Ed. note: The following is one of twenty races we are featuring in the Texas Political Report. Annie's List provided research and analysis for this race.
Representative Paula Pierson is vying for her third term in the Texas House after winning tough races in 2006 and 2008. Pierson has a solid four year legislative record, including serving on the Criminal Jurisprudence and Urban Affairs Committees as well as helping to found the Alliance for Children, a resource for victims of child abuse in her district.
District 93 is situated in Tarrant Co. east of Fort Worth and includes parts of the cities of Arlington, Grand Prairie and Mansfield. HD 93 is growing and becoming more diverse, and its 145,606 residents tend to favor candidates of both parties. The district has been trending more Democratic - Obama won the district in 2008 with 53.6% of the vote - but a number of Republicans also represent parts of HD 93. In a year with a tough national climate for Democrats, Rep. Pierson could be challenged by a serious Republican threat.
Rep. Pierson will likely focus on lowering utility rates, education standards and protecting children, and the controversy involving her opponent, Barbara Nash, should prove damaging to Republican hopes and allow Rep. Pierson to focus on these real issues in her district. Nash is embroiled in a double scandal, as it’s been revealed that the nursing homes she runs have suffered numerous complaints about abuse to the elderly patients residing there, and she lied about these abuse complaints and past bankruptcies on state documents for appointment by the governor to the Trinity River Authority.
How Rep. Paula Pierson Returns Next Year
This is a swing district with a clear path to victory for Democrats. Given the damaging With such disastrous negatives against her, Nash will need some serious cash to try to change the subject and put her message in front of voters. Rep. Pierson has a strong legislative record and a long history of bipartisan service as a former member of the Arlington City Council, and with the resources and the professional team she’s assembled, she should be able to communicate that record to her constituents.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently confronted Republican Barbara Nash, the challenger to State Representative Paula Pierson, about a Lone Star Project report detailing her inability to properly document her questionable business affairs. Instead of answering direct questions by reporters Republican Nash passed the buck to her campaign consultant so he could answer for her ethics mess. In so answering, her consultant blamed Rick Perry's staff and her own family. From the Lone Star Project:
The Lone Star Project has filed an open records request with Teresa Spears, Governor Perry's Director of Appointments, and asked if in fact Barbara Nash was advised to answer the application questions only in the present tense. The letter also asks if Nash was advised to omit the fact that she has been involved in numerous bankruptcies, business failures and investigations into elder abuse at nursing homes. The Lone Star Project letter can be seen here.
I don't know about you, but don't you wish that when you filled out applications that ask about your history that you could answer in the present-tense and lie about your questionable past? We as individuals can't run from our past so why should Republican Barbara Nash? The quick answer is, by law, she can't! She must answer honestly for her past like everyone else must do.
But doesn't that tell you everything you need to know about the Republican candidate for House District 93? When the heat is up and tough questions are asked, Republican Nash will evade and ignore in order to avoid answering for herself. She is prepared to throw anyone and everyone under the bus in order to save herself. In other words, if you're on a sinking ship captained by Barbara Nash you best believe she is grabbing the life vest, jumping overboard, and leaving you to go down with her ship. Sounds a lot like her campaign for State Representative doesn't it?
Once again the actions of Republican Barbara Nash are a clear indictment of the type of character and level of integrity, or lack thereof, that she possesses. She is too important, too busy, and too scared to answer the tough questions that District 93 voters have about whether Republican Nash falsified answers on a state document, and what's up with her business affairs.
To House District 93 voters: If Barbara Nash won't answer to the media do you think she will answer to you? The only conclusion one can draw is "no."
State Representative Chris Turner (HD-96) and State Representative Paula Pierson (HD-93) both demonstrated financial strength in their individual bids for re-election. Chris Turner posted a 13:1 cash advantage over his Republican opponent and Paula Pierson posted a 10:1 cash advantage over her Republican opponent at the July 15th reporting period.
Both Tarrant County legislators are in a tough re-election battle against formidable Republican opponents. However, these fundraising numbers serve notice that these incumbents are ready for a political fight. Representative Chris Turner reported $321,116 cash on hand compared to his opponent, former State Representative Bill Zedler, who reported $17,898 cash on hand.
To supplement these fundraising numbers, both campaigns have been engaging in strong field operations since the beginning of June. Both campaigns report having hit roughly 10,000 homes in each of their respective districts and it is just the middle of July. Not only is each campaign fundraising well but they are implementing strong field plans that are communicating to voters why each legislator should return to Austin and represent the interests of mainstream Texans.
Candidates and elected officials are held to a higher standard in terms of honesty, integrity, and character. However, an emerging and rather disturbing trend among Texas Republican candidates and elected officials give reason for many voters to question whether possessing those qualities and upholding those standards are an integral part of the GOP candidate vetting process.
Voters are beginning to ask a fair question, which is whether the Republican Party cares about not only vetting candidates that live up to high standards that we as citizens expect of our elected officials, or if the Texas GOP simply takes for granted what power they hold as a Party and suffer from a dual case of incompetence and arrogance about who they are and what they stand for. We have no choice but to presume the latter based on the following evidence:
From a candidate perspective, the challenger to Representative Paula Pierson, Republican Barbara Nash, had serious questions raised about whether she was less than honest to voters about past business affairs nor was she forthcoming about horrendous allegations of elderly abuse at nursing homes managed by companies she and her husband owned. All of this leads one to question the character and integrity of the individual seeking to be a Texas Legislator representing House District 93. If you attempt and hide troubling allegations, attempt and hide questionable business affairs, and potentially falsify state documents in answering questions related to those allegations and business affairs, do you really believe Republican Barbara Nash is capable of being honest with District 93 voters?
Yet another candidate, Stefani Carter, the Republican challenger to Representative Carol Kent, raises questions about her character and integrity when she was caught on tape plagiarizing President Barack Obama's famous 2004 Democratic Convention speech. Republican Carter also embellished on her resume. If Republican Carter isn't original enough to articulate her own viewpoints without copying and pasting, or fails to be honest about her real background and work history, can voters in House District 102 expect Carter to be honest with them?
And finally the character and integrity of Republican Linda Harper-Brown, the State Representative from House District 105, is questioned because she was driving a $55,000 luxury car compliments of a highway contractor headquartered in her district. This contractor, with the help of Republican Harper-Brown, received over $12 million dollars in business with the state of Texas. Republican Harper-Brown is being challenged by Democrat Loretta Haldenwang. Can voters in House District 105 honestly say that Harper-Brown possess the character and integrity they expect from their elected officials?
Enough evidence has come forward to suggest that Republicans care little about the high standards and overall qualities that we as voters expect in candidates and elected officials. The ideas that politicians should be honest, possess integrity, and have moral character worthy of the office they seek or hold, are bedrock principles that Texas voters not only demand, but deserve. So far this election cycle a handful of Republican candidates and elected officials have fallen well short of voter standards.
A disturbing narrative about Texas Republican candidates continues to unfold this election cycle as Barbara Nash, the challenger to Representative Paula Pierson, is the latest Republican to have credible evidence emerge that questions their honesty, integrity and overall character.
From the outset, Barbara Nash was a risky candidate for Republicans in Arlington-based State House District 93. Typically, Republican candidates highlight their business acumen and management abilities. This approach is simply not credible for Nash. She has a relatively well-known history of business failure that includes bankruptcy, tax liens, unpaid bills and even charges of elder abuse in the nursing homes she managed.
Evidence suggests that when Barbara Nash applied and received a position on the Trinity River Authority Board she lied on an official state document about whether she was ever part of any litigation, bankruptcy, or state investigation.
To the question: "Describe any litigation in which you or your spouse has been party or any litigation involving a company in which you or your spouse has a material interest?" Nash marked "Not Applicable," and added "I do not know of any."
Well let's refresh the memory of Republican Barbara Nash shall we?
In April of 2000 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram outlined three civil lawsuits against Republican Nash, and companies she was affiliated with, as responsible for millions of dollars in court-ordered judgments and federal tax liens. But somehow to Republican Nash that information is "not applicable" when applying for a gubernatorial board appointment or even running for a state legislative seat.
But wait, the short-term memory problems of Republican Barbara Nash continue to mount. To the question: "Have you, your spouse, or any company in which you have a material interest or of which you have been an officer or principal been involved in any bankruptcy proceeding?" Nash marked "No."
Well let's refresh the memory of Republican Barbara Nash again shall we?
The question: "To the best of your knowledge, has any federal, state, or local law enforcement or regulatory agency (on behalf of itself or any other person or entity) filed or investigated any grievance or complaint against you, your spouse, or an entity in which you have a material interest?" Republican Nash answered, "No."
An official with the Texas Department of Human Services was quoted by the Star-Telegram saying:
"In nursing homes that were managed by the Nashes, regulators found residents lying in feces, bed sheets sticking to open wounds and evidence of sexual abuse."
Only one of two conclusions can be drawn from this horrifying evidence. First, Republican Nash had a serious lapse in memory. Or second, Republican Nash simply lied in answering questions on an official state document. Whatever the case may be it is appropriate to conclude that Republican Nash was less than transparent in answering questions about her business affairs and certainly not forthcoming about allegations of mistreatment of elderly residents in nursing homes managed by companies owned by the Nashes. These conclusions leave voters in House District 93 no choice but to question the integrity of the Republican challenger and whether she possesses the appropriate character to hold public office in Texas. Moreover, it is appropriate for District 93 residents to question whether Republican Nash is capable of being honest and forthcoming with them as either a candidate or an elected official. The moral thing for voters in House District 93 to do is to simply check "No" to Republican Barbara Nash in November.
Senator Wendy Davis and Representative Chris Turner won passage of Senate Bill 1468 and House Bill 995, by amendment, which requires utility companies to notify Texas consumers in a timely fashion that their contracts are set to expire. This notification will give consumers plenty of time to shop around for the lowest possible utility rates and avoid rate hikes at unexpected times--particularly during the expensive summer months here in the Lone Star State.
Passage of this legislation are seen as key campaign victories for Davis and Turner, who campaigned rigorously in House District 96 and Senate District 10 respectively throughout Tarrant County articulating the problems and identifying potential solutions for escalating utility costs to Texas consumers.
From Senator Davis:
"It has been an uphill battle with some powerful interests, but we succeeded in passing legislation that will have a very real, very positive impact on Texas families and their pocketbooks," Senator Wendy Davis said. "This is a common-sense measure that will give people an opportunity to shop around and secure the best electricity rates available, taking advantage of the competition among electricity retailers."
From Representative Turner:
"This legislation is a major victory for Texas families. It will provide more transparency for consumers by preventing unexpected, dramatic utility rate hikes," said State Representative Chris Turner. "I applaud Senator Wendy Davis for her hard work in getting these provisions into the bill and for her strong leadership on consumer issues."
Tarrant County is not only proud of Davis and Turner, but Representatives Veasey, Pierson, and Burnam as well. You each represented our county, and your districts, well throughout the 81st legislative session.
For those who have been chomping at the bit to see changes to our primary and convention process here in Texas can look toward House Bill 2101 as the beginning of that change. This Bill, sponsored by my Democratic State Representative, Paula Pierson (HD-93), empowers county executive committees to move their county conventions outside their particular county boundaries if necessary to hold their required conventions. This action can only be exercised if no venue large enough to hold a convention is found within the county of origin. The move would need to be approved by each Party's executive committees.
This is a good start toward changing a rather archaic primary election system in Texas. The 2008 primaries were extraordinary---probably a once in a lifetime type phenomenon in Texas primary elections, and an event that would be very hard to replicate again. That's why I think a slow and deliberative review of this process is a better approach than quick-action reform that is more knee-jerk in nature than helpful. But, having said that, and now a witness to our intense March 4, 2008 primary process, changes are in order. This change, initiated by Pierson, is a good one. From Pierson's office:
Following the Texas primary elections, county party executive committees across the state were forced to locate, secure, and pay for new venues to accommodate the huge increase in delegates and alternates. Conventions that had historically been held in schools and courthouses now required large conference centers, and even coliseums. In Tarrant County, the Executive Committee for Senate District 10 had to negotiate for use of the Will Rogers Coliseum because it was the only space in the County that could accommodate the expected 8,000 people. Additionally, the Senate District 12 Convention was moved to the Gaylord Hotel at great expense.
These unexpected costs to Party's across the state were financial burdens that most Party entities were not equipped to handle---or solve for that matter. I remember the efforts by some in Tarrant County to raise the necessary funds to be able to secure both the Coliseum and the Gaylord to hold our conventions. It was an unexpected and absurd expense that burdened our Party infrastructure.
Some of you, especially from the North Texas region, may recall that Collin County, just north of Dallas County, was unable to find a venue large enough to hold their county convention in 2008:
Collin County Democrats held their convention a day later because they couldn't find a location big enough to handle the 3,300 people expected.
Collin County Democrats were attempting to pursue a venue just over the border with a neighboring county but could not pursue it because no provision in the law like HB 2101 provides, actually existed. Collin County Democrats ended up having one of the more interesting and delayed conventions out of the 2008 season.
I know that the State Democratic Executive Committee has been holding hearings across the state to receive feedback from primary voters over the 2008 nicknamed, "Texas Two-Step" process. In discussions with SDEC representatives associated with those hearings the feedback has been fairly uniform "keep it but change it." A very small number of Democrats have called for total elimination with an even smaller group saying leave it as it is. The vast majority of feedback has been to tweak the system to make it better and incorporate lessons from this year into the solution. Changes are likely to come from the hearings but they are likely to be incremental. HB 2101 is one of the good steps toward reforming the primary system in a bi-partisan way. Its senate companion is a similar Bill authored by Freshmen Senator Wendy Davis, one of the newest members to the Tarrant Delegation that Pierson has been part of since 2006. It is good bi-partisan legislation that helps both Party's should a best worst case scenario like Texas Democrats had in 2008 comes true again.
The likely ascendance of San Antonio moderate and two-term Republican, Joe Straus, to the Speakership signals a clear shift in leadership, tone, and overall direction not only in the House, but also the Texas Republican Party. It also signals an opportunity for Democrats to move forward with a moderate progressive agenda that is good for Texas and actually receive a fair hearing in the House.
The Tarrant County Democratic delegation signaled clear support for Straus. Talking with Representative-elect Chris Turner, he came away very impressed with a weekend meeting with Straus:
There are a number of reasons why he will be a good speaker, but the most important to me is his commitment to run the House in a fair and bipartisan manner. If we have a fair process, I am hopeful we can get some meaningful things accomplished for the people of Texas.
Representative Paula Pierson echoed some of the same sentiments on Straus:
He [Straus] is bright but he is fair. He is not a bully. I believe he wants what is best for Texas and not himself.
Representative Marc Veasey added the following in a phone call last night:
Straus is a pragmatic, down to earth, good guy who gets along with Democrats and Republicans. I'm confident the Democratic agenda will be heard, that all sides will be heard, and although we might not always agree that we will find more common ground then we have since I've been in Austin.
The Star-Telegram quoted Representative Burnam as having highly favorable opinions of the new incoming Speaker of the 81st Legislative session as well. For the first time in six years a heavy hand on the gavel will give way to a pragmatic one.
One thing is for certain, a fight for the soul of the Republican Party has boiled into the public domain with the more extreme wing versus the more moderate wing jockeying for leadership of the Texas GOP. It remains to be seen whether Straus has the backbone to withstand a withering fire from the more extreme wing or be forced to do more dealing with moderate Republicans and Democrats in order to pass legislation that is good for Texas. If the latter is the case, the more extreme wing will be boxed into an irrelevant corner. That signals a new day in politics in Texas.
Considering that Representative Straus appears to have majority support amongst the House, he deserves an opportunity to restore bi-partisanship and pragmatism to Texas politics in order to set a more constructive tone to the upcoming legislative session.
Representative Kirk England's decision shows courage and commitment to his district. Time and again, Representative England has stood up against the extreme partisan Republican leadership in Austin that has continually failed our state. He's a fighter for the people who elected him to serve and I am very pleased to welcome him to the Texas Democratic Party.
-- Boyd Richie, Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party
"This decision was not made lightly, but I believe I can get more done on the issues we care about as a Democrat. Of course, I have many close friends, supporters and even family members that are Republicans. But when I went to Austin, I saw firsthand the agenda of the Republican leadership, along with the strong arm tactics used in enforcing that agenda. I realized that the leadership and the special interests they represent had very little in common with the principles and ideas I value most. At the end of the day, I decided that the ability to represent my district was more important than following a party line set by folks in Austin.
"I was born and raised in Grand Prairie, and I have lived here my whole life. My wife Marcy and I raised our two sons, Sam and Charlie, in this community, and I own a small business here. I trust the voters in District 106, and I am confident that my friends and neighbors agree that doing what is right is more important than partisan politics.
"I am prepared to roll up my sleeves and work hard to be reelected in 2008. I am confident that the voters in our district want a representative who will fight for public education and the Children's Health Insurance Program and who believes that the folks struggling to pay skyrocketing utility bills every month are more important than TXU's profits. I am committed to returning to Austin to keep the promises I made to citizens of District 106."
But clearly actions speak louder than words. Lucky for us, we can look at the 80th session and see how Rep. England acted to make Texas a better place for everyone. As the Lone Star Project points out, Rep. England will be a valuable member and asset to Democratic caucus.
Stood Up to Craddick: In an extraordinary display of courage, England broke with GOP freshmen and voted with centrist Democrats against Tom Craddick on the defacto "Vote of No Confidence" against the Speaker.(Source: H- 1047 Motion to Sustain the Ruling of the Chair)
Strongly Supported Educators: Showing the courage to stand with children and educators over partisan party leaders, England voted with centrist Democrats to raise teachers salaries by $6,000 to reach the national average. (Source: H- 1157 Motion to Table Amendment #3 by Dunnam)
Protected Our Ballot: To protect the sanctity of the ballot and senior voters in HD106, England voted with centrist Democrats to exempt elderly voters from Voter ID requirements. (Source: H- 604 Motion to Table Dunnam Amendment to B Brown Amendment #1)
Acted to Stop Child Abuse: Breaking with Republicans who refused to aggressively investigate child sexual abuse at Texas youth facilities, England voted with centrist Democrats for a special prosecutor to investigate the TYC. (Source: H- 147 Motion to Table Amendment by Dunnam)
Fought for Clean Air: Taking action to improve air quality and promote energy conservation, England voted with centrist Democrats to provide taxpayer-funded incentives to build clean energy projects. (Source: H- 706 Motion to Table Amendment #2 by Vaught)
Kirk England is going to be a fantastic representative for HD-106 and for the rest of Texas. His courage to stand against Craddick and his top lieutenants (Chisum, Brown, Howard, etc.) shows his commitment for a better Texas. We aren't the only ones happy to see him join our party, for that, you will have to read below the fold.
