Our campaign is proud to announce the endorsement of the Austin American-Statesman. The Statesman joins over a dozen Democratic, public safety, and community organizations in supporting Margaret Gómez.
The Statesman says voters should ask themselves: Will my choice make things better or just different?
They describe Margaret Gómez as champion of social services who, after beginning her career as a commissioner's secretary, has become a recognized expert in county government.
The Statesman also praises Gómez as "a cross over hit" who has "developed strong ties with non-Latino political groups, including labor and environmentalists."
The Editorial Board writes that Raul Alvarez "lacks focus and displays little practical working knowledge of county government" and that "Alvarez is a favorite of the ultra-hip but a disappointment to people who expect results."
The people of Precinct 4 do expect results.
They expect a leader who will be a champion for them, not a voice for the City Hall insiders and outside interests.
Voters in Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4 have been barraged by campaign ads in recent days and weeks, and it should be no surprise that one local incumbent, Margaret Gomez has decided to go negative in the waning days of the election.
One attack ad run by the Margaret Gomez campaign against her opponent, former City Councilman Raul Alvarez, goes so far as to depict the Republican party's elephant-logo bearing the name of the well known Democratic challenger Raul Alvarez. It bears noting that challenger Raul Alvarez's record reflects a considerably more progressive pattern of votes than Gomez's.
Another ad run by the Margaret Gomez campaign involves the unauthorized use and implied endorsement of popular Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
Upon being contacted, Congressman Doggett's office has stated that they in fact did not endorse Margaret Gomez and further stated that the Gomez campaign has no permission to use either Congressman Doggett's name or his likeness.
The unauthorized use of Congressman Doggett's name and likeness is the latest in a series of controversies regarding the Margaret Gomez campaign's use of the names of high-profile residents and public figures without their consent, including her former chief of Staff Joe Vela. Joe Vela noted this in a letter to the Austin Chronicle, adding "the name Joe Vela appears on the supporters list of both candidates for Precinct 4 Travis County Commissioner. To clarify any confusion, I support Raul Alvarez for this office. We need an advocate who will show up for work and speak to the needs of precinct 4."
This shows the fevered pitch that the race for Precinct 4's Commissioner seat has reached, as well as the desperation of the incumbent Gomez to hang on to her seat.
There are two words we forget to say too often. Thank you.
In that regard, I want to thank the Burnt Orange Report community for your enthusiastic endorsement. I want to thank so many of you for donating your time and hard earned dollars. Your support is appreciated and the momentum you have created is humbling.
This campaign has been a tough, long endeavor, but your support has made the difference. And with only a handful of days remaining, you continue to energize and impress me.
When we started this race, we knew it would be hard. To win we would have to create a strategy, stay organized, and actively reach as many voters as possible. And our campaign has been committed to doing the hard work, and because of supporters like you, we are within striking distance of winning this race.
Your endorsement alongside the Austin Chronicle, every democratic club that has made an endorsement, the Austin Labor Council, the Austin Firefighters Association, law enforcement, and many others, have given us momentum going into March 2nd.
We have been endorsed by District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, Senator Kirk Watson, State Representatives Eddie Rodriguez and Mark Strama. Also, Mayor Lee Leffingwell and city council member Mike Martinez along with County Commissioner Karen Huber support our campaign and vision for County Court at Law 3. We have been endorsed by over 1,000 people in Travis County because we have made it a point to talk about helping people and not just simply punishment.
You have made this campaign a success up to this point. You have knocked on doors, called voters, voted at club meetings, written letters, signed postcards, and (hopefully) will vote early or on Election Day.
With the election only a week away, I want to make sure to say thank you one more time for all your hard work and support.
So, thank you.
John Lipscombe
Candidate for County Court at Law #3
While our campaign had previously garnered the endorsements of:
The Austin Firefighter's Association
The Austin Hispanic Firefighter's Association
The Austin African American Firefighter's Association
as well as Former Mayor Will Wynn
Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Martinez
among many many others - the last 48 hours have been extremely exciting for us.
last night we received the endorsements of:
Former Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerly
Council Member Randi Shade
as well as both the
The Sierra Club
and
(Cap-Metro) Amalgamated Transit Union 1091
And most exciting of all we swept tonight's Travis County Democratic Party Mega-Forum by receiving the endorsements of the
Tejano Democrats
Capital City Young Democrats
Texas Environmental Democrats
Northeast County Democrats
Capital Area Asian American Democrats
"I am extremely honored and extremely grateful to receive the endorsement of these institutions, and I feel this shows the community's desire for new leadership and new direction." - Raul Alvarez
Raul Alvarez, former two-term City Council member and candidate for County Commissioner Precinct 4 has raised an impressive $30,000 by December 31st of last year, out-raising his opponent, incumbent Gomez by nearly $10,000.
At this early stage of the race, Alvarez has already raised more than any previous Challenger that Gomez has faced.
Raul Alvarez has run a largely grass-roots campaign, with over 200 donors and more than 80% of his donors having contributed $100 or less.
The number of small donors demonstrates his strong support in the community and a desire for new leadership and new direction on the Commissioner's Court.
(AUSTIN) - Raul Alvarez has received the endorsement of the Austin Firefighters Association.
He is also proud to receive the support of the African American Firefighters Association and the Hispanic Firefighters Association.
"Its an honor to be endorsed by the Austin Firefighters Association. I have been a strong advocate for the firefighters in the past when I was on the city council," Alvarez said. "I will remain a strong voice for the firefighters as long as I 'm in public office."
(Raul Alvarez is running for Travis County Commissioner in Precinct 4. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Fellow Democrats,
I'm Raul Alvarez, I am proud to have called Austin home for almost 20 years and I am excited to be running for Travis County Commissioner for Pct. 4
I'm running because our community is at a crossroad. We face serious challenges when it comes to:
Strengthening our local economy
Supporting educational achievement
Protecting our natural resources &
Promoting affordability, among others.
As your commissioner, I will provide strong leadership so that we can tackle these issues. I will be a strong advocate for Precinct 4. I will work to find new solutions to the economic, educational, environmental challenges we face. I will be a leader on issues that affect working families. Our community and Precinct 4 need relief now. We cannot afford to wait 4 more years for change to come. We can move forward now as a community by electing a new Precinct 4 Commissioner, and I am the right person for the job.
Austin attorney Amy Clark Meachum filed for the 201st District Court earlier today at the Travis County Democratic Party headquarters. Meachum will face Jan Patterson in the Democratic primary. We have recently documented the controversy that has surrounded Patterson, who had at one time been expected to be unopposed.
Meachum has locked down much of the Travis County Democratic activist and establishment support. Austin political consultants David Butts and Alfred Stanley, who had not backed Meachum until she switched races, were both present as she filed at the TCDP office. So were long time party activists like Donna Beth McCormick, Ginny Agnew, Pat Crow, Cecilia Crossley and Shirley Johnson, among others.
Meachum's campaign has released the following list of elected official endorsements earlier today:
Hon. Kirk Watson, Hon. Eddie Rodriguez, Hon. Mark Strama, Hon. Mike Martinez, Hon. David Escamilla, Hon. Bruce Elfant, Hon. Ken Oden, Hon. Margaret Moore, Hon. Bill Aleshire, Hon. Garnet Coleman, Hon. Jim Dunnam, Hon. Pete Gallego, Hon. Lon Burnam, Hon. Jessica Farrar, Hon. Abel Herrero, Hon. Mike Villarreal, Hon. James E. "Pete" Laney, Amb. Lyndon Olson
Meachum with supporters outside of TCDP office after filing for District Judge.
Today is the filing deadline for the Democratic Primary, and, with only 58 days until Election Day, I am proud of the progress my campaign has made so far.
I've received endorsements from six public safety associations, including the state's largest, the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT). I am humbled to have earned the support of CLEAT once again, as well as the Travis County Sheriffs Officers Association, Travis County Sheriffs Law Enforcement Association, Austin/Travis County EMS Employee Association, Austin Police Association, and the Travis County Firefighters Association.
I also have the support of the only three elected officials to have endorsed in this race: Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe, Austin City Councilman Bill Spelman, and Constable Richard McCain. Additionally, I have been endorsed by former Travis County Judge Bill Aleshire, former Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, and former Texas Comptroller John Sharp.
After fifteen years as county commissioner, I am so proud to have the support of both the current president of University Democrats Melessa Rodriguez and the immediate past president Jimmy Talarico.
With more than three decades of Democratic activism in my hometown of Austin, I am proud to have the support of many Democratic activists, including Precinct 424 Democratic chair Walter Timberlake. To view my full supporter list, click here.
Volunteers, friends, family and I have been working hard over the past few months to spread the word to Precinct 4 voters about my record on the Commissioners Court. Our campaign has knocked on over 1800 doors throughout southeast Travis County and made countless phone calls.
There are less than two months until Election Day, and just over a month until early voting begins. The support our campaign has enjoyed has been great, and I look forward to continuing to work hard as I visit and listen to voters across Precinct 4 about how county government can better serve them.
It is no secret that an army of Democratic party activists, loyalists, and democratic elected officials are hoping that Justice Jan Patterson decides to retire rather than follow through on a run for the 201st civil district court. Interestingly, a flurry of activity and action seems to be replacing hope.
This morning, Patterson’s campaign treasurer, Katie Naranjo, sent Patterson a letter resigning her position. Naranjo declined to comment for this post saying, “Even though I can no longer serve in that capacity, I would prefer to keep the contents of my communications with Judge Patterson between the two of us. I have no idea if Judge Patterson intends to retire or not – you’ll have to ask her that question.”
Multiple Democratic attorneys in town are reaching out to Judge Patterson to discuss retirement as a better option than a contested democratic primary. If Patterson opts not to retire, BOR has confirmation that at least a dozen highly motivated activists, attorneys and elected officials have been diligently working to line up support for a credible challenger to Patterson in the 201st.
The filing deadline is January 4.
What brought all this about?
As you might remember, Patterson and Senator Kirk Watson had a recent dust-up over Patterson lobbying Governor Rick Perry for his appointment to the 353rd Civil District Court after the untimely passing of Judge Scott Ozmun. Had Perry honored Patterson’s request, Perry would have been able to give the all-important 3rd Court of Appeals a 4-2 Republican majority. Patterson’s attempt to obtain a Perry appointment and thus give the Republicans a 4-2 majority on the 3rd Court infuriated Democratic elected officials, donors and activists who have labored for a decade to bring the 3rd Court to partisan parity.
Thankfully, Senator Kirk Watson had the good judgment to block the Patterson appointment from Perry. According to the Austin Chronicle, “Patterson's nomination was not approved by Sen. Kirk Watson, according to documents obtained through an open records request, and Perry ultimately appointed Jeff Rose, former deputy first assistant attorney general, to replace Ozmun.”
The Chronicle has chronicled this drama here and here.
