Paul Workman Talks the Talk but Can't Walk the Walk

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 06:40 AM CST

Paul Workman is almost a complete unknown in his bid to defeat Democrat Valinda Bolton. Bolton is a great candidate and solid Democrat and has been for two full sessions. However, the district leans to the right and was drawn to elect Republicans. Regardless of the fact it is entirely inside Travis County, Republicans had advantage in HD-47 until they broke their brand and kicked everyone out from under the tent.

Now Paul Workman is trying to do what Donna Keel couldn't last cycle, defeat Valinda Bolton.

As people across the state try to find out who this Workman fella is, Richard Whittacker at the Chronicle noticed a strange paradox in Workmans far right ideology and the depths his hypocrisy will allow him to move in order to make a few bucks.

So what form of Republican is Workman (an important question, considering the nationwide orthodoxy test seemingly underway)? Aside from making his money in building as the CEO of, Workman spent eight years on the RECA board, and is now secretary of arch-tort reformists Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse-Central Texas. He's now director of development for commercial leasing and development firm T. Stacy & Associates (which, considering his CALA-TX link, makes it interesting to note that his new employers acted as development advisors for the Texas Trial Lawyers Building).

If actions speak louder than words, then Republicans and Democrats should be very cautious about who else Workman will sell out in order to make a quick buck (or millions of quick bucks as the case may be).

TX-Sen Round Up

by: David Mauro

Wed Sep 02, 2009 at 05:08 PM CDT

Even though the race may not officially exist yet, there is plenty going on in the race to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison in the U.S. Senate.

• If you're in Austin, John Sharp is launching his campaign at Abel's on the Lake at 6pm tonight. Suggested contribution is $35.
• Speaking of Sharp, Galveston County Democratic Party Chair Lloyd Criss has a BOR diary up encouraging the former Comptroller to get out of the Senate race and run for Lt. Governor. Criss, as you might imagine, is supporting Houston Mayor Bill White for the U.S. Senate.
• Bill White's campaign has named Joe Hamill to be their Central Texas Regional Field Director. Hamill, an Austin native and Austin High graduate, was the Field Director for the Travis County Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign last year. Austin area supporters for White will also be registering voters at First Thursday on South Congress tomorrow (Facebook event info)
• While Whole Foods CEO John Mackey's health care editorial from the WSJ inspired a small protest outside the store's Austin headquarters it also apparently got Russell Verney, a former advisor to Ross Perot, thinking Mackey could be a solid candidate for the Senate. Unsurprisingly, a Whole Foods spokesperson tells the Statesman "there is absolutely no truth to that rumor."
• Bill White's campaign is hosting a party at the Belmont in Austin for the DNC meeting on September 12. Still plenty of time to buy tickets, which start at $20.
• Paul Burka writes, as we have reported before, that Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert is considering jumping into the Senate race, too. 
• Gardner Selby had a story a few days ago about Austin area legislators taking sides in the U.S. Senate race. Diana Maldonado and Valinda Bolton are hosting Sharp's event tonight while Patrick Rose, Mark Strama and Dawnna Dukes are backing White.

A Look at Incumbent House Democratic Fundraising

by: David Mauro

Sat Jul 18, 2009 at 01:48 PM CDT

With the recent release of campaign finance reports, it is a good time to take a look at how some of the incumbent House Democrats likely to be targeted by the Republicans faired in fundraising. 

There are many months ahead, but here is the current financial outlook for 10 incumbent House Democrats likely to face comeptitive races next year.

House District 2 

Mark Homer raised $4,699 and ended the reporting period with $5,982 on hand. His campaign spent $20,676 during that time.

House District 11

Chuck Hopson raised only $5,750 but has an impressive $66,563 on hand, with expenditures of slightly over $22,900 for the reporting period. 

House District 47

Valinda Bolton reported raising $14,800 and ended with $23,532 on hand. Two years ago at this time, Bolton had $13,704 on hand, so the two-term incumbent has almost $10k more than she did at this same point last election cycle.

House District 52

Diana Maldonado raised $18,950 and ended the reporting period with $35,817 in the bank. The Williamson County Democrat and TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate spent a little over $18,000 during that time.

House District 78 

Joe Moody of El Paso reported raising $16,950 to end the reporting period with $27,955.82 on hand. Moody, a TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate, won by just over 3200 votes in 2008.

House District 96 

Chris Turner reported raising $45,251.24 and had slightly over $102,000 on hand.  Great to see huge numbers from a TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate.

House District 101

Robert Miklos, a freshman House member from Mesquite and another TexBlog PAC endorsed candidate, raised $18,340 and has $20,656 on hand. 

House District 102 

Carol Kent, who defeated incumbent Tony Goolsby in 2008, raised $32,170 and ended the filing period with just over $51,000 on hand. 

House District 107

Although he raised only $1,157 during the reporting period and spent more than $60,000, incumbent Democrat Allen Vaught has more than $86,000 currently on hand. 

House District 133 

Kristi Thibaut, who defeated Republican incumbent Jim Murphy by 497 votes in 2008, has $45,655 on hand. At this point two years ago, as she prepared for a rematch with Murphy after losing in 2006, Thibaut only had $6,851 on hand. 

LSG Elects Officers

by: Matt Glazer

Mon Mar 02, 2009 at 06:23 PM CST

The LSG board also consists of Representatives Roberto Alonzo, David Farabee, Pete Gallego, Terri Hodge, Scott Hochberg, Eddie Rodriguez, Mike Villarreal, and Abel Herrero. 

Congrats to the board and to both the officers of LSG.

HD-47: Valinda Bolton Launches TV Ad

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 00:01 PM CDT

On the Web: www.valindabolton.com

Rumors of Donna Keel Push Poll Circulate

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 11:43 AM CDT

Noun, Singular-- push poll

1. a campaign technique in which a fake poll is used to alter the views of respondents. Push polls are generally viewed as form of negative campaigning. The term is also sometimes used incorrectly to refer to actual polls which test political messages, some of which may be negative.

In other words, a deceptive way to spread rumors, lies, and conjecture, without getting dirt on your hands or having to say that the Donna Keel campaign has paid money for a negative campaign tactic.

Austin has been a buzz today with rumors that Donna Keel has been push polling House District 47 voters.  Valinda Bolton's campaign manager was quick to respond.

I believe in running a tough, hard hitting campaign. But, I draw the line at calling voters under the guise of legitimate polling and planting lies about our opponent. Reports are coming in that a push poll against Valinda was running last night.

For those unfamiliar with a push poll, it's when you receive a call from a "pollster" and the "questions" they ask have false or misleading information about a candidate embedded within the question. These polls are designed to shape public opinion and are tactics straight out of Karl Rove's playbook.  

If the reports are true, we must be ready to defend Valinda against the next attack. Please make a generous donation today.

The story has some legs.  According to a site, McCarthyAustin.com, the writer actually received the call.  The call had only nice things to say about Keel and negative, false things to say about incumbent Valinda Bolton.

This shows the stark difference between the two candidates.

In Valinda's 2006 campaign she spoke of her readiness to tackle tough issues, build bridges, and find solutions that work for all of us. Since her election, Valinda has reached across the aisle and built a broad coalition that stands ready to tackle the REAL issues facing Texas families. She's worked to strengthen our public schools, resolve our traffic nightmares, reduce our property tax burden, and negotiate affordable healthcare for our families and small businesses. Please donate now and send Valinda back for a second term.

The Austin Chronicle summed up Valinda's opponent, Donna Keel, by saying,
"If that last name sounds a little familiar, it should. She's the wife of Thornton Keel, who is brother to Terry Keel, who is Tom Craddick's parliamentarian and the former incumbent of District 47. So, to recap, the sister-in-law of one of the chief consiglieres to the massively unpopular speaker is trying to knock down the winner of the prestigious, Legislative Study Group's Freshman of the Year award."

Please make a donation to help combat these Tom Craddick, Karl Rove, Tom DeLay campaign tactics.

Valinda Bolton Speaking: Issues/Policy Forum, Mon., July 14th, 6pm-8pm

by: David Kobierowski

Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:57 PM CDT

What:  We'll network and present the issues and policies important to Travis County, important to TX, including Barack Obama's policy.  We'll share, learn, frame the issues, and market them.  1st hour is "Democratic Citizen Communication" where you present your issues important to you as a Democrat! 2nd hour Valinda Bolton is speaking.

When:  Mon., July 14th, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Where:  Travis County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign Headquarters, 1107 N. I 35 (next door to CVS, in old Safeway Building at 12th and I-35)

Who:  Anyone interested in networking with fun, cool, energizing, like-minded Democrats, and learning about the policies and issues important to our city, our state, and our nation heading into the November TX elections. 1st hour is a "Democratic Party Town Hall Meeting".

Cost: FREE

You're welcome to bring food/drinks to share and bring your laptop (Laptop not mandatory).

Best,
David Kobierowski
Travis County Democratic Party Issues Committee Chair
512-413-0286
Cleanair999@yahoo.com

Donna Keel Files Against Valinda Bolton in HD-47

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 04:54 PM CST

Donna Keel, the sister-in-law of former state Rep. Terry Keel, has filed as a Republican for House District 47.

Keel, who's married to Thornton Keel, Terry's brother, obviously hopes to use the family name to recapture the seat. District 47 includes southwestern Travis County.

Rep. Valinda Bolton, an Austin Democrat, won a long, expensive campaign in 2006 after Terry Keel retired from the Texas House. Terry Keel now serves as House parliamentarian.

Anyone want to guess whether the "Keel" name has the same sterling benefits that it once had in Travis County? I'm willing to guess that after the last legislative session- not so much.

I just made another contribution to Valinda's re-election campaign. You should, too.

On the Web: www.valindabolton.org

UPDATE: I could not help but post this excellent summary of the race from the Austin Chronicle Blog.

So, to recap, the sister-in-law of one of the chief consiglieres to the massively unpopular speaker is trying to knock down the winner of the prestigious Legislative Study Group's Freshman of the Year award.

Republicans Doubt Your Ability to Win

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Sep 12, 2007 at 11:15 AM CDT

With sponsors like Jim Dunnam, Pete Gallego, Lon Burnam, Eddie Rodriguez, Valinda Bolton, Mark Strama, the Texas Democratic Party, House Democratic Campaign Committee, and Texas Progress Council PAC, blogs are taking online action offline.  We are ready and prepared to shake up the '08 election cycle.

What does the Republican Party think of this? In a Fort-Worth Star Telegram article out today, Hans Klinger the political director of the Texas Republican Party dismisses anyone working to take back Texas.

Hans Klingler, the political director of the Texas Republican Party, is not convinced. Texas voters have not elected a Democrat to a statewide office since 1994, and Republicans have been steadily whittling down the Democrats' advantage at the county level, the one stage in Texas that they still control, Klingler said.

Klingler also suggested that the Democratic bloggers are less of a grassroots movement and more of an echo chamber, where the handful of writers and readers talk almost exclusively to one another.

"Maybe they're a majority in the virtual world," he quipped.

Are you ready to prove the Republican Party wrong? Then support the TexBlog PAC.

When September 25th hits the number one question bloggers will get is, "so how much did you raise?"  There is no way we can let the Republican Party get away with calling us an echo chamber and a virtual majority.  In the last four years we have worked for candidates like Carlos Uresti, Juan Garcia, Valinda Bolton, Boris Miles, Ellen Cohen, and many many more.

House Democratic leader Jim Dunnam already knows we are an agent of change.

"I think the blogosphere is giving voice to what a lot of ordinary Texans are thinking, and that is that we need a change of leadership in Austin," said Dunnam, of Waco. "I think they are really helpful in spreading the message that it's Democrats who are going to be the agents of change in 2008."

Prove Jim Dunnam right and come by the home of Kurt and Amy Clark Meachum on September 24th.  We are going to be celebrating the beginning of  TexBlog PAC's journey to help win back the Texas House at 5103 Cedro Trail Austin Texas 78731 from 6 to 8 p.m.  and saying thank you for your support.

TPJ Study Removed

by: Burnt Orange Report

Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 05:08 PM CDT

The purpose of the study is admirable, to track extravagant travel by elected officials paid for by lobbyist, the primary methodology used is too faulty for us to keep the study on our main page. Sadly, the data collected appears to have been sloppy at best.

While controversy surrounds the study, some facts are irrefutable.  Rep. Mike Krusee is at fault.

Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Williamson County, a "lobby favorite." Krusee, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, took nine lobby-funded trips in the period reviewed, 2005 and 2006 through the eve of the November elections, the report said.

For instance, J. McCartt, a lobbyist whose clients include contractor Fluor Corp. and PBS&J, an engineering firm, flew Krusee to Las Vegas to deliver the keynote address at a PBS&J toll summit after the 2005 regular legislative session.

Krusee's office issued a statement Tuesday stating that he "learns from other parts of the country and innovative industries about how to get traffic moving, how to improve safety and how to build roads in cost-effective ways."

Training from groups like  EMILY's List and Annie's List is not the same as PBS&J flying Krusee to Vegas or James Leininger taking Rick Perry to the Caribbean.