TX-23: The Early List

Probably Not (0.00 / 0)

As much as I would love to see David (Leibowitz) run for this seat, I just don't think it'll happen now.  He was just elected in 2004 and it's probably a little too soon (of course I could always be wrong).  One person I noticed wasn't on this shortlist was State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.  Is her distict more Charlie Gonzalez, cause she's my state sen and Bonilla is my congressman.

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by: SADem @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 20:13:54 PM CDT

I forgot about her (0.00 / 0)

I just don't see anyone talking about her and she probably doesn't want to risk her seat. She is after all, the last machine left in San Antonio.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 20:23:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Who Knows... (0.00 / 0)

She was re-elected in 2004; isn't up till '08.  I wouldn't mind seeing her run for the Congressional seat and get it and then David win her state senate seat.  He almost beat her in the 2000 Dem. primary; lost by a little over 2,000 votes.

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by: SADem @ Fri Aug 04, 2006 at 20:42:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not yet (0.00 / 0)

In two weeks, Senator Van de Putte takes her spot as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures. The one year term is an opportunity to bolster her name rec nationwide, especially in Washington. Don't expect her to give that up for a big showdown with Bonilla in November.

2008, however, is an entirely different story.

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by: paulrobeson @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 02:03:30 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Van De Putte's District (0.00 / 0)

Overlaps with Charlie Gonzalez almost in its entirety.  She's got no base in CD-23 and has no name ID on the Southside of San Antonio.

As a matter of fact she's made a conscious effort- outside of Madla- to stay out of Southside San Antonio politics.  It'd be very tough for her to hop in this.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

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by: Cincinnatus @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 09:53:29 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Re-issuing my statement (0.00 / 0)

I think I was too bold in saying that Van De Putte has no name ID on the southside.

Van De Putte does have name ID. She doesn't have a political operation on the southside.

That's what I should've said.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

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by: Cincinnatus @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 10:59:02 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've been redistricted!! (0.00 / 0)

This makes it harder for me to win.  Of coure, it also makes it a LOT harder for my esteemed colleague John Courage to win, too.

So I'm not giving up.

All those small ranchers west of San Antonio who are now in my district -- WHAT, if anything, has Lamar Smith ever done for them, other than just taking up space and using air?

James Arthur Strohm
Libertarian Candidate for US Congress, District 21, Texas
http://strohmforcong...

This communication is paid for and provided by Strohm for Congress, and is expressly authorized by the candidate.
C00420083
H6TX21178

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by: James Arthur Strohm @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 05:37:14 AM CDT

Yes James it just got harder for John Courage as well (0.00 / 0)

And I totally agree that Lamar Smith  has done nothing for the rural areas of Texas.  Our focus and research on his voting record needs to change to look at his voting record there.  You can help out too. Two opponents on Smith are better than one.

Two good resources if you don't already know about them are Project Vote Smart and GovTrack.

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by: sonia @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 09:41:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Frank Madla (0.00 / 0)

I know Madla just lost to Uresti but considering he had represented essentially the same constituents that Bonilla now has I'm suprised that his name isn't bandied about.

Madla lost because he was a very pragmatic State Sen (read Centrist), wouldn't this be helpful in a district that at the federal level is still an uphill fight for a Democrat.

Plus he's got some pretty serious money backing from Dems and Repubs

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by: tx dem in dc @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 13:31:29 PM CDT

He's also like 75 years old (0.00 / 0)

And he's happy just pulling his 7 grand/month stipend from the state now.

Plus it'd be kinda hard to get good press from the san antonio express-news when you refuse to speak with them every again.

And when you just resigned your seat early because you're a crybaby... well... I can just see the first attack ad now.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

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by: Cincinnatus @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 14:28:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Alaska Senator? (0.00 / 0)

Maybe he could move to Alaska and run against Ted Stevens.  He could run on a promise to actually resign his seat if he doesn't get his way.

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by: SADem @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 17:22:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

you see (0.00 / 0)

Redistricting is not a truck. It's a series of tubes...

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 18:16:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Uresti's ads (0.00 / 0)

Hey Cin, this is totally off topic, but can you point Bell's peeps to Uresti's ad guys (or gals)?  Loved those commercials.

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by: cv172 @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 18:10:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Julian Castro for CD-23 (1.00 / 1)

He doesn't live in the district! Why are people believing that a carpetbagger can come in and run for whatever he wants because he "is cute" and "is not Joaquin". He has only four years of public service as a city councilman who flip-flopped all over the place, ask Sheryl Sculley.

Let's look at those people who do live in the district and have a record of service.

I understand that Rene Barrientos lives outside CD-23 also, in Olmos Park.

If we vote for these types of candidates, the Democratic Party WILL NEVER recover.

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by: DaVinci @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 20:08:37 PM CDT

Well... (3.00 / 1)

It's not like Tom Delay lives in his district either anymore but whoever said that was going to stop him?

Legally, you don't have to be from within the district's federal boundaries to run. But it's probably a good idea. And are you 100% positive that Castro doesn't live in the district, I was under the impression that he was.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 20:25:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well has anyone even filed yet? (0.00 / 0)

I guess we will have to wait till the deadline hits to have any true idea.

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by: Morter Forker @ Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 01:21:22 AM CDT

Timing of the Ruling... (0.00 / 0)

made it virtually impossible to file until Monday.

Most of the people named above have solid structures to get the needed signatures for the ballot. Unless they wanted to just go in, not think about the race, and file,  then needed this weekend before they could act.

Of all the speculation, Castro seems to be the early favorite to get in because he is not on the ballot anywhere else.

From what I see he DOES live in the district and has great support. During his run for Mayor he won 7 of the 10 city council districts and his GOTV campaign got him within 2,000 votes for the job.

Castro would be a fantastic choice, but if he does not get in it. I am an early supporter of Gallegos who had made promises to Madla to never challenge him. Now that Uresti has SD 19 and Gallegos is unchallanged in the general, he should make a move and run for Congress.

Rep Gallegos has a strong history as a Democrat and helped start HDCC with Coleman and Dunnam. He has lived in the district his entire life and has strong votes and leadership to run on.

Either candidate is a very attractive pick.

Read Just Another Blog

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by: Matt @ Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 10:15:07 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Gallego Backing Castro (0.00 / 0)

From what I've heard, Gallego is already backing Castro.

And the point about GOTV is a good one--he should be able to mobilize a similar, if not greater effort only one year later.

 

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by: SADem34 @ Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 13:15:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Where's Rahm and the DCCC? (3.00 / 1)

Man, CD-23 is now a competitive seat, and Dems have gotta mobilize fast to win it. 

FYI, Rahm, the new "heart" of this district is now Bexar County and San Anton. 

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by: texan2006 @ Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 14:46:26 PM CDT

Rick Bolanos by Rick Bolanos (3.00 / 1)

I am proud to have entered this race specifically for the constituents of the 23rd congressional district....when everyone else was to afraid to go against Bonilla I have taken him on and exposed his shenanigans and have much more to talk about.....where was everybody when the race started originally? Too afraid if you ask me...now think about it are they really running for the constituency of this district and if so why didn't they run a long time ago......no I think they will be running for their own selfish reasons not for this great nation that needs people who are running for the commonwealth not the corporate wealth or their own wealth.......I will continue to give it my best shot and I guarantee you that when my country called me to Viet Nam  I answered that call ....last year when my country called to attempt to end the crisis of corruption that exists in this nation I also ran......where was everybody else when our nation was calling.....Rick Bolanos

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by: catiloba @ Mon Aug 07, 2006 at 23:12:17 PM CDT

Umm, not to be TOO rude, but... (0.00 / 0)

Where was Rick Bolanos when he was "running."  Most politicos don't know the name Bolanos, let ALONE normal people.  He has been in this race since at LEAST December, yet he has not raised a dime.  Hell, with gas prices as high as they are, if he was even TRAVELING his vast District he would have gone over $5,000 (in gas alone) in inkind donations by now! 

Well, right now I am too afraid... afraid of squandering this valuable opportunity.  I can NOT tolerate a "candidate" (in name only) who refuses to step aside to somebody who actually can WIN because of his own selfish reasons. 

I suggest we ALL give Rick a call.  We thank him for offering to serve and running until now, but we let him know his service is no longer needed and is potentially harmful to the party.  The time has come for us to unite together behind one candidate, somebody who is a proven fundraiser, a proven, well-known, leader in the community, and somebody who can win. 

We cannot afford to enter into a battle we cannot win.  We cannot become mired in a interparty quagmire, while Bonilla has over $2 mil in the bank.  This District could mean control of the house, and we NEED a winner.  I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but sometimes the truth hurts.

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by: David O. @ Tue Aug 08, 2006 at 08:16:25 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, to be fair (0.00 / 0)

No one else originally filed for TX23 because they figured there was no chance to win. And donations have been awful because everyone figured there was no chance to win with the original map. Even so, Rick has been working it hard. Just because you haven't paid him any attention doesn't mean things weren't happening.

Veterans from both sides of the aisle know Rick Bolanos. John Kerry knows Rick Bolanos. Bill Richardson knows Rick Bolanos. Democrats in a lot of TX23 outside Bexar know Rick Bolanos. Mary Beth Harrell knows that Rick got the Veteran Democratic Congressional candidates to stand up for her against scumbag John Carter. The Renaud Brothers know Rick Bolanos and are following him on the campaign trail for a Discovery Channel documentary in the Fall.

Nov 7 is an open primary. Either Bonilla takes 50%, or he takes on the top Democrat in December. As long as Democrats don't start backstabbing, an active campaign is more likely to get press and stir up excitement. That is good for us and bad for Bonilla.

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by: George @ Tue Aug 08, 2006 at 10:07:59 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Ciro's Consideration (0.00 / 0)

Don't forget that although the heart of the CD is and always been S.A. (BC of Populstion)there are significant other areas that vote nearly 100% Democratic, such as the border area.

At least from the press coverage and local coverage the folks were really behind Ciro evethough the district did not encompass our area. Laredo was the key for Cuellar. We have known cuellar for a while as he ahs been looking for a race that he could win including the ValVerde, Maverick, Carrizo, and Zavala county area. The political backstabbing against Ciro did not sit well. He is a popular candidate and his name is nationally recognized especially on the Web. No other possible candidate on the "List" is really known outside San Antonio.

Rene Barrientos is a local boy with a lot of charisma and financial backing if he should decide to run.

Don't forget the other parts of the district.

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by: txexspeedy @ Tue Aug 08, 2006 at 11:39:12 AM CDT

Would hate to see Castro run (0.00 / 0)

He has a bright future ahead of himself but this is a HUGE district and it would be hard to campaign in every knook and cranny and in SOuth Bexar County to pull off a win in sixty days.

Plus, if more than one Democrat files - and it appears that will happen - it will dilute things even more.

So Castro could end up with tow losses in eighteen months.  Ouch.

Better to let Bolanos fall on the knife and get his ass kicked by Bonilla then put together a winning campaign for '08.

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by: AaronSmith @ Tue Aug 08, 2006 at 11:40:11 AM CDT

Rick Balanos in Del Rio (5.00 / 1)

Man somebody has it all wrong. I was in Del Rio a couple of days ago at an event with Ciro and Bell and Balanos was there.  Apparently all the people there were already backing Balanos cause there were signs all over and this guy can really excite a crowd. He got about five standing ovations and at the end they cheered for that dude for about two minutes. Bell and Ciro couldn't light a candle after his speech. This boy has passion. I was there when Bell asked him if he would accompany him on his plane when he traveled west Texas. Bells aides were cheering the loudest. Ciro talks good but you gotta give Balanos 10 and Ciro 1 when it comes to speeches.

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by: ellargo @ Fri Aug 18, 2006 at 18:44:29 PM CDT

Agreed (0.00 / 0)

I think Rick is great. But because he gets so little attention on the blogs, many don't realize that he has been out there covering the hard part of the territory and making a real connection. With money, Rick can hit the Bexar media and easily get his name rec up there. The San Antonio candidates don't have enough time to make a connection with the 40% of the vote outside Bexar. The district is larger than most states, and in a 50/50 district like this, you need to cover 100% to have a chance at the win. As long as we keep Bonilla under 50% in November, I think national attention on the runoff puts Rick over the top in December.

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by: George @ Fri Aug 18, 2006 at 20:10:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

By the way about Balanos (0.00 / 0)

hey by the way I did a google search for Bolanos I spelled it wrong the first time. How come everybody says he ain't nationally recognized? I got 32,000 hits about him and his brothers. He is campaigning for everybody, Filner in California, Angelides in California, Murtha in Pennsyvania, Lichtman in Maryland, I gotta feeling that this guy is gonna slip in there somewhere and upset somebodys apple cart. You gotta hear him speak once you do your gonna vote for this dude.

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by: ellargo @ Fri Aug 18, 2006 at 18:50:25 PM CDT