Tag Archives: Congress

Some children left behind

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Oops. Nearly half the public schools across Texas failed to meet tougher federal academic standards this year, according to preliminary data released Wednesday. The failures spiked sharply from last year, when a quarter of the state’s schools missed the mark. … Continue reading →

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

2012 Democratic primary runoffs

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

All state results here. Best news of the night was Paul Sadler‘s easy win. Can we please raise some money for this guy? Congressional results: James Cargas in CD07, Pete Gallego in CD23, Rose Meza Harrison in CD27, Marc Veasey … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

2012 Republican primary runoffs

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

All the results are here. In the end, Ted Cruz won a pretty solid victory. I’ll note that in the last two publicly released polls, PPP had Cruz up by 10, whereas Baselice & Associates claimed Dewhurst was up by … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Election night returns

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

For your convenience: Statewide Democratic results Looks good for Paul Sadler. Going to be a long night in CDs 23 and 33. Statewide Republican results Ted Cruz has a modest early lead. Wackjob John Devine is leading Supreme Court Justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Runoff Day

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At long last, the 2012 primary season is about to be over in Texas, other than perhaps the HCDE race. To say the least, it’s been a long, strange trip, one that I hope goes down in the books as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Congressional runoff stories

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

A couple of Chron stories about area Congressional primary runoffs for your perusal. CD14: Sometimes [CD14 GOP candidate Randy Weber] mentions that he was designated the most conservative member of the Texas House during his two terms in Austin. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

More than four, please

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Not good enough. A majority of House Democrats have signed a brief to the Supreme Court opposing the Defense of Marriage Act (widely known as DOMA) — but not a majority of Texas Democrats. Only four of the state’s nine … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: An opponent for Culberson

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron gets around to another race it ignored in May, the Democratic primary in CD07. The winner of the Democratic primary runoff for Texas’ U.S. House 7th District will face quite a battle against incumbent Rep. John Culberson on … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Looking back at Romo versus Doggett

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Former CD35 candidate Sylvia Romo does a post-mortem on her unsuccessful run for Congress. “Texas is ready for a qualified Latina congresswoman,” she said. “If I wasn’t the first one, then I hope I opened the door for another woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Endorsement watch: Who’s your fourth choice?

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses a new candidate for the CD36 Republican primary runoff. Two survivors emerged from the crowded May Republican primary race to fill the new congressional seat for U.S. District 36, one of four new congressional districts added to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rey Guerra: Latinos in Houston 2012

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The following is from a series of guest posts that I will be presenting over the next few weeks. White, Black, Asian, or other, if you live in Houston, you’ve more than likely adopted aspects of Latino culture into your … Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Culberson’s Univesity Line attack makes it through the House

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Great. Advocates of federally subsidized expansion of the Houston Metro light rail system lost a crucial round to Houston Congressman John Culberson on Friday, leaving dwindling opportunities to overturn spending restrictions on the Richmond Avenue project. The House adopted a … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Amazon starts collecting sales tax today

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

We are in a new era. Beginning Sunday, Texans will see state and local sales taxes show up on their taxable Amazon purchases — the result of a deal with the state comptroller’s office that resolved the e-commerce giant’s past … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Culberson up to his old tricks

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

You almost have to admire the single minded focus on doing something only he and a few other people really want to do. For the first time in his long-running dispute with Houston Metro, Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, has managed … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Clemens cleared

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The saga ends. A federal jury today acquitted baseball superstar Roger Clemens on charges of lying to Congress about the use of performance enhancing drugs in a stinging rebuke to a four-year campaign by legislators and federal prosecutors to turn … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Clemens cleared

How about those new Latino Congressional districts?

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

In the end, not so much. Originally hailed by Latino leaders as a way to boost opportunities for their community, the newly redrawn Texas congressional map has led to a pair of white Democrats claiming the nominations in districts that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More reactions to the election results

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Enough about me. What are some other people saying about Tuesday’s results? Here’s a sample: Greg Juanita PDiddie Campos Mark Bennett EoW Neil Harold Stace Lion Star Texas Trib TM Daily Post TFN Insider There’s a certain amount of bitterness … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Democratic results, Harris County

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The good: – Lane Lewis won a full term as HCDP Chair by a 55-45 margin. If you heard a whizzing noise this evening, it was the bullet we all dodged in this race. – Sheriff Adrian Garcia easily won … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

GOP results, statewide

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Full, though not necessarily the most up to date, results, are here. The Trib and the Observer have good roundups as well. – Mitt. Yawn. He was at just under 70% statewide, with Ron Paul getting 11% and Rick Santorum … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Races I’ll be watching for tonight

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

As noted this morning, I will be participating in a live chat tonight beginning at 7 PM at the Chron election blog. I hope you’ll come by and ask some questions about what happened today. There are many races to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Four Congressional stories

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

CD27: It’s a relatively unknown field of hopefuls trying to unseat incumbent Republican Blake Farenthold in the newly configured U.S. House District 27, an area that stretches from Bastrop County south to Nueces County. The field includes former Bastrop County … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A small overview of a large field

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron has a partial overview of the cattle call in CD14. [State Rep. Randy] Weber, 58, is one of nine Republicans vying for the party’s nomination in Paul’s congressional district, which includes Lake Jackson, where the 76-year-old Paul delivered … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Interview with Rose Meza Harrison

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I know that I said when I did that last interview that it would in fact be the last interview for the primary election, but as is often the case it turns out there was more to do. I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Interview with Rose Meza Harrison

Endorsement watch: Two for Doggett

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The San Antonio Express News did most of its endorsements before the start of Early Voting, but took its time on the Congressional races. In the end, they did all their endorsements in one editorial, and at the end of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Two for Doggett

Endorsement watch: The list so far

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron printed their list of primary endorsements so far yesterday. It’s more impressive for what they haven’t done yet as early voting starts. After a couple of years of getting most of their business done before actual voters started … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Express-News overview of Romo versus Doggett

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Some interesting tidbits in here. Despite the minority makeup of a newly drawn congressional district, a San Antonio Latina candidate faces a steep uphill climb against a white Austin liberal with a long tenure in the nation’s capital. Sylvia Romo, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Still trying to kill bills

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Planet Money reports on the continuing efforts to eradicate the paper dollar bill and replace it with dollar coins. In its most recent report, the GAO recommends switching to coins, which could make $4.4 billion for the government over 30 … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

CD34 candidate Villalobos busted by the feds

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This is not the sort of news one wants to make as a candidate. Cameron County District Attorney Armando R. Villalobos vowed Monday to fight a federal indictment filed against him and his former law partner Eduardo “Eddie” Lucio. Villalobos, … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on CD34 candidate Villalobos busted by the feds

Endorsement watch: Three’s company

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not uncommon to see dual endorsements in multi-candidate races. Even the Chron did one for the 2009 Mayor’s race. But this is the first time I can ever recall seeing a three-way endorsement. The creation of District 36 has … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Three’s company

Recap of all my interviews so far this cycle

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

To say the least, there was a lot of uncertainty at the beginning of the year when I was planning out my interview schedule for the primary election. There were no maps for the State House, State Senate, and Congress. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Recap of all my interviews so far this cycle

Interview with Domingo Garcia

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

My last interview for this primary cycle is with another one of the leading contenders in the crowded CD33 primary, Domingo Garcia. Garcia is an attorney and activist who served for eight years on the Democratic National Committee beginning in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Will SOPA sink Smith?

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Probably not, but I sure don’t mind seeing his opponents use it against him. Republican long-shot candidates are citing high-tech discontent over Rep. Lamar Smith’s proposed government regulation of the Internet in an attempt to knock off the 13-term incumbent … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with Ronnie McDonald

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

One of the more interesting candidates in a race that isn’t currently considered top tier is Ronnie McDonald, who is running in the redrawn CD27 against first term Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold. McDonald has been a trailblazer for much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Interview with Sylvia Romo

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

One of the most closely watched Congressional primaries this cycle will be in the new CD35, the district to which Rep. Lloyd Doggett moved after redistricting and the second interim map made his CD25 hostile territory. In this Austin-to-San Antonio … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments