Look Who's Coming to Fundraise

by: Katherine Haenschen

Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 10:54 AM CST

As if the Texas Republicans in Congress weren't inane enough, they need to import the likes of Limbaugh and Bachmann to do their fundraising for them? Limbaugh openly hopes for the Obama administration to fail and compares Obama to Hitler. Bachmann blames Obama for the swine flu outbreak and refuses to fill out her census form because she thinks it's an ACORN plot to steal her private information. (Seriously.)

Meanwhile, McCaul's challenger, the completely-not-insane Jack McDonald, is drawing serious support to his campaign from legitimate leaders such as Dr. Albright and talking about how the people of TX-10 can gain real representation in Congress on issues such as the economy, health care, and clean energy.

Currently, John Carter has no challenger to offer the people of Bell and Williamson County actual representation in Congress. But Central Texans can unite behind Jack McDonald, and make sure that the people of Texas' 10th District send a strong Representative to work on their behalf in D.C.

Meanwhile, the voters of TX-10 need to ask themselves: "Who better represents me and my views in Congress? ...

... Rush Limbaugh and Michael McCaul? Or Jack McDonald and Madeleine Albright?"

McDonald's campaign is still in exploratory mode. You can check him out on his website, www.JackForCongress.com, and make a donation or offer to volunteer. It's going to be a good race. Best of all, a McDonald victory may mean 100% less Rush Limbaugh in our backyard. And if that's not a reason to get involved, I don't know what is.  

TX-10: Jack McDonald Raises $300,000 in 3rd Quarter, Over $800,000 on Hand

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed Oct 14, 2009 at 06:03 PM CDT

Raised in Q3:   $298,000
Raised to Date: $932,000
Cash on Hand:   $805,000

McDonald's continued broad appeal has enabled him to earn a very large percentage of his contributions from Republicans and Independents.

"I've never supported a Democrat before, but I'm very enthusiastic about Jack McDonald's candidacy," said David May, CEO of Third Coast Capital Management.  "Jack McDonald goes beyond party labels to focus on what's right for Texas. He's a strong, independent-minded leader with solid values and real-world business experience.  He's exactly the kind of fiscally-responsible representative we need in Washington."

And of course, the continued success in putting his financial house in order has the continued interest of the DCCC.

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen said   "Jack McDonald's continued fundraising success makes this district a good pick up opportunity for Democrats.  As a self-made successful businessman who has created thousands of jobs and a fiscal conservative who currently serves as vice-Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Jack has the right experience to get our economy moving again and tackle the difficult problems our country faces."    

In terms of electoral numbers, TX-10 has been included in a series of posts at Swing State Project, where they have been looking at the population and demographic changes of districts across the country since 2000. Here are some important things to note.

• TX-10 ranks as the 3rd highest district by raw population growth since 2000 in the country, adding 303,840 residents, a 47% increase in 8 years! Of the top 25 fastest growing congressional districts, 6 are in Texas. See chart.
• TX-10 ranks 3rd among the fastest growing congressional districts in the last year, adding 56,716 people between 2007-2008.
  
• TX-10 ranks as the 9th highest district by raw % point loss in White residents since 2000, going from 66.3% white to 54.7% white. In fact, Texas congressional districts claim 3 of the top 10, and 7 of the top 25 districts ordered by highest percentage point declines of white residents. See chart.

TX-10 is changing rapidly. It's gone from a 67-34 Republican district in 2000 (33pt gap) to a 54-44 Republican district in 2008 (10pt gap), largely without major spending or national focus. In a year where Democrats may lose seats elsewhere in the country, TX-10 could prove to be be one place for a pickup.

For those of you in Austin, you are invited to come out for some great music with the McDonald campaign to support the efforts to take back LBJ's old Congressional seat.

Please Join Us For A Concert At Antones
Featuring Alpha Rev

In Support of
Jack McDonald
Candidate for U.S. Congress District 10

Wednesday, October 21st
Antones
5th & Lavaca
VIP Cocktail Reception- 6:00-8:00pm
Doors Open for Concert at 8:00pm

Host Tickets- $1,000
Includes admission to the VIP cocktail reception & VIP access for 4 for the concert

VIP Tickets- $250
Includes admission to the VIP cocktail reception & VIP access for the concert

General Admission - $15.00

To purchase your tickets please visit:
http://tinyurl.com/antonesrsvp

Who is our TX-10 Candidate?

by: txdem10

Mon Aug 17, 2009 at 06:13 PM CDT

I have found a few documents that I find very surprising and require some answers.  A short ten years ago, Jack McDonald was registered as a Republican in New York City where he worked for a prominent Wall Street law firm. See the link below:

http://www.keepandshare.com/do...

Okay, so he was once registered GOP - I'd like to know why and what changed his heart and I'm sure I can accept those answers.  What deserves a little more explanation is why he was repeatedly donating to George W Bush - one big contribution coming as late as 2003. See the link below:

http://www.keepandshare.com/do...

Our last TX-10 candidate, Larry Joe Doherty recently put his support behind Jack McDonald, but is anyone asking any questions about McDonald's past political affiliations, his donations, and his positions on key progressive issues? I think it is very important that we know who he is, what he stands for, and where he is going to lead our Congressional District, if elected.  

TX-10: Larry Joe Doherty Endorses Jack McDonald for Congress

by: Phillip Martin

Mon Aug 10, 2009 at 00:28 PM CDT

From an e-mail (copy and pasted):

“I enthusiastically endorse Jack McDonald for Congress in the 10th Congressional District of Texas,” said Doherty. “I have gotten to know Jack very well over the last several months and believe that Jack is exactly what our District needs. He's a self-made man who has experienced and understands the struggles that Texas families face, a businessman who values fiscal responsibility and knows how to keep Texan workers competitive in our global economy, and an involved citizen with real-world experience who has created jobs and improved healthcare and education opportunities for Texans.  Jack is the kind of principled, responsible leader we need in Congress.  We expect him to win and Joanne and I look forward to actively supporting his campaign."

“I’m proud to have earned Larry Joe’s support and endorsement, ”said McDonald.  “As we travel throughout the District, we continue to hear from Texans of all backgrounds and political affiliations that they want in Congress independent, fiscally-responsible leaders.”

DCCC Targets Michael McCaul Launches Grassroots Offensive, "Health Care ER"

by: Matt Glazer

Thu Aug 06, 2009 at 10:29 AM CDT

"Time and again, Republicans including Representative McCaul protect a broken system of skyrocketing costs, insurance companies making health care decisions, and record-setting insurance company profits instead of working with President Obama to bring real health insurance reform for middle class families," said Jon Vogel, DCCC Executive Director. "This August we are going district-by-district to hold Republicans accountable for trying to obstruct health insurance reform through their scare tactics and just-say-no protection of big insurance companies at the expense of affordable health care."

Unlike the chaos and shouting matches the Republican Party is building, the Democratic Party is organizing a series of educational meetings and reaching out to inform people about the true impact insurance reform will have on them.

According the the DCCC the outreach activities going on in Mike McCaul's district may include:

• Radio ads in eight (8) Republican Members' districts
• Volunteer live calls, automated calls to 25 targeted Republican Members
• Volunteer live calls to talk radio stations in targeted Republican Members' districts
• Three (3) million e-mails
• Letter writing drives in Republican Members' districts
• Letter to the editor drives in Republican Members' districts
• On-line petition campaigns
• Fact checking Republicans' lies about health insurance reform
• Tele-town halls in specific Republican Members' districts

An automated call has already started in Mike McCaul's district.  The message highlights McCaul's position and our current health care crisis.

This call is paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, 202-741-1350.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

I have an important message about your health care.  Insurance companies are posting record profits while health bills skyrocket.  Now they are lining up to stop health care reforms and protect profits. Congressman Michael McCaul took almost fifty thousand dollars from the insurance industry and now he's trying to block reform... like reducing costs by forcing insurance companies to compete and preventing them from denying you coverage. Call Congressman McCaul today.  Ask him to stop standing up for insurance companies and start standing up for us.

In stark contrast, the Party of No is busing in people from across the state to silence constituents and prevent a dialogue on issues. Simply, one party is working to provide solutions to real problems.  The other "just says no."

My 2006 run in TX 10

by: Ted Ankrum

Thu Jul 30, 2009 at 00:28 PM CDT

Jack McDonald recently spent a little time at my house and I gave him some of my thoughts.  I told him that TX-10 was possible to win, but it would require a candidate to do all the things I was able to do, PLUS the things a candidate with money could do.  It was hard to tell what Larry Joe did from my place in Houston, because he was largely invisible, here.  I knew I should have spent much more time in Harris County during the campaign, but I couldn't because I was raising most of the money I did raise in Travis.  Jack understands that he must concentrate his efforts in Harris for the General election.  I think that my "success" in TX-10 in 2006 has made it possible for both Larry Joe and Jack to do so well in fund raising.  In 2006, TX-10 was a "no hope" District.  That's not true, now, and it makes donors much more willing.  Both Larry Joe and Jack have been able to raise money outside the District.  I am looking forward to working closely with Jack to help him win in 2010.

The topic of the day is KBH's feint at resignation.  I think this has a very interesting possibility for TX-10, if it happens before filing in Jan.  Presume a KBH resignation.  Perry's appointment opens up the Lt. Gov. slot.  Our Attorney General files for Lt. Gov.  McCaul decides to file for Attorney General.  It's a good move for McCaul.  He has a good chance of winning.  It's a much better job.  He gets to live at home.  If this happens, there will be a big expensive Repub battle for the nomination.  It'll probably go to someone from Harris who is very, very conservative.  That candidate will not get as many votes in Travis as McCaul.  In this case, what I call the "Austin Kool-aid" might actually work.  Larry Joe fell victim to the story that a Dem could do well enough in Travis that the Repub vote in Harris could be offset.  I never believed this, and Jack says he doesn't either.  But if an ultraconservative from Harris is the Repub nominee, it might be true.  In any event, it will reduce the needed Dem vote in Harris to a more easily achievable number in an off-year.    

The Hill Marks 2 Texas House Seats a "Dark Horse Races"

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Tue Jul 07, 2009 at 06:27 PM CDT

That said, it's encouraging to see not one, but two Republican Congressional seats listed among the top 10 potential "dark horse" breakout races that are causing buzz in the Beltway. And not only that, but they are at the top of the list.

From The Hill...

1. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas)

McCaul was technically a lower-tier Democratic target in 2008, but that was really only because his opponent, former TV judge Larry Joe Doherty (D), was raising money like gangbusters. Doherty really didn't have the right profile, and he wound up losing by a pedestrian 11 points - the exact margin of the presidential tally in the district. Now, Democrats have another big-money candidate, with businessman Jack McDonald raising $300,000 in the first quarter. We'll see if he has the right profile, but the fact that he is vice chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce suggests he might. The party has already put McCaul near the top of its target list.

4. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas)

Democrats tried to mount a late charge in 2006 against National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.), and they could do it again in 2010 against current NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) only took this suburban Dallas district 53-46 in the 2008 presidential race, and the heavily Hispanic areas have grown at a faster pace than the white areas. Sessions's district is actually probably more fertile ground than McCaul's, but Democrats might not have as good a candidate. Attorney Grier Raggio (D) has an exploratory committee, but it's not clear who else might emerge.

In TX-10, Democrat Jack McDonald expressed earlier today that there is good reason to be paying attention to the 10th yet again, having raised over $634,000 to date with over half a million on hand, even while in exploratory mode and having yet to roll out campaign staff or field. While there isn't a equivalent Democratic response in TX-32 up in Dallas as of yet, the more competitive nature of the district and county coordinated campaign there provides a bit more breathing room for a top notch candidate to get settled.  

TX-10: Jack McDonald Expanding Campaign Coffers and Outreach

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 06:01 PM CDT

McDonald is looking to repeat that amazing first quarter, having stated in a meeting with activists in Austin this week that fundraising continues to be strong. The reaction from those activists at the gathering was very positive, given his responses, both in his willingness to engage on a broad cross-section of social and policy issues from a back and forth debate over health care options, choice, economic development, and positive statements on equal civil rights and a willingness to engage, work with, and support county party operations.

McDonald is still in exploratory mode, largely until business leadership issues are settled; he is chairman and CEO of Perficient, a publicly-traded company headquartered in the District that is one of the nation's top information technology consulting firms. An official campaign launch is scheduled for the coming months.  

On the Web: www.jackforcongress.com
Donate: Give online here prior to the June 30th quarter deadline.

Jack McDonald's Fundraising Prowess Gets Noticed

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 09:46 AM CDT

McDonald, who has filed an exploratory committee to take on Republican Mike McCaul, is one of ten non-incumbents with over $100,000 in the bank.

According to CQ Politics, only ten challengers (Republican and Democrats) have raised over $100,000 and only 2 have raised more than Jack McDonald.

Those two include 1 Republican: William Russell, Republican, Pennsylvania's 12th District ($403,000) taking on  Democratic Rep. John P. Murtha in a rematch of a 2008 campaign that Murtha won by 16 percentage points.  The other is  Suzan DelBene, Democrat, Washington's 8th District ($315,000). DelBene, a technology executive, is gearing up to oppose three-term Republican Rep. Dave Reichert.

McDonald barely missed the top spot for Democrats.

Jack McDonald, Democrat, Texas' 10th District ($312,000). McDonald, who also has a background as a technology executive, is waging a campaign against three-term Republican Rep. Michael McCaul that technically is still in the "exploratory" phase. But his first-quarter take makes it highly likely that he will make his bid official.

McDonald's first-quarter report shows that he put in just $1,000 of his own money and raised everything else from individual donors - many of whom gave the $4,800 maximum amount allowed under federal law, of which half can be used for a primary election and half for the general election.

Interestingly, McDonald is 33% of the entire list of Democrats on the list and 66% of those are in the top 3 spots. McDonald is showing he has an ability to raise some serious money and is making a strong case for the Texas 10th to be a targeted race for both Texans and Washington D.C. decision makers.

Update:  Something from the Congressional Quarterly article to highlight:

The $315,000 figure includes $209,000 of DelBene's own money, in the form of loans and contributions.

McDonald hasn't done that.  He has raised nearly every cent.  This makes Jack McDonald the best fundraiser among Democratic challengers and the second best among all challengers.

TX-10: McCaul Says He Won't Run for Attorney General

by: David Mauro

Thu Apr 16, 2009 at 05:55 PM CDT

Despite his poor fundraising, Mike McCaul told the Austin American-Statesman's Gardner Selby that he is no longer considering leaving Congress to run for Texas Attorney General.

In January, McCaul said he would "seriously consider" running for Attorney General if the office became vacant. Though current AG Greg Abbott has not annoucned his intentions, he is widely expected to run for either Lt. Governor or U.S. Senator.

After McCaul's presumed Democratic opponent Jack McDonald posted very impressive fundraising numbres, some (including myself) speculated that McDonald's strong reportmight push McCaul towards running for Attorney General.

While he could always change his mind, that doesn't seem to be the case. As Matt reported today, McCaul only has about $62,000 on hand with over $500,000 in debt. However, the business relationships of his father-in-law, Clear Channel founder Lowry Mays, could make it very easy for McCaul to raise a large amount of money in a short time.

Two candidates, former solicitor general Ted Cruz, a Republican, and former U.S. Senate nominee Barbara Radnofsky, a Democrat, have filed papers to run for Attorney General next year.