Monthly Archives: November 2019

Interview with Carolyn Evans-Shabazz

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We weren’t supposed to have an open seat election in District D, but then Dwight Boykins got it in his head to run for Mayor, and the next thing you know there are fifteen candidates plus a write-in on the … Continue reading →

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The latest UT-Tyler poll

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A slightly more Republican sample leads to slightly better numbers for Trump in Texas, though they’re still not great. Texas voters are split over whether President Donald Trump should be impeached, though only 43% of voters in the Lone Star … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the District C runoff

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Runoff season means it’s time once again for candidate and race overviews. The runoff for Houston City Council District C features two first-time candidates vying to replace the term-limited Ellen Cohen. Abbie Kamin, a 32-year-old civil rights lawyer, finished in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Interview with Shelley Kennedy

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

District C has been represented by Republicans and Democrats over the years, from the likes of Vince Ryan and Ellen Cohen to Martha Wong and Ann Clutterbuck. This cycle it showed a distinctive Democratic lean, with about 60% of the … Continue reading →

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Legislative runoff elections set for January 28

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This came out to basically no fanfare on Friday: Just in: @GovAbbott sets Jan. 28 as date for special election runoffs in #HD28, #HD100 and #HD148 #txlege — Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) 5:30 PM – 16 November 2019 Here’s the announcement: … Continue reading →

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HFT may join lawsuit to block TEA takeover

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

That’s a lot of acronyms, so just read this. Houston ISD’s largest teachers union is considering whether to join a lawsuit filed by the district’s school board that aims to stop the expected ouster of elected trustees by the Texas … Continue reading →

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Interview with Abbie Kamin

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I limited the interviews I did this cycle because there were just too many candidates in too many races for me to even try to cover them all fairly. As you also know, I said I’d try … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The state of the county 2019

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has a lot of accomplishments to tout. Harris County in the past year has made significant progress on flood control, criminal justice and improving public health, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in her first State … Continue reading →

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So how are those TEA public meetings going?

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

About as you’d expect. Residents of Houston ISD peppered state officials with questions Wednesday night about the potential replacement of the district’s elected school board, voicing frustration about the lack of immediate plans for students and staff during the Texas … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Weekend link dump for November 17

Posted on November 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

“I realized then that Leia is more than just a character. She’s a feeling. She is strength. She is grace. She is wit. She is femininity at its finest. She knows what she wants, and she gets it. She doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 3 Comments

We should have a full statewide slate

Posted on November 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. For Brandon Birmingham, a state district judge in Dallas, the 2020 race for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals started on election night 2018. As he watched Beto O’Rourke win more votes than any Texas Democrat ever had in a … Continue reading →

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Will Kay Granger get KO’ed?

Posted on November 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Henry Cuellar isn’t the only longtime Texas Congressperson facing a serious primary challenge. It’s the question on the minds of Republicans from Washington to Cowtown: Is one of Texas’ most powerful U.S. House members in political trouble? Enough people … Continue reading →

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The Muscovy ducks of Pearland

Posted on November 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The things you learn. The bird sanctuary city of Pearland is encouraging residents to take matters into their own hands to address the growing problem of Muscovy ducks that have reportedly taken residence in the city. Known for their red, … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lining up for the runoff

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Runoffs always provide focus. Mayor Sylvester Turner is rallying the support of state and national Democrats as he seeks to fend off Tony Buzbee in the December runoff to win a second term at the helm of Houston government. One … Continue reading →

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Cynthia Bailey remains on District B runoff ballot

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

For now, at least. A felon may remain on the runoff ballot in the Houston City Council District B race, a Harris County judge ruled on Friday, despite state law that may bar residents with felony convictions from seeking public … Continue reading →

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Smoots-Thomas suspended from the bench

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

What you’d expect. A district court judge in Harris County has been suspended after she was indicted on federal wire fraud charges for allegedly misspending campaign donations. Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas, 44, will be removed from her bench without pay until … Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit overturns “motor voter” lawsuit verdict

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Bummer. Totally expected and completely on brand for the Fifth Circuit, but a bummer nonetheless. A federal appeals court has overturned a previous ruling that could have opened the door to online voter registration in Texas. In a Wednesday court … Continue reading →

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News flash: Republicans still like Trump

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I know, I’m as shocked as you are. As in any sports bar in Texas when the Dallas Cowboys are playing on Monday night, most of the TVs at a British pub in northwest San Antonio were tuned to the … Continue reading →

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State Rep. Poncho Nevarez busted for cocaine possession

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a week, hasn’t it? I have three things to say about this. Authorities issued a warrant Thursday for the arrest of state Rep. Poncho Nevárez, an Eagle Pass Democrat, on felony drug possession charges. A state special investigator … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Filing period preview: Harris County

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress, Statewide, and SBOE/Senate/House. For County races, I cannot use the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet, as it doesn’t include local races. I am instead using the Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports for Various County Offices link on the County Clerk … Continue reading →

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Astros accused of stealing signs

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The post-season is off to a roaring start. Former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers told The Athletic that the Astros stole signs electronically at Minute Maid Park during their World Series-winning 2017 season, adding another inglorious instance to the franchise’s recent … Continue reading →

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The County Clerk’s plan for the runoff

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Things should be back to normal, and those of us who have to know the final results before we go to bed will get a little more sleep. Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman on Tuesday said poll workers will drive … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of November 11

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is ready for the opening of the 2020 candidate filing season as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Filing period preview: SBOE, Senate, House

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress, and Statewide. As before, I am using the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet as my primary reference. Buckle up, there’s a lot to talk about here. I’m going to limit my discussion of State House races to the greater Houston … Continue reading →

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The LBB report on HISD

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

There’s less here than you might think. Houston ISD’s inefficient, poorly organized and unwieldy bureaucracy is shortchanging the district’s 209,000 students and city taxpayers, requiring structural changes across virtually all corners of the district, the Texas Legislative Budget Board said … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Who wants to host the 2030 World’s Expo?

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The city of Houston, that’s who. Congress is moving to free up funding for the U.S. to post a pavilion at the 2020 World’s Expo in Dubai — a move lawmakers say will put Houston “in play” to host the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Filing period preview: Statewide

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress. As before, I am using the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet as my primary reference. Statewide elections are much less exciting in Presidential years in Texas, since the state offices are on the ballot in the off years. We do … Continue reading →

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So when will the HD148 runoff be?

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The TL;dr of this is “we may have two different runoff dates, one for the city of Houston and one for the special legislative elections”. If you’re confused, I understand. Let’s walk through it together. First, there’s this: Jumped ahead … Continue reading →

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Harris County’s gun surrender program

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Just common sense. Harris County officials on Tuesday announced four measures aimed at curbing gun violence, which County Judge Lina Hidalgo said are necessary because the state and federal governments have missed opportunities to prevent shootings. Hidalgo secured unanimous approval … Continue reading →

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Filing period preview: Congress

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

So even though we still have the 2019 runoffs to settle, the 2020 election is officially upon us. I say this because the filing period for 2020 candidates began on Saturday the 9th, closing on December 9. I expect there … Continue reading →

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Let this finally be the end of the Heidi Group’s grift

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

And you should all be thoroughly appalled at the waste, fraud, and abuse committed in the name of screwing Planned Parenthood. An anti-abortion group that came under fire for failing to provide services to thousands of Texas women must repay … Continue reading →

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The evolving CD31 candidate landscape

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We have a lot of Democratic candidates raising 2018-type money in the big, targeted Republican-held Congressional districts. Some have clear frontrunners, at least based on money raised – Wendy Davis in CD21, Sri Kulkarni in CD22, Gina Ortiz Jones in … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for November 10

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

“It is not my job to decide if Brett Kavanaugh is guilty. It’s impossible for me to do so with incomplete information, and with no process for testing competing facts. But it’s certainly not my job to exonerate him because … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

About those Council runoffs

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

All of a sudden there’s many fewer candidates to keep track of. Some candidates said they were happy simply to have made it to a runoff. Several races had more than a dozen people vying for the top two vote … Continue reading →

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