More encouraging news today for other TexBlog PAC endorsed candidates. This time, from El Paso where Democrat Joe Moody is looking to take over an open Republican seat.
Via Press Release...
Hot off the heels of TX ParentPAC's endorsement, Joe Moody has announced the support of even more pro-public education groups. The Texas State Teacher's Association (TSTA), Texas Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT), and the Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA) all support Joe Moody in his campaign to become the next State Representative of House District 78. To date, zero pro-public education groups have endorsed Dee Margo.
I hear good things about the El Paso coordinated "Unity" campaign this year. While there have been problems with infighting in the past in El Paso, word is that truces have been made and everyone is playing ball as they work towards turning out a record 200,000 voters there. Which of course is great news for Joe Moody and Rick Noriega.
Democrat Joe Moody is one of five endorsed candidates for TexBlog PAC. In terms of re-elect numbers, Moody is running in the district with the best numbers for Democrats (Democrats, on average, are only a few points behind Republicans in HD-78). Additionally, this is a district where his father, Bill Moody, received 59% support in his Supreme Court race. That should make the race one of the easiest pick-ups for Democrats.
Unfortunately, Moody is behind in fundraising totals to date, and the recent news about his controversial remarks on the internet are not the stuff that dream campaigns are made of.
The race is Moody's to lose -- Margo is really just another Craddick crony who will offer nothing but a "yes" vote for Tom Craddick to his district, along with the pork-barrel profits that would come with it. How Moody performs on the ground in the next few weeks will give us a better sense if he delivers in an important seat for Texas Democrats.
Here are some other links that previous coverage of the race on Burnt Orange Report:
HD-78 (El Paso) is arguably the most Democratic House district in Texas still represented by a Republican. And Joe Moody, a young assistant district attorney with a popular political family name, is poised to turn El Paso County's legislative delegation completely blue.
Joe will be in Austin for a fund-raiser Thursday at 5 PM at the Austin Club (110 E. 9th St, third floor). Donations in any amount are appreciated.
The entire Democratic legislative delegations of Travis and El Paso counties have agreed to serve on Joe's honorary host committee along with six different education and teachers' organizations and many more.
Joseph Moody, Democratic candidate for House District 78, wanted to have a campaign based on issues and a dialogue on what is important to the people of El Paso. Dee Margo, the Republican candidate, would rather leave the door open for Tom Craddick, James Leininger, and the rest of the Republican special interest machine to bail him out if the campaign gets tough.
Simply, Dee Margo rejected Joseph Moody's idea of having a fair election.
"I challenged Dee Margo to a campaign in which we would cap campaign contributions. Although I am disappointed that Mr. Margo has refused to limit his contributions, I will not fight this campaign with one arm tied behind my back. In order to make sure I have the resources to communicate my positive message of change for El Paso and to respond to Mr. Margo's special-interest-fueled campaign, Margo has forced me to remove my campaign contribution caps while also redoubling my grassroots fundraising campaign.
"I offered Mr. Margo the opportunity to run this race in the same manner as we did in Democratic Primary here in El Paso and how this race would be run in 37 other states that have campaign finance limits. Unfortunately, Mr. Margo rejected that offer and instead went to Austin for a high dollar fundraiser with Speaker Tom Craddick. Of the 1.2 million dollars Margo raised since 2006 over $700,000 would have violated the federal finance limits.
"I believe El Paso and all of Texas needs real comprehensive campaign finance reform to change the way things are done, and as your representative in the Texas House I will fight to best represent the interests of all of El Paso - not just a few wealthy donors."
Joe Moody is a great candidate and his victory in El Paso is key for us to win back the Texas House.
I've been of the opinion that El Paso State Rep, Pat Haggerty, would be one of the most palatable party switches to the side of good. It's looking more and more like Tom Craddick is setting things up to see if it might come to pass.
In this instance, I'm actually going to agree with the bulk of Burka's take. If it's Haggerty v Margo in a GOP primary, I'm not sure what Haggerty tells the natives that makes them happy with him. And that's not even factoring in the money it'll take to combat the onslaught that Margo would bring. Exactly how do you get that message heard - whatever it is - above the din of those proverbial Louisville Sluggers cracking on your kneecaps?
Likewise, if Haggerty sticks it out, all the best to Shapleigh in finding a D to put up in the General. Cuz the only way Haggerty is on the ballot in 11 months is if he's a Dem. Otherwise, it'll be Margo versus a D. Personally, I'd much prefer that D be Haggerty.
