Two Democratic state senators released statements of support this afternoon in support of Bill White seeking the gubernatorial nomination for the Democratic Party in the wake of Tom Schieffer's withdrawl from the race. It is important to note that both Sen. Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin had previously explored or expressed interest in running for Governor. Sen. Shapleigh, who has announced he is not running for re-election to the state senate, remains a plausible candidate to explore running for Lt. Governor.
Sen. Shapleigh's statement via email...
I am very excited today to endorse Bill White as the next Governor of the great state of Texas.
Under his proven, responsible leadership, our great state can finally deal with the challenges of our times: better paying jobs, great schools, affordable college, water, real access to healthcare, 21st century infrastructure and sustainable energy.
More than eight in ten Houstonians believe in his leadership. His rapid, compassionate and effective response to those hurt by Katrina put him on the national stage. His record as Mayor speaks volumes on how to deal with challenges today, and not pass them to another generation. He is a leader who will build a consensus to then build a better Texas.
Four more years under Rick Perry is simply not an option for us. Under his failed, divisive, pay to play leadership, Texas is now first in dropouts and last in citizens with health insurance. Our skies are the most polluted in America. Annual interest rates on loans from Laredo to Lampassas now top 1100%.
Worse, homeowner's insurance and electricity rates are among the highest in the US. Agency after agency is now broke-with a record deficit on the near horizon.
Perry's pay to play values have handed the keys to Texas to a legion of lobbyists and access to your wallet to one predatory lender worse than the next.
Now is the time for real leadership for Texas-and Bill White is that proven and responsible leader. God Bless Texas-and God Bless our next Governor Bill White.
Sen. Watson's statement via email...
"Texas needs a candidate for Governor that will honor previous generations and build for our future. I believe Mayor Bill White knows Texans need actions - not mere words, and certainly not the typical smoke screens. I encourage him to enter the Governor's race, and I will do all I can to support him in his effort to give Texas the new leadership and the new direction it needs."
Today, October 16, 2009 at 12:00 p.m., at Senator Eliot Shapleigh's District Office, Senator Shapleigh will host a press conference announcing that he will not seek re-election to the Texas Senate in 2010.
"In our family, public service is the highest calling. While other public service may lie ahead, I will not run for the Texas Senate in 2010. During each day of the last decade, we have endeavored to do our very best for the people of our great community and state. In public life, especially in Texas during this decade, doing what's right, not what's expedient is what matters. I am grateful to the people who elected me for the opportunity to serve."
The press conference is at noon (mountain time, 1pm CST). KVIA in El Paso is saying they'll have the story on their website (www.kvia.com) at that time -- my guess is they'll run the press conference.
No word, yet, on Senator Shapleigh's future plans. The seat is a solid Democrat seat, though -- and I'm sure in the coming days we'll hear announcements on Democrats who would like to take Sen. Shapleigh's place in the upper chamber.
More as it develops...
Update (by Michael): Brandi Grissom gives us a few pieces of news via twitter. First, these twotweets tell us that we will hear about Senator Shapleigh's plans for higher office in 2.5-3 weeks, and that the higher office may be a statewide one. As for his replacement in the Senate - the early candidates are Rep. Joe Picket, Rep. Norma Chavez, and El Paso County Attorney Jose Rodriguez.
Houston Mayor Bill White and State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh. Photo Credit: Bill White for Texas.
After leaving Netroots Nation, where Bill White spoke at a lunch with Texas and national bloggers and participated in a energy security panel, the Houston Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate was off to El Paso.
While in El Paso, White received the endorsements of Congressman Silvestre Reyes, State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, State Rep. Chente Quintanillla, State Rep. Joe Moody, State Rep. Marisa Marquez, Mayor John Cook, Commissioner Willie Gandara, Jr. and nearly half a dozen school board officials.
The only two Democratic membesr of El Paso's state legislative delegation not to have endorsed White are State Reps. Joe Pickett and Norma Chavez. Chavez has endorsed John Sharp and Pickett is currently neutral.
John Sharp speaks to El Paso Democrats. Photo Credit: Newspaper Tree, 7/21/09.
Both Democratic U.S. Senate candidates seem to be focused on El Paso. Sharp visited recently (and ate grasshopper tacos). The former Texas comptroller, who visited El Paso for a shorter time than White, held one public event organized by Chavez and city Rep. Eddie Houlgin and hosted by the Camino Real Mexican-American Democrats. The Newspaper Tree reported attendance of slightly more than 100 people.
White's trip included a Sunday night event with 250 people and a Monday event with a 150 person turnout. White's daughter, Elena is also working in El Paso for her father's campaign and she may deserve part of the credit for the large disparity in endorsements.
You can read more about each candidates's recent visit at their respective campaign websites (Bill White and John Sharp).
El Paso's Democratic Senator Eliot Shapleigh voted against SB-1, the propose budget that came out of the Senate for the next biennium. His staff sent us over this video of him covering the highlights of that decision, though I would encourage you to read his entire written statement here that goes into more depth.
San Antonio State Representative Mike Villarreal has filed a bill to prohibit individuals from contributing more than $100,000 per election cycle to state candidates, political action committees (PACs) and officeholders.
Villarreal said in his press release:
"I believe our state government would be more responsive to ordinary Texans if we limited contributions from mega-donors," explained Rep. Villarreal. "Reasonable donation limits will create more equal access in our political system."
"All that campaign cash distracts us from an honest debate on the best way to invest in education, protect our air and water, and help hard-working families succeed," noted Rep. Villarreal. "We need to make sure our leaders listen to all Texans on these critical issues."
During the 2006 election cycle, the last for which data is available, 140 donors contributed more than $100,000 to state campaigns. Those 140 donors contributed a total of $52 million, accounting for 27 percent of all donations during the election cycle.
Austin area Representative Mark Strama is a joint author of this legislation and El Paso Senator Eliot Shapleigh has filed the bill in the Senate.
Texas is one of only seven states that currently have no limits on contributions.
Texas State Senator Eliot Shapleigh is breaking new ground in political advertising in this year's Senate race. Every day, from Sunday through Thursday, the first commercial during the KTSM-TV Ch. 9's News at 10:00 in El Paso is a new ad from Senator Shapleigh that was filmed filmed that day.
The ads are on YouTube, as well. Here's Senator Shapleign explaining the project:
You can see all of the videos here. I'm going to put one another ad below -- this one shows Senator Shapleigh at a local Friday night high school football game, walking around during the UTEP game, and finishing up on the Transmountain road ("menudo is worth the fight"). It's incredible to see such terrific, innovative advertisements. Way to go, Team Shapleigh!
