State Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) today announced his endorsement of Dale Henry for Texas Railroad Commissioner.
“I believe Dale to be the most progressive candidate in the race for Railroad Commissioner. Dale’s plan to put environmental protection and citizen safety at the forefront of the Commission’s agenda is something that should resonate with every Texan,” State Representative Coleman noted.
(We've been promoting candidate posts this week. Dale Henry is running for Railroad Commissioner. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
For too long, the Texas Railroad Commission has put big oil and gas companies' interests ahead of those of the people of Texas. That must change.
It's time to start putting Texans first. That's why I'm running for Texas Railroad Commission. On Tuesday morning, I held a press conference at Texas Democratic Party Headquarters to announce my candidacy for the Railroad Commission.
Safety and environmental protection will be my top prorities as your next Railroad Commissioner. The Texas Railroad Commission has abdicated its responsibility as a regulatory body dedicated to protecting the interest of Texans like you and me. From dangerous underground gas couplings which have resulted in explosions and deaths in North Texas to salt water injection wells that are polluting our underground water supply, the Railroad Commission has shown a complete and utter disregard for the well-being of the people of Texas.
As some of these candidates file or follow through (or not) with their stated intentions to run for Railroad Commission, here's a quick post pointing out where to find more information on the Democratic candidates seeking the nomination. There are 3 members of the commission, all Republican, and this year's incumbent is Michael Williams who will likely be the Republican nominee.
Note: We are aware that there may yet be other candidates that enter the race. There are rumors of a candidate concerned about global warming who may be willing to self-finance but those rumors are not the freshest and there are only 2 weeks left in the filing period.
Dale Henry
Today, December 18th, Dale Henry filed to official run for Railroad Commissioner while launching his new campaign website listed below. He was the Democratic nominee in 2006 against Elizabeth Ames Jones where he received 41.7%. In 2004, he ran in the Republican primary against incumbent Victor Carrillo receiving 14%. He will have the distinction of being the only candidate to have faced all 3 Republican Railroad Commissioners. He also has more than four decades of hands-on experience in the oil and gas industry. You can watch his speech at the 2006 TDP state convention here.
Art Hall, who has announced his intention to run for this office for some time as well, is a recently term-limited out African-American City Council member from San Antonio, representing District 8. He won the Republican leaning seat in 2003 by 50 votes in a runoff after placing second in the first round (also by 50 votes coincidentally). In 2001, he had run for Mayor of San Antonio, garnering 8.8% to place 3rd in a field of 11 candidates (when Ed Garza was elected). Hall is an attorney and investment banker and currently serves as Vice President of Popular Securities, the investment banking subsidiary of Banco Popular. He is also a partner in two private equity funds totaling $6.5 million, farming 30,000 acres of corn, soybean, and cotton in Brazil (Bahia), and his new venture is constructing a $50 million biodiesel plant in Brazil.
Carrillo, who is not related to Texas Rail road Commissioner Victor Carrillo, works for American Airlines as an aircraft technician. He has previously served on the Pon der Planning and Zoning Commission as a commissioner and as chairman. Along with his work with the city of Pon der, Jesus Carrillo has worked in the petroleum and utility industries, which he said offers him a unique perspective on the fuel industry.
This is my response to the Texas Observer's June 30, 2006, essay by Dave Mann, entitled "The Fight for Relevance.
Dear Editor:
In reference to your June 30 article, "The Fight for Relevance" - to call Dave Mann and The Observer "clueless" would be an understatement. The only suitable words for your smug dismissal of me and the rest of my statewide Democratic ticketmates aren't printable in public.
(This post contains a great series of photos to tell the story of the state convention for all those not there and for those who were. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
There was a large number of bloggers working the convention in many areas, not just blogging.
I crashed a few parties during the Texas Democratic Convention and took almost 150 high quality pictures including more then a few backstage shots. I authorize the use of these photo's for bloggers, candidates, and campaigns. Click the thumbnail, then download the high quality versions for best results.
This is a video record of my time at the convention.
(emphasis mine. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
I just got the news from Ruben Hernandez, the state party executive director, on the speaking schedule of the statewide candidates. Chris Bell will speak Friday night, Barbara Radnofsky will speak between 11:00 AM and 12:00 NOON on Saturday, and the rest of the statewide ticket will speak one after the other beginning at NOON. Maria Luisa Alvarado will start this part of the program at 12:00, I will speak at 12:15, and so on. Originally the plan was for the statewide candidates to speak later in the afternoon on Saturday, but they have been moved up to a better spot in the schedule.
It would have been better for all the statewide candidates to speak on Friday night to showcase the Texas Democratic Party's resolve to carry the state across the board. However, because of invitations and commitments that were already made, I think the train was probably already too far down the track several weeks ago to make that happen at this point. Under the circumstances, a program highlighting the statewide ticket at noon Saturday is a good resolution in my opinion. Most of the Convention delegates are still very much present and interested that early on Saturday.
There is no question but that this change was made because of the large amount of feedback the state party has been getting on this in the last few days. It is very encouraging to know that so many Texas Democrats want to push our statewide ticket and fight to win our state back for the people this year up and down the ballot. I am proud to be on the statewide Democratic ticket with Maria Luisa Alvarado, Hank Gilbert, Fred Head, Valinda Hathcox, Dale Henry, Judge Bill Moody, J.R. Molina, Barbara Radnofsky and Chris Bell. It is a great ticket of Fighting Democrats who stepped up to the plate from out of the grassroots with winning attitudes to take on the beast right in his belly. We're all fighters. We'll fight till hell freezes over, then fight on the ice.
David Van Os
I've added the convention schedule according to the Party as of May 31 as well. This may be somewhat updated with the information David mentioned above. -KT
Master of Ceremonies: former candidate for Texas Comptroller Marty Akins. Music by John Arthur Martinez (Nashville Stars).
Hosted by the Highland Lakes Democratic Women in conjunction with the Burnet County Democrats. Dutch plate food & drink, silent auction benefitting the HLDW PAC. Playground close by for the kiddies.
Venue: Johnson Park, Marble Falls, TX
Date: Saturday, May 27, 2006
Time: 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Email: burnetboy20@yahoo.com
For more info, or to donate to the auction, contact Guy Stuart at the email above or 512-715-9036.
