Kristen Mack reports that Representative Robert Talton has officially filed his paperwork to run against Mr. Nick Lampson in 2008.
This highly conservative state legislator has been rumored as a possible Congressman in this district since Tom Delay had to be replaced.
Now, unfortunately; he has an added advantage. It seems no one in Texas, except the Texans represented by the man, like Tom Craddick. And as we all know and can even respect, Mr. Talton was a giant thorn in Craddick's speakership this past legislative session. Not only will that make him more liked, but it got him extra media attention. He might even have more name recognition in the district than former Rep. Sekula-Gibbs, but the former councilwoman from Houston seemed to act crazy in her short time in Washington, so it looks like Talton is on a smooth ride for the nomination, especially since former county judge Robert Eckels, tax collector Paul Bettencourt, and Sugar Land mayor Dave Wallace are staying out of it.
Lampson, of course, has a lot of money; so he still has a chance. Many of us, though; were hoping he wouldn't have a tough battle against a strong candidate. It looks like those hopes are about dead.
We may be able to attain some other hope from this news, though. Talton's district 144 will now be open, and we might actually have a shot. 2004 didn't even show a Democratic opponent, and in 2006 a not-well-known Janette Sexton held Talton to 56.29 percent. The average Democrat in 2006 also got more votes in the district than Sexton, by 43% to 40.5%.
It would be a tough climb against Talton the incumbent, and it will still be a tough climb regardless. However, an open seat will make it easier. If we can find a strong candidate, it will certainly be a race for all to watch, too.
Ken Legler, a Pasadena native, is running for House District 144, the seat Robert Talton is giving up to take a stab at Congress.
Legler, a Republican, is already closely associating himself with Talton, saying he's proud of the job Talton has done.
"His service to our area, since his election in 1992, will be a model for anyone who hopes to succeed him," Legler said. GOP political consultant Allen Blakemore is running his campaign.
Legler has been twice-appointed to the Texas Commission of Environmental
Quality Advisory Board Member for Small Business. He also is a board
member of the Texas Association of Business.
If he is staying close to Talton's views, and he wins the nomination; it may be a good thing for Democrats. As Kuff pointed out:
Pasadena is represented in the State House by one Robert Talton, who (let's face it) is not exactly an accurate reflection of the new Pasadena. Far as I'm concerned, he's a Talmadge Heflin waiting to happen.
I'm not sure why this appeared in a Tennessee newspaper of all places but the news is interesting nonetheless.
The Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee announced that 54 of 81 Texas State House Republicans and several Republican Texas State senators "have joined the growing effort to encourage former United States Senator Fred Thompson to seek the presidency."
Texas Land Commissioner and Draft Committee leadership team member Jerry Patterson said he has spoken with each Legislator and "found an increasingly strong desire to see Thompson become a candidate."
...
State Representative Robert Talton who serves from Harris County, Texas said, "People recognize Thompson's leadership, his integrity and his remarkable ability to touch Americans from all walks of life. We need him in this race and we need him in the White House."
The Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee's leadership team includes Texas Rail Road Commissioner Victor Carrillo and Republican National Committeewoman Denise McNamara from Texas.
A recent poll by Baselice & Associates in Texas shows Thompson tied with John McCain at 19% in Texas. Rudy Giuliani led with 24 percent and Mitt Romney in fourth with 8%.
That's a lot of support for someone who isn't officially running for President.
Well, Sylvester Turner's CHIP bill- HB 109- just got killed on the house floor real quick. Which is par for the course for Tom Craddick. Helping Texas children? That's a no-go in Craddickland.
What's interesting about this entire event though is who was up front arguing for the bill and who was on the back mike throwing the point of order. In the front you've got Turner, Speaker Pro Tempore Turner, a Craddick Democrat who received the honor of being chosen to shepherd the one CHIP bill through the legislative process.
The bill sailed through a committee chaired by another Craddick D, Patrick Rose, and seemed to be on its way to passing the House. Until Republican Robert Talton decided to gum up the works.
It's not uncommon for Perry to take a little time off when the legislature meets. During the 3rd special, Perry decided the educational crisis was so important that he had to go to Italy.
Now, Perry is out of the state again, and a bipartisan group want Lt Governor David Dewhurst to help during the TYC crisis.
The letter requests Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, in his role as current acting governor, place the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) under Conservatorship immediately.
Under the Texas Constitution, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst currently possesses all the powers and authority of the office of the governor because Governor Perry is out of the state visiting Dubai. As the current acting governor, with full powers, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst has the authority to place TYC under immediate Conservatorship. Conservatorship has been recommended unanimously by the full Senate and the Legislative Audit Committee.
Additionally, the Joint Select Committee on the Operation and Management of the Texas Youth Commission unanimously voted to express their complete lack of confidence in the TYC board. Placing TYC under Conservatorship will suspend the authority of the TYC board and transfer the board's functions to the conservator.
The letter was authored by State Representatives Pat Haggerty, Valinda Bolton, Delwin Jones, Jim Dunnam, Tommy Merritt, Pete Gallego, Robert Talton and Scott Hochberg.
Update:Here is a side by side comparison of the November 8 pledge list compared to the list released today on Quorum Report. Notice that he has lost half of his Democratic support and nearly a third of his Republican support.
In an interview with Peggy Fikac at the Houston Chronicle, Waxahachie Republican Jim Pitts says he will announce today that he will jump in the race for speaker.
"I told Speaker Craddick that I didnt think he could get the numbers that he needed (to be re-elected as head of the House). I dont think Brian (McCall) is getting the numbers. And I've got a consensus group that has asked me to run," Pitts said in an interview minutes after he mailed his paperwork for the race.
That now makes it a four person race with the Democratic Candidate, Senfronia Thompson, endorsing Brian McCall.
It appears that the 149 members of the legislature are tired of Craddick and his horrid leadership.
Craddick has also released a new list of pledges that indicates waining support. After the November election, Craddick announced he had the support of 109 of the 149 member body, now his support is down to 83 (including a handful of Democrats).
As we get closer and closer to January 9, it appears that Craddick is losing more and more momentum.
Conservative Republican Robert Talton (Houston) pledged his support for moderate Brian McCall (Plano) to be the next speaker of the Texas House.
Rumors had been swirling about the possibility of Talton entering the race to gain leverage to chair the committee on Civil Practices.
Currently Talton chairs the Urban Affairs Committee and is the first GOP chair to openly support someone other than Tom Craddick.
In a statement on Quorum Report:
Talton said, "As I think the public will see when the members speak, there is a tremendous interest in seeing new leadership in the Speaker's office. My singular focus has been on achieving that goal. I offered myself for consideration only as a means to achieve new leadership".
Talton continued, "Over the last several days I have personally visited with Brian. I believe he possesses the qualities we need in a Speaker. He shares my belief that this is a campaign for leadership of the "people's house". As we have learned over the last several legislative sessions, all politics is local. State Representatives have a closeness to their districts and constituents unlike other state office holders."
"Individually we have an obligation to represent these interests and these voices should be heard - the people's voices. Those voices should not be diminished by those in power, by the special interests or by those who seek favor at the hands of government. I can and frequently do, disagree philosophically with my colleagues but that does not diminish the importance of having their voices heard. A Speaker has an obligation to let those voices be heard and more importantly to allow members to vote in a manner that best represents their districts," Talton said.
"Brian McCall shares this philosophy and I am proud to join his effort to become the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives," Talton concluded.
Yesterday we reported Brian McCall's intention to run for Speaker of the Texas House.
According to Quorum Report and Paul Burka, it appears another name may enter into the Speakers Race after Christmas:
Another name that has been in circulation is Rep. Robert Talton (R-Houston). In his blog last Thursday, Paul Burka speculated that Talton [simply] was positioning [himself] for chairmanship of Civil Practices under the sponsorship of plaintiff's attorney Mikhail Watts.
Craddick's obscene pay to play model of leadership must go. Anyone but Craddick (ABC) is better than the "leadership" we have now.
As Democratic leader Rep. Jim Dunnam said to the Dallas Morning News, "There's a good majority of House members that believe Tom Craddick should not lead the House next session."
It is time for a new leader in the Texas House. Someone who will not allow special interests to buy legislation or friends like Bob Perry or Jim Leininger decide the direction will take.
It is as simple as ABC, Anyone But Craddick is good for Texas.
Carol 4-Names is poised to submit 150,000 signatures. No word from Kinky as of yet.
Jim Stauber has a new website, candidate for HD-20 in Williamson County.
Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is raising money for an Irag Internet Cafe.
C-SPAN asks online video providers to pull the Stephen Colbert clip as they hold the copyright to it. They are upset that the one thing in the last 5 years that normal people were actually interested in watching from them, may mean a misser chance to actually make money. And again, McBlogger expresses my true emotions.
Robert Talton for Congress? I pity you residents of TX-22.
Why Mommy is a Democrat is back in the BOR BlogAds section. I have to say I really love them, so check out the book.
