What Races Are You Watching?

Hey, Loretta! (0.00 / 0)

Sorry about the country music shout out, couldn't resist.

Seriously, Loretta Haldenwang is the clear choice in HD 105 and will make a fantastic state Representative.  He campaign kick off was very well attended by an enthusiastic crowd.  

I really hope TexBlog PAC endorses her early.

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by: Michael McPhail @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 14:14:11 PM UTC

Loretta (0.00 / 0)

I live in HD104, but I've been hearing a lot about Loretta. I've seen her at two events and she is a very impressive candidate. She is going to make a very serious run for the seat, and it is by far our most likely switch in the entire state. Without electing Loretta, I don't think we can get a Democratic Speaker in a Democratic House, so I really hope everyone statewide begins to support her as much as the Dallas County Democrats.

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by: DallasDavid @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 17:01:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Loretta? (1.00 / 1)

The Star Chamber of the quasi-Democratic Party picked Loretta as their candidate. At age 24 she seems a little wet behind the ears. She's from San Antonio, sorta makes her a carpetbagger. She's young and pretty, don't vote with your little head doin' the thinkin'.

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by: ginntonic @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 22:28:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Go Kim Limberg! (0.00 / 0)

My pick for Texas House District 105 is Kim Limberg.  She's actually FROM Dallas County and has resided in Irving for the last 13 years.  She's a wife and mother of 3 with strong community ties in the area and a transportation background (Civil Engineer who used to work for TexDOT).  

Her opponent is a 24-year old from San Antonio who just recently moved to Irving.  Loretta's background pales in comparison to Kim Limberg's extensive life experience & training to serve in the Texas Legislature.  

Also, Kim is the only declared majority-minority candidate so far to file in this majority-minority seat!  Check out her website at www.kimlimberg.com.  

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by: ginntonic @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 22:18:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not true (0.00 / 0)

Loretta is Hispanic so she is also a minority candidate, not that that should matter.

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by: DallasDavid @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 02:58:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't think that's true (0.00 / 0)

Where are you getting that from?

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by: Joe @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 20:44:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm watching the possible TX-21 race (4.00 / 2)

between Smith and Melnick. I think she might have the potential needed to put on a serious campaign.  

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by: slinkerwink @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 16:39:31 PM UTC

District 129 (0.00 / 0)

You know it alls gonna throw away money on District 129 again? Stay away from Districts with a DPI of 34 is my advice. No matter if you all fell in love with an old school marm.

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by: Bluefish @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 19:56:35 PM UTC

TX-21 Lainey Melnick vs Lamar Smith (5.00 / 1)

I think Lainey's got what it takes to win. Dems need to get behind her.

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by: David T @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 20:33:08 PM UTC

Maybe but that's not what I hear (0.00 / 0)

I've been told she's not very informed on the issues and not all that progressive either. I'd hope to find a more informed progressive candidate.

As long as corporations are people and money is speech, then democracy is a farce.

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by: Blue_in_Guadalupe @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 04:29:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who have you heard this from? (0.00 / 0)

I'm not sure who you've been speaking with, but Melnick seems to be pretty progressive with her policies, especially compared to Smith. I'm also not really sure where you're getting her being ill informed on the issues... her website is sparse still, true, but she did just announce a few days ago for a very uphill race upwards of a year away. While I don't agree with all of the positions she has on her site either, I still think that she's the best shot of wrestling the seat away from Smith, especially with no other vocal opposition since Courage left.

I'm watching this race as well as the race in Texas District 10. I really want to get McCaul out of the US House, and I hope someone can step up to the plate again like Doherty did last year. We in North Austin would love to be represented again by a quality Democrat instead of this Dallas Neo-con!

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by: tbobmccoy @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 16:46:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

None at all (3.00 / 1)

Following a race today is about a productive as following the 2010 World Series - today.

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by: Dale Napier @ Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 21:58:47 PM UTC

It's Never Too Early (0.00 / 0)

Just my opinion.

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by: atticus22 @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 01:41:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

We all have our interests (0.00 / 0)

And I judge no one for being interested in that way.

I'm interested enough to follow it as a passive reader ... but no longer as a participant.  Too many times in the past I got involved with a candidate early, only to spend all of my time apologizing for the candidate's idiotic statements and positions later in the campaign.  No more!  It is far more interesting to watch bloggers (of all stripes) lie to themselves about how wonderful their favorites are.  As one of my cousins recently reminded me, "corrupt politician" is a redundancy.  Anyone who does not understand this, knows nothing about politics.

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by: Dale Napier @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 01:50:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oozing (0.00 / 0)

cynicism. Personally, I take what my own cousins say with a grain of salt. So, if I believe that "corrupt politician" is a redundancy as your cousin does, does that mean I know "everything" about politics? Is that where you are in this all or nothing philosophy? It must be nice.

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by: Elsbeth @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 02:06:07 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Lon Burnam (0.00 / 0)

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported a few days ago that a Fort Worth city councilperson was weighing a race to challenge Lon Burnam in the Democratic primary.  I am following this with great interest because 1) Lon Burnam has been my friend for more than 25 years, 2) Lon Burnam is my state representative, and 3) the people of Texas need Lon Burnam in the House of Representatives.

As you will recall Lon Burnam was the lone vote against Craddick when Craddick was first elected speaker.  It takes courage to stand up for what is right, especially when you are the only person doing it and by doing it you know that you will be subjected to much ridicule.  Regardless, Lon did the right thing.  I have no doubt that Lon will do the right thing for as long as he serves the people of Texas.  I look forward to Lon being my state representative for many years to come.  

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by: atticus22 @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 01:07:01 AM UTC

I'm with you on Burnam (0.00 / 0)

We can't afford to lose him in the House.  

Considering Espino has a history of endorsing Republicans over Democrats I can't see where he would have much support in Tarrant County for a legislative run against a senior elected official.

I recommend that Espino look at County Commissioner 4.

Todd

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 16:39:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ah, here comes the smears (0.00 / 0)

Sal Espino is a great Democrat and Lon has been on borrowed time since 1996.  Sal endorsed Barack Obama, has always voted in the Democratic Primary and has backed Democrats for every contested race I can think of ...

Stop the smear machine.  Latinos need a place at the table in Tarrant County.  Tarrant County is the largest metropolitan county without a Hispanic in the State House.  Given that Fort Worth is at least 45% Hispanic that is shameful.  District 90 is 70% Latino, it is inexcusable that we do not have a good progressive Latino like Sal as State Rep.

I just love the Double standard: Minorities should sleep during the primary and turn out in droves for the general to vote for white Democrats.

No one would dare tell the African American community in Fort Worth that a white candidate should represent Dist. 95 (Mark Veasey), why should it be different for Hispanics.

Stop the double standard and stop the cheap smears of Sal Espino, a great local Democrat who would make a great State Representative.

"Put the jam on the lower shelf where the little fellow can reach it." Sen. Ralph Yarborough

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by: FWDem @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 17:33:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Representation (3.00 / 1)

I think it's important the majority African American district of TN-9 in Memphis Tennessee continue to re-elect their white, Jewish representative as it that downtown Minneapolis and Indianapolis continue to re-elect their African American, Muslim representatives. These reps are the exact opposites demographically of their districts, as is White, Quaker Lon Burnam, but they are all amazingly progressive and do a great job as elected politicians.

It is not acceptable to say a Rep. does not deserve his/her job because of his skin color. Hit him on the issues, Sir. You might as well have said Glenn Maxey shouldn't have ever been elected because he was gay and most of the people he represented were not.

So, are you going to hit Lon on the issues or are you going to start a pseudo race war?

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by: trowaman @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 19:44:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hahaha (0.00 / 0)

Pseudo race war?  Did you climb out of your black helicopter to say that?  lol

It is very nice for you to talk about how a community does not deserve representation because a good white Democrat can do a better job.  How paternalistic.

In the case of Cohen, you are mixing apples and telephone poles.  The African American community in Tennessee had already elected African Americans from that district, but choose to elect Rep. Cohen for a variety of reasons as a change of pace due largely to ethics scandals surrounding the Ford family which had controlled local politics.

We are talking about a community which has never had representation before, the Latino community in Tarrant County.  Tarrant is the largest metropolitan county to have never elected a Hispanic State Rep.  And Lon, good intentions aside, is standing in the way of the political maturation of that community.  12 years is long enough it is time for him to move on.

"Put the jam on the lower shelf where the little fellow can reach it." Sen. Ralph Yarborough

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by: FWDem @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 16:23:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Fine then (0.00 / 0)

Prove to me we're post racial.

Why should Lon not be re-elected, other than the color of his skin?

And here's the full story with Cohen. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. decided to run for Senate creating an open seat. Seven democrats filed for the open seat, including Cohen who was the only white to run. Cohen got 27ish percent of the vote in the primary, a plurality. Cohen cruises to the general. African American leaders not directly associated with the Ford family decide Cohen should be challenged in a primary due only on race issues. Cohen tried to join the Black caucus as a sense of representation for his district but is denied. Nicki Tinker runs in 2008 with the backing of Annie's List and many local black leaders. She runs ads that accuse Cohen of being insensitive towards post Civil War race relations. Cohen gets re-elected with 70%.

Again, as a "white boy," why am I not complaining about minorities representing overly white districts? I don't care about people like Ellison and Carson represent overly white districts. Get past it, who does the pest job as an elected leader?

So, why does the district deserve a different elected leader than Lon? AND DON' SAY RACE!

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by: trowaman @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 22:39:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nicki Tinker (0.00 / 0)

Had support from Emily's List, not Annie's List.  They later regretted that support and it has come back to haunt them.  

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by: tamsterbath @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:44:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I stand corrected (0.00 / 0)

It was EMILY's. Thank you for the correction. I was not aware of their retraction and later regret, do you have a link? I would really like to read about it.

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by: trowaman @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:33:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Easy one to answer (0.00 / 0)

Lon is an awful representative.  While we may applaud his willingness to stand up at times, he fails in his fundamental mission: to adequately represent his constituency.

He is polarizing, relentlessly negative, and has a self reighteous tone that does not win any converts.  Lon cannot carry water for local entities, such as the FWISD, or for regional concerns because he is viewed as a partisan crackpot.

His district is underserved in every sense, and he would rather make a point than make progress on substantive issues.  He is a classic showhorse when District 90 needs an effective workhorse.  Not just my opinion.  It takes work to be twice named to the 10 worst legislators list. That answer you?

"Put the jam on the lower shelf where the little fellow can reach it." Sen. Ralph Yarborough

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by: FWDem @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 18:04:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

YES! (0.00 / 0)

Thank you. Please, let's keep the discussion on this stuff, cause this is really meaningful.

I'm still rooting for Lon, but I feel this is a substantive case you have made because it is issue based.

Again, thank you.

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by: trowaman @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 18:44:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Easy one to answer (0.00 / 0)

Lon is an awful representative.  While we may applaud his willingness to stand up at times, he fails in his fundamental mission: to adequately represent his constituency.

He is polarizing, relentlessly negative, and has a self reighteous tone that does not win any converts.  Lon cannot carry water for local entities, such as the FWISD, or for regional concerns because he is viewed as a partisan crackpot.

His district is underserved in every sense, and he would rather make a point than make progress on substantive issues.  He is a classic showhorse when District 90 needs an effective workhorse.  Not just my opinion.  It takes work to be twice named to the 10 worst legislators list. That answer you?

"Put the jam on the lower shelf where the little fellow can reach it." Sen. Ralph Yarborough

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by: FWDem @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 18:04:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

HD 44 and SD 25 (0.00 / 0)

In HD 44 the incumbent Republican, Kuempel, might not run for re-election given his recent heart attack and age. I'll be very interested to see if a Democrat declares a run for the seat given that even if Kuempel runs he probably won't be able to campaign as hard as he might in the past. We're only two seats away from taking control of the house so this could be one of them.

In SD 25, Kathi Thomas (D) is considering a rematch against incumbent Jeff Wentworth (R) the supposed moderate. Given his penchant for voting for or introducing legislation favored by the gun lobby and some of his other wingnut votes I'd love to see him gone. If Kathi runs it will be on a much smaller budget than he has so she'll be counting on ground troops for most of the battle. She'll still have to do some TV but she'd like to prove that you can't always buy an election with money.

As long as corporations are people and money is speech, then democracy is a farce.

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by: Blue_in_Guadalupe @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 04:13:36 AM UTC

Oh and then there's SBOE District 5 (3.00 / 1)

Ken Mercer (R) will definitely face a challenger this cycle whether its Daniel Boone of Canyon Lake who has declared that he's running or someone else. Having a child in the Texas public school system I'm anxious to see the flat-earthers on the SBOE run out of town, Texas and the US in general. Daniel promises to make the election about the giving kids the highest quality education we can manage and that's something the far right folks like Mercer aren't even vaguely interested in.

As long as corporations are people and money is speech, then democracy is a farce.

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by: Blue_in_Guadalupe @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 04:17:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

SBOE (2.00 / 1)

SBOE!!!

Particularly #10.  I really, REALLY want to defeat Dunbar.  But the other fundies are on my radar too.

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by: ImpactAv @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 04:41:42 AM UTC

Eric Johnson (0.00 / 0)

I'm very interested to watch the democratic primary in HD 100.  Eric Johnson, a 33 year old Harvard grad who grew up in West Dallas, is taking on incumbent Terri Hodge.

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by: ralph @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 19:54:17 PM UTC

Johnson (0.00 / 0)

I agree that Johnson would be great. HD 100 is a solid Democratic district, so he will need help winning in the primary, but when he wins that, he should be pretty safe in the general.

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by: DallasDavid @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 02:57:27 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

State House District 138 - NW Houston-Harris County (1.00 / 1)

I'd be keeping a close eye on Disrict 138 in Houston where Kendra Yarbrough Camarena is seeking to take out Republican Dwayne "Studmuffin" Bohac.  This will probably be the hottest race of a D seeking to unseat an R in Harris County and watch for early campaign finance reports to see the enthusiasm and momentum behind young Mrs. Camarena.  Past results in this district don't really show a lot because of recent demographic changes and the fact D's have not really heavily contested this seat since Bohac first won after the district was drawn for him in 2001. This is the seat previously held by John Whitmire, David Patronella and Kendra's father, Ken Yarbrough

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by: cewdem @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 09:16:14 AM UTC

Wishful thinking for D. 138 (0.00 / 0)

You're a just a little bit dreamy for District 138. Demographic changes? The folks that actually vote are a majority Anglo. This District was drawn for Bohac by Tom DeLay and includes Spring Branch which votes 70/30 Republican.  

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by: Bluefish @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 11:31:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

THank you for your insight (0.00 / 0)

but guess what? We're out of low hanging fruit. We need to really reach out on something if we're going to take control of the state house. Obama did better in this district than he did in the state as a whole. I know nothing about this candidate, but the district seems like it should be on the list to give a run at.

If we don't show up and compete, we will not win.

So, where would you have us compete INSTEAD?

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by: trowaman @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 23:57:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kristi (0.00 / 0)

Gotta defend Kristi Thibaut's District. The republicans gonna go after her for sure!!

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by: Bluefish @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 01:08:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Walk and Chew Gum (1.00 / 1)

Gotta learn to do both at the same time. Those that are voting for Kristi can't (legally) vote in 138. These districts barely border each other, different base of workers. And if they want to import workers, Farrar's district as a lot of good democrats that I am sure would be willing to come over and work.

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by: trowaman @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 01:52:03 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

No Stuff (1.00 / 1)

"Those that are voting for Kristi can't (legally) vote in 138", no shit? Thanks for the keen insight. There's a finite set of resources to be tapped ($$$, gotta spell it out for you). Kristi won by a slim margin, largely due to Obama's coattails. You gotta look at the big picture.  

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by: Bluefish @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:19:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh well then (1.00 / 1)

If you're afraid of cash, then lets just drop the democratic party down to 1 safe seat in Harris. Then we'll NEVER NEVER NEVER have to worry about splitting the funds.

SW Harris has done a good job giving us 1 more dem each cycle since 2004. Cohen didn't pass after Vo won, and Thiabut didn't quit after Cohen won. There's always more cash.

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by: trowaman @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:27:06 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

District 138... (2.00 / 2)

...is now a majority minority district and the eastern half has historically "swung" (as in ticket splitting) down ballot for Democrats who grew up in the close-knit Garden Oaks-Oak Forest community. And Bohac has a few problems these days - having taken down the web site for his political list vending company that employed the taxpayer-paid election official who is in charge of voter lists for Harris County as a partisan Republican consultant.

Kendra grew up and went to high school in the district, and came back after college to teach in the district and help coach youth sports teams - things that build relationships that cross party lines.  She and her husband and two kids are a young family like so many others in the district. She also knows politics - was elected to the SDEC - and she will be a very attractive, hardworking candidate with the funds to make this a real race.

HD138 is also better for a Dem in an off-year election, as is HD144 in the Pasadena-Almeda area, which was very close in 2008 and should also be in play in 2010.

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by: Ed Martin @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 16:38:40 PM UTC

Wrong Ed (0.00 / 0)

Kendra 35.5%

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by: Bluefish @ Fri Nov 12, 2010 at 01:57:41 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Diana Maldonado HD-52 (0.00 / 0)

I will be following and donating my time to the Re-election of Diana Maldonado in House District 52. It's important she wins as part of a state wide strategy to take back the Texas House for Democrats in 2010.  

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by: PaulR @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 18:07:03 PM UTC

On District 138 (2.33 / 3)

Bluefish, if that's your name, I'm not rehashing anything from Annie's List about 138. To the contrary, I have told Annie's List what I know about the district because I know every neighborhood and almost street in 138. My parents still live there in the house I grew up in, and I've walked that district plenty of times.

You are correct that the voter registration is not majority minority, but I assure you the population is and there is an opportunity, with a coordinated effort, to increase the minority vote share. And there is an even better opportunity to appeal to swing voters, as Bohac's record has never been challenged by an effective campaign run by a district native since the district was drawn, and there is plenty of material available.

For heaven's sake, Obama got 44% in the district and he has neither personal history there nor a great name for 138. However, Yarbrough is a good name and Camarena is a Hispanic surname, and Adrian Garcia got almost 53% of the vote in 138. Another fact: the Republican presidential year turnout bump in 138 has proven greater than the Democratic boost, making it a better opportunity this year.

I don't know who you are because you use a pen name, but when you sit behind a computer you sound like the naysayers who said we couldn't win similar districts in 2006 and 2008, and we've proven them wrong. We're going to do our best to do the same in 2010, because that's what it takes to win a majority.  

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by: Ed Martin @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 23:57:34 PM UTC

HD 47 Bolton and HD 52 Maldonado (0.00 / 0)

I think SW Travis County and Southern Williamson County will be targeted. Especially if KBH beats Perry in the 2010 primary. SBOE District 10 could also be interesting depending on who winds up with the Democratic nomination.

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by: ssuits @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 23:58:54 PM UTC

Was in Houston last weekend... (1.00 / 1)

and in the heart of the district. sounds like we have a Republican commenting. who else would insult our intelligence with a throw away line about a taqueria? Bohac?

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by: Ed Martin @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:30:11 AM UTC

insults all you got? (2.00 / 2)

For the record, my folks have put up a yard sign for every Democrat who ran for the Tx House in their district for as long as I remember. My limo is a '97 Buick with 188,000 miles. We make Mexican food at home - from family recipes. And we try to discuss things with respect and make decisions based on facts. For now, that's all folks. See you in November, 2010, Mr. or Ms. "Bluefish."  

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by: Ed Martin @ Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 15:11:46 PM UTC

Prediction (1.00 / 1)

Kendra Yarbrough may raise a pile of cash in her race to unseat Bohac. Rest assured Dwayne will raise a bigger pile of cash. In a Governor's year against an entrenched opponent she will fail, probably 55% to 45% something like that. Spring Branch is virulently anti-democrat and anti-illegal immigrant. On top of that the Latinos flat out don't participate, they're a mirage of democratic votes.
See ya in November 2010 "Ed Martin".

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by: Bluefish @ Wed Jul 08, 2009 at 00:57:18 AM UTC