Tag Archives: Rodney Ellis

Harris County goes all in on voting access

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. Harris County voters this November will have more time and more than a hundred additional places to cast ballots in the presidential election, including drive-through locations and one day of 24-hour voting, under an expansive plan approved by Commissioners … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Lawsuit filed to restore original Census deadline

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Citing the high stakes of a botched census, Harris County and two of its Democratic county commissioners have signed on to a federal lawsuit trying to block the Trump administration’s efforts to end counting for the 2020 census a … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Lawsuit filed to restore original Census deadline

Harris County to buy digital devices for students

Posted on August 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

An excellent use of CARES money. Harris County commissioners on Tuesday voted to spend up to $32 million in federal COVID-19 funds on providing hundreds of thousands of WiFi hotspots and devices to children in school districts across the county. … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

July 2020 campaign finance reports: Harris County

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You can always count on January and July for campaign finance reports. This roundup is going to be a little funky, because all of the candidates filed eight-day reports for the March primary, and a few also filed 30-day and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on July 2020 campaign finance reports: Harris County

Interview with Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Normally, I do candidate interviews for elections, though I do branch out sometimes when there’s an issue or some election-adjacent matter I want to explore. It’s in that spirit that I bring you this conversation I had with Commissioner Rodney … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Harris County will hire an elections administrator

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Just like that. Harris County became the latest in Texas to adopt an independent administrator model to run elections when the Democratic majority on Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to create the new department. Court members voted 3-2 along party lines … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Runoff reminder: County races

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Statewide, Congress, SBOE and State Senate, State House. There were a ton of contested county race primaries in Harris County, with all of the countywide offices except one HCDE position featuring at least three candidates. When the dust settled, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The current status on local police reform efforts

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Well, the budget amendment process didn’t do much. City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved Mayor Sylvester Turner’s $5.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year, slightly increasing funds for the Houston Police Department even as some cities are under pressure … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Commissioners Court to address police reform

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

On the agenda for today. Ten police and criminal justice reform items appear on Tuesday’s agenda; seven by Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, two by County Judge Lina Hidalgo and one by Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. They would:  Examine … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Here come the electric bikes

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Cool. Houston’s growing bike share system will jump into over-drive in the coming months, fueled by $250,000 in Harris County funds that will put 100 new electric bikes on city streets. An amended plan by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meet your new County Clerk

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Hello, Chris Hollins. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday appointed an attorney and Texas Democratic Party official as interim county clerk. Christopher Hollins, vice finance chairman for the state party, will serve until a new clerk can be elected in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Could we get an elections administrator along with a new County Clerk?

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe. A week after Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman announced she would resign due to health concerns, Commissioners Court on Tuesday plans to debate whether to appoint an independent administrator to run county elections. After Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

On picking a new County Clerk

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Stace has some thoughts. I’m of the opinion that the Democratic majority on the Commissioner’s Court should make a strong appointment of someone who will be the incumbent, making it clear that there is no need for a possible free-for-all … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

What if it were Ed?

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The question to ask yourself in reading this story about Republicans bitching and moaning about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is “How different would things actually be if Ed Emmett were still County Judge?” By the time Harris County Judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Harris County preps for more mail ballots

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted to spend up to $12 million for an expected uptick in requests for mail-in ballots in the July primary runoff and November general election from voters concerned about contracting the novel coronavirus … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Another review of Judge Hidalgo’s first year

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Though, oddly enough in a story about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s first year in office, most of the text is about outgoing Commissioner Steve Radack and the two-year-long temper tantrum he’s been throwing. For many years, the Harris County … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

County to review countywide voting centers

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s make this work better. Commissioners Court has formed a working group to review Harris County’s shift to voting centers and examine what effect it had on hours-long lines at the polls on Primary Day, which Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

We need to talk about those lines

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I wish we could talk about something else, but we have to do this. Dozens of Democratic voters were still waiting to cast ballots at midnight in Houston, turning Super Tuesday into a painful slog for some citizens amid questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

2020 primary results: Harris County

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start with this. Long lines combined with a lack of voting machines turned into frustration for voters at several election sites in Harris County on Super Tuesday. Margaret Hollie arrived at the Multi Service Center on Griggs Road at … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Endorsement watch: Four more

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Rodney Ellis for County Commissioner, Precinct 1, and then proceeds to spend the endorsement mostly talking about his opponent. Count us among those who were a little surprised when felony court Judge Maria T. Jackson resigned her … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Chron overview of Commissioners Court Precinct 1

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

As with endorsement editorials, they’re going to need to write a lot of these in the next couple of weeks. Few Harris County politicians — of any party — are eager to challenge Rodney Ellis, the widely known, well-funded, well-connected … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Interview with Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t think I need to spend too much time introducing County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. A longtime State Senator after serving on Houston City Council, Ellis became the 2016 Democratic nominee for County Commissioner in Precinct 1 via that weird … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Interview with Commissioner Rodney Ellis

January 2020 campaign finance reports: Harris County

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, New Year’s Day brings a new round of campaign finance reports, for all levels of government. I’m going to be working my way through these as I can, because there’s lots to be learned about the candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Judge Hidalgo’s first year

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Been pretty good so far, I’d say. During her longshot campaign in 2018, Lina Hidalgo at times sounded like a candidate for mayor or Congress. With talking points on immigration, criminal justice reform and education, her critics contended she surely … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Judge Powell back on the ballot

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

So be it. A civil court judge Wednesday ordered that sitting criminal district Judge George Powell be included on the March primary ballot after the Harris County Democratic Party denied his application for candidacy last month. Party officials had to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

After-deadline filing review: Houston area

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a lot to digest following Monday’s filing deadline, and as I’ve said I’m going to take some time and go over it in as much obsessive detail as you’ve probably come to expect from me. As a reminder, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Willie D will not be on the Democratic primary ballot

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

He wanted to run for Commissioners Court but his application was rejected because of his previous felony conviction. Former Geto Boys rapper William “Willie D” Dennis wants to run for Harris County Commissioners Court, but local Democratic party officials rejected … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Willie D will not be on the Democratic primary ballot

Filing update: Focus on Harris County

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

One more look at who has and hasn’t yet filed for stuff as we head into the final weekend for filing. But first, this message: Hi y’all, as we approach the filing deadline in Texas, this is a reminder that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

It could be March before District B gets to vote in their runoff

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

And honestly, by the same calculations, it could go later than that. The Houston City Council District B runoff could be delayed until March if a lawsuit contesting last month’s election result is not resolved by Monday, the Harris County … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Judge officially approves final Harris County bail settlement

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s officially finally final and official. A federal judge has signed off on a historic bail reform agreement for Harris County, setting in place new protections for people accused of minor offenses in the country’s third largest criminal justice system. … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Judge officially approves final Harris County bail settlement

The state of the county 2019

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has a lot of accomplishments to tout. Harris County in the past year has made significant progress on flood control, criminal justice and improving public health, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in her first State … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The state of the county 2019

Filing period preview: Harris County

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress, Statewide, and SBOE/Senate/House. For County races, I cannot use the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet, as it doesn’t include local races. I am instead using the Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports for Various County Offices link on the County Clerk … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jackson to challenge Ellis in Precinct 1

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Former Harris County criminal court judge Maria T. Jackson will challenge incumbent Rodney Ellis for Harris County Precinct 1 commissioner, her campaign announced Monday. Jackson, the county’s longest serving felony judge until her resignation last month, plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jackson to challenge Ellis in Precinct 1