Rep. Terri Hodge Pleads Guilty, Plans to Resign

Great News (2.50 / 2)

I've worked with Eric Johnson and he is going to be a great State Representative.

However, this election isn't over. Eric has to win it in the primary to save time and resources.

If Eric wins the primary, he is the next state representative. No questions asked. There are no filed Republicans or Libertarians.

If Hodge wins the primary, then it goes to the precinct chairs. However, the Republican Party would then be eligible to field a candidate for the seat.

This is a safe Democratic seat but it would be very useful to have one more uncontested race in Dallas.

---

by: DallasDavid @ Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 00:31:52 AM UTC

Interesting that tax evasion (1.00 / 2)

will disqualify you for Texas public office but also be a plus on your resume for a democratic Presidential cabinet post.  

---

by: sdhook @ Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 02:13:29 AM UTC

Work (0.00 / 0)

I tried to convince some of my colleagues we should definitely try and work with Eric Johnson, because Terri Hodge was in some bad trouble.  Everyone ignored me and now look what happened.  Good Luck to Johnson, I think he will be an excellent representative of the district.

---

by: nbjames @ Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 05:02:17 AM UTC

You stick with your friends (3.00 / 2)

Eric Johnson is an immensely qualified candidate, and I'm sure he'll do an excellent job as state representative.  He's running a great campaign, and I'm sure he'll come out ahead in March.

That said, Representative Hodge was a friend for a lot of people in need of an advocate.  Having watched every day of session for years now, I can attest that there were many times when the only voice speaking out for the voiceless was that of Rep. Hodge.

I don't in any way condone her breaking the law, and I'm glad that this whole mess has come to a conclusion.  But I don't for a minute want it to completely eclipse the work she spent 14 years doing on behalf of her constituents, and those of people across our state.

What I love about the Legislature is that there are so many different roles people can play, and so much success they can have within those roles.  I always knew that if something I deeply cared about was going to be ignored and swiftly passed in the Legislature, there'd be at least one member standing in it's way, willing to throw her body in front of a train.

Rep. Hodge did yeoman's work advocating for prisoners, poor people, and minorities.  These aren't winning political causes, and they're often the most ignored in the Legislature.  But I always knew they had a voice in the Legislature as long as Terri was there.  

I admire underdogs, and I admire fighters.  For that reason I admired Rep. Hodge's steely determination in the Texas House.

I sincerely hope Eric Johnson takes up her mantle, and continues the positive legacy Hodge left behind, while setting an even more positive example of a hometown kid turned success and role model.

Best wishes, Rep. Hodge, I'll miss you.  And welcome to the Legislature, Mr. Johnson, take a cue from Terri and kick some ass.

---

by: Joe @ Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 07:37:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Eric Stood Up For His District (0.00 / 0)

At a time when it was clear that Hodge had some issues that could be exploited, Eric Johnson was running a solid, block walking, grass roots campaign that was focused on issues.

Even though the establishment and trial lawyers were sticking with Hodge, Eric was able to raise over 100,000, had an excellent campaign organization, and was gaining support through ideas and hard work.

Eric won the Dallas Morning News endorsement by focusing on the needs of his district and running a positive campaign.

I hope everyone can get behind Eric because it is clear that his campaign was never opportunism, but has always been a serious attempt to bring quality, thoughtful government to Texas.

---

by: Eric Roberson @ Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 15:24:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]