When we say run everywhere, we are talking about great candidates like Bill Dingus.
Bill Dingus has the courage to challenge Tom Craddick in House District 82. The dynamics of this race are clear. Dingus is running as an independent voice for Texans. Craddick is running as an entrenched politician who has received $6 million from special interests. Craddick has declared, and honestly believes, he has absolute power. He continues to contribute to the culture of corruption and actively encourages a "pay to play" game of politics.
That's why Bill Dingus' new ad -- "Pledge" -- is so important.
Tom Craddick has been bad for Texas. Unless you are a special interest lobbyist, you are not better off now than you were in 2003. The economy is in the tank. Property taxes are on the rise despite the highly touted and uniquely irresponsible school finance plan Republicans passed two years ago. Mom and pop businesses are failing left and right. College tuition and electricity bills continue to rise since deregulation. Texas is worse off because Craddick has been bought by special interests, leaving the people of Texas to pay on their own.
Bill Dingus' second ad makes the case clear:
As the spot says, "Who said bad government was cheap?"
Dingus hammers the point home with this brand new site, "Craddick Special Interest Millions". The site has one goal: to tell you which special interest groups have given what to Tom Craddick. In other words, who has paid what to play in Austin.
Since becoming Speaker of the Texas House, Tom Craddick has taken more than $6 million from special interests - lobbyists, utilities, contractors, insurance companies and more.
They paid millions to get what they want--and we get what's left.
Tom Craddick, Suzanna Hupp and the Republican Party are shameful. The Republican Party of Texas started the 2008 cycle attempting to silence the voice of the voters by asking judges to remove candidates in Midland and Fort Worth. They failed. Now Craddick has a new tactic- remove a third party option all together.
Suzanna Hupp and Tom Craddick are rightfully concerned. We have strong Democratic incumbents and challengers like TexBlog PAC endorsed Chris Turner, Diana Maldonado, Sherrie Matula, and others like Robert Miklos, Joel Redmond, Joe Moody, and many many more.
The scary thing is the blatant disregard the Republican Party has toward Texas voters. Their desire for power and control means they are trying to actively remove third party candidates from the ballot.
Today, Laylan Copelin is reporting that Craddick is meeting with Libertarian's in the Speaker's office to ask them to remove their names. This is tantamount to being called into the principal's office and being asked to go to a different school or just drop out.
Craddick and Hupp are aggressively asking Libertarians to remove their name and remove options for the voters.
The scary thing is, it has worked in at least one high profile race.
The only Libertarian candidate to drop off the ballot in Central Texas so far is Alan Hultgren, who was running against state Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, and Republican Donna Keel.
With less than three months to go, it is clear Craddick is afraid of losing his job. It is obvious we have him against the ropes, and he isn't going down with out a fight. To complete the sports metaphor, it is entirely possible Craddick lands a lucky punch and our hopes to win back the House are dashed.
Remember, this is the same Republican party that drew congressional districts that silenced tens of thousands of Hispanic and African American voters. Congressional districts ruled unconstitutional by the most conservative Supreme Court we have had in decades. This is the party that will swift boat, TRMPAC, DeLay, their way to victory.
If you aren't volunteering for your county party or for a candidate do it today. If you haven't donated to TexBlog PAC, do it today. Scare the Republican Party of Texas, make your voice heard today.
Brushing aside the Republican Party of Texas's arguments, Travis County District Judge Margaret Cooper ruled today that Bill Dingus is eligible to run for State Representative against Speaker Tom Craddick.
"It's a victory for democracy in West Texas," Dingus said. "Now that the leaders of the Republican Party have failed to knock me off the ballot, we can focus on answering a fundamental question: Which candidate will bring change to the Texas House?"
Because Dingus resigned from the council in April and his replacement will be elected in July, the two terms will not overlap, Hicks said.
"I'm ecstatic that the legal sparring is behind us and we can start talking about supporting our local public schools, making health care more accessible and affordable, getting rid of the new taxes on small businesses, and stopping the Trans-Texas Corridor," Dingus said. "It's time for practical solutions, not partisan politics."
Chairman Boyd Richie had this to add:
"Today's District Court ruling is a victory for all Texans who believe voters should not be denied the right to choose their Representatives. Throughout this process, the Texas Democratic Party has sought to make sure Mr. Dingus was eligible to run and to make certain the voters of HD 82 have a clear choice for Texas State Representative. The TDP is pleased by today's ruling and remains committed to protecting the rights of all Texas voters."
It is exciting to see a Democrat challenge Craddick and force him to spend some time and money in his own backyard.
This race typifies why we need Democrats up and down the ballot. With Dingus in the race Craddick is required to filed TEC reports, spend time and the district, and answer to the press. In addition, Dingus is a former elected and stellar candidate. This is a year for change, and maybe the stars will align perfectly and Dingus becomes the first Democrat to represent HD-82 in over three decades.
Come by, talk change, and join us in meeting one of the most courageous candidates for the Texas House.
