Tag Archives: Election 2018

Early voting Day 5: It’s been a long week (in a good way)

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Did I mention it’s been busy? Voters across the state have come out in massive numbers during the first five days of early voting, and soon, more Texans will have voted early in 2018 than in all of 2014’s early … Continue reading →

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Omnibus polling update

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

One last Trib poll: Republican Ted Cruz leads Democrat Beto O’Rourke 51 percent to 45 percent in the Texas race for the U.S. Senate, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Libertarian Neal Dikeman was the choice of … Continue reading →

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When Ken Paxton attacks

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

He’s gotta be a little scared. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has started airing a statewide TV ad against his Democratic challenger, Justin Nelson, as Nelson presses to close the race with an emphasis on the indictment that has dogged … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: City propositions

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron says Yes on Prop A: Here’s the blunt truth: Voting “against” on Proposition A won’t cut your taxes. It will, however, open the door to more municipal debt. That is why Houstonians should vote “for” Proposition A, which … Continue reading →

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Day 4 early voting: A brief look around the state

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib has it all organized for you. As of day three of early voting, 1,344,741 Texans have cast in-person ballots and 240,601 cast mail-in ballots in the 30 counties where most registered voters in the state — 78 percent … Continue reading →

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Eventually we’ll settle the debate about straight ticket voting and judicial races

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

But for now we have one last chance to provide a baseline for comparison. As Harris County goes, so go its judicial races. In three of the last five elections, a single party has swept every Harris judicial contest, with … Continue reading →

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A step forward in Waller County

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Some progress. Two days after students at Prairie View A&M University sued Waller County over allegations that the county is suppressing the voting rights of black residents, the rural county said it is expanding early voting opportunities for students at … Continue reading →

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The Fort Bend DA race

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

There’s been a lot of focus on how Harris County will vote this year after Hillary Clinton’s wide margin of victory in 2016 – I’ve certainly contributed to that – but it’s important to remember that Clinton carried Fort Bend … Continue reading →

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Day 3 early voting: In shorter hours

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve heard a few people complain about the shorter early voting hours in the first week. For the first five days for early voting, Harris County’s 46 polling locations open at 8 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m., the earliest … Continue reading →

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The Beto-Abbott voters

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Barring divine intervention, Greg Abbott will handily beat Lupe Valdez — the only real question is by how much. The floor, if there is one, is Wendy Davis’ crushing loss to Greg … Continue reading →

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Prairie View students sue over lack of on campus EV site

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The fight continues. Five students at Prairie View A&M University are suing Waller County, which is home to the historically black university, over allegations that the county is suppressing the voting rights of its black residents. In a lawsuit filed … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: County time

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron circles back to the county races they didn’t get to the first time around, and for reasons I cannot fathom, they still love them some Orlando Sanchez. The race for Harris County treasurer always seems to raise the … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Don’t forget the judges

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron got some national buzz for their blanket non-endorsement of judges who support the current bail structure, but overall they’re supported a large number of Republican incumbents on the bench. Not all by any means, but well more than … Continue reading →

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October 2018 campaign finance reports: Congress

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. It’s not just Beto. Newly filed campaign finance reports show that money flooded into Democratic congressional campaigns all across the state over the last three months. Along with Democrat Beto O’Rourke’s blockbuster $38 million haul in his bid against … Continue reading →

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Day 1 early voting totals: Like three days in one

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Monday was busy. Harris County residents on Monday set a new record for the first day of early voting in a midterm election, as 63,188 went to the polls to cast ballots. The turnout smashed the previous mark, set in … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Patrick and Patrick-lite

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Now that the Chron has done an endorsement in every race of interest, I’m going to try to catch up on them, by group if not by individual race. We’ll start with the race for Lt. Governor, where there was … Continue reading →

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Interview with Mayor Turner

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We finish up our interviews for the 2018 election season with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and a conversation about city propositions A and B. Prop A, which has largely flown under the radar, is the update to Renew Houston intended … Continue reading →

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On the air

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You might be seeing some TV ads from Texas Democrats who aren’t Beto O’Rourke or Lizzie Fletcher. There’s Justin Nelson: Attorney Justin Nelson, a candidate for attorney general, on Tuesday became the first — and likely only — Democrat running … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Of course it’s Beto

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron finally corrects an old and egregious error. With eyes clear but certainly not starry, we enthusiastically endorse Beto O’Rourke for U.S. Senate. The West Texas congressman’s command of issues that matter to this state, his unaffected eloquence and … Continue reading →

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Early voting for November 2018 starts today

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: “Study the long November 6, 2018 Election ballot to ensure you make the right choices when voting,”  said Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, encouraging voters to visit www.HarrisVotes.com  and select “Find your Poll and Ballot” to review their personal sample … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Incumbency is no advantage, part 3

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Remember when Land Commissioner George P. Bush was considered a rising star? The Chronicle does. Four years ago we enthusiastically endorsed George P. Bush for land commissioner. We said he was “the real deal.” Turns out, we were really off. … Continue reading →

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Hotze and the judges

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From family law attorney Greg Enos, who publishes a legal blog/newsletter called The Mongoose (I’ve referenced him here before): Real Journalists Should Investigate How Republican Judges Are Funneling Money to Hotze’s Hate Group I am a full-time lawyer and only … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Incumbency is no advantage, part 2

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron lays down a marker on the county criminal courts. Each election cycle we determine our judicial endorsements by interviewing the candidates, researching their backgrounds, consulting with experts and coming to a conclusion about who best would be able … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Tanya Garrison

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to my readers. I am running these responses in the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Scott Cubbler

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

If you’ve followed this blog in election seasons, you know that while I interview all comers in odd numbered years, I generally (with rare exceptions) limit myself to Democratic candidates in even numbered years. I’m a Democratic precinct chair, and … Continue reading →

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Trump’s slightly less tiny Ted rally

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s true what they say, size does matter. President Donald Trump’s rally Monday in Houston with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has been moved to a bigger venue. Originally set to take place at the NRG Arena, the event will now … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Incumbency is no advantage, part 1

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

A trio of Congressional endorsements, beginning with Steven David in CD08: A Democratic candidate hasn’t run for the 8th Congressional District since 2012, so no doubt this will be an uphill battle. Nevertheless, voters should back challenger Steven David for … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Donna Roth

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to my readers. I am running these responses in the … Continue reading →

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What are your turnout scenarios?

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I keep thinking about this: County Clerk Stan Stanart predicts up to a million Harris County residents could be casting ballots in a string of hotly-contested races. As you’ve heard me say many times, the Democrats’ main issue in off … Continue reading →

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Still obstacles to voting at Prairie View

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The previous problems we talked about are resolved, at least for now, but it’s still harder to vote at PVAMU than it needs to be. Denise Mattox, president of the Waller County Democratic Club, called the new rules a “treatment” … Continue reading →

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Interview with Marty Lancton

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, there are two city ballot propositions for your consideration. The one that has gotten the most attention by far is Proposition B, the firefighters pay parity proposal. I consider it a core function of this blog to … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Sarah Beth Landau

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to my readers. I am running these responses in the … Continue reading →

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Trump’s tiny Texas rally for Ted

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Aww, how cute. President Donald Trump will make good on his promise to help Texas Republican Ted Cruz, announcing plans to hold a large rally next Monday night in Houston. The Trump campaign on Monday said the next stop on … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Another easy decision

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Remember how I said the Chron’s endorsement of Kim Olson over Sid Miller was the easiest call they’d have to make this cycle? The one true competitor for that title is the AG race, where Justin Nelson is a LeBron-level … Continue reading →

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