Kirk Watson's Statement on Running for Re-Election

by: Matt Glazer

Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 01:02 PM CDT

There's been a lot of speculation about my plans for the next election.  Well, I've decided what I'm going to do, and I want to announce it to you all first.

I will run for re-election to the Texas Senate in 2010.

Countless conversations and a ton of consideration went into this decision.  It comes down to two primary reasons.

First of all, I really like serving in the Senate and representing the citizens of Travis County.  I've found a lot of success in the legislature, and I believe my service there is tangibly helping Texas and its people.  I have a strong role to play in building a legislative agenda that benefits everyday Texans, and in solving the difficult budget and redistricting issues that promise to make the next session a painful and politicized one. 
 
But more than that, I sincerely enjoyed my oldest son's high school years because I was able to be active and present in his life.  Our younger son begins high school this month.  I want the two of us to share the same experience his older brother and I did, and that simply wouldn't be as likely with me campaigning for and serving as Governor.

Despite those reasons, this has been a very tough decision.  It's hard, in part, because I believe I would win the race for Governor.  I'm excited and honored by the significant encouragement I've received to run.  Having seriously evaluated and analyzed such a race, I'm more convinced than ever that Texans want a change in the way our state government is working - and not just in the Governor's office, but in other statewide offices and the legislature in general.
 
Texans are looking for balanced leadership that puts people ahead of the big insurance, utility and private toll road corporations.  They want true public servants who don't just play politics, but instead lead by responsibly investing in the state's future.

Make no mistake: I intend to campaign aggressively for re-election and help bring new, badly needed statewide leadership into office.  I'm very proud that my party is working hard to win the trust of Texas voters and is ready to replace divisive partisanship with mainstream leadership.

I look forward to continuing my service in the Texas Senate.  Thank you all for your support and encouragement as we work to embrace and prepare for Texas' future.

Senator Watson has pledged to aggressively campaign for any Statewide nominee and help Turn Texas Blue. Watson had a tough decision to make.  He has been an impressive champion in the Texas Senate and his voice would have been missed.  His continued work and service for both statewide Democrats candidates and the people of Texas is surely a good thing.

As we continue to move closer and closer to Labor Day, we expect to hear more announcements on both sides of the aisle.  

BREAKING: Kirk Watson Running for Re-Election

by: Matt Glazer

Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 00:25 PM CDT

A statement appears to be coming imminently, but sources indicate the Senator has work he would like to continue in the Senate.  Watson was a vocal leader on issues ranging from voter suppression legislation to clean energy and environmental bills during the 81st legislative session.

Watson's name was initially floated as a possible candidate for Governor when fellow Senator Leticia Van De Putte discussed Watson's qualifications.  Not soon after, a few of us started Draft Watson to urge Watson to run.  The campaign was independent of any group, person, and the Senator himself.

We will have more details as the story develops.

Kirk Watson Reports Over $1.4 Million on Hand

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 11:07 AM CDT

According to some, Senator Watson is reporting an impressive cash on hand number, "$1,436,000, mas o menos."

Watson has said he will not announce his intent on whether to run for higher office or return to the Texas Senate until much later in the summer, but the money he has currently raised for his Texas Senate account can be used for a run for any other Texas statewide office.

This cash on hand number indicates Watson could be a formidable statewide candidate if he chooses to run.

For disclosure, I am supportive of the Draft Watson movement on facebook and any other format.

Travis County Prepares for Domino Effect if Watson Runs for Governor

by: David Mauro

Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 07:11 PM CDT

When Leticia Van de Putte declined to run for Governor earlier today and instead threw her support behind the potential candidacy of Texas Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), political observers in Travis County paid special attention.

Sen. Watson was already known to be considering running statewide, but the apparently orchestrated plug by Van de Putte makes his entry seem much more likely today than it did yesterday.

If Watson does decide to run, the Travis County Democratic primary will immediately become very, very busy.

Three local state representatives -- Elliott Naishtat, Eddie Rodriguez and Mark Strama -- are thought to be considering running for Watson's seat if he decides to run for Governor.

Naishtat would start off with a significant cash on hand advantage over any opponent and represents a vote-rich district. The Dean of the Travis County Delegation is the go to guy in the House on human services issues.

Rodriguez could mobilize small donors and has ties to activists countywide dating back to his days as Executive Director of the Travis County Democratic Party. Rodriguez is one of only two representatives who never voted for Tom Craddick for speaker and won a tough primary in 2002 in which he was heavily outspent.

Strama is a proven fundraiser and was Chairman of  Technology, Workforce and Economic Development this past session. Though his voting record is more moderate than the other two, he has turned what was once a swing district into a Democratic stronghold.

All three are well respected by local party activists and have distinct bases of voters that make all three of them capable of winning the seat.

Assuming two of them do decide to run, that leaves two open House seats that are likely to be hotly contested as well. All of a sudden, what recently appeared to be shaping up to be a rather calm local Democratic Primary with a few contested judicial races, could be on the verge of dramatically changing.

Of course, as Watson has said he won't make a decision until later this summer, we will have to wait to see whether any of this speculation actually comes true.

Brewster McCracken Addresses SD-14 Rumors

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 08:00 AM CST

It's a topic that myself and other BOR staff addressed in a meeting with McCracken's communications staff on Wednesday. We had a great conversation with Colin Rowan who has sent along to me an official statement on the matter from Brewster himself.

"I have my eyes on City Hall.  Period.  I will serve as Austin's mayor for the full duration of any term to which I am elected.  I hope that's two terms, but it seems a bit presumptuous to be talking about running again for an office I don't yet hold.  My intent is to lead Austin into the future, and I wouldn't be running if I planned to seek another elected office before my term was completed. I think each candidate should be willing to commit to the possibility of two terms, and I am more than happy to make that commitment to anyone who will listen."

-Brewster

The rumor apparently was born out of a response to a question as to whether he would run against Mark Strama in a primary if Watson's Senate seat came open. Brewster noted he was friends with Strama and wouldn't run against him for that seat, which probably sparked the rumor of "well, that means he'd run if Strama wasn't" and from there things spiraled into the realm of imagination.

Personally, I don't mind having city leaders being open to running for other offices. They are part of the farm team: think Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, Houston Mayor Bill White, and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. What about Julian Castro if he becomes Mayor of San Antonio or Anise Parker as Mayor of Houston? Who knows, and who knows where they will go next.

The main thing is that candidates are focused on the office they are running for now and if they do a great job at that, then they will earn themselves the opportunity to make decisions about other offices. All signs point to McCracken being focused on being Mayor of Austin and I for one, take him at his word.

Ramey Ko for Obama National Delegate, SD-14

by: PI Lawyer

Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 03:22 PM CDT

Hi Fellow Obama Supporters,

My name is Ramey Ko, and I'm running to be a delegate for Obama to the Democratic National Convention from Senate District 14, and I am asking for the chance to earn your support. As a young Asian American, I hope to bring a vibrant grassroots perspective to Denver, as well as provide a voice for a community that is just beginning to receive some attention in politics.

Working for Change

I have been an Obama supporter since 2003, when I first met then State Senator Obama as one of my law school professors at the University of Chicago. I helped collect petition signatures to get him on the Democratic primary ballot for US Senate. After he announced his intention to run for president, I founded Asian Americans for Obama in December 2006. Our efforts have lead to the creation of translated outreach materials and Obama videos subtitled in several Asian languages, numerous AAPI targeted voter registration drives, stories in numerous national and local ethnic media outlets, visibility at Asian community events, Asian American phone banks, and even the opening of a grassroots campaign office in the Philadelphia Chinatown.

You can learn more about why I'm running and my work as an activist for Obama at www.RameyKo.com.   Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at Ramey.Ko@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Taking Part in the Party

by: sccs

Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 04:11 PM CDT

After lurking and commenting for ages, I finally have my first diary on Burnt Orange Report.  Hi, everybody!

In 2006, I had reached a point in my life where just voting wasn't enough.  Reading the League of Women Voters Guide to learn about the candidates wasn't enough.  Telling my friends and family to vote wasn't enough.
I was appointed to a vacant Precinct Chair slot after calling the Travis County Democratic Party to volunteer for something, anything...  I hadn't expected to become a precinct chair, but when I was told that there was a need for one in my precinct, I stepped up.  

The more involved I become, the more involved I want to be.

When I found out that there was a Senate District level of government in the Texas Democratic Party, I decided to check it out.  I have been going to the meetings since January of 2007.  What I've learned is, in a nutshell, I can, and want to do this.  
I'm Susan Shelton, and I am running for the SDEC Committeewoman for Senate District 14. I'll explain why after the jump.