian Americans are now the fastest growing minority group in the country—accounting for an estimated 5 percent … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Asian American Democrats of Texas, CD22, Congress, Election 2018, Sri Kulkarni, Texas, Texas Asian Republican Assembly, turnout | 1 Comment

Change Research: Cruz 49, O’Rourke 49

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Make of this what you will. In Texas (n=1211), Beto O’Rourke and Ted Cruz are dead even: O’Rourke is at 49%, Cruz is at 49%, and Libertarian Neil Dikeman is at 1%. We’ve polled a lot in Texas the past … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, CD07, CD23, CD32, Colin Allred, Congress, Election 2018, Gina Ortiz Jones, John Culberson, Lizzie FLetcher, Pete Sessions, polls, Senate, Ted Cruz, Texas, Will Hurd | 1 Comment

Early voting, Day 12: Final curtain

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It was apparently a late night with long lines, and the report didn’t arrive by 10 PM, so you’ll have to settle for this. When the polls closed in Harris County Friday, more voters had cast ballots than in any … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged absentee ballots, early voting, Election 2008, Election 2010, Election 2012, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, Harris County, Texas, turnout | 5 Comments

Top to bottom Congressional fundraising prowess

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Standing before a packed crowd at the Austin City Limits Music Festival earlier this month, Julie Oliver delivered an impassioned speech highlighting her support for marijuana legalization and universal health care. “Are … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, CD10, CD22, CD25, CD36, Congress, Dayna Steele, Donald Trump, Election 2018, Election 2020, fundraising, John Cornyn, Julie Oliver, Mike Siegel, Sri Kulkarni, Texas | 1 Comment

Two stories on Joseph Kopser in CD21

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Article One, which focuses on Kopser’s background in science. Crowded around a circular wooden table in a loud bar on Sunday night, Joseph Kopser raises his voice in an effort to be heard, as rock music duels with a football … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged CD21, Chip Roy, Congress, Election 2018, Joe Kopser, Lamar Smith, Texas | Comments Off

Early voting, Day 11: Almost done

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Before we get to the numbers, here’s my new favorite quote of the cycle: “If Ted Cruz had Beto’s campaign manager he’d be leading by 20 points,” said Dan Rogers, the Republican chairman in Potter County, where Cruz drew about … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged absentee ballots, Beto O'Rourke, early voting, Election 2008, Election 2010, Election 2012, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, Harris County, Senate, Ted Cruz, Texas, turnout | Comments Off

Emerson College: Cruz 50, O’Rourke 47

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I’m just going to quit making predictions about when we’ve seen the last poll for this cycle. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) holds a 3-point lead over his Senate challenger Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) ahead of next week’s midterm elections, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Election 2018, Governor, Greg Abbott, Lupe Valdez, polls, Senate, Ted Cruz, Texas | Comments Off

A broader look at the statewide judicial races

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the Trib: Judicial candidates are subject to strict campaign finance restrictions, making it difficult to get their names out across a state of 28 million. And they must walk a difficult line as they campaign, running as partisans without … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Court of Criminal Appeals, Election 2016, Election 2018, Harris County, John Devine, judicial races, RK Sandill, Sharon Keller, straight ticket voting, Supreme Court, Texas, turnout | Comments Off

Seeking a solution for the translators

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Glad to see it. Three days after election workers barred translators from asking Korean-American voters if they needed assistance inside a Spring Branch polling place, Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart met with a group of Korean-Americans to find a way … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged early voting, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Clerk, Korean American Association of Houston, Stan Stanart, The Lege | Comments Off

Early voting, Day 10: Happy Halloween

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here are the totals for Wednesday, and here are the daily totals from 2010, from 2014, and from 2016, as well as a spreadsheet with totals from 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. The running tallies: Year Mail Early Total ============================== … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged absentee ballots, early voting, Election 2008, Election 2010, Election 2012, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, Harris County, turnout | 1 Comment

UT-Tyler: Cruz 47.0, O’Rourke 43.4

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Okay, fine, this is the final poll of the cycle. Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz leads challenger U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, by 3.6 percentage points among likely voters in a new University of Texas at Tyler poll released … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Beto O'Rourke, early voting, Election 2018, Governor, Greg Abbott, Lupe Valdez, polls, Senate, Ted Cruz, Texas | 9 Comments

Category Archives: Election 2018

Calendar

Categories

Archives

My linkage

Polling Texas 2020

Polling Texas 2018

Polling Texas 2016

Polling Texas 2014

Polling Texas 2012

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Tags

Blogroll

Utilities

Categories

Archives

Polling Texas 2016

Polling Texas 2014

Polling Texas 2012

My Linkage

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Tags

Blogroll

Utilities