2010 TDP Resolutions Thread

by: derby378

Tue Feb 23, 2010 at 09:15 AM CST

Purposes of a resolution
1.  To memorialize someone recently deceased.
2.  To congratulate a person or group.
3.  To amend the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP).
4.  To amend the TDP Platform.
5.  To urge Democratic elected officials, especially in the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress, to advocate certain positions on policy issues.  As the delegates assembled at the state convention are the highest authority within the TDP, such resolutions should carry weight with elected officials as the consensus of the grassroots of the party.

Texas write in Candidates needed

by: benawu

Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 05:40 AM CST

As you may already be aware there are a number of uncontested Republican Congresscritters.

And that sucks - big time.

Below the fold to see exactly what you (if you live in Texas) can do about it.

(Cross posted here, there and everywhere)

Texas Congressional Candidate Filings

by: benawu

Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 05:07 AM CST

How are the parties going vis-a-vis recruiting candidates to run in all 32 House Districts?

Below the fold for all the details and hey go check out the 2010 Race Tracker Wiki over at Open Congress for all your House, Senate and Gubernatorial needs.

(Cross posted at Swing State Project, Daily Kos, MyDD and Open Left)

Ronnie Earle Files for Lt. Governor

by: David Mauro

Sat Dec 19, 2009 at 04:18 PM CST

Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle filed to be a Democatic candidate for Lieutenant Governor on Friday. Earle had previously said he was considering running for Governor or Attorney General.

Earle becomes the first Democrat to file for Lt. Gov. Phillip wrote recently that former ALF-CIO executive vice-president Linda Chavez-Thompson of San Antonio was planning on running for Lt. Gov. Austin deli owner Marc Katz announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination earlier this year but has yet to file. 

It is unclear at this point how Earle's decision may affect the plans of Chavez-Thompson. If she does decide to run, the long time union leader with a compelling life story should not be underestimated.

The dynamics of a potential primary can be put on hold for now, however. At this point, Ronnie Earle, a well-respected prosecutor with a record spanning over three decades, is the only current Democratic candidate who has filed to take on incumbent David Dewhurst.

Loretta Haldenwang files for State House District 105

by: R. Kirk McPike

Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 11:42 AM CST

Topping her priorities are incentives to attract more math and science teachers to the classroom, tackling local transportation issues, and freeing up more money for middle class families by taking on rising utility rates, the highest homeowner's insurance rates in the country, and the skyrocketing cost of college education.

Haldenwang, a partner in a Dallas venture capital firm and former outreach director of the Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will be challenging incumbent Republican Linda Harper Brown, who escaped defeat in 2008 by a mere 18 votes.

Loretta's focus on economic issues and her commitment to bringing regular people into the process has won her the support of Dallas County elected officials such as District Attorney Craig Watkins, statewide organizations including Annie's List, and many local leaders including Hon. Pauline Medrano and House District 105 precinct chairs including Joe Ramirez, Mary Richarte and Shirley Layton.

Since beginning her campaign, Loretta has held four town halls across Irving, and her volunteer block walk program has met with voters at over 1,100 doors. During these encounters, Irving voters have said that they're ready for change, and for representation that will put the needs of Texas families back on the agenda in Austin.

"Since last August I've been conducting a listening tour across our community. Irving families are fed up with Austin politicians that put special interests ahead of middle class families," Loretta noted.

Prior to her career in business, Haldenwang served as a District Director for Democratic State Representative Joaquin Castro, a position that gave her an in-depth knowledge of the legislative process.  

"I saw first-hand what happens when the lobbyists run the show.  We can make a difference if we bring the voices of North Texas families to the table," Haldenwang said.

House District 105 is a critical race for Democrats seeking a majority in the Texas House in 2011. Linda Harper Brown's right wing voting record has put her at odds of the needs and desires of her constituents, creating an opportunity for a strong, progressive candidate to change this district from red to blue.

To get involved with the Loretta Haldenwang campaign, folks can visit her website at www.VoteLoretta.com, join her Facebook group or follow her campaign on Twitter @VoteLoretta.

Carole Strayhorn Continues to Consider Run for Comptroller as Democrat

by: David Mauro

Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 11:18 PM CST

What may have seen impossible in the immediate wake of her third-place finish in this spring's Austin Mayor race, may actually end up happening. The Statesman's Jason Embry has reported that Carole Strayhorn has had discussions with Texas Democratic Party Chair Boyd Richie about seeking the party's nomination for comptroller.

Strayhorn, who has run for office as a Democrat, Republican, and Independent, has served as Mayor of Austin, railroad commissioner, and, before incumbent Susan Combs took office in 2007, comptroller. 

The Statesman's Gardner Selby had previously reported that Strayhorn had contacted Houston Mayor Bill White, the leading Democratic candidate for governor, about her possible candidacy for comptroller.

TDP communications director Kirsten Gray told Embry the following:

“We will rely on our voters to consider each candidate’s record and decide if they have the Democratic credentials they want in a nominee. Our role is to run a fair primary.”

While former Congressman Nick Lampson said he was considering running and State Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) briefly thought about entering the race, no Democrat has decided to challenge Combs yet.

If Strayhorn decides to run, she will have a lot of explaining to do for her Republican past and, given the frequency of her attempts at electoral office, she will have to also prove that she truly wants to be comptroller. Despite her negatives, she has won at least four or five statewide elections, and certainly has higher name ID than probably any other potential rival to Combs, whose campaign has $4 million on hand.

Amy Clark Meachum Campaign Fundraiser & Children's Book Drive

by: Amy Clark Meachum

Sun Dec 13, 2009 at 07:41 PM CST

Alicia Perez May Challenge Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe

by: David Mauro

Mon Nov 30, 2009 at 10:51 PM CST

Alicia Perez, the former the former exeuctive manager of Travis County administrative operations, has recently begun building support for a Democratic primary challenge to incumbent Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe.

For those who have followed Perez's firing and subsequent battle with the Commissioners Court over a settlement, this development is not much of surprise. When Perez offered to settle with the county for a highly unreasonable $565,880, Biscoe told the Statesman that Perez had "declared war."

If Perez does decide to enter the race, she may find it difficult to prove to voters that her candidacy is about something more than personal revenge against Sam Biscoe and the rest of the Commissioners Court. I am not an expert on the events surrounding her firing, but its aftermath has been a huge waste of county time and resources. Some have said that Perez has also recruited candidates to run against the incumbent Democratic commissioners who had voted to fire her.

With the filing deadline looming in January, Perez will have to make her decision soon. If she does enter the race, she will face a clear uphill battle against Biscoe, a three-term incumbent who is widely respected and has strong Democratic credentials. But the entry of Perez, and everything that would likely come with it, would certainly make the race interesting.

Update: The Statesman spoke with Perez in response to this post and she stated she would not be running. 

“I’m not saying that I would never do it,” Perez said of running for the county judge seat. But, “I’m trying to put (the firing) behind me.”

Whether Perez will ultimately decide to run herself, or instead focus on supporting the candidates she has recruited to run against incumbent county commissioners, she could have an input on next year's primaries in Travis County.

Make History With Me

by: hank g.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 01:25 AM CST

In front of a packed house at a meeting of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, I outlined my plan to repeal the Texas Defense of Marriage Act and all statutory and constitutional barriers to equality for LGBT citizens, as well as ending discrimination in hiring and employment, public accommodations and real estate transactions, insurance, and more.

After The Advocate took note of this policy release, a Texas reader in their comment section said he though, with a policy like that, I don't stand "a snowball's chance in hell," of winning this election because of the reputation Texas has under Rick Perry.

But you and I know different.

TX-Gov: Haley Barbour Endorses Rick Perry

by: David Mauro

Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 09:57 PM CDT

Just a day after Dick Cheney endorsed Kay Bailey Hutchison, her opponent Rick Perry answered with the endorsement of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the chair of the Republican Governors' Association. Barbour was in Texas earlier today, appearing in Fredericksburg and Dallas, to announce the endorsement, according to the Statesman.

When Hutchison's campaign announced the Cheney endorsement, Perry's camp shot back with an attack on Hutchison's time in Washington.

“It’s not surprising, since they both worked in Washington for so long. Washington insiders stick together," said Perry spokesman Mark Miner.

Haley Barbour has been a Washington insider for over two decades. One of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington in the 1990s, Barbour served as chair of the Republican National Committee from 1993 to 1997.

When Perry was by the Statesman asked whether he would rather having Cheney or Sarah Palin endorsing him, Perry, who is expected to campaign alongside Palin in January, answered as you might expected: "I think I'd stick with Sarah." Whether a parade of unaccomplished conservative govenors (sound familiar?) will help convince Texans to stick with Perry for a third term remains to be seen.