It may be the last race on your Democratic ballot, but it can be one of the most important: the race for your local Democratic Party County Chair.
Exemplary county chairs build the Democratic party in their area, recruit candidates, expand turnout programs, and play a big role in winning crucial elections. The role can be a tough needle to thread, as chairs must work well with activists, candidates, officeholders, and donors, and make sure the party stays focused on activities that actually win elections for Democrats. It's a thankless, tiresome, and unpaid job, and we commend those who do it year after year. The people who run and win these positions are key to turning our entire state blue, inch by inch and county by county, and we urge voters to look into the candidates for this race and support the person best capable of organizing strong GOTV programs and recruiting the best candidates to run and win.
With that in mind, Burnt Orange Report is endorsing several uncontested county chairs in recognition of their tremendous party building efforts, and also endorsing in select contested races where we believe there is a compelling reason to support one candidate.
Garnet Coleman is a progressive champion who deserves another term in the Legislature. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse him for HD-147.
Coleman is a spectacular legislator, an unabashed progressive, and a champion for the poor and powerless. He is a leader in the Texas Legislature working to make bills more effective and more progressive. Outside of the Capitol he works hard to elect Democrats up and down the ballot to give our party more support at all levels of government. As we wrote in our legislative preview, Coleman is a strong Democrat and party loyalist who walks the walk, and he not only deserves another term, he deserves to be in a chamber with a Democratic majority so he can really show what he can get done.
Burnt Orange Report unanimously and enthusiastically endorses Garnet Coleman for re-election to HD-147 and urges all Democrats and progressives to support him.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Joseph Carlos Madden has already been working hard to fight for our progressive values in the Legislature as a staffer. He's the best choice to follow Rep. Scott Hochberg, and we unanimously and enthusiastically endorse him in HD-137.
There are a lot of first-time candidates on the ballot this year, but few are as qualified and knowledgeable about the workings of the Legislature as Joseph Carlos Madden. Madden has served as Chief of Staff for progressive champion Garnet Coleman, and also as the Executive Director of the Legislative Study Group. He has already reviewed and analyzed thousands of bills that have come to the floor of the State House to determine their impacts on Texas families. Ask Madden a question about a policy issue, and be prepared for an answer that is as rapid, thorough, and thoughtful as if he wrote the bill himself.
Madden's Hispanic cultural background fluency in Spanish are an asset in this diverse, multicultural district. He was the first member of his family to graduate from college, and worked his way through the University of Texas as an electrician's apprentice, simultaneously interning at the HDCC and for Democratic representatives. As a precinct chair he has worked hard to elect Democrats in Harris County, and been actively involved with the local party. Madden is an outstanding Democratic candidate in every way possible, and will be an exemplary member of our Democratic caucus.
This will be a close race, with four solid candidates running to replace Rep. Scott Hochberg, and we expect it to go to a run-off. Of Madden's opponents, we commend Jamaal Smith on his work in the legislature and for the Harris County Democratic Party, and are pleased to see him making his first run for office as well. However we give the edge to Madden for his tireless work to make Texas a better place, and his tremendous experience as a legislative staffer.
Madden has the experience and legislative know-how to step into Hochberg's seat and make an immediate difference for working Texas families. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse him in the Democratic primary for HD-137.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Of the solid candidates in HD-101, Chris Turner is the strongest campaigner and will be the best legislator. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse him for election in the Democratic primary.
The new HD-101 was drawn as a safe Democratic district in Tarrant County, and has attracted three solid candidates. However, we think that Turner is the best of the bunch, in terms of his abilities as a legislator, credentials as a Democrat, and talents as a campaigner. In 2008 Turner was elected to the state house. As a freshman legislator in the minority party he was still able to be an effective leader and pass several pieces of legislation, including measures to stop seniors and customers from being gouged by utility rate hikes and legislation that allowed the children and widows of deceased veterans use the benefits their loved ones earned while serving our country. He's probably best known for creating a lottery ticket that serves as a funding mechanism for the Fund for Veterans Assistance, which provides emergency funding for veterans in need and counseling for returning vets suffering from PTSD. The program has already generated over $15 million in revenue for Texas veterans.
Turner also has a solid background as a Democratic organizer. He managed Congressman Chet Edwards' campaign for four cycles, keeping the Democrat in office despite his Republican district. He also worked for the Tarrant County Democratic Party as Executive Director, working hard to build the party.
Turner has two opponents. One of them, former State Representative Paula Pierson, is a distinguished public servant and would make a fine legislator. Unfortunately, HD-101 can only send one of these two former state representatives back to Austin. We think that Turner was more effective when he was in the state house, and will be a better representative of this bright blue district.
Burnt Orange Report unanimously and enthusiastically endorses Chris Turner in the Democratic primary for HD-101.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Toni Rose is the most trustworthy Democratic candidate in HD-110. We enthusiastically and unanimously endorse her for election in the Democratic primary.
Rose is a mental health professional with a history of Democratic activism. Her perspective on mental health issues will be crucial in the Legislature, and her experience will allow her to advocate for programs that support mental health across Texas. Rose received a degree in criminal justice, which provides her with expertise particularly important to this South Dallas district. The intersection of her work in mental health and knowledge of the criminal justice system will enable her to lead on these issues.
Rose has a long record with organizations actively involved in bettering her community. She served as 2nd Vice President to the local NAACP, and Vice President of Voter Outreach with the League of Women Voters of Dallas. She is also involved with the United Negro College Fund, Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, and Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She also served on the City of Dallas planning and judicial nomination commissions. Her grassroots activism and deep involvement with the people of this district make her the better choice.
We have serious concerns about her opponent Larry Taylor, owing to his Republican primary voting history. In 2008, he did not vote in the Democratic primary for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton -- he voted in the Republican primary, apparently caring more about local Republican races than helping to elect the country's first African-American president. HD-110 is the most Democratic district in the state, and as such voters should elect a staunch Democrat who works to build our party and support our values year after year.
Rose is the candidate we trust the most. We unanimously and enthusiastically encourage voters in HD-110 to support her in the Democratic primary.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Tina Torres is a staunch advocate for families and children, and will bring a strong female voice to the San Antonio state house delegation. We enthusiastically and unanimously endorse her for election to HD-117.
Torres is an attorney with a strong record of community service. She was raised in a family with a staunch commitment to bettering the community -- her mother was a teacher and the first Hispanic woman elected to the State Board of Education, and her father was a San Antonio city council member. Part of her law practice includes family law, and she has served on the boards of non-profits that advocate for families and children. We are particularly impressed that she is a volunteer with CASA, a non-profit that trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the court. Her on-the-ground experience in the community will make her a forceful advocate for the needs of children in her district, especially as Republicans in the legislature fight to take away programs that help low-income families succeed.
When Torres entered the race, some Democratic operatives in the area expressed the sentiment that it wasn't "her turn." Real leaders don't always wait their turn. They seize the opportunity to make a difference. Additionally, we believe that a strong female voice is a necessary and valuable addition to the San Antonio delegation in the lower chamber.
Torres has demonstrated strong campaigning prowess since entering the race, and raised substantial funds in a short time. We believe she will be the strongest challenger to incumbent Republican John Garza, who ousted Democrat David Leibowitz in 2010. It is crucial that we take this seat back, and fill it with the strongest advocate for all people in Texas, especially those who are most routinely victimized by Republicans in the legislature. In our opinion, Torres is the best person to do exactly that.
We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse Tina Torres in HD-117, and encourage voters to support her in the primary and general election.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Mary Ann Perez is the strongest candidate in the open race for HD-144. We enthusiastically and unanimously endorse her in the Democratic primary and general election.
Perez is a Houston Community College Board of Trustees member and heavily involved in her kids' schools, as well as with Hispanic community organizations. On the HCC board she has developed partnerships with area employers to help prepare a qualified workforce. She works as an insurance agent, and as a member of the Legislature, she will be a tireless advocate for quality education and job creation. She is the strongest candidate in the primary and the general election.
The 144th shifted in redistricting to become a genuine swing district, one that has voted for Democrats and Republicans at all levels of the ballot. Incumbent Ken Legler decided not to file, likely choosing to retire rather than run and lose in November. The 48.2% Spanish surname voter registration number suggests that a Hispanic Democratic will be the strongest candidate to win in November. Both Republican candidates are Hispanic, which could be a factor in this district in terms of splitting the Hispanic vote come the fall.
We think Perez will run the strongest campaign all the way through the finish line in November and win this seat for the Democrats.
We enthusiastically and unanimously endorse Mary Ann Perez in HD-144 in the Democratic primary and general election and encourage voters to work hard to elect her in both.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Justin Rodriguez is a long-time public servant who is ready to lead in the Legislature. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse him for HD-125.
Rodriguez is a former Assistant DA in the Bexar County DA's office and was elected to the San Antonio ISD board, and currently serves on the San Antonio City Council. He's very active in the community and has won a variety of awards for his service. For someone so young he has already amassed an impressive career as an elected official, and his broad range of experience makes him ready to address the diverse needs of his constituents. We think he is the best choice to represent this district, and will continue to advance the infrastructure of opportunity championed by his predecessor in the seat, Joaquin Castro.
We enthusiastically and unanimously endorse Justin Rodriguez for election in HD-125.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Dr. Alma Allen is an expert on school finance and an experienced legislator. Now is not the time to be turning our education experts out of office. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse her for re-election to HD-131.
Allen is a former member of the State Board of Education (not one of the "crazy" ones, no worries) who served on the board for 10 years. She is a former public school teacher and school administrator who worked for Houston ISD for 39 years. She has taught at Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern University. Her broad and deep experience in education and seniority in the state house make her an important member of our delegation.
Allen's opponent Wanda Adams is term limited out of her seat on the Houston City Council. We are not convinced that she wants to serve in the Legislature so much as she wants to find a place to land after her service in Houston is over.
Allen may be nearing end of career, but for now experience is at a premium in our Democratic state house delegation. We see no reason to get rid of this capable and amiable public servant.
Dr. Alma Allen is an advocate for public schools and experienced educator. We unanimously and enthusiastically endorse her for re-election to HD-131.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
Nicole Collier's inspiring personal story, work ethic, and commitment to her community make her the strongest choice in HD-95. We unanimously endorse her for election.
Collier is an attorney, small business owner, and Democratic activist in Fort Worth. Despite having her first child at age 16, she worked her way through college and law school, and is now managing partner of her own law firm. She is actively involved in her local PTA, and a leader in various legal organizations. Collier has an inspiring life story, and will be a tremendous role model to the young women of Texas, as she herself has overcome many of the challenges that too many people are facing these days.
Collier has a bright future ahead of her in the state house. We are excited to support leaders like Collier who have a bright future ahead of them. As much as possible, the Democratic Party needs to be nominating and electing people who have long trajectories of public service ahead of them. Also? Not that it matters in terms of our endorsements, but her yard signs are AWESOME.
We unanimously endorse Nicole Collier for election in HD-95.
Endorsements are made based on a weighted consensus of the staff, which guides the type and tone of endorsement. Members of the Burnt Orange Report staff employed by campaigns abstain from voting on those races.
It may be the last race on your Democratic ballot, but it can be one of the most important: the race for your local Democratic Party County Chair.
Coleman is a spectacular legislator, an unabashed progressive, and a champion for the poor and powerless. He is a leader in the Texas Legislature working to make bills more effective and more progressive. Outside of the Capitol he works hard to elect Democrats up and down the ballot to give our party more support at all levels of government. As we wrote in our legislative preview, Coleman is a strong Democrat and party loyalist who walks the walk, and he not only deserves another term, he deserves to be in a chamber with a Democratic majority so he can really show what he can get done.
There are a lot of first-time candidates on the ballot this year, but few are as qualified and knowledgeable about the workings of the Legislature as Joseph Carlos Madden. Madden has served as Chief of Staff for progressive champion Garnet Coleman, and also as the Executive Director of the Legislative Study Group. He has already reviewed and analyzed thousands of bills that have come to the floor of the State House to determine their impacts on Texas families. Ask Madden a question about a policy issue, and be prepared for an answer that is as rapid, thorough, and thoughtful as if he wrote the bill himself.
The new HD-101 was drawn as a safe Democratic district in Tarrant County, and has attracted three solid candidates. However, we think that Turner is the best of the bunch, in terms of his abilities as a legislator, credentials as a Democrat, and talents as a campaigner. In 2008 Turner was elected to the state house. As a freshman legislator in the minority party he was still able to be an effective leader and pass several pieces of legislation, including measures to stop seniors and customers from being gouged by utility rate hikes and legislation that allowed the children and widows of deceased veterans use the benefits their loved ones earned while serving our country. He's probably best known for creating a lottery ticket that serves as a funding mechanism for the Fund for Veterans Assistance, which provides emergency funding for veterans in need and counseling for returning vets suffering from PTSD. The program has already generated over $15 million in revenue for Texas veterans.
Rose is a mental health professional with a history of Democratic activism. Her perspective on mental health issues will be crucial in the Legislature, and her experience will allow her to advocate for programs that support mental health across Texas. Rose received a degree in criminal justice, which provides her with expertise particularly important to this South Dallas district. The intersection of her work in mental health and knowledge of the criminal justice system will enable her to lead on these issues.
Torres is an attorney with a strong record of community service. She was raised in a family with a staunch commitment to bettering the community -- her mother was a teacher and the first Hispanic woman elected to the State Board of Education, and her father was a San Antonio city council member. Part of her law practice includes family law, and she has served on the boards of non-profits that advocate for families and children. We are particularly impressed that she is a volunteer with CASA, a non-profit that trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the court. Her on-the-ground experience in the community will make her a forceful advocate for the needs of children in her district, especially as Republicans in the legislature fight to take away programs that help low-income families succeed.
Perez is a Houston Community College Board of Trustees member and heavily involved in her kids' schools, as well as with Hispanic community organizations. On the HCC board she has developed partnerships with area employers to help prepare a qualified workforce. She works as an insurance agent, and as a member of the Legislature, she will be a tireless advocate for quality education and job creation. She is the strongest candidate in the primary and the general election.
Rodriguez is a former Assistant DA in the Bexar County DA's office and was elected to the San Antonio ISD board, and currently serves on the San Antonio City Council. He's very active in the community and has won a variety of awards for his service. For someone so young he has already amassed an impressive career as an elected official, and his broad range of experience makes him ready to address the diverse needs of his constituents. We think he is the best choice to represent this district, and will continue to advance the 
Allen is a former member of the State Board of Education (not one of the "crazy" ones, no worries) who served on the board for 10 years. She is a former public school teacher and school administrator who worked for Houston ISD for 39 years. She has taught at Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern University. Her broad and deep experience in education and seniority in the state house make her an important member of our delegation.
Collier is an attorney, small business owner, and Democratic activist in Fort Worth. Despite having her first child at age 16, she worked her way through college and law school, and is now managing partner of her own law firm. She is actively involved in her local PTA, and a leader in various legal organizations. Collier has an inspiring life story, and will be a tremendous role model to the young women of Texas, as she herself has overcome many of the challenges that too many people are facing these days.
