Category Archives: Election 2019

Endorsement watch: For the Metro bond

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

All of the candidate endorsements have been done by the Chron, but there remain the endorsements for ballot propositions. Which is to say, the Metro referendum and the constitutional amendments. I’ll address the latter tomorrow, but for now here’s the … Continue reading →

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Day One 2019 EV totals: Let’s get this started

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s that time again, time to track daily early vote totals. Let’s get right to it, shall we? Year Early Mail Total Mailed ====================================== 2019 7,973 5,407 13,380 20,148 2015 8,889 14,240 23,129 40,626 2013 5,028 8,560 13,588 28,620 The … Continue reading →

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UH poll: Turner 43, Buzbee 23, King 8

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Another encouraging poll for Mayor Turner as early voting starts. Mayor Sylvester Turner retains a wide lead over his opponents, most of whom have failed to gain traction with weeks left until Election Day, according to a University of Houston … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Turner and Brown

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron saved its biggest endorsement editorials for the Sunday edition. I did expect them to endorse Mayor Turner for another term, and they delivered, with more of an emphasis on the campaign than I would have thought. Bats aren’t … Continue reading →

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Early voting for the November 2019 election starts today

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox. Early Voting Starts Today Monday, October 21 to Friday, November 1 Voting is so much more convenient this year, and you can experience that starting at 7AM on October 21, when Early Voting starts. To find a … Continue reading →

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30 day campaign finance reports: Open City Council seats, part 1

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

As before, my look at the July 2019 finance reports for these candidates is here, and all of the finance reports that I have downloaded and reviewed are in this Google folder. Except for the reports that were filed non-electronically, … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Miscellania

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We cover three endorsements today: HD148 (I presume the Chron is not endorsing in HD28), HISD IV, and City Council District C. Endorsements for the constitutional amendments were in the print edition on Saturday, I’ll run them on Tuesday. That … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: At Large 5 and District B

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A much better decision by the Chron was to endorse Sallie Alcorn in At Large #5. Alcorn, who is running for At-Large Position 5, has spent the past 10 years at City Hall — serving as chief of staff for … Continue reading →

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30 Day campaign finance reports: Incumbents and challengers for Council

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

As before, my look at the July 2019 finance reports for these candidates is here, and all of the finance reports that I have downloaded and reviewed are in this Google folder. Except for the reports that were filed non-electronically, … Continue reading →

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More on the Constitutional amendments

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I found this while answering a question from a reader, and figured it was worth publicizing to a wider audience. Ten proposed constitutional amendments will be on the November ballot. The Texas League of Women Voters has compiled a nice … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Mistakes were made

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A swing and a miss. As a city council member, Mike Knox has not been afraid to clash with Mayor Sylvester Turner. He voted against a $650,000 contract to boost participation in the 2020 Census, saying he had reservations about the “missions … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: One more HISD, two in HCC

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Some pretty easy calls for the Chron here. In HISD VII, they go with Judith Cruz. Houston Independent School District does not need more of the same in its leadership. The embattled district must move away from the dysfunction that … Continue reading →

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Interview with Carol Denson

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of things go into my interview schedules each cycle, as there’s only one of me and usually way more candidates than I could possibly have time for. The large field in the HD148 special election was a particular challenge, … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of City Controller race

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s rerun season. It has attracted far less attention than the rowdy mayoral race, but the contest for the city’s second-highest office has intensified in recent weeks as Controller Chris Brown — the independently elected financial watchdog — finds himself … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Our first two At Large races

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing with its “one contested incumbent and one open seat” theme, the Chron begins by endorsing David Robinson for another term. Unlike council members who speak for specific districts, at-large representatives must take a wider view and consider the city … Continue reading →

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30 day finance reports: Metro referendum

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

There may be some opposition to the Metro referendum, but so far no one’s putting their money where their mouths are on that. Supporters of a $3.5 billion transit bond election less than four weeks away have a sizable — … Continue reading →

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Interview with Sallie Alcorn

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We come to the end of the interviews that I had originally planned. As is often the case, a late request came in and you will see that on Friday. For City Council until the runoffs we are at the … Continue reading →

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On the air in HD28

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The HD28 special may be the hottest race going right now. The first TV ads are set to air in the special election to replace state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, as Democrats rev up their homestretch push to flip the … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: A and H

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like we’re going to keep getting these endorsements in pairs. Today’s duo includes an incumbent and an open seat candidate. First up, incumbent Karla Cisneros. Poverty and lack of academic achievement are problems that concern all of Houston, but … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Two in HISD

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron goes against the incumbent in District III. [Incumbent Sergio] Lira, who was elected in 2017 after the death of longtime trustee Manuel Rodriguez, has 30 years of experience in education, with a doctorate in educational leadership and policy … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ashton Woods

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

After that two-week hiatus into HD148, it’s time to circle back to the City Council races. I have one more to bring to you, featuring two candidates. At Large #5 is an open seat, with incumbent CM Jack Christie being … Continue reading →

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30 Day finance reports: Mayor and Controller

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

All right, I’ve made some progress in the endless number of city candidate finance reports. We’re in crunch time, and the 30 day reports can tell us not just what kind of momentum candidates have had, but also whether the … Continue reading →

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A brief discussion on residency requirements

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. It was one of the more unusual videos made for a Houston city council race. Throughout much of his campaign for the District J seat, Nelvin Adriatico had been dogged by one … Continue reading →

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Eyes on HD28

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The special legislative election in Fort Bend is on everyone’s radar. When Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, visited Austin this past weekend for the state party’s annual fundraiser, there was no race he mentioned more than … Continue reading →

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All the Legislative interviews

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Just to collect them all in one convenient place for you: HD28 Eliz Markowitz HD148 Anna Eastman Alva Treviño Penny Shaw Chris Watt Terah Isaacson Kendra Yarbrough Camarena Rob Block Michele Leal Adrian P. Garcia Carol Denson And there you … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: For the incumbents in G and K

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Two more Council endorsements from the Chron. First up, they recommend Martha Castex-Tatum for a full term in District K: District K Councilwoman Martha Castex-Tatum has a hard time leaving her work at the office. “Trash keeps me up at … Continue reading →

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Interview with Adrian P. Garcia

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We come to the end of HD148 Special Election Interview Season. I hope you have found this useful, and that you will agree with me that there are many fine choices available to you on the ballot. Today we hear … Continue reading →

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30 Day finance reports: Special legislative elections

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

As I said earlier, I’m still working my way through the unfathomably ginormous number of 30-day campaign finance reports for City of Houston candidates. There are other elections of interest for which 30 day reports are required, so we’ll take … Continue reading →

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Interview with Michele Leal

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Two more candidates to go in HD148. I will not get to everyone, but I hope this series has helped you decide which of the candidates you want to support. Michele Leal is another candidate to succeed Rep. Jessica Farrar … Continue reading →

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Big Bucks Buzbee

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It is, by far, his best asset. Mayoral candidate Tony Buzbee put another $2.5 million into his campaign last month, widening his financial edge over Mayor Sylvester Turner heading into the stretch run of the race for Houston’s top elected … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: E and F

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses incumbent CM Dave Martin in District E. It’s easy to find out the biggest problem in Houston City Council District E. Ask any of its residents and most likely they will tell you a flooding story. Water … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rob Block

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We continue with Week Two of HD148 Special Election Interview Season. I get to call it a season because anything that requires more than one week qualifies for that designation. Rob Block is among the first-time candidates in the race, … Continue reading →

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Interview with Kendra Yarbrough Camarena

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Week Two of HD148 Special Election Interview Season. I have four more candidates to present to you, and we’ll start with one who has run for the State House before. Kendra Yarbrough Camarena was the Democratic nominee for HD138 … Continue reading →

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The Chron’s overview of the Mayor

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a fair picture. Mayor Sylvester Turner hugged his way through three dozen staff and supporters, reached the podium, and smiled. It was May 2017, and Turner’s landmark pension reform bill had just passed the Legislature, validating his decision to … Continue reading →

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