Tag Archives: Election 2016

Interview with Randy Bates

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We wrap up our series of interviews with candidates in HD139, the longtime office of now-Mayor Sylvester Turner. Today’s subject is attorney Randy Bates, founder and partner in a firm concentrating in public finance. Bates served for over 20 years … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Rabeea Collier

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Kimberly Willis

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As noted before, there are four candidates vying to succeed Mayor Sylvester Turner as State Representative in HD139. Kimberly Willis is a licensed social worker who earned her MSW at the University of Houston and is employed by the Harris … Continue reading →

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The most interesting statewide primary is for the Court of Criminal Appeals

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Too bad no one’s paying attention. When the first Republican ever elected to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided in 2013 to switch parties after 20 years on the bench, the move made national news. Now as the only … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: What Brown can do for you

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron picks its favorite among the challengers in HD27. [Rep. Ron] Reynolds, a three-term incumbent, was named Freshman of the Year by the House Democratic Caucus at the end of the 2011 session; two years later he landed on … Continue reading →

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Interview with Jerry Ford, Jr

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

There is one Democratic-held open seat in Harris County, and that’s HD139, which has been vacated by now-Mayor Sylvester Turner. Four candidates are running to succeed Turner; I have interviews with three of them. First up is Jerry Ford, Jr, … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Shawna Reagin

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Mary Beth Rogers’ prescription for Texas Democrats

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure you’ve seen this article by Mary Beth Rogers, onetime campaign manager for Ann Richards, about how Democrats can compete and win statewide again. DEAR TEXAS DEMOCRATS… First, let’s get the numbers out of the way. Let’s use the … Continue reading →

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Lujan wins HD118 special election runoff

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I know everyone is focused on the primaries now, but there was an actual election this past week. Winning in a district long held by Democrats, Republican John Lujan outpolled Tomás Uresti in Tuesday’s special runoff in Texas House District … Continue reading →

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Some Latino political power trends

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Latino electorate keeps on growing. The Latino electorate is bigger and better-educated than ever before, according to a new report by Pew Research Center. It’s also young. Adults age 18-35 make up nearly half of the record 27.3 million … Continue reading →

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Rep. McClendon resigns her seat

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Farewell to a good legislator. State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, who isn’t seeking re-election this year, has submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott effective Sunday, with 11 months remaining in her term. McClendon, D-San Antonio, has served … Continue reading →

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The Dream takes on The Donald

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

You tell ’em, Hakeem. Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, a devout Muslim splitting his time between homes in Houston and outside London, England, on Saturday called the proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States “not worthy of a president.” … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Judge Elaine Palmer

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Angelique Bartholomew

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As noted, three-term Rep. Ron Reynolds has drawn three challengers in HD27. You’re aware of Rep. Reynolds’ recent issues, and he is aware of what I have said about him here. As such, he declined to be interviewed. You can … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Dudley and Sullivan

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes its endorsements in the Tax Assessor primaries. It is the time of year when the Harris County tax assessor-collector gains sudden prominence: Jan. 31 is the due date to pay property taxes, and Feb. 1 is the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Steve Brown

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

While HD137 is the only Democratic legislative primary in Harris County that features an incumbent and a serious opponent, it’s not the only one in the greater area. Over in Fort Bend, three-term Rep. Ron Reynolds has drawn three challengers … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Randy Roll

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Edward Pollard

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Four Democratic legislators in Harris County have drawn primary challengers this year. Three of them – Reps. Alma Allen, Jessica Farrar, and Hubert Vo – drew opponents who filed at the last minute. None of their challengers can be described … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of Sheriff primaries

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

No, it’s not 2008, though there are a couple of superficial similarities. On paper, Ed Gonzalez is a near-replica of former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. The Latino Democrats served in the Houston Police Department and represented the same district … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rep. Gene Wu

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We turn now to legislative races, where there are a couple of open seats and a couple of challenged incumbents to keep an eye on. State Rep. Gene Wu is in his second term, having won a four-way primary in … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Kristen Hawkins

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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More Commissioner hopefuls make themselves known

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The race is on. With former city attorney Gene Locke in place to finish the late Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee’s term, Democratic players are quickly emerging as candidates in the November general election. State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, … Continue reading →

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This week on “As Collin County Turns”

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I swear, the Ken Paxton case is a giant vortex of political suck, absorbing everything in its wake. The Collin County district judge who oversaw the grand jury indictment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton is now facing a complaint … Continue reading →

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Our obsolete voting machines

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the Brennan Center: Executive Summary In January 2014, the bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration (PCEA) issued a stern warning that should be of grave concern to all Americans: There is an “impending crisis … from the widespread wearing … Continue reading →

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Sen. Ellis to seek Commissioner’s position

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We have our first public announcement of interest in filling the late El Franco Lee’s seat on Commissioner’s Court. Longtime state Sen. Rodney Ellis has begun making calls to local Democratic Party leaders and plans to run for the Harris … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Stephen Aslett

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of HD27 primary

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Also known as Ron Reynolds versus the world. “This is the biggest challenge of my political career,” Reynolds said. “It will be an uphill climb, but I’m confident.” The March 1 primary includes lawyer Angelique Bartholomew, prosecutor Christopher Henderson and … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Going Green

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron sticks with incumbent Rep. Gene Green in CD29. Former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia can point to 23 years on the Houston police force, six years on City Council, where he served as mayor pro tem, and six … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Nikita Harmon

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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TPJ files complaint against Cruz

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Look out, Ted. In a formal complaint sent to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) today, Texans for Public Justice (TPJ) urged the agency to audit and investigate the Ted Cruz for Senate Committee’s failure to disclose to voters that Goldman … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Sheriffs

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the time of the season again. In Ed Gonzalez, Democratic Party primary voters have a candidate with broad experience in law enforcement and governance. Gonzalez’s resume includes three terms as councilman of District H, and 18 years in the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Jeff Stauber

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As I said before, winning back the Sheriff’s office is a high priority for Harris County Democrats. Adrian Garcia won it in 2008 as an outsider. In 2016, Jeff Stauber is running on his years of experience on the inside. … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS to hear immigration executive order case

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will decide whether President Obama has the authority to declare that millions of illegal immigrants be allowed to remain and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The court … Continue reading →

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Petitioners may force vote to change Austin rideshare ordinance

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Assuming there were no shenanigans, this is an impressive show of force. A group looking to overturn an Austin ordinance requiring fingerprinting of ride-hailing drivers said Monday it has gathered more than 65,000 petition signatures, more than three times what … Continue reading →

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