Texas Round-Up

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 04:51 PM CST

• Rick Noriega was also in Las Vegas last week during the DNC debate where he met with some key national donors.

  "They've got a lot of national donors coming to this, and we wanted them to put a face with the name," Noriega told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday. "What's going to happen is across the country folks are going to start realizing that Texas is in play."

• Texas DNC member David Holmes is traveling the world while blogging. His latest report from Costa Rica is here.


• Pictures of Rick Noriega from a San Antonio fundraiser earlier this month.


• Jennifer Kim announced her re-election a few days ago for Austin City Council Place 3. Below is part of her statement.

  From oppossing Water Treatment Plant 4, to voting against the toll roads, I have worked hard to build a record of speaking out and voting on issues that are crucial to our quality of life.

  I am proud of the work I have done to begin addressing affordability by creating the Austin Affordable Housing Incentives Task Force to establish city policy on promoting more affordable housing and the Families and Children Task Force to ensure there is available child-care throughout the city.

  I also believe strong small businesses are critical to the success of our economy and keeping Austin the unique place we call home. That's why I secured city staff as a resource for local small businesses to help them navigate the planning process as well as aiding in the development of business plans.

• Looks like Noriega won't be alone in the primary for the Senate race. Ray McMurrey, who was previously running as in Independent in the race, didn't choose to collect the 43,000 signatures. He is running as Democrat instead (though is still filed as an Independent with the FEC).

  "Ordinary Americans are clamoring for someone to stand up and be truthful about what is going on in our country, and I feel both major political parties have abandoned their responsibility," McMurrey said.

  Actual filling stars in December and runs for a month. No word on whether Gene Kelly will make a come-back.



• Speaking of which, I learned last night that Jennifer Gale has once again returned to Austin! Of course, she'll need to update her campaign website from her run for Dallas Mayor earlier this year.