Tag Archives: Election 2018

A couple of race updates

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The county slate is one step closer to being filled out for 2018, as Josh Wallenstein has announced his intent to run for the HCDE At Large Position 3 Trustee seat that Diane Trautman is giving up to challenge Stan … Continue reading →

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Can anyone beat Greg Abbott?

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

It’s early days and all that, but the evidence at hand now isn’t positive. The reason for that is fairly simple. A poll circulating among the state’s Democratic leadership—which I was given on the agreement that I would not identify … Continue reading →

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Don’t wait on Joaquin

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We may want him to, but Rep. Joaquin Castro probably isn’t running for Governor. Exiting a summit on citizen diplomacy Tuesday at the Texas Capitol, U.S. Rep. Joaquín Castro, D-San Antonio, was trailed by a handful of reporters. “Something tells … Continue reading →

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One more in CD32

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Meet Lillian Salerno, the third major candidate to take a crack at Rep. Pete Sessions in CD32. Lillian Salerno, who served as President Barack Obama’s deputy undersecretary of rural development for the Department of Agriculture, [officially launched] her candidacy for … Continue reading →

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Dukes gets deferral on felony charges

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Possibly good news for one embattled legislative incumbent. The Travis County district attorney will not pursue, at least for now, the most serious charges against state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, saying prosecutors have renewed their investigation into the travel vouchers at … Continue reading →

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More on Stefano de Stefano

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Our favorite double-named Ted Cruz primary challenger. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is one of the state’s best known conservative politicians, but one GOP long shot is hoping he can oust the firebrand Republican with a simple appeal: “A return to … Continue reading →

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Dallas Observer Q&A with CD32 candidate Ed Meier

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Also a good read. You’ve spent a lot of time traveling around the world, starting by growing up in Africa as a missionary kid. What keeps bringing you back to Texas and Dallas specifically? I was born in Dallas. Lived … Continue reading →

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Some people would like Joaquin Castro to run for Governor

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The headline to this story says that Rep. Castro “is considering” a run for Governor, but if you read the story you’ll see that my characterization is the more accurate. In need of someone to lead the top of the … Continue reading →

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Harris County may do Harvey bonds

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Turns out Harvey recovery will cost money. Who knew? A majority of the Harris County Commissioners Court on Wednesday said they would support a large bond issue, perhaps upwards of $1 billion, and a tax increase to pay for it. … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS puts new maps on hold

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. The U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a serious setback to those hoping Texas would see new congressional and House district maps ahead of the 2018 elections. In separate orders issued Tuesday, the high court blocked two lower court rulings … Continue reading →

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Harvey and the elections

Posted on September 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Labor Day weekend of odd-numbered years is considered to be the opening weekend of Houston election season. The filing deadline has passed, so the fields are set and people (supposedly, at least) begin to pay attention. Candidate forums are held, … Continue reading →

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Plaintiffs ask SCOTUS to back down in redistricting fight

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This week’s update: The challengers told the justices that the Supreme Court lacks the power to review the state’s request because there is nothing to put on hold: The lower court has neither blocked the state’s current redistricting plan nor … Continue reading →

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Two GOP State Reps seek Senate promotions

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Item One: State Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, launched a challenge Tuesday to state Sen. Bob Hall of Edgewood, setting up a Republican primary clash in North Texas. “I am proud of what I have accomplished for Texas and for all … Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit stays voter ID ruling

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. The state of Texas can use its revised voter ID measure for the upcoming November elections, a divided federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday. The 2-1 decision, first reported by Politico Tuesday night, came from a panel of three … Continue reading →

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No re-rematch for Gallego against Hurd

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The third time is not a charm, mostly because there won’t be a third time. Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, has decided not to try again to reclaim his old seat in Congress. “Know that my public service is … Continue reading →

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State Rep. Larry Gonzales to retire

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is an opportunity for the Democrats. State Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, is not running for re-election. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve HD52 and this great state,” Gonzales wrote Wednesday night on Facebook. “We … Continue reading →

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State House map paused as well

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Not a surprise, given the previous order. A lower court ruling that invalidated parts of the Texas House state map has been temporarily blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court. Responding swiftly to an appeal by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS puts a pause on the Congressional redistricting ruling

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Hopefully, just a temporary one. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday put on hold a lower court ruling that invalidated two of Texas’ 36 congressional districts. In an order signed by Justice Samuel Alito, the high court indicated it wanted … Continue reading →

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San Marcos files amicus brief against SB4

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. The city of San Marcos filed a legal brief Thursday supporting Austin, San Antonio and other cities that have filed suit against the state for its new law on immigration enforcement. In the 16-page brief, city attorney … Continue reading →

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Will we have maps in time for March primaries?

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe. It’s up to the courts. State officials insisted Friday they expect to stop the court challenges on appeal, and reverse Texas’ losing streak on the voting-rights lawsuits, legal experts predicted Texas could end up back under federal supervisions of … Continue reading →

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Escobar officially enters race for CD16

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There will be many interesting and highly competitive Democratic primaries for Congress next year, but this could be the biggest of them. El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar has officially started her run for Congress. Escobar, a Democrat, submitted paperwork … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Two Paxtons are not better than one

Posted on August 26, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, good grief. Angela Paxton, the wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is considering a run for state Senate, according to people familiar with her thinking. Paxton has her sights set on Senate District 8, which is currently held … Continue reading →

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Court throws out State House map

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Once more, with feeling. Parts of the Texas House map must be redrawn ahead of the 2018 elections because lawmakers intentionally discriminated against minorities in crafting several legislative districts, federal judges ruled on Thursday. A three-judge panel in San Antonio … Continue reading →

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The ReBuild Houston footnote to the November ballot

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The following paragraph is buried deep in the full story about what will and will not be on the November ballot in Houston. Voters also will not face a reconsideration of the 2010 vote that established ReBuild Houston, the program … Continue reading →

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Debra Kerner suspends her campaign in CD07

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Dear friends: Today I am announcing that I am suspending my campaign for Congress. Over the last eight months, I have gotten to know more people in the district. It was my favorite part of the campaign. … Continue reading →

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Pastoral malignancy

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Know your enemy. A day before the Texas Legislature ended its special session this week, a session that included a high-profile fight over a “bathroom bill” that appeared almost certainly dead, David Welch had a message for Gov. Greg Abbott: … Continue reading →

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We could get a special session on redistricting

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

At least, that’s what State Sen. Dawn Buckingham thinks. State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, expects the Legislature to be called back for another special session — this time to tackle the state’s congressional map. Monday evening at the Central Texas … Continue reading →

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No charter amendments on the fall ballot

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Just bonds, school board and HCC races, and the mostly boring constitutional amendments. Oh, and Heights Alcohol 2.0, if you live there. Houston voters will face $1.5 billion in city bonds and nine community college or school board races this … Continue reading →

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Two more for CD23

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Officially a crowd now. Jay Hulings, a federal prosecutor from San Antonio, said Sunday he could no wait no longer to launch a challenge to U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes. Hulings is an ally of the Castro brothers — U.S. … Continue reading →

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Beto on the road

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A great chance to meet our Senate nominee, if you haven’t already. Looking to overcome the long odds in his U.S. Senate campaign, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, has hit the road for an aggressive 34-day tour of Texas. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Texas to appeal redistricting ruling

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. If Gov. Greg Abbott calls a second special legislative session this summer, it won’t be for redistricting. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton revealed Friday that Abbott won’t ask lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map — found … Continue reading →

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Houston signs memorandum of understanding with Texas Central

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This makes a lot of sense. At City Hall, Houston and Texas Central Partners announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding, which commits both sides to share environmental surveys, utility analysis and engineering related to the project and surrounding … Continue reading →

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RK Sandill for State Supreme Court

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Very good news, from the inbox: The Supreme Court of Texas is elected to serve all of the nearly 28 million residents of our great state. Yet, after more than two decades of one-party rule, today’s Court is increasingly out … Continue reading →

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Let’s play two?

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, God, please, no. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday put blame on the House — particularly Speaker Joe Straus — for the shortcomings of the special session and left the door open to calling another one. “I’m disappointed that all … Continue reading →

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