Burnt Orange Report

Texas Tuesday: Dot Nelson-Turnier

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

With the holidays now behind us, it's time to get back in the swing of things. And since many of the Texas Tuesdays writers have been behind the concept of running every race, I thought we'd focus on one candidate who best symbolizes the ethic of challenging incumbents despite the odds, despite the conventional wisdom ... and despite personal handicaps.

Dot Nelson-Turnier is challenging incumbent Debbie Riddle in one of Harris County's reddest State Rep. districts - a district that has not had an alternative for Democrat on the ballot as far back as the online records go (1992). That alone would make Dot's challenge impressive. But Dot is also wheelchair-bound, which makes a slight alteration of "Run.Everywhere" to "Roll.Everywhere." This hasn't limited Dot's ability to take her word to Democratic groups in search of volunteers and donors.

Houston's own Perry Dorrell managed to get some Q&A out of Dot in an excellent post over at TexasTuesdays.com:

I am running because I feel no Republican should run unopposed. We have to give people a choice. My focus is on what I call the Killer E’s , Economics, Education, Equity, Equality and Environment and I do not think the incumbent Republicans have been making much progress on these issues.

Of course, Dot's opponent is a Republican who believes that a free, public education is a communist idea. Seriously. Check Perry's post for the details.

For now, we ask that you support Dot's candidacy by mailing a check:

Dot Nelson-Turnier
40 FM 1960 W # 225
HOUSTON, TX 77090-3530

... or visit her campaign site to donate via Paypal.

Feel free to forward this message to any and all good Democrats in your address book. And if you run a blog, feel free to give Dot some publicity to help spread the word. If candidates like Dot are willing to stem the latest version of a Red Tide here in Texas, then there ought to be numerous other candidates motivated to run in even more districts next time around. But for now, let's help Dot get uphill in this race to start showing some real progress among Democratic voters!

And, of course, the fine folks at ActBlue.com could still use a donation or two to help get online donations to every state legislative race available. Donations to this go a long way towards helping candidates like Dot as well as any potential candidates who might be more willing to run if the availability of tools such as ActBlue were available to them.

Texas Tuesdays: Charlie Stenholm

By Byron LaMasters

It's the last Texas Tuesday before Election Day, and Charlie Stenholm is our feature. Stenholm's a Blue Dog and a Boll Weevil, but despite my policy disagreements with him, he's been a damn good congressman for west Texas for the past couple of decades. It will be sad to see him lose, as I fear he will next Tuesday.

Texas Tuesdays: Max Sandlin

By Byron LaMasters

Max Sandlin is featured for Texas Tuesdays today. After Chet Edwards, I'd say that Sandlin is in the best shape of the five endangered Texas Democratic congressional incumbents. Still, I'd say Sandlin is running just about dead even. If you want to make a late congressional donation, sending a few bucks Sandlin's way would probably be one of the better investments you could make. Donate to Max Sandlin today.

Texas Tuesdays: Chet Edwards 2.0

By Byron LaMasters

It's Texas Tuesdays again, and today we're featuring U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) for the second time.

Charles has reposted the interview of Chet Edwards by State Rep. candidates Jake Gilbreath previously seen here at BOR.

There's also an introduction with the latest on the campaign.

Above is a picture of Chet Edwards and Jake Gilbreath a few weeks ago after the interview for Texas Tuesdays.

Show them some love.

Donate to Chet.
Donate to the DCCC.
Donate to Jake.

Texas Tuesdays: Richard Morrison

By Byron LaMasters

It was about four months ago when Texas Tuesdays first profiled Richard Morrison. Back then, few people outside of Texas had heard of the man, the blog community had yet to take much interest in the race, the DCCC wasn't paying attention to the campaign and everyone pretty much expected Tom DeLay to squash him like a bug in November.

Four months later, things have changed. Morrison is being watched by the DCCC as a possible investment, he's captured the interest of Daily Kos, Democracy for America, the blog community and DeLay haters across the country. On the other hand, DeLay has been dogged by scandal after scandal, forced to open a campaign office and actually campaign for the first time in years - meaning that at the very least, DeLay is unable to spend that time and money on folks like Pete Sessions and other endangered House Republicans.

Charles has the latest on the race over at Texas Tuesdays:

Morrison Campaign Update.

Interview with Richard Morrison.

Message from Richard Morrison.

If you haven't already, take a look at the previous Morrison entries:

Morrison Meets with Bloggers (6/18/04).
Introduction to Richard Morrison (5/4/04).
Interview with Richard Morrison (5/4/04).
Guest Post by Richard Morrison (5/4/04).

So, donate to Richard Morrison and make Tom DeLay cry.