Compared to the Rick Perry vs. Kay Bailey Hutchison primed up bloodbath, attackfest, the Democratic ticket has been quiet and to a lesser degree, boring. Things have been so slow, bloggers and activists have started draft movements for Senators Leticia Van De Putte and Kirk Watson and former Austin District Attorney Ronnie Earle.
In the past 24 hours, there has been movement in the Governor's race on the Democratic side.
Yesterday, potential Agriculture Commissioner candidate Hank Gilbert announced he was interested in the top job instead. Today, Tom Schieffer show significant signs of life in the same place he started his race 6 months ago. Even Kinky Friedman sent an email out to his campaign list for the first time in months today.
State Representatives Garnet Coleman, Jim Dunnam, Jessica Farrar, and Pete Gallego joined Senfronia Thompson in endorsing Ambassador Schieffer.
"I am gratified by this broad base of Democratic support," Schieffer said. "These leaders have long been in the forefront - often fighting against strong Republican opposition - of efforts to improve education, make quality health care available to more Texans, improve our transportation system and lower insurance rates and utility bills. Together, we can reverse this race to the bottom and improve the quality of life for Texas families."
These endorsements represent an interesting cross section in the Texas House. Besides representing diverse parts of the state, each is a distinct leader in the state legislature.
Coleman chairs the Legislative Study Group, a nonpartisan caucus dedicated to the development of sound public policy for Texas families. Dunnam chairs the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, which played a key role in allocating federal stimulus dollars during the recent legislative session. Farrar is the current chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the founder and vice chair of the Women's Health Caucus and founder and secretary of the House Environmental Caucus. Gallego is a former chair of the House Democratic Caucus and former chair of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus.
When Burnt Orange Report met with Schieffer in July we talked half the time about his Democratic credentials and half the time about policy. The elected officials endorsed him spent the entire time talking about Schieffer's qualifications and drawing a strong comparison between the Ambassador and his Republican counter parts, but the discussion of Democratic credentials were front and center.
"We are proud to endorse Ambassador Tom Schieffer to serve as the next governor of Texas because he is addressing issues and concerns that are important to Texas families - public education, jobs, children's health insurance, rising college tuition, energy, protecting the environment and transportation," Coleman said. "Tom Schieffer is going to be the next governor of Texas because he cares about solving real problems for Texas families."
Jim Dunnam made his statement after Coleman.
"Democrats across Texas can be proud to support Tom Schieffer - a fellow, lifelong Democrat who has never missed voting in a Democratic primary since he was old enough to vote in 1968," said Dunnam, the House Democratic Leader.
"Tom's service to our country during the previous administration doesn't change that," Dunnam added. "Texans deserve better than one Republican who wants to be governor for life and another who thinks the governor's mansion is a retirement home. That is why Democrats across the state will unite behind Tom Schieffer."
During press questions, Rep. Dunnam added, "we aren't a litmus test party. For us to have a candidate who is independently minded is positive."
"Tom Schieffer will be the next governor of Texas because he is a proven leader, not an ideologue," Gallego said. "His successful record as a lawyer, businessman and diplomat proves he will bring people together from across the political spectrum and put the needs of Texas and Texans ahead of narrow partisan and ideological interests."
Of course the question was asked whether Schieffer's Democratic credentials were a concern to any of the endorsers. None of them said it was an issue. Garnet Coleman went as far as to say that he couldn't disagree with any person who voted for a friend and business partner. Senfronia Thompson added her belief many Democrats have voted for a Republican but Schieffer was one of the few to be honest about it. Dunnam followed up with the fact he viewed it as a strength.
Will that stop the question? Only time will tell but now there is a chorus standing behind Schieffer and the backing of the House leaders allowed him to sum up how he will approach this race.
"This is the Democratic Party's first opportunity to win in a long time. The Republican Party has been bankrupt by its leader," Schieffer said. Nobody is entitled to anything. You have to earn it."
Questions may still exist about Schieffer, but with a Democratic primary looming and a campaign being organized, voters and activist may get their answers sooner than later.
Tom Schieffer, who is currently exploring a run for Governor as a Democrat, announced the chairs for his campaign's leadership team earlier today.
The list includes former Texas House Speaker Pete Laney, Cameron County Democratic Party Chair and DNC member Gilberto Hinojosa, Austin political activist Susan Longley, former Ambassador to Sweden Lyndon Olson Jr (who is also Schieffer's campaign treasurer) and philanthrophist Alann Sampson.
Easily the most surprising name on the list for Schieffer, who has been criticized by many including myself for his close ties to former President George W. Bush, is State Rep. Senfronia Thompson.
Rep. Thompson, the Dean of Texas House Democrats, was first elected the same year Schieffer was elected state representative from Fort Worth.
Rep. Thompson had this to say about Schieffer, from the campaign's press release:
"Tom Schieffer and I were elected to the House of Representatives at the same time and we have been through a great deal together. I am sure that he is ready for any and all challenges that may present themselves as Governor of this great state."
While Schieffer still has some questions to answer about his support of George W. Bush and his committment to the Democratic Party, announcing support from respected party leaders is a good step towards establishing the credibility he will need to win next year's primary.
On another note, in April BOR criticized the bare-bones website that Scheiffer campaign had put up. At thet time, the campaign told us it was only temporary. Now, they finally have launched a new and (slightly) improved site: TomForTexas.com
It was a sea of people. Capitol staffers, reporters, dozens of elected officials from both sides of the aisle, and a few tourist all mixed under the rotunda today.
Every balcony was full with camera flashes and inquisitive pointing.
I sat front and center among TV cameras from across the city and state. Constantly bumped by paper media, citizen journalist and the unfortunate souls simply at the wrong place at the right time.
Because of the size, I broke the press conference into two parts-- Straus and Straus supporters.
The reality of it was that Straus spoke, his supporters from both sides of the aisle spoke, and then he took nearly 5 minutes of questions. The Q&A was particularly interesting because Craddick has avoided cameras since November 2008. Already we see a huge departure of access and transparency in the Speakers office.
Straus has already announced 96 Representatives pledged to support him or roughly 2/3 of the entire House of Representatives. One of the few names surprisingly missing is Rep. Frank Corte who also represents San Antonio. It seems Representative Corte would want a Speaker from San Antonio in order to better serve his district.
Aaron Pena's twitter feed has been solid since the Speaker race started moving.
Pena points out Quorum Reports point that Rep. Senfronia Thompson has withdrawn from the race and thrown her support behind Republican Joe Straus.
Meanwhile, Speaker candidate QR Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) has withdrawn her speaker candidacy and is contacting her supporters endorsing Straus.
Thompson told QR, "I am going to support this guy. I looked at the other candidates but he is the best. I think it might be the beginning of something different."
In addition, Pena confirms rumors that John Smithee has faxed in his paperwork to the Texas Ethics Commission to be a candidate for Speaker. However, sources are reporting Smithee's candidacy is a day late and a dollar short. It appears that Straus has locked this up. The question is who will be last to the Straus camp.
If Phillip's predictions are correct, House Democrats will have the opportunity to unite to elect one of their own as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
While many names have been thrown around, a House Democratic staffer has told me their boss has received calls from five Democrats about the Speaker's race: Scott Hochberg, Alan Ritter, Pete Gallego, Richard Raymond and Senfronia Thompson.
The staffer also dismissed Sylvester Turner's speaker candidacy as a "decoy for Craddick" and said Turner had not been making calls to many other members.
A call to the Texas Ethics Commission confirmed that as of October 24 the only Democrats to have filed for speaker are Thompson and Turner.
I'm off to canvass for Obama here in Colorado. Good luck to everyone GOTVing in Texas.
On June 15, Superdelegate Senfronia Thompson was announced as a supporter for Hillary Clinton in the Presidential Elections. Now, the well respected state representative has followed Atlanta US Representative John Lewis in defecting to the Obama camp.
Combined with John Lewis' official switch today, Thompson's move makes for a bad PR day for Hillary Clinton, especially in Texas. Thompson isn't as important as Lewis on a national level, but as one of the longest serving Democratic state representatives and a candidate for Speaker of the House -- Thompson is symbolically as important in Texas.
Her choice may have little effect on the voters themselves, though. I expect, however, for her decision to be taken into consideration by undecided superdelegates. It is conceivable for other Texas superdelegates to look at Thompson for guidance, and in that way this is a blow for Mrs. Clinton.
Update: We've updated our Texas Superdelegate watch. Clinton's lead is now 11-7 of those who have announced a statement of support.
Brian Thompson has had a lot of ammo to keep Dawnna Dukes in the news over the past week. As Paul Burka points out on his site, "Thompson was in a heads-I-win, tails-you-lose position". All because of $50,000 tied to Tom Craddick.
Rep. Dukes suggests that accepting $50,000 from a Craddick-funded PAC equates to sacrificing or compromising her "independence" in the race for Texas House Speaker. According to the Statesman article, "Campaign cash was hard to come by in January in Texas House District 46, which includes East Austin, but Rep. Dawnna Dukes still passed on an offer of $50,000 that came indirectly from House Speaker Tom Craddick. 'The contribution was available,' Dukes confirmed Wednesday. But she said that she didn't want to be distracted by what she anticipated would be attacks by her opponent if she took the money and that she wanted to remain independent to support the speaker candidate that's best for the district."
"This sounds like Rep. Dukes is acknowledging that $50,000 was linked to a vote for Speaker of the Texas House," said Brian Thompson, the Democratic candidate who is challenging Dukes in HD 46. "Our ethics laws do not look too favorably on a $50,000 quid pro quo."
Even though Dukes publicly said no to Craddick's money she seems to have spent a few cents on billboards in Austin. The message is bizarre for a Craddick D. Dukes claims she, "fights for change and wins." Interesting since she continues to vote and support the most conservative speaker in Texas History.
The change she has won includes:
Dukes voted against fully funding CHIP
Dukes voted against giving our retired teachers a cost-of-living adjustment
Dukes voted against cleaning up dirty school buses to reduce cancer causing pollution that Texas kids are forced to breathe on their way to school
Dukes could have killed a Republican tax bill that raised taxes on 90% of Texans and did nothing for public education but, instead, she was vacationing in France
Dukes has violated state law by failing to properly report more than $89,000 in "campaign" credit card expenses, which earned her a well-deserved ethics complaint
Dukes supported toll roads, and her sister received a contract from the tolling authority - perhaps it was merely a coincidence (inspiring videos like this)
Dukes passes a bill for a tenant of a local development never to disclose that she has a personal contract with the developer
While Dukes publicly sells out and continues to support Tom Craddick and refuse to pledge for a candidate besides ultra conservative Tom Craddick, Thompson publicly endorsed Thompson.
Brian Thompson, Democratic candidate for HD 46, announced that he is supporting Democratic State Rep. and Chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus, The Honorable Senfronia Thompson, for Speaker of the Texas House.
"Of the candidates who are currently running for Speaker, no one better represents the values of House District 46 than the 34-year veteran legislator and Chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus, State Representative Senfronia Thompson," Brian Thompson said. "It's time for Democrats to start acting and voting like real Democrats, not enabling the failed Republican ideology of starving public schools and denying children health care which has characterized the Tom Craddick regime."
Dawnna Dukes is too close to Craddick, and that's why he wants to pay the coins to keep her in office. While Thompson continues to be an impressive candidate he is also looking forward to the 81st legislative session and pledging to support the best candidate for Speaker-Senfronia Thompson.
(While Grant has garnered more endorsements, Doherty has a wide lead in fundraising. This will be definitely be a race to watch. Here, Grant adds another impressive endorsement. - promoted by David Mauro)
State Representative Senfronia Thompson, the dean of women lawmakers at the Texas Capitol and one of the state's leading champions for civil rights, today endorsed Dan Grant in his race for the Democratic nomination for Congressional District 10, saying that Washington needs a fresh voice to help strengthen economic security for middle-class families, end the war in Iraq, and restore protections for consumers, children, senior citizens, and other ordinary Texans whose values have been largely overlooked by the current administration.
"Dan is the best candidate to get the job done in Washington," Rep. Thompson said. "His vision is broad enough to encompass the entire district, and he has the energy and expertise to represent us all, from Northwest Austin to Northwest Houston."
When we are fortunate enough to score a touchdown we usually subscribe to the theory of "act like you've been there", rather than dancing like an idiot. However, I think it's important for us to stop for a second and take inventory regarding just how far the House Democratic Caucus has come since 2003.
In 2003, after Tom DeLay's illegally laundered TRMPAC money financed the Republican takeover of the Texas House and the ascension of Tom Craddick to the absolute pinnacle of power, Democrats were bruised, battered, and paralyzed by a 13-seat deficit in the Texas House. The partisan make-up of the house was 62-D and 88-R. For those who were around, it was an accomplishment for the D's to hold 40 votes on anything.
After the courageous and historic party switch of Kirk England this week, House Democrats have shrunk that deficit from 13 to a mere 5 seats. No one deserves more credit for these significant accomplishments than the Leader of the House Democratic Caucus, Jim Dunnam.
When the Caucus was at the lowest point in its history, Representative Dunnam stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge. No one, friend or foe, can argue with his results.
After pulling of the impossible (Ardmore), Reps. Dunnam, Gallego, and Coleman formed the House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC). During the 2004 elections, House Democrats netted 1 seat in the House by knocking off Craddick's Chair of House Appropriations, Talmadge Heflin. In 2006, House Democrats had unprecedented success by picking up 6 seats; 5 on election-day and 1 during a special election to fill Todd Baxter's old seat.
This past week, after months of persistent and skillful negotiations, Mr. Dunnam and other House Democrats pulled off the impossible by convincing a Republican State Rep. (Kirk England) to switch parties and run as a Democrat.
After years of hard work by many folks, we are now only 6 seats away from electing a Democratic Speaker and moving Texas forward. Every step of the way, no one has shown more skill or courage in taking on Tom Craddick and his corrupt right-wing cronies than our fearless House Democratic leaders; Dunnam, Gallego, Coleman, Hochberg, Thompson, and the other good Democrats in the Texas House.
Since Rep. Dunnam chooses not to dance in the end zone, we thought we'd do it for him. Thanks for all that you've done for Democrats in Texas, and go win us 6 more seats next November!
