TX HD-106: Now That Halloween is Over

by: Elsbeth

Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 01:51 PM CDT

AUSTIN - As Democrats eye a rare takeover of the Texas House, Republican donors have injected a late infusion of cash - nearly $1 million - into party coffers since Monday, records show.

The Texas Republican Party got $928,177.06 in contributions over the last three days, including a whopping $275,000 from New York hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer, $100,000 from Houston homebuilder Bob Perry and $100,000 from Dallas businessman Harold Simmons.

House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, who is fighting to keep his leadership job with the support of Republican legislators, pumped $130,000 into the Texas GOP, according to last-minute "telegram" reports disclosed to the Texas Ethics Commission this week.

When combined with the donations he gave earlier this year, Craddick has given about $1.1 million since July 1 to help Republicans stay on top in Texas.

...

It wasn't immediately clear where all the late money is going. But in an indication that House seats are in play all over Texas, Grand Prairie Republican Karen Wiegman got $82,000 to buy TV ads and other campaign expenses from the party on Tuesday. She's running against Rep. Kirk England, D-Grand Prairie, who switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party and had been considered a relative shoo-in. [emphasis added.]

Wiegman's bizarre mailings have been intense for several weeks now. All of these mailings are coming from Texas Victory '08 in Austin, by the way. Not from any local address.

Even got a robocall today from a local Hispanic business owner claiming that Kirk England supports illegal "aliens." The mailings have been horror shows.

DMN Endorses Carol Kent, Kirk England, Yvonne Davis

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:18 PM CDT

Carol Kent (D) in HD-102 the challenger to incumbent Rep. Tony Goolsby...

Veteran Rep. Tony Goolsby has served 10 terms in the Texas House. Longevity doesn't equal leadership, however. Mr. Goolsby is known for constituent work and as a reliable conservative vote. But he has had 19 years to break into the ranks of leaders who could boost the fortunes of the region and future of the state. That hasn't taken place.

Ouch.

Rep. Kirk England (D) in HD-106 over his challenger Karen Wiegman.

Incumbent Kirk England gets our nod over challenger Karen Wiegman, chiefly because Mr. England has a more realistic view of school funding and the role of government. Ms. Wiegman offered either unrealistic or purely ideological ideas.

Mr. England, 47, was elected to this seat as a Republican in 2006 and is seeking re-election as a Democrat. He says he changed parties last year because the GOP leadership in Austin "had no tolerance for the values and priorities of the folks I represent."

And Rep. Yvonne Davis (D) in HD-111 over her challenger Homer Fincannon, who was barely mentioned other than owning a pest control service. Now, what other Republican did we once know that was an exterminator...

Grand Prairie and Irving Democrats to Welcome Kirk England and John Creuzot to the Party

by: Mo

Mon Oct 08, 2007 at 04:23 PM CDT

The Democrats will also welcome Judge John Creuzot and State Representative Kirk England, who both recently switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party.  "We are wanting to emphasize the momentum we established in 2006, by welcoming these office holders as new Democrats," said Harvey Jackson, president of the Grand Prairie Democrats. "The clear trend in Dallas County is toward the Democratic Party and that trend will continue in the 2008 elections."

In addition to the candidates on the agenda, other Democratic candidates are expected to attend as they often court grassroots support and gather signatures for places on the primary ballot at such events. The forum will take place on Tuesday, October 16th at the Irving Public Library Auditorium, at 801 W. Irving Blvd in Irving TX 75060. The forum starts at 7:00 PM and RSVP's can be made at http://democrat.meet... or by contacting George Chamberlain at 1-888-855-9112.

Kirk England on Who's Blue

by: Josh Berthume

Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 09:25 AM CDT

Proud of the Newest Democratic House Member

by: Matt Glazer

Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 06:30 AM CDT

Representative Kirk England's decision shows courage and commitment to his district. Time and again, Representative England has stood up against the extreme partisan Republican leadership in Austin that has continually failed our state. He's a fighter for the people who elected him to serve and I am very pleased to welcome him to the Texas Democratic Party.
-- Boyd Richie, Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party

We haven't done our due diligence in welcoming Kirk England to the Democratic Party.  We announced his arrival to our big tent party.  Glenn Smith gave an important history lesson, and Rep. Jim Dunnam welcomed Rep. England to the caucus, but we haven't yet.

It's hard not to be excited by a candidate or official that says all the right things.

"This decision was not made lightly, but I believe I can get more done on the issues we care about as a Democrat.  Of course, I have many close friends, supporters and even family members that are Republicans. But when I went to Austin, I saw firsthand the agenda of the Republican leadership, along with the strong arm tactics used in enforcing that agenda. I realized that the leadership and the special interests they represent had very little in common with the principles and ideas I value most. At the end of the day, I decided that the ability to represent my district was more important than following a party line set by folks in Austin.

"I was born and raised in Grand Prairie, and I have lived here my whole life.  My wife Marcy and I raised our two sons, Sam and Charlie, in this community, and I own a small business here.  I trust the voters in District 106, and I am confident that my friends and neighbors agree that doing what is right is more important than partisan politics.

"I am prepared to roll up my sleeves and work hard to be reelected in 2008.  I am confident that the voters in our district want a representative who will fight for public education and the Children's Health Insurance Program and who believes that the folks struggling to pay skyrocketing utility bills every month are more important than TXU's profits.  I am committed to returning to Austin to keep the promises I made to citizens of District 106."

But clearly actions speak louder than words.  Lucky for us, we can look at the 80th session and see how Rep. England acted to make Texas a better place for everyone. As the Lone Star Project points out, Rep. England will be a valuable member and asset to Democratic caucus. 

• Stood Up to Craddick: In an extraordinary display of courage, England broke with GOP freshmen and voted with centrist Democrats against Tom Craddick on the defacto "Vote of No Confidence" against the Speaker.(Source: H- 1047 Motion to Sustain the Ruling of the Chair)


• Strongly Supported Educators: Showing the courage to stand with children and educators over partisan party leaders, England voted with centrist Democrats to raise teachers salaries by $6,000 to reach the national average. (Source: H- 1157 Motion to Table Amendment #3 by Dunnam)


• Protected Our Ballot: To protect the sanctity of the ballot and senior voters in HD106, England voted with centrist Democrats to exempt elderly voters from Voter ID requirements. (Source: H- 604 Motion to Table Dunnam Amendment to B Brown Amendment #1)


• Acted to Stop Child Abuse: Breaking with Republicans who refused to aggressively investigate child sexual abuse at Texas youth facilities, England voted with centrist Democrats for a special prosecutor to investigate the TYC. (Source: H- 147 Motion to Table Amendment by Dunnam)


• Fought for Clean Air: Taking action to improve air quality and promote energy conservation, England voted with centrist Democrats to provide taxpayer-funded incentives to build clean energy projects. (Source: H- 706 Motion to Table Amendment #2 by Vaught)

Kirk England is going to be a fantastic representative for HD-106 and for the rest of Texas.  His courage to stand against Craddick and his top lieutenants (Chisum, Brown, Howard, etc.) shows his commitment for a better Texas.  We aren't the only ones happy to see him join our party, for that, you will have to read below the fold.

The 106th today

by: Mo

Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 01:36 PM CDT

I am president of the Grand Prairie Democrats. I've been talking with lots of our local Democrats in the 106th legislative district about the news of Kirk England switching to the Democratic party. If Katy Hubener decides to run again, I expect Kirk England will have a tough primary race. I have heard that Matt Angle (AKA "Lone Star Project") is backing Kirk England. I think Angle is one of those "consultants" who thought it was a good idea to run Christopher Combest for the 106th; a man with a hate crime in his past - not to mention that he had never lived in the district and still does not. See PDiddie's comment, "I'm happy about the switch" on the following BOR thread for another opinion of Angle. http://burntorangere...
At least he is supporting a better candidate this time, but I'm still not going to salute right away. Needless to say he neither lives in this district, nor does he seem to make any effort to actually consult with the Democratic club here when he comes up with these brilliant ideas. Maybe he should come visit us some time. I still have yet to meet him. :)

Some on Burnt Orange report have asked who will the Republicans run . . . I think a good guess would be a man named Edward Smith, Jr. If so, I have no doubt that he will get trounced in the general election by either Katy or Kirk, no matter how much money he wastes getting his ass whipped. I already have the first three campaign ads in mind that will sink him like a lead boat full of gold. The rest of you can google him if you want to figure out why, and he's the GOP's best hope.  Any more credible GOP candidate they could imagine putting up are already very good friends of Charles England's.  If they run as republican for anything it won't be the 106th. Mark my words, you heard it first here, on the Burnt Orange Report.

As for Kirk England's switch of parties, I'm very pleased with the news, in that it means we have another Democratic seat, whether or not Katy takes it from him. I do not doubt his genuine dislike for the Craddick regime; I also do not doubt that whomever the GOP runs will be a Craddick loyalist. For all these reasons, Kirk has effectively handed the Democrats this seat whether or not he will be that Democrat. I am deeply grateful to him for that, but that is not enough to necessarily get my vote, and I also know it was probably a no-brainer that he had to do this to politically survive. In the last election he became the first Republican in over 14 years to win the 106th with less than a majority.

Despite all the recent public bootlicking I've seen on BOR, I have yet to endorse anyone in the 106th race at this time. Of course it won't be a Republican. For one thing, on my only issue this last season, Kirk facilitated the voter suppression bills. On both of these bills I called, and emailed his office to ask him to oppose them. Secondly in his press conference, he stated that switching parties is not going to change the way he votes in the Legislature. I take him at his word, and so even if Kirk doesn't get a primary opponent, he still has a lot of convincing to do to get my vote in the general election. I expect there will be a Libertarian candidate, and perhaps I'll ask him/her how they would vote on those voter suppression issues.

See my other relevant comments on BOR:
http://burntorangere...
http://burntorangere...
http://burntorangere...
http://burntorangere...

Kudos to our House Democratic Leaders

by: Matt Glazer

Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:00 PM CDT

In 2003, after Tom DeLay's illegally laundered TRMPAC money financed the Republican takeover of the Texas House and the ascension of Tom Craddick to the absolute pinnacle of power, Democrats were bruised, battered, and paralyzed by a 13-seat deficit in the Texas House.  The partisan make-up of the house was 62-D and 88-R.  For those who were around, it was an accomplishment for the D's to hold 40 votes on anything. 

After the courageous and historic party switch of Kirk England this week, House Democrats have shrunk that deficit from 13 to a mere 5 seats.  No one deserves more credit for these significant accomplishments than the Leader of the House Democratic Caucus, Jim Dunnam. 

When the Caucus was at the lowest point in its history, Representative Dunnam stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge.  No one, friend or foe, can argue with his results. 

After pulling of the impossible (Ardmore), Reps. Dunnam, Gallego, and Coleman formed the House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC).  During the 2004 elections, House Democrats netted 1 seat in the House by knocking off Craddick's Chair of House Appropriations, Talmadge Heflin.  In 2006, House Democrats had unprecedented success by picking up 6 seats; 5 on election-day and 1 during a special election to fill Todd Baxter's old seat. 

This past week, after months of persistent and skillful negotiations, Mr. Dunnam and other House Democrats pulled off the impossible by convincing a Republican State Rep. (Kirk England) to switch parties and run as a Democrat. 

After years of hard work by many folks, we are now only 6 seats away from electing a Democratic Speaker and moving Texas forward.  Every step of the way, no one has shown more skill or courage in taking on Tom Craddick and his corrupt right-wing cronies than our fearless House Democratic leaders; Dunnam, Gallego, Coleman, Hochberg, Thompson, and the other good Democrats in the Texas House.

Since Rep. Dunnam chooses not to dance in the end zone, we thought we'd do it for him.  Thanks for all that you've done for Democrats in Texas, and go win us 6 more seats next November!

Rep. Jim Dunnam Welcomes Kirk England to Democratic Caucus

by: Matt Glazer

Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 10:10 AM CDT

Dear Colleague,

As I'm sure you know by now, we are honored to have a new addition to the House Democratic Caucus -Representative Kirk England.  What is so impressive about Kirk's decision is his plainly stated rationale, which is that as a member of our ranks he will have the freedom to represent his district as he believes best.  I know you will join me in welcoming him as our newest Democratic colleague and doing whatever it takes to support him in his re-election effort.

As our newest Democratic House member, I am confident that Kirk will continue to be a strong voice for his district, and that is the only thing we have ever asked of any Democratic member.  Like you, I watched as Kirk would vote time and time again how he thought best for his district, and then have to resist the strong arm tactics of the Republican leadership.  Unlike so many others, Kirk stood his ground against that pressure.  Kirk demonstrated that his principals and commitment to his constituents is more important than partisan politics.

The truth is, Kirk could have likely won re-election as either a Republican or a Democrat, primarily because of just who he is.  That fact makes his decision clearly one of principal and conscience - something we always welcome into our family.

With 70 members now in our delegation, I am confident that we will continue to effectively work together to improve the future of Texas.

You can trust that Kirk will be deluged with phone calls over the next several days, and I would encourage you to call him next week and share your personal feelings and offer your personal support.

Sincerely,

Jim Dunnam

Welcome to the Future

by: Glenn Smith

Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 06:59 PM CDT

Also, Katy Hubener and the unified Democratic in the Dallas-Fort Worth area deserve credit, great credit, for opening the door to this harbinger of the history-shaping forces at work in Texas. Thanks, Katy, and thanks to all those who have helped turn around the DFW area.

When the GOP began its takeover bid in Texas, it started by recruiting moderate Democrats to switch parties. This began around 1984. Their argument was spurious at the time -- that the Democratic Party had moved too far to the left. That was always more spin that fact, but nonetheless, the migration of Democratic state representatives to the Republican Party was, sad to say, history shaping.

Now history is on the other foot, so to speak. The GOP HAS become a party of extremists, turning their backs on Texans from all walks of life. Middle class families forced to borrow huge sums of money to pay public college tuition, loans that turned out to be little more than kickback schemes. Hundreds of thousands of children without health care, millions of Texas uninsured or underinsured. Public education long forgotten. The physical infrastucture crumbling, state parks underfunded and public land being given away to privateers.

BREAKING: Kirk England HD-106 (R) to Switch Parties

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 05:03 PM CDT

More information as this develops.

Confirmed by the Star-Telegram & Dallas Morning News:

State Rep. Kirk England of Grand Prairie is switching to the Democratic Party, the first such switch by a Texas legislator in decades.

England, the son of longtime Republican and Grand Prairie Mayor Charles England, first won the seat representing District 106 in a special election in March 2006, after the retirement of state Rep. Ray Allen. The district includes most of Grand Prairie and south Irving.

"After one session in the House, I found that the Republican leadership in Austin had no tolerance for the values and priorities of the folks I represent," England said in a statement released Wednesday. "That is why [Thursday] at 10 a.m., I will announce my intention to seek re-election to the Texas House as a Democrat."

Theresa Huchingson, a spokeswoman for England, said England would explain his decision in greater detail at the news conference.

I have no further comment at this time. Below is an official release from Rep. England.

Grand Prairie, TX // Today, State Representative Kirk England released the following statement:

"In December of 2005, when I filed to run for office, I made a promise to the hardworking families in our community to fight for our public schools, fight for affordable health care and to fight for them on pocketbook issues.  After one session in the House, I found that the Republican leadership in Austin had no tolerance for the values and priorities of the folks I represent.

"That is why tomorrow at 10 AM, I will announce my intention to seek reelection to the Texas House as a Democrat. 

"I was born and raised in Grand Prairie , and I have lived here my whole life.  My wife Marcy and I raised our two sons, Sam and Charlie, in this community and I own a small business here.  I trust the voters in District 106 and I am confident that my friends and neighbors agree that doing what is right is more important than partisan politics.

"I am prepared to roll up my sleeves and work hard to be reelected in 2008.  I am confident that the voters in our district want a representative who will fight for public education and the Children's Health Insurance Program, and who believes that the folks struggling to pay skyrocketing utility bills every month are more important than TXU's profits.  I am committed to returning to Austin to keep the promises I made to citizens of District 106."

"I look forward to discussing this important issue in greater detail tomorrow."