This is Part I of an ongoing series that will take a look at the prospective candidates for the 2010 statewide races.
The Republicans
Two-term incumbent Jerry Pattersonhas publicly said that he may run for Lieutenant Governor. However, if Attorney General Greg Abbott (who has the biggest campaign warchest among statewide office holders) enters the Lt. Governor's race or David Dewhurst runs for re-election, he would probably opt for re-election instead of waging what would be uphill battles in both potential matchips. In the end, I expect Patterson to run for re-election.
If Patterson does not seek re-election, state Sen. Dan Patrick could enter the race. It is well known that Patrick has ambitions to run statewide in 2010 and this could be where he ends up.
While stranger things have certainly happened, it is hard to take the Friedman rumors too seriously. Rose may run for statewide office someday, but at 30 years old he is likely a cycle or two away. I could certainly be wrong, but neither Friedman or Rose seem likely to enter this race.
Ronnie McDonald would make a very interesting candidate and I'd like to hear what our readers from Bastrop have to say about him.
McDonald considered running for Robby Cook's old seat, House District 17, before Donnie Dippel got in the race.
Kuff quoted Capitol Inside's take on McDonald, who was first elected county judge in 1999, back when he was considering running for state rep.
Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald is one of the first names to emerge in Democratic circles as a potential replacement for Cook on the ballot next year. McDonald, who's been county judge for almost nine years, considered a race for the House four years ago when Cook appeared to be on the verge of switching parties while being wooed by Governor Rick Perry and other high-level Republicans. But McDonald decided to stay in his current position after Cook spurned the GOP and filed for re-election as a Democrat.
McDonald has been a political trailblazer as Bastrop County's first African-American county judge. He was the first African-American yell leader in Aggieland before graduating from Texas A&M University and pursuing a career in government. McDonald worked for John Sharp in the Comptroller's Office before deciding to enter politics himself.
McDonald is a potential candidate for land commissioner to keep your eye on. Another name that has come up is VaLinda Hathcox, the 2006 Democratic nominee for land commissioner. Hathcox most recently lost the Democratic primary in the TX-04 congressional district.
These are not meant to be comprehensive lists and we invite you to suggest other possible candidates in the comments.
ENDORSEMENT OF VALINDA HATHCOX
FOR U.S. CONGRESS, DISTRICT 4
by Maria Luisa Alvarado
The people of Texas and America will gain exceptional representation in Washington D.C. from VaLinda Hathcox as the next United States Representative for District 4 of Texas. Let me explain. I believe my campaign experience in 2006 afforded me an opportunity to get to know the heart of other candidates on the campaign trail. As candidate for Texas Land Commissioner, VaLinda Hathcox was an inspiration to me in that the truth to her was not to be compromised for popularity. The people and the land of Texas are vast in diversity but for the most part they are solid and true. That is the character of VaLinda Hathcox, and is the desperate need in Congress.
However, it is not enough to rely solely on the character that our elected officials take to our Nation's Capitol. VaLinda Hathcox takes to Washington D.C. a proven record of public service as an attorney in the defense and protection of health services for the poor, as well as administration of legal judgments and education on tax matters. There is much work ahead to restore this nation that her hands?on experience on solving issues will be an advantage for us all.
Why I'm in this race: My roots in this district go back generations. My mother's family settled in Collin County in the 1800s. My parents settled in Wood and Hopkins Counties. I was born, educated, have lived and worked in the Texas 4th District all my life (except when in Law School in Austin or working for the people of Texas in as Deputy Attorney General and Director of Public Affairs, at the Texas Land Commission, or as Director of Legislative Affairs for the State Bar of Texas and for the Texas Association of Counties.)
VaLinda on the family's ranches (Hathcox Farms and Big H Ranch) with part of their herd of Texas Longhorns.
VaLinda's parents inherited only 20 acres of their 1000 acres. They worked and paid for what they acquired, but want to pass it on to their children.
For me, my family and most of my neighbors, Texas is more than just a state or an address -- it is part of us and we are intrinsically tied to it through more than just the land or where we work.
· Texas is a culture where we carve better opportunities and more just, fairer practices for successive generations.
· Texas is a culture where folks don't expect better to be easy.
· Texas is a place where hard work and diligence means incremental advancement for most folks, incredible success for some and where we work together to help prevent others from falling through the cracks.
· Texas is where we look at what we have realistically, face what got us where we are while figuring out better, more just, fairer laws, regulations and "ways of doing things" for the future.
(A cool pic in the full entry of most all the statewides together! - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
That is, if Governor AMF and the Republicans in the Texas Lege get their way. Houston Chronic:
The venerable Texas State Railroad may run from here to Palestine, but it's about to get sidetracked in Austin.
The 110-year-old railroad is the most endangered of the 114 properties in the state parks system, which is going on the offensive for increased funding after more than a decade of tight budgets that have led to decaying facilities and reduced services.
But even if lawmakers pour money into the parks system during the next legislative session, the old-time steam engines in East Texas are set to become fixed museum pieces at year's end.
"They're not only threatening to close down the railroad, but they're also threatening to close down a lot of state parks," visitor Travis Shelton said, referring to the recently announced prospect that further budget cuts could shutter as many as 18 low-performing state parks.
Fact is most of the parks in Texas are in shambles:
This is my response to the Texas Observer's June 30, 2006, essay by Dave Mann, entitled "The Fight for Relevance.
Dear Editor:
In reference to your June 30 article, "The Fight for Relevance" - to call Dave Mann and The Observer "clueless" would be an understatement. The only suitable words for your smug dismissal of me and the rest of my statewide Democratic ticketmates aren't printable in public.
There has been a lot of discussion in the past week about our statewide candidates not running for the office of Governor. There has also been a lot of excitement on this blog for people like Hank Gilbert and David Van Os who are picking up the slack in trying to run some semblance of a coordinated campaign. In conversations with various candidates, there is noticeable open irritation with the inability or willingness of other candidates or the TDP to even talk about coordinated strategy or aid.
Then I read things like this that just make me sick.
Statesman: VaLinda Hathcox, Democratic nominee for state land commissioner, proved to be the party's only major statewide candidate not to address its convention, which ended Saturday.
"I feel unwanted," Hathcox said Monday, adding that she momentarily asked party officials what it would take for her to run as an independent instead (too late to start, according to state law).
The Sulphur Springs lawyer said her original speaking slot after noon vanished with party officials telling her that delegates first had to elect a state chairman. Boyd Richie of Graham, the party's interim chief, won what started as a four-way race.
Hathcox said Richie didn't give her a fresh chance to speak until 6 p.m., with the hall emptying out. She said she declined because she felt like she would be talking largely to herself.
Instead, VaLinda Hathcox, our Democratic Nominee for the statewide office of Land Commissioner and currently being featured in our 40/40 series, resorted to giving a speech on a couple of stacked pallets to delegates wandering around the exhibition area of the State Convention. Here's a picture. It's sad, but I wouldn't be surprised if she had a more attentive audience at that locale.
In four short years we have gone from having a party that had a $70 million dollar fully coordinated statewide operation to one with only a single candidate able to break the $1 million mark and Democratic nominees feeling they would have better luck running as Independents.
...The dream of an instant revival has been deferred, with top party strategists focusing on local and statehouse races instead of the more costly and daunting statewide contests.
I'm glad that the blogs are here to support our statewide candidates (and I intend to do as much as we can to give them deserved publicity) but it's not the type of help they really need.
This problem was born last summer and fall when the Party simply stopped trying to recruit anyone for statewide office. Had some brave people not stepped up to the plate, the Democratic Party of Texas might have fulfilled its Kelly Fero-esque state of being "wholly irrelevant" months before November elections.
If things don't change, quite honestly, the unnecessary gross defeat of great people like Hank, David, and VaLinda come November will truly be the stake in the heart in making the Democratic Party 'irrelevant' to many Texans. If we refuse to take our own seriously and offer little more than lip service to them, we destroy the Democratic brand in Texas and cannot expect anyone else to take us seriously either.
(This post contains a great series of photos to tell the story of the state convention for all those not there and for those who were. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
There was a large number of bloggers working the convention in many areas, not just blogging.
I crashed a few parties during the Texas Democratic Convention and took almost 150 high quality pictures including more then a few backstage shots. I authorize the use of these photo's for bloggers, candidates, and campaigns. Click the thumbnail, then download the high quality versions for best results.
This is a video record of my time at the convention.
(Today marks the long-awaited return of the 40/40. I finally found my interview with VaLinda, so I'll be finishing her 40/40 feature this week, and will also feature another one of our statewide candidates -- Hank Gilbert. Next week, check for Damon's features on Fred Head and David Van Os. - promoted by Phillip Martin)
If ever a candidate was qualified to be Commissioner of the General Land Office, it is VaLinda Hathcox. A quick look at her bio says it all:
Thursday morning at 9:30 am I arrived in Fort Worth to attend my first ever Texas Democratic Party Convention. I was filled with hope and excitement. This morning I sit here filled with incredulity.
I readily admit that I am a rookie at this. I don’t know all the inner workings of the TDP. THANK GOD! Can you spell T.R.A.I.N. W.R.E.C.K.? Or, is FUBAR more to you liking?
I don’t care about who the party chair is! What difference can it possibly make to an organization that is so completely out of touch with what is important:
(emphasis mine. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
I just got the news from Ruben Hernandez, the state party executive director, on the speaking schedule of the statewide candidates. Chris Bell will speak Friday night, Barbara Radnofsky will speak between 11:00 AM and 12:00 NOON on Saturday, and the rest of the statewide ticket will speak one after the other beginning at NOON. Maria Luisa Alvarado will start this part of the program at 12:00, I will speak at 12:15, and so on. Originally the plan was for the statewide candidates to speak later in the afternoon on Saturday, but they have been moved up to a better spot in the schedule.
It would have been better for all the statewide candidates to speak on Friday night to showcase the Texas Democratic Party's resolve to carry the state across the board. However, because of invitations and commitments that were already made, I think the train was probably already too far down the track several weeks ago to make that happen at this point. Under the circumstances, a program highlighting the statewide ticket at noon Saturday is a good resolution in my opinion. Most of the Convention delegates are still very much present and interested that early on Saturday.
There is no question but that this change was made because of the large amount of feedback the state party has been getting on this in the last few days. It is very encouraging to know that so many Texas Democrats want to push our statewide ticket and fight to win our state back for the people this year up and down the ballot. I am proud to be on the statewide Democratic ticket with Maria Luisa Alvarado, Hank Gilbert, Fred Head, Valinda Hathcox, Dale Henry, Judge Bill Moody, J.R. Molina, Barbara Radnofsky and Chris Bell. It is a great ticket of Fighting Democrats who stepped up to the plate from out of the grassroots with winning attitudes to take on the beast right in his belly. We're all fighters. We'll fight till hell freezes over, then fight on the ice.
David Van Os
I've added the convention schedule according to the Party as of May 31 as well. This may be somewhat updated with the information David mentioned above. -KT
