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Whether one supports or opposes the actions of the Craddick D's last session, they chose to establish themselves as a separate group in the Texas Legislature. Calling themselves "Democrats for Reform," they laid out an agenda at the start of session. At the end of session, they claimed their agenda was a success, and that the key successes for Democrats this session were the result of the deals they had struck with Speaker Craddick. They also touted the personal victories they won for their district by supporting Craddick, and many were proud to call themselves "Craddick D's." It should be noted, though, that only a handful of those who attended the first press conference (announcing the Democrats for Reform, at the start of session) attended the second (after the challenge to Craddick at the end of May). More over, the voracity to which "their agenda" can be called a success was called into question. With the announcement that Chairman Robert Puente will retire, I thought it would be appropriate to see exactly how those "Democrats for Reform" are doing today. This is merely meant as an update -- trying to keep track of our Democrats in the Texas House. I select them out as a group not out of hostility, but because they chose to set themselves apart from the House Democratic Caucus. Update: To clarify, I designated whether or not any of the following State Representatives would "still vote for Craddick" based on their last known public position -- which I sourced as best as possible in the middle column. Any additional news that any of the Members or anyone else wish to share, please send me an e-mail or post a comment, and I will update the chart appropriately. The Craddick D's: Where We Are Today - October 22, 2007
| | Name | Latest Action, Information | Still Vote for Craddick?
| Bailey, Kevin
| Faces a primary challenger, according to the Texas Observer. | Yes | | Chavez, Norma | Voted "present, not voting" during Rep. Haggerty's roll call speech; Rep. Chavez was quoted in the Houston Chronicle saying she would support new leadership in 2009. | No | Deshotel, Joe
| Voted "against" Craddick during Rep. Haggerty's roll call speech.
| No | | Dukes, Dawnna | Though there were rumors that some in Austin were looking for a primary challenger, none have surfaced. The last known public statement was that Rep. Dukes stands by Craddick - though I'm not certain she'd vote for Craddick again.
| Yes | Dutton, Harold
| Since his lawyer is Craddick parliamentarian Terry Keel, we'll go out on a limb and say he's still supportive of the Speaker.
| Yes | | Flores, Kino | From Texas Observer blog: "Former teacher and probation officer Sandra Rodriguez has announced her intent to challenge Kino Flores." Rodriguez is endorsed by Annie’s List. Flores forcefully defended Craddick in this piece from the Edinburg Politics blog.
| Yes | | Giddings, Helen | Was one of the handful of Democrats proudly trumpeting the "Democrats for Reform" agenda at the end of session. No other public indication of her stance, and no primary news to date. | Yes | | Guillen, Ryan | No challenger, no news. Though if the budget committee is still this hard, would he want it? | Yes | | King, Tracy | No challenger; King attended the TexBlog PAC event, though.
| Maybe | | Lucio III, Eddie | Withdrew support from Craddick at end of session. | No | | McClendon, Ruth Jones | On the motion to vacate at end of session, was said to be "flip-flopping." No news, though with Rep. Puente's retirement, she is the only Craddick-supporter in San Antonio.
| Maybe | | Pena, Aaron | Facing primary challenge re-match against Eddie Saenz. Pena has praised Craddick back home, along with the special goodies that came with Craddick's support. | Yes | | Puente, Robert | Announced his retirement from the Texas House. Successor won't support Craddick.
| N/A | Rose, Patrick
| Withdrew support from Craddick, lending name for HDCC fundraiser. | No | Turner, Sylvester
| Running for Speaker against Craddick & Rep. Senfronia Thompson; opposes HISD Bond. | Maybe | | Of the 15, there are definitely 5 fewer supporters for Craddick, two "maybes" (three, if you include Rep. Turner), three Craddick D's facing primary challenges, and maybe a few more who would no longer call themselves Craddick D's. |
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