Tag Archives: The Lege

What should we do about the runoffs?

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

With coronavirus concerns now shutting down all kinds of public events and other large gatherings, it’s more than fair to wonder what the risks are of conducting the primary runoffs in the usual fashion. This post on Indivisible Houston suggests … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged absentee ballots, coronavirus, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Greg Abbott, primaries, Ron Wyden, runoff, special session, Texas, The Lege, turnout | 12 Comments

You periodic reminder that every vote matters

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

2020 Republican primaries edition. One vote still separates second and third place in the GOP primary for Texas House District 47, but a revised total released Wednesday pushed Justin Berry ahead of Don Zimmerman for the final spot in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged absentee ballots, Don Zimmerman, Election 2020, HD47, Jennifer Fleck, Justin Berry, primaries, provisional ballots, recount, runoff, Texas, The Lege, Travis County | 2 Comments

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez announces for SD14

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Others are sure to follow. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, an Austin Democrat, announced Saturday that he is running for Texas Senate District 14. “It is truly an honor to even be running [for] the Senate,” Rodriguez said at B.D. Riley’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Adam Loewy, Celia Israel, Eddie Rodriguez, Election 2020, Greg Casar, HD51, Jose Vela, Kirk Watson, Rudy Metayer, Sarah Eckhardt, SD14, Senate, special election, Texas, The Lege | 2 Comments

Please fill out the Census

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I mean, come on. If you’re a reader of this blog, you know damn well it’s your civic duty. Texas loses more than $2,300 per year for every person who doesn’t get counted in the U.S. Census, according to a … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged Bastrop County, Census, demography, Harris County, Houston, Lina Hidalgo, redistricting, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

DNC to target Texas

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Game on. The Democratic National Committee [added] Texas to its list of 2020 targets just days before Super Tuesday, vowing to invest heavily in the state to help Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in the latest sign that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Congress, DCCC, DNC, DSCC, Election 2020, MJ Hegar, President, redistricting, Senate, Texas, The Lege | 1 Comment

It’s even harder to prosecute pot cases now

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Such a shame. What if lawmakers writing one of the most consequential laws to come out of last year’s legislative session, legalizing hemp in Texas, forgot to include a small, but crucial detail that could get your marijuana possession charges … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, That's our Lege | Tagged Brazos County, DPS, hemp, marijuana, TDCAA, Texas, The Lege, Tracy King | Comments Off

Runoff roundup

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Here, as best as I can determine, are the runoffs of interest for May: US Senate – MJ Hegar versus Royce West CD02 – Sima Ladjevardian versus Elisa Cardnell CD03 – Lulu Seikaly versus Sean McCaffity CD10 – Mike Siegel … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged 14th Court of Appeals, Akilah Bacy, Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Anna Eastman, Bryan Slaron, Candace Valenzuela, Candance White, Carrie Isaac, CD02, CD03, CD07, CD10, CD17, CD21, CD22, CD23, CD24, CD31, Cheri Thomas, Cheryl Elliott Thornton, Chris Diaz, Christine Eady Mann, Chrysta Castaneda, Cody Vasut, Commissioners Court, Congress, Constable, Dan Flynn, David Jaramillo, Democratic primary, Dennis Bonnen, Diana Alexander, Don Zimmerman, Donna Imam, Eddie Lucio, Election 2020, Elisa Cardnell, Gina Ortiz Jones, Glenn Rogers, Harold Dutton, HD02, HD100, HD119, HD138, HD142, HD148, HD25, HD26, HD45, HD47, HD59, HD60, HD67, Jacey Jetton, Jasmine Crockett, JD Sheffield, Jenifer Pool, Jennifer Fleck, Jennifer Ramos, Jerry Davis, Jerry Garcia, Jon Francis, judicial races, Kathaleen Wall, Kent Wymore, Kim Olson, Kimberly McLeod, Lani Popp, Liz Campos, Lorenzo Sanchez, Lorraine Birabil, Lulu Seikaly, Matt Morgan, Michael Moore, Michelle Palmer, MJ Hegar, Penny Shaw, Pete Sessions, primaries, Railroad Commission, Raul Reyes, recount, Renee Swann, Rick Kennedy, Ro'Vin Garrett, Robert Alonzo, Robert Morrow, Rocio Hernandez, Roland Gutierrez, Royce West, runoff, Sara Stapleton-Barrera, Sarah DeMerchant, SBOE, SD11, SD19, SD27, Sean McCaffity, Senate, Shelby Slawson, Sima Ladjevardian, Sri Kulkarni, Suleman Lalani, Susan Criss, Tamika Craft, Teiva Bell, Texas, The Lege, Tom Adair, Tony Gonzales, Troy Nehls, Wendy Davis, Wesley Hunt, Xochil Peña Rodriguez | 2 Comments

HCDP statement on Natasha Ruiz

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The Harris County Democratic Party has learned of an allegation that a candidate on the Harris County Democratic Party Primary ballot for Texas House District 142 may not have been a genuine candidate. HCDP has not been … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, Election 2020, Harold Dutton, HCDP, HD142, Jerry Davis, Natasha Ruiz, runoff, Texas, The Lege | 2 Comments

Legislative hearings on those long lines coming

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

More scrutiny. After excessive voting lines on Super Tuesday forced Texans to wait for up to six hours to vote, state lawmakers are directing their attention toward challenges voters faced in trying to cast a ballot for the presidential primary … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, Harris County Clerk, MALC, primaries, Rafael Anchia, Texas, Texas Legislative Black Caucus, The Lege | 1 Comment

HD142 and the case of the mystery candidate

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

WTF? Long time Democratic State Representative Harold Dutton was forced into a runoff Tuesday night, but a ghost candidate may have helped make that happen. Dutton, who has long represented House District 142 in northeast Houston, already faced a formidable … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Bill White, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Gene Kelly, Harold Dutton, HD142, Hector Riveria, Jerry Davis, Jerry Garcia, Natasha Ruiz, Texas, The Lege | 3 Comments

2020 primary results: State races

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to direct you to the Texas Tribune results page, which combines both parties’ results and is a couple orders of magnitude less sucky than the revamped SOS election night results pages. Good Lord, whoever designed that “upgrade” from … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Akilah Bacy, Ann Johnson, Anna Eastman, Borris Miles, Chrysta Castaneda, Court of Criminal Appeals, Dan Flynn, Democratic primary, Eddie Lucio, Harold Dutton, Harris County, HD02, HD126, HD134, HD138, HD142, HD148, HD26, HD59, JD Sheffield, Jenifer Pool, Jerry Davis, Jim Wright, Kimberly McLeod, Lani Popp, Marsha Burnett-Webster, Michelle Palmer, Natali Hurtado, Penny Shaw, primaries, Railroad Commission, Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Robert Alonzo, Robert Morrow, Roland Gutierrez, runoff, Ryan Sitton, Sara Stapleton-Barrera, SBOE, SD13, SD19, SD27, Senate, Supreme Court, Texas, The Lege, Xochil Peña Rodriguez | 4 Comments

The people who oppose the high speed rail line still oppose the high speed rail line

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

In case you were wondering. In the same room where many mobilized against the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor freeway project 15 years ago, critics of a proposed Houston-to-Dallas bullet train promised to shoot that down, too. No matter how long that … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Congress, Dallas, high speed rail, Houston, Kevin Brady, Texans Against High Speed Rail, Texas, Texas Central High-Speed Railway, The Lege | 1 Comment

Republican former Senators defend anti-majoritarian practices

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I appreciate the spirit in which this was offered, but it’s completely out of touch with reality. The purpose of the 31-member Texas Senate is similar to that of the U.S. Senate: to cool down some of the fevered legislation … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged Bill Hobby, Bill Ratliff, Bob Bullock, Bob Deuell, Bob Hall, Cindy Krier, Craig Estes, Dan Patrick, David Dewhurst, David Sibley, Election 2020, Pat Fallon, Rick Perry, Senate, Steve Ogden, Texas, The Lege, two thirds rule | Comments Off

Cable franchise fees lawsuit heard

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Rooting for the cities, because this is a mess. Lawyers representing 59 cities, including Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, on Wednesday asked an Austin district court judge to temporarily block a Texas law passed last year that cuts government … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Austin, cable, Dade Phelan, franchise fees, Houston, Kelly Hancock, lawsuit, local control, San Antonio, Sylvester Turner, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

The interviews I didn’t do

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

As was the case with the 2019 Houston elections, there were too many candidates and too many races (and in this case, too little time as well) to do a full slate of interviews. I did what I could, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Adrian P. Garcia, Al Green, Anna Eastman, Ashton Woods, Borris Miles, CD02, CD08, CD09, CD10, CD22, Congress, Cynthia Reyes-Revilla, Democratic primary, Derrick Reed, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2020, Elisa Cardnell, Elizabeth Hernandez, Garnet Coleman, Harold Dutton, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, HCDE, HD126, HD142, HD146, HD147, HD148, interviews, Jerome Moore, Jerry Davis, Laura Jones, Mike Siegel, Natali Hurtado, Nyanza Moore, Penny Shaw, Pritash Gandhi, runoff, SD11, SD13, Senate, Shannon Hutcheson, Shawn Thierry, Sima Ladjevardian, Sri Kulkarni, Susan Criss, Texas, The Lege, Travis Olsen, Undrai Fizer | 3 Comments

The Observer overviews the DA primary

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve had a chance to listen to my interviews with DA candidates, now read this story for more on this important primary. When Kim Ogg first ran for Harris County district attorney, she had a simple pitch for criminal justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Audia Jones, bail, Carvana Cloud, Dan Patrick, Democratic primary, District Attorney, Election 2020, Erin Martinson, Harris County, jails, Jose Garza, Kim Ogg, local control, Margaret Moore, marijuana, pre-trial diversion, sex work, Texas, The Lege, Travis County | Comments Off

Endorsement watch: More State Reps

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron finishes the task of endorsing in the State Rep primaries. Here was Round One, now let’s dive into the rest. Natali Hurtado in HD126: Hurtado was 19 and a college student working at Olive Garden when she became … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Akilah Bacy, Angeanette Thibodeaux, Democratic primary, Election 2018, Election 2020, endorsements, Harold Dutton, HD126, HD138, HD139, HD142, Jarvis Johnson, Jenifer Pool, Jerry Davis, Josh Wallenstein, Natali Hurtado, Texas, The Lege, Undrai Fizer | Comments Off

Endorsement watch: Some State Reps

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron made seven endorsements in contested Democratic State Rep primaries on Thursday, plus two in contested Republican State Rep primaries. This must be Part One, because there are multiple races left for them to do. I’ll get to that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Alma Allen, Ann Johnson, Anna Eastman, Ashton Woods, Democratic primary, Election 2020, endorsements, Garnet Coleman, HD128, HD131, HD134, HD141, HD146, HD147, HD148, Josh Markle, Lanny Bose, Penny Shaw, Ruby Powers, Senfronia Thompson, Shawn Thierry, Texas, The Lege | 2 Comments

Chron overview of the HD142 primary

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Also known as the How Mad Are People At Harold Dutton? primary. Longtime state Rep. Harold Dutton is facing the most serious re-election test of his 35-year political career in an acrimonious primary against two Democratic opponents. The race, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Board of Managers, Democratic primary, District B, Election 2020, Harold Dutton, HD142, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston City Council, Jerry Davis, Richard Bonton, schools, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, turnout | Comments Off

What can Houston do about hazardous buildings?

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a good question, but there’s another question that has to be considered alongside it. For the first time, Houston City Council members publicly floated proposals Wednesday for how the city can better protect its residents from explosions like the … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Environmental Protection Agency, fire, HFD, Houston, local control, Samuel Pena, Texas, The Lege, Watson Grinding & Manufacturing | 1 Comment

The Jerry Davis situation

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Someday, this is going to be taught in political science classes. And possibly law schools. The ongoing election dispute in District B has put Jerry Davis in a peculiar position, seemingly caught between two provisions of the Texas Constitution as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, Election 2020 | Tagged Constitution, Cynthia Bailey, Democratic primary, District B, Election 2019, Election 2020, Harold Dutton, HD142, Houston, Houston City Council, Jerry Davis, lawsuit, Renee Jefferson Smith, runoff, Supreme Court, Tarsha Jackson, term limits, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

Runoff results: Eastman wins, Markowitz loses

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I’m posting this before all the votes are in, but the results are not in doubt. Anna Eastman was leading Luis La Rotta by a 67-33 margin in HD148 after 26 of 37 vote centers were in. See here for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Anna Eastman, Election 2019, Election 2020, Elizabeth Markowitz, Gary Gates, HD100, HD148, HD28, James Armstrong, Lorraine Birabil, Lui LaRotta, runoff, special election, Texas, The Lege | 1 Comment

Chron overview of HD134

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Is this the year Sarah Davis loses? That’s the question. The March primaries are weeks away, but the first question at a recent forum for the three Democrats running to unseat state Rep. Sarah Davis centered on November: “How do … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Ann Johnson, CD17, Chet Edwards, Christi Craddick, Democratic primary, Ed Emmett, Election 2010, Election 2016, Election 2018, Election 2020, Ellen Cohen, Glenn Hegar, Greg Abbott, HD134, Joi Chevalier, Lanny Bose, Lina Hidalgo, precinct analysis, Roman McAllen, Ruby Powers, Sarah Davis, Texas, The Lege | 3 Comments

What to expect in HD28?

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Time to play the expectations game. It is hard not to argue Democrats have gone all in on the special election runoff for House District 28. Ahead of the Tuesday election, at least three presidential candidates have come to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Election 2019, Election 2020, Elizabeth Markowitz, Gary Gates, HD28, runoff, special election, Texas, The Lege | 2 Comments

January 2020 campaign finance reports: State House part 2

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s Part 2 of my look at the finance reports from State House races. Part 1 was here, Harris County offices were here, and statewide races were here. You may also want to refer to this Trib story and this … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Brian Rogers, Byron Ross, campaign finance reports, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Elizabeth Markowitz, fundraising, Gary Gates, HD03, HD15, HD23, HD24, HD25, HD26, HD27, HD28, HD29, HD85, Joey Cardenas, Lawrence Allen, Lorena McGill, Martin Shupp, Patrick Henry, Rish Oberoi, Ron Reynolds, runoff, Sarah DeMerchant, special election, Suleman Lalani, Texas, The Lege, Travis Boldt | Comments Off

HISD considers metal detectors

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

It’s (maybe) come to this. Houston ISD officials are exploring the idea of installing metal detectors at the district’s middle and high schools in response to last week’s fatal on-campus shooting of a student, a step few districts in the … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Dani Hernandez, Grenita Lathan, gun control, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, metal detectors, Patricia Allen, The Lege | Comments Off

January 2020 campaign finance reports: State House, part 1

Posted on January 25, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to take a two-part look at the finance reports in State House districts. Part One will be from Harris County, looking at both contested primaries and contested November races. Part Two will focus on races in the counties … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Adrian P. Garcia, Akilah Bacy, Alma Allen, Angeanette Thibodeaux, Angelica Garcia, Ann Johnson, Anna Eastman, Ashton Woods, Aurelia Wagner, Briscoe Cain, Bryan Henry, campaign finance reports, Carey Lashley, Claver Kamau-Imani, Colin Ross, Cynthia Reyes-Revilla, Democratic primary, Dennis Paul, Deondre Moore, Election 2020, Elvonte Patton, Emily Wolf, fundraising, Garnet Coleman, Gina Calanni, Harold Dutton, HD126, HD128, HD129, HD130, HD131, HD132, HD133, HD134, HD135, HD138, HD139, HD141, HD142, HD146, HD147, HD148, HD150, Jarvis Johnson, Jenifer Pool, Jerry Davis, Jim Murphy, Jon Rosenthal, Josh Flynn, Josh Markle, Josh Wallenstein, Justin Ray, Kayla Alix, Lacey Hull, Lanny Bose, Lui LaRotta, Mary Williams, Merrilee Beazley, Michael Walsh, Mike Schofield, Natali Hurtado, Natasha Ruiz, Penny Shaw, Republican Party, Richard Bonton, Robert Hoskins, Ruby Powers, Ryan Lee, Sam Harless, Sandra Moore, Sarah Davis, Senfronia Thompson, Shawn Thierry, Texas, The Lege, Tom Oliverson, Undrai Fizer, Valoree Swanson, Willie Franklyn | 4 Comments

Interview with Suleman Lalani

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

One last time in HD26. Election results on the SOS webpage only go back as far as 1992. In that time, HD26 has always been held by a Republican – through the 90s, when Fort Bend had two State Rep … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, Election 2020, HD26, interviews, Suleman Lalani, Texas, The Lege | 1 Comment

Interview with Rish Oberoi

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing on with HD26. One of the ironies of incumbent Rep. Rick Miller’s racist comments about Asian voters in this district was, as State Rep. Gene Wu noted, HD26 was specifically drawn to make it easier for an Anglo candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, Election 2020, HD26, interviews, Rish Oberoi, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

Interview with Lawrence Allen

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We continue in HD26, where incumbent Rick Miller self-immolated and quickly wound up vacating this very competitive seat. Lawrence Allen, Jr. is a current member of the State Board of Education, in District 4, a seat he has held since … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, Election 2020, HD26, interviews, Lawrence Allen, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

Interview with Sarah DeMerchant

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

One more time to legislative races, and one more time to a district carried by Beto. Like the others of that class, HD26 has drawn a full field of contenders to bring it across the finish line and into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, Election 2020, HD26, interviews, Sarah DeMerchant, Texas, The Lege | 2 Comments

Early voting for the legislative special election runoffs starts Tuesday

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Early Voting for the January 28, 2020 Special Runoff Election for State Representative District 148 begins Tuesday, January 21 and ends Friday, January 24. During the four-day Early Voting period, five locations will be available to more … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Anna Eastman, early voting, Election 2019, Election 2020, Elizabeth Markowitz, Fort Bend County, Harris County, HD148, HD28, runoff, special election, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

Where the primary action is

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on the Democratic side in Harris County. This should come as a surprise to no one. The crowded Harris County Democratic primary field reflects a new reality in Houston politics: With the county turning an even darker shade of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Alma Allen, Ann Harris Bennett, Borris Miles, Briscoe Cain, CD07, CD22, Commissioners Court, Congress, Constable, Dan Huberty, Dennis Paul, District Attorney, Don Sumners, Ed Gonzalez, Garnet Coleman, Harold Dutton, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, HCDE, HD127, HD128, HD129, HD131, HD132, HD134, HD138, HD139, HD141, HD142, HD146, HD147, HD26, Jarvis Johnson, Justice of the Peace, Kim Ogg, Maria Jackson, Mark Herman, Rodney Ellis, Russ Ridgway, Sarah Davis, SD13, Senate, Senfronia Thompson, Shawn Thierry, Texas, The Lege, Vince Ryan | 2 Comments

Interview with Jenifer Pool

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We wrap up our visit with the candidates in HD138, the district that I was sure would flip before HD132 did. Politics is funny sometimes. Today’s candidate is Jenifer Pool, whose website is not up right now. If you’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, Election 2020, HD138, interviews, Jenifer Pool, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

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