Tag Archives: Election 2016

Chron overview of Harris County Tax Assessor race

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s deja vu all over again. Republican Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan once again faces a challenge from Democrat Ann Harris Bennett, a rematch from four years ago for an office that oversees billions of dollars in property tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Chron overview of Harris County Tax Assessor race

Endorsement watch: Who stands with Trump?

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Texas Monthly wonders if any Texas newspaper will endorse Donald Trump. Between the three newspapers with the largest circulations in Texas—the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Morning News, and the San Antonio Express-News—there have been exactly two endorsements of a Democratic presidential nominee in the … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Who stands with Trump?

Registration versus turnout

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ross Ramsey throws a bit of cold water on the surge in voter registrations. Turnout isn’t nearly as volatile as registration. Over the past 10 presidential elections in Texas, the percentage of Texas adults registered to vote has gone as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Chron overview of the County Attorney race

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the one with the one Democratic incumbent running for re-election. Vince Ryan calls himself the Doberman pinscher of Harris County. The Democrat county attorney campaigned in 2012 as a government watchdog. He cannot point to any “dramatic” instances he … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Judicial Q&A: Justice Dori Contreras Garza

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I ran a series of judicial Q&As for Democratic candidates in contested primaries earlier this year. I am now doing the same for the candidates who were unopposed in March, which includes most of the sitting incumbent judges. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lots of absentee ballots in Harris County this year

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart announced today that over 90,000 ballots have been mailed to voters who requested to vote by mail in the November 8, 2016 General and Special Elections. The number of ballots mailed is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Chron overview of SBOE races

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

There are a few races of interest, though the usual bet is that nothing unusual will happen. Dakota Carter, a Democrat and underdog in District 6, said he got “fired up” to run for the board because he is tired … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Chron overview of the DA race

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the most interesting local race on the ballot. Two years ago, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson bested Democratic challenger Kim Ogg in a tussle focusing on substantive policy reform. Both touting impressive criminal justice resumes and spoke optimistically … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Chron overview of the DA race

SCOTUS rejects reconsideration of immigration ruling

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Alas. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined the Obama administration’s request to reconsider a controversial immigration program that would have let millions of undocumented immigrants stay in the country legally. The program, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Interview with Fort Bend County Commissioner Richard Morrison

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Fort Bend County Commissioner Richard Morrison is an old friend. He’s the first candidate I ever interviewed, on an old-fashioned tape recorder way back in 2003 as he was gearing up to challenge then-Rep. Tom DeLay in CD22. He fell … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Interview with Fort Bend County Commissioner Richard Morrison

Hey, here’s an idea: Increase funding for public education

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That’s just crazy talk. Texas House budget and public education leaders said Wednesday that the best way to overhaul the state’s school finance system is to increase the base amount of money it gives to each district per student. While … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hey, here’s an idea: Increase funding for public education

First contenders line up for HD46

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

There will be more. The race to replace longtime Austin state Rep. Dawnna Dukes got underway hours after her Monday morning announcement that she will resign effective Jan. 10. First out of the gate was former Austin Mayor Pro Tem … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on First contenders line up for HD46

Endorsement watch: Three State House races

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Possibly the only State Rep race endorsements we’ll get, depending on how much the Chron cares about the less-competitive races. House District 23: Lloyd Criss We endorse Lloyd Criss, a Democrat whom Texas Monthly rated as an outstanding freshman legislator … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Our first guess at Harris County turnout

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s big. Early voting in Texas for the 2016 election begins in a month. It will run through November 4. The Harris County Clerk’s office is encouraging voters to take advantage of the window, in order to avoid long lines … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: SBOE

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes endorsements in two SBOE races. District 6 When she was first appointed as head of the State Board of Education in 2015, Donna Bahorich was condemned as an anti-education advocate of homeschooling who would drag the board … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More DNC presence in Texas

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Glad to see it, even if I’m not really sure what it means. The Democratic National Committee is expanding its presence in Texas as polls continue to show a closer-than-usual presidential race in the solidly red state. Texas is set … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

More on Republican turnout concerns

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a thing that is happening, though it’s hard to say to what extent. On Monday, one of the most prominent Republicans in Texas has a warning for supporters that Texas could go blue this election. Governor Greg Abbott is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Clean Power Plan’s day in the DC court

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see how it goes. Dozens of lawyers from the government, industry and public interest groups packed the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, to hear the divisive case that comes just weeks before a heated presidential election … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Clean Power Plan’s day in the DC court

Endorsement watch: Continuing a trend

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes their criminal district court endorsements, and in doing so they stick to a pattern. 174th Criminal District Court: Hazel B. Jones In this race to replace Judge Ruben Guerrero, voters should go with Democratic candidate Hazel B. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Continuing a trend

Taco the vote

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Now you’re talking. MI FAMILIA VOTA is accustomed to registering voters in unusual places, such as the food court at the UH Student Center where we caught up with Maria Villenas last month. Villenas is Houston’s civic engagement lead for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Judge Mike Engelhart

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I ran a series of judicial Q&As for Democratic candidates in contested primaries earlier this year. I am now doing the same for the candidates who were unopposed in March, which includes most of the sitting incumbent judges. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Sung in the special

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Anne Sung in the HISD special election. Out of the four names on the ballot, Anne Sung is the only candidate who will be prepared to do a good job immediately. Sung, 38, a product of HISD … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Sung in the special

Voter registration way up statewide

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That’s a lot. Nearly 15 million people are now registered to vote in Texas, a state record. Texas currently has more than 14.8 million voters registered — over 1 million more than were registered in the 2012 presidential election, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Rep. Dawnna Dukes to resign

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Our first special election for 2017 is now on the clock. State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, who is facing a criminal investigation over her use of state funds, will resign from her seat in the Texas House in January, according to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rep. Dawnna Dukes to resign

Back to court for the Clean Power Plan

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. One of the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s final acts on Earth may have been to doom it. Last February, on the final Tuesday of Scalia’s life, the Supreme Court handed down a 5–4 decision suspending the Obama … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Endorsement watch: Against recapture

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron recommends a No vote on the forthcoming HISD referendum to authorize recapture. Voters will face a test on Election Day, and whether they answer correctly will determine the future of the Houston Independent School District. It should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Interview with Ben Rose

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

There are basically two interesting legislative races in the Houston area this November. The first is HD144, where former Rep. Mary Ann Perez should reclaim her seat against 2014 winner Rep. Gilbert Pena. I did an interview with Perez for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

McMullin will “appear” on the ballot

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

To the extent that a write-in candidate “appears” on the ballot, anyway. Texas voters will be able to vote for former CIA operative Evan McMullin for president in November. The Texas secretary of state’s office on Friday certified McMullin, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on McMullin will “appear” on the ballot

State files inevitable voter ID appeal to SCOTUS

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As expected. Texas wants to take its voter identification battle to the U.S. Supreme Court. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday asked the justices to hear his arguments about why the state’s photo ID requirements for voting do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on State files inevitable voter ID appeal to SCOTUS

Endorsement watch: Let your conscience be your guide

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That Ted Cruz sure does stay firm to his principles, doesn’t he? U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz endorsed Donald Trump on Friday after months of withholding his support from the Republican presidential nominee who defeated him in the primaries. “After many … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More on the Precinct 4 evidence destruction scandal

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of cases have been compromised. District Attorney Devon Anderson’s office first learned in April that the mistaken destruction of evidence in Harris County’s Precinct 4 had likely compromised more than a thousand criminal cases, including more than 400 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Bail matters

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

For only the second time this cycle, the Chron endorses a challenger to a sitting judge. Harris County’s criminal courts at law are currently defendants in a lawsuit alleging that pretrial bail policies violate the U.S. Constitution. It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Bail matters

Judge orders state to reword its voter ID outreach materials

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s try this again, shall we? In the continuing fight over Texas’ voter ID law, a federal judge on Monday ordered state officials to change, where possible, the language used to inform voters and poll workers about acceptable voting procedures … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Two more Clinton campaign offices opened in Texas

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

In Austin: The Democratic National Committee opened its Austin headquarters on Sunday. The move comes amid a surprisingly narrowing gap (given the longtime deep-red status of the state) between Clinton and her GOP rival, Donald Trump, for the presidency. The … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Two more Clinton campaign offices opened in Texas