Chuck Hopson Draws First GOP Primary Challenger

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 06:17 PM CST

Jacksonville dentist Michael Banks confirmed with QR this afternoon that he will seek the GOP nomination in HD 11, challenging the incumbent representative, Chuck Hopson, who announced last week that he was switching his party affiliation to Republican.

Banks said he would make a formal announcement of his candidacy Monday morning in Jacksonville. He told QR that he decided to challenge Hopson for the nomination because of the belief among many Republicans in the district that "the conservative values of our district in East Texas haven't been represented in the past."

By switching parties Hopson chose to move the challenge of getting re-elected from a general election to a primary, and with a hyper-Republican district I can understand the initial logic behind that move. Sure, Hopson won every general election by pulling lots of Republican support over to his side. But by moving the battle to the GOP primary, I think Hopson fails to understand that  A) few Democrats are going to cross over to vote for him in a Republican primary and B) the Republicans willing to vote for him in the general election are not the same Republicans that vote in the GOP primary.

Related Coverage on Burnt Orange Report

• TDP, Jim Dunnam, and 20/20 Statements on Hopson Switch
• HD 11: Quorum Report - Potential Challengers to Hopson Already Lining Up
• Texas Tribune: Texas Democratic Party on Hopson's Party Switch (Video)

HD 11: Quorum Report - Potential Challengers to Hopson Already Lining Up

by: Phillip Martin

Mon Nov 09, 2009 at 11:07 AM CST

From Quourm Report (subscription required), we learn that Republican Michael Banks is already considering running against Rep. Chuck Hopson in the Republican primary in House District 11. Via QR:

Jacksonville dentist Michael Banks this afternoon said, “After receiving considerable encouragement from the people in each of the counties in District 11, including Cherokee County Republican Chairman Josie Schoolcraft, I am considering filing in the Republican Party Primary for the Texas State House of Representatives, District 11.  I am considering my options and will be making an announcement next week.”

(Dr. Banks is a practicing dentist in Jacksonville, Texas and is a veteran of the Texas National Guard.  He has been president of the Jacksonville Rotary Club, serves on the Board of East Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville, and has been a Trustee of the Jacksonville Independent School District.  He also is a director of the Texas Wildlife Association and an active member of the Texas Conservation Alliance.

That didn't take long.

Texas Tribune: Texas Democratic Party on Hopson's Party Switch (Video)

by: Matt Glazer

Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 04:16 PM CST

If this makes you upset, frustrated, mad, or discouraged, fight back. We can win back the Texas House if we fight for it. Donate today to the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

TDP, Jim Dunnam, and 20/20 Statements on Hopson Switch

by: Phillip Martin

Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 01:48 PM CST

Just a round-up of releases so far:

First, from Chairman Boyd Richie of the Texas Democratic Party:

“While I am extremely disappointed with Chuck Hopson, I remain confident the Texas House of Representatives will have a Democratic Speaker of the House next Legislative Session. Democrats continue to make inroads across the Lone Star State and will continue to put the best interests of Texans ahead of the special interests Republicans continue to represent.

“Make no mistake… as a rural Democratic elected official who served in rural Texas, I can tell you that if, in fact, Chuck Hopson makes this announcement this afternoon, he will be joining a party that has abandoned rural Texas.

“The Republican Party is the party that has abandoned our public schools to send our tax dollars to private schools in the big cities; the Party that tried to take 600,000 acres of our farmland for toll roads while leaving our farm to market roads in disrepair.

“Perhaps more importantly, Chuck Hopson will be joining the party of the special interests – the party that has given us the highest homeowners insurance rates in the country, that has increased our health insurance premiums beyond repair, and let the special interest lobbyists rule our State Capitol.

“It takes strength and integrity to stand against the special interests – and while some members have that strength, others like Chuck Hopson, do not. In the Democratic Party, there is room for members who are conservative and progressive – the only reason anyone would leave is for crass political reasons and a refusal to stand up to special interests.”

From Jim Dunnam, House Leader and one of the three heads of the House Democratic Campaign Committee (via the Houston Chronicle):

"Chuck has assured me and a number of other Democrats of his intention to continue to vote as he has in the past, which has been with our Democratic delegation the vast majority of the time. ... As for the future, this will have only a marginal impact on House Democrats' inevitable progress toward a majority ... Our overall goals and plans for 2010 have not changed, and we will gain a majority in the House in 2010."

From Jim Dow of the 20/20 PAC:

"We learned this morning of Representative Hopson's intentions to switch political parties.  In light of that, he is no longer a member of our organization.  We are profoundly disappointed by his decision."

I know that the members of the 20/20 PAC -- the other conservative Democrats -- were furious at Hopson this morning.

Will have more on this later...

A Look at Incumbent House Democratic Fundraising

by: David Mauro

Sat Jul 18, 2009 at 01:48 PM CDT

With the recent release of campaign finance reports, it is a good time to take a look at how some of the incumbent House Democrats likely to be targeted by the Republicans faired in fundraising. 

There are many months ahead, but here is the current financial outlook for 10 incumbent House Democrats likely to face comeptitive races next year.

House District 2 

Mark Homer raised $4,699 and ended the reporting period with $5,982 on hand. His campaign spent $20,676 during that time.

House District 11

Chuck Hopson raised only $5,750 but has an impressive $66,563 on hand, with expenditures of slightly over $22,900 for the reporting period. 

House District 47

Valinda Bolton reported raising $14,800 and ended with $23,532 on hand. Two years ago at this time, Bolton had $13,704 on hand, so the two-term incumbent has almost $10k more than she did at this same point last election cycle.

House District 52

Diana Maldonado raised $18,950 and ended the reporting period with $35,817 in the bank. The Williamson County Democrat and TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate spent a little over $18,000 during that time.

House District 78 

Joe Moody of El Paso reported raising $16,950 to end the reporting period with $27,955.82 on hand. Moody, a TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate, won by just over 3200 votes in 2008.

House District 96 

Chris Turner reported raising $45,251.24 and had slightly over $102,000 on hand.  Great to see huge numbers from a TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate.

House District 101

Robert Miklos, a freshman House member from Mesquite and another TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate, raised $18,340 and has $20,656 on hand. 

House District 102 

Carol Kent, who defeated incumbent Tony Goolsby in 2008, raised $32,170 and ended the filing period with just over $51,000 on hand. 

House District 107

Although he raised only $1,157 during the reporting period and spent more than $60,000, incumbent Democrat Allen Vaught has more than $86,000 currently on hand. 

House District 133 

Kristi Thibaut, who defeated Republican incumbent Jim Murphy by 497 votes in 2008, has $45,655 on hand. At this point two years ago, as she prepared for a rematch with Murphy after losing in 2006, Thibaut only had $6,851 on hand. 

Republican Bryan Walker Wants Tom Craddick to Ignore Voters

by: Matt Glazer

Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 02:55 PM CST

Walker has challenged the election in House District 11 and the subsequent recount.  His challenge, filed with the Secretary of State today, would put the authority to seat Democrat Chuck Hopson in the hands of the Texas House.

Hopson won the election by 200 votes after the recount (more than Republican Linda Harper-Brown).

According to Vince, the last candidate to file a similar challenge was in 2005 when Talmadge Heflin  refused to accept his defeat at the hands of State Rep. Hubert Vo.

This is what happens when speakers politics and sore losers collide.

For more information, including the complaint, check out Capitol Annex.

Speaker Update: Raymond, Hopson Pledge to Pitts

by: Burnt Orange Report

Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 05:59 PM CST

In a direct and strongly worded letter delivered today, Representative Richard  Raymond (D-Laredo) informed Tom Craddick that he is withdrawing his support for a third term as Speaker due to his belief that the Craddick is unwilling to return ethical and even-handed leadership to the House.  Raymond wrote, "Having thoughtfully discussed this race with over two dozen of my Republican colleagues, I now know you would lose a secret ballot race by an overwhelming margin, and, frankly, I now expect you to lose regardless of how we cast our votes."

"We have been told that Speaker Craddick would be more open and balanced next session, but his actions clearly speak louder than his words.

Democratic Fallout from Speaker’s Race?

by: Burnt Orange Report

Fri Dec 29, 2006 at 00:04 AM CST

However, it's the most important vote that a member ever casts and sets in motion how everything else is going to play out throughout the session and beyond.

And while a Member might claim this is a discussion among 150 legislators, the weapon that's used by the candidates or their team members has everything to do with insinuations about what lobbyists and special interests will be there for them in the next election and whether you'll get a primary opponent in the next cycle.  We're already hearing the Craddick folks and the media talking about which Republican members will draw Leninger/Perry/Lobby fueled opponents if they vote for McCall but Craddick actually pulls it out.

But for the readers of this blog, the real red meat of the Speaker's race politics is what happens to the Democrats who don't stick with the Democratic Caucus on this one.

Thankfully, the Craddick Demo number is fast dwindling, but there seems to be some who'll stick with Craddick to the end.

Most are minority members who are in safe November General election districts.  If they are going to be beat, it would have to be in a primary.  The few Anglo Craddick supporters are in Republican leaning districts who think they're popular enough to win a primary challenge and will, by default, get solid Democratic support in the fall against a Republican.  (Chuck Hopson and Patrick Rose). The other two Anglo Demos on the list are in "minority majority" or high minority impact districts and are even on more precarious ground (Tracy King and Kevin Bailey).

Perhaps the one with the most to lose career-wise is Patrick Rose.  Although he's in a Republican leaning district and has to be moderate in his votes in the District,  you can smell his ambition for statewide office in the future.  To abandon the Democrats on this vote will probably be a fatal blow to his making it through a Democratic Primary for statewide office in the future.  Primaries are notoriously progressive and this kind of back stab of the Party will be remembered.

One source tells BOR that Democratic leaders and activists have already began the discussions for opponents to Robert Puente and Ruth Jones McClendon in San Antonio, Sylvester Turner and Kevin Bailey in Houston, and Norma Chavez in El Paso.

Travis County politicos are burning up the holiday Party political gossip mill. They're all talking about perhaps the most endangered of the Craddick D's: Dawnna Dukes of HD 46 in Austin.  What she gets for toading for Craddick hasn't been figured out.  It's got most Travis County Democrats scratching their heads.  Besides, Dukes has gained a reputation in recent years of being AWOL  from  representing her district.  Representing a Travis County district is almost a full time job, and Dukes is rarely seen or heard from in political circles.  Activists expect the Dems in Travis County's delegation to be not only at the Capitol, but at every neighborhood cookout and PTA meeting, and especially at Democratic events.  Dukes hasn't been seen in a while.  (And don't even bring up the anger from her French vacation that left the Democrats one vote short on a critical public education vote during the special session!)

HD 46 is what has been thought of as the traditional "African American" district in Austin.  However this isn't like the other minority districts in Texas.  African Americans aren't even a majority in the district.  In fact the district is only voting age population of  26.1% African American, 32.6 % Anglo, and 37.9% Hispanic.  The winner in a primary race here depends on progressive/liberal voters more so than the usual ethnic alliances.

Moreover, Dukes hasn't had a serious challenger in several cycles.  Her worst enemy in pure political terms is the swing in voter turnout in the district.  In 2006, the primary vote was only 2311 in the rep race.  In 2004, turnout was 9662.  The difference?  A presidential primary.  (District 46 contains a whole lot of young folks, UT students, and typical Austin slackers who turn out only for the presidential type races.) And you can bet that in 2008 with a heated prez race, the turnout in the campus and liberal precincts will soar.  And that's the problem for Dukes.  None of those "new" voters will have heard of her, and what they'll hear from a challenger will be that she's a Republican sell-out. These energized voters will vote against anything or anyone remotely "establishment" at the Lege. 

And lastly, Dukes has no organization in Austin. Like most incumbents in safe liberal districts, she's not built any campaign apparatus.  She has relied on the liberal political consultants that can influence the outcome of these races before filing day ink is dry.  Rumors on the street are that those movers and shakers are doing the most talking about finding the opponent for her if she flubs this one.  And even if they don't get out front for an opponent, none will want to take on the job of trying to sell that product.  Dukes will be on her own.

And on top of it all for Dukes, a PAC has already been filed called "Too Close To Craddick PAC" whose purpose is to support challengers to Democrats who side with the Speaker.  It's Austin based, and you can bet those behind it are looking locally before going statewide.

So watch the fallout.  For the first time in history, the votes in a Speaker's race may be cast by members only, but those Democrats who piss on their constituents might have a rude and rank awakening in 2008.

That's the Cost of Corruption.

Hopson Victorious: District 11 Real Winner

by: Cody Yocom

Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 00:32 AM CST

Here's the totals with 100% reporting:

Chuck Hopson  - 17,588
Larry Durrett - 15,900
Paul Story  -   997

Chuck was able to pick up 51% of the vote to Durrett's 46%, despite all the dirty tricks, despite the Republicans directing a funnel into District 11, and despite the ugly ads, the people knew what they had in Chuck Hopson. 

I congratulate the Hopson campaign.  They did a tremendous job in getting the vote out, reminding voters what Chuck stands for and explaining the issues that truly face District 11. 

Job well done guys.

Why Larry Durrett Shouldn't Get Your Vote

by: Cody Yocom

Mon Nov 06, 2006 at 11:13 AM CST

1. His top advisor is intricately connected to TRMPAC, having been paid for with dirty money, and helped remind his hand picked candidates that their vote for Speaker of the House goes to Tom Craddick.

2. He has voted 10 times to raise Jacksonville's taxes. 

3. While he's for taxing small business, he'd like an exemption for businesses like his own in order to not pay taxes. 

4. Speaking of taxes, Larry Durrett chose not to pay taxes on the sale of his private airplane. 

5. Larry Durrett is a liar.  He's attacked Chuck Hopson's record with distorted votes and flat out falsehoods. 

6. Larry is for selling off East Texas resources to the highest bidder without regard to our own future. 

7. Larry Durrett has accepted money from James Leininger, as well as Tom Craddick's Stars Over Texas PAC.  Wonder where his loyalties lie?

8. We don't know where Larry stands on school vouchers that would take money out of public schools after taking money from Voucher supporting James Leininger.  Chuck's position has been unwavering.

9. Larry is trying to put House District 11 up for sale, taking over $750,000 in out of district money. 

10. Larry Durrett's son, and current staffer, Kenneth is endangering your family by driving drunk on the last weekend before the election.