The Texas Democratic Party doesn't stand for anything. To win, our candidates must offer a compelling vision of change.
It is not enough to have an excellent field staff, to have a good media campaign, to have a great yard sign campaign, to have attractive/experienced/qualified candidates. It is also necessary to make a strong case for change.
Senate District 17 still needs our help; the Texas Senate needs one more Democrat. Kyle Janek vacated his seat before his term expired to anoint Republican Austen Furse. Because of Republican infighting, Furse lost and only received 10% of the vote. The winner on the Republican side was uber-conservative Joan Huffman, who squeaked in to a runoff with only 26.13% of the vote.
Simmons did what she was supposed to do: she forced a runoff. Simmons received 13.8% of the total vote in the high turnout election, and pushed it to a low turnout runoff. To add insult to injury, if you combine this percentage with Chris Bell's numbers, the Democratic Party received 52.2% of the total vote.
Because Edwards and Wilson decided to support the TLR candidate and force a runoff, taxpayers will be required to spend more money on another election during an economic downturn. On the other hand, Democrats need to step and help Congressman Bell overcome these political games by donating today.
Democrats can be cautiously optimistic going into the run-off. Bell was the top vote getter in every county except Brazoria. In Brazoria, the Republican runoff candidate Joan Huffman won with only 2,101 votes. On the other hand, Bell was the top getter in Democrat friendly Jefferson County with 6,335 votes (which is 3,433 more than Stephanie Simmons received).
The other high note is Bell's resounding victory in Harris County. Bell won 37.6% of the vote in Harris and the Democratic Party received 52.8% of the vote. Harris County also represents 36.4% of the total vote.
While the numbers favor Bell, the district is drawn to be Republican. While Democrats have done well in special elections recently, they are harder to win and money and a good ground game mean more.
Chris Bell can win, but what Dan Barrett and Donna Howard have proven is it takes statewide focus for us to win in a special election.
Kirk Watson wrote today:
Many of you have already given generously of your time and resources during this election cycle, and I wouldn't be asking you again if the stakes for Democrats weren't so high.
With the election of Wendy Davis on November 4th, Democrats will hold 12 of 31 seats in the State Senate. With Chris as our lucky number 13, Senate Democrats will be able to make a real difference for Texas families by fighting for high-quality public schools, affordable utility rates, and accessible health insurance.
Having 12 Democrats in the Senate makes a difference. Having 13 means more. 13 can be our lucky number in the Senate. Having Chris Bell and Wendy Davis in the Senate requires a bipartisan approach to legislating.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform gave Simmons $201,745 just to force a runoff. Ron Wilson gave her another $30,000 and loaned her $7,000 more.
This has to be a people powered campaign. Help Chris today by donating your time or money.
Congressman Chris Bell has a new ad, "Award". The name of the ad comes from the Political Courage Award that the Harris County Republican Party gave Chris Bell in 2001 for helping to pass Houston's first property tax rate cut.
Bell was one of two Democrats who voted with the 8-7 City Council majority to reduce the city's property tax rate from 66.5 cents per $100 valuation to 65.5 cents.
In addition, Austin State Senator Kirk Watson has had some great things to say about Bell.
Why all the push for Congressman Bell? First the campaign has been crowded by a bunch of ambitious Republicans. Second, one of Bells opponents hasn't gotten the support they need in the district, so they loaned themselves $750,000. Third, Republicans have shown time and time and time again, they are willing to play dirty.
A push poll is going out to voters in Senate District 17 trying to smear Chris Bell's bipartisan record.
The push poll is attacking Bell on issues like immigration, same-sex partnerships, and pregnancy prevention. Seems like the usual wedge issues.
You can do something about it. You can join President Bill Clinton by helping Congressman Bell?
He is having an event tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel (98 San Jacinto Boulevard) in Stone's Crossing Room.
Sen. Kirk Watson has made another generous contribution to the TCDP Coordinated Campaign to launch a student fellowship program this fall. The student fellows will help elect Democrats from the White House to the Courthouse, and we'd like to thank Sen. Watson for his commitment to recruiting and training the next generation of Democratic leaders.
Each student will work 10 to 15 hours a week from Labor Day to Election Day and will make an impact at the precinct level. They will organize volunteers, recruit precinct leaders, knock on doors, make calls, learn from seasoned campaigners, and be an integral part of electing fantastic candidates like Karen Huber, Jim Coronado, Woodie Jones, Valinda Bolton, and many, many more.
If you or someone you know would like to participate in the program, then please sign up. The most exciting part is each Watson Fellow will earn a stipend as a reward for their hard work!
(Some of you may have missed this last week amidst all the convention hoopla, but it's a great program. I just gave $20.08 to my preferred candidate -- join with me in taking Kirk's money and giving it to our House candidates! :) - promoted by Phillip Martin)
The race for the Texas House is arguably the most important election at the state level this year. However, most of us live in legislative districts where one incumbent or political party has a decisive advantage, and many feel removed from this important choice.
We ran into Sen. Watson this morning at the delegation breakfast and asked us to talk about this project.
This is one of the many reasons why a bigger bench helps all of Texas. Sen. Watson has been through out the state of Texas and now Denver spreading the gospel of how purple Texas is. Projects like this, prove the point. We are five seats away from winning the House, and every donation and every person makes a difference.
(See y'all there tonight and don't forget to take part of the Watson match! - promoted by Matt Glazer)
The Travis County Democratic Party invites you to join your fellow activists as we open our new campaign headquarters for the 2008 TCDP Coordinated Campaign.
We've secured the biggest campaign office in Travis County history, so come by and check it out!
The Texas Democratic Party has put a lot of video content on their YouTube channel which we'll be posting through today as we reflect on the state convention. Consider subscribing to it.
Austin State Senator Kirk Watson opens up the convention.
The Travis County Coordinated Campaign is starting earlier than ever before and Sen. Kirk Watson is doing what he can to help raise money for this historic campaign. This e-mail went out when the Texas Democratic Party Convention started, and now we are asking you to double your donations by giving to the TCDP!
Fellow Texans,
It's an exciting year to be a Texas Democrat!
Voter turnout in Travis County nearly tripled in our historic 2008 primary election, and over 10,000 activists attended our county convention. That's wonderful. No matter which nominee you support for President, I hope you're excited about this historic opportunity to turn Texas blue.
We need to keep this momentum going into the general election.
To prove how optimistic I am, I'm challenging my fellow Texans to step up to the plate and donate to turn Travis County 100% blue. Instead of contributing your money in a way where it could end up going to Ohio or Florida, I encourage you to invest in your backyard and support the TCDP. The Democratic Party's coordinated campaign is starting earlier than ever before, and we need to help them hit the ground running by donating today.
Talk is cheap. If you donate to the Travis County Democratic Party, then my campaign will match your donation dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000. No donation is too small, so please make a difference today. The deadline is June 19, and I encourage you to give early and often. With some hard work and a little luck, we can make Travis Couny a darker shade of blue. By increasing overall Democratic turnout, we can help Rick Noriega defeat John Cornyn and also help take back the White House for the Democrats in 2008. In addition, we'll be building the party infrastructure for statewide victory in 2010 and 2012.
Thank you for your continued support. It's been an honor to serve you in the Texas Senate, and I look forward to working with you in 2008 and beyond as we fight for change and a better tomorrow.
Best regards,
Senator Kirk Watson
P.S. Raise money simply by texting us! Another great way to help raise an additional $5 is to sign-up for our text-message alerts. Join by texting 'TCDP' to '41411' from your cell phone, and Sen. Watson will donate additional funds to the TCDP. How easy is that?
Oil hit $130 a barrel for the first time yesterday, experts say oil could hit $200 a barrel by 2010. That means YOUR gas prices will be even higher in the weeks and months to come. Some experts say gas prices will hit $8.00 a gallon as we look ahead.
These skyrocketing gas prices equal even more bad news for YOUR FAMILY and Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kirk Watson's freeway tolls, which futures are financially fused together. But Perry and Watson could care less.
The San Antonio Express came out with an article last year that tells why high gas-prices negatively effect the prospects of more toll roads. The feasibility of all toll roads are based on traffic and revenue projections, which are tied to gas prices.
The Traffic and Revenue projections for SH 130 toll road is based on the assumption that motor fuel will remain in "adequate supply and motor fuel prices will not exceed $2.50 per gallon".
130 toll failed to meet it's 1st year projection by over $11 million dollars reported the Statesman. Who do you think pays for a failed toll road? Look in the mirror. Who do you think still makes a profit? Yup, the banks that floated the BILLIONS of debt.
Many folks are having a hard time affording $4.00 a gallon, and less folks will be able to afford $8 a gallon. It is time to sell your SUV, and move closer to your work.
Just a couple of months ago the Energy Watch Group put out a report that states that the worlds oil supply peaked in 2006, and production will start to decline at a rate of several percent per year. That means gas prices will only rise, and in the months ahead, you'll be thinking of the good old days when gas only cost $4.00 a gallon.
Hell, when the real shit comes down in the years ahead, Gov. Perry and Sen. Watson will be out of office, sitting on an island somewhere enjoying time with their family and the the security of tons of money in the bank.
TDP Chair Boyd Richie has recommended state Sens. Kirk Watson and Leticia Van de Putte to chair the State Democratic Convention in June.
From the press release:
"It's a privilege to recommend two outstanding individuals, Kirk Watson and Leticia Van de Putte, to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair at the Texas Democratic State Convention," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie. "I'm confident both Senators Watson and Van de Putte will serve in these important roles with the character, quality and fairness they have exhibited throughout their careers as we work to leave the State Convention as a united party moving toward victory in November."
I think Chairman Richie has made two excellent choices. He also wisely selected one Obama supporter (Watson) and one Clinton supporter (Van de Putte).
"I'd be honored to serve as Chair of a Convention that will kick off a promising general election campaign for Texas Democrats, a campaign that can restore responsibile leadership in Austin and Washington."
- Senator Kirk Watson
"I'm thrilled by the unprecedented turnout in our Democratic Primary and convention process, and I'm looking forward to a convention and fall campaign that can change the face of politics in our state and our country."
- Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Richie's recommendation will now to go the SDEC for approval.
