Last Saturday, my campaign set a single-day personal record: we visited six counties in one day. The Democratic Party held its annual county conventions, and my team drove up and down I-35, 183, 290, and 71 to visit with delegates in Bell, Williamson, Hays, Travis, Caldwell and Bastrop counties.
Now, a lot of people might wonder, "why spend a cold, rainy Saturday driving 287 miles around Central Texas?" The answer is simple: because that's what this court deserves. A court this important deserves a candidate who is willing to explain why this race matters, and ask each individual voter for their support.
So last Saturday, that's what we did. From the cafeteria of the Lockhart Junior High School to a cavernous hall at the Palmer Events Center, from Reunion Ranch in Georgetown to the Wimberley Community Center, we worked to educate voters about why this court is so important and why I am the best qualified candidate for the job. If you missed me-or I didn't come to your county-here it is in a nutshell:
The Third Court is one of the most important courts in Texas because it hears cases involving state agencies, officials, and administrative laws. As a result, it decides legal issues that impact the lives of every Texan, every day. If you care about issues such as education, energy, water, the environment, or public corruption, you need to care about the Third Court.
A court this important needs someone who knows how to do the job. I am the only board-certified appellate attorney in the race, and the only candidate with significant experience as a civil and criminal appellate advocate. My fellow attorneys voted me "Best Qualified" for the position by almost a two-to-one margin over my opponent. I am committed to ending the court's backlog and working hard to make our Third Court one that all Central Texans can be proud of.
I hope you'll check out the slide show of our campaign stops on Saturday. Thanks to everyone who attended, and thanks to all of our staff and volunteers who helped out along the way. I look forward to seeing you all again soon. In the meantime, please follow my campaign on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook, and encourage your friends to do the same.
We tend to remember where we are when we hear big news. I was on an elevator last Thursday afternoon in downtown Austin. I had spent the day meeting with lawyers, and was on my way to teach at UT Law. My mind was focused on the things I had to do, so I hardly noticed when two office workers stepped on. As I overheard their conversation, I first heard about the tragic shootings at Fort Hood, the worst mass shooting ever on a U.S. military base.
Fort Hood is outside of Killeen, Texas, mostly in Bell County, and it is in the Third Court of Appeals district. I have visited Bell County numerous times, both for the campaign and professional and personal matters. It is hard to visit Killeen and not notice how much a part of daily life the military personnel are, and it is impossible to leave Killeen without feeling proud of our men and women in uniform and the families and community that support them.
When I first heard about the shootings at Fort Hood, my first reaction was concern and sorrow for those affected. But like so many others, my second reaction was that I had to do something. When faced with the enormity of a tragedy like the shootings, it is easy to feel like there is nothing really meaningful we can do. My answer was small--I wanted to give blood.
I soon learned that many other people across Central Texas, without any request, had the same reaction. Even here in Austin, sixty miles away from the shootings, the local blood donation site was overflowing with walk-ins. The community reaction reminded me of the response when Hurricane Katrina hit, and ordinary people put aside their daily lives to try to help. Personally, Katrina inspired me to become involved with the Red Cross of Central Texas, and I've been proud to serve on the Board of Directors in recent years. In response to Fort Hood, I made an appointment to donate blood this week.
A day before that appointment, on a beautiful Austin morning, I stood with thousands of others to walk up Congress Avenue and honor our veterans. Veterans Day was all the more poignant in the wake of the tragic events at Fort Hood. It was humbling to see the generations of men and women, both old and young, who have served so bravely. And it was touching to see the children and spouses lining the parade route with pictures of their loved ones in uniform.
As I gave my two pints of red blood cells yesterday morning, I could not help but think that marching in a parade or donating blood are tiny gestures compared to what our men and women in uniform give us. But all Americans serve in some way, and in times of crisis ordinary Americans rise to service.
To all our men and women who are or have served in our military, thank you for your service. You inspire us all.
(I unfortunately missed Kurt's kickoff this past week so I'll promote this post of his. Kuhn is running for the 3rd Court of Appeals in the seat being opened up by Democratic Judge Jan Patterson. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
I can still remember the feelings of excitement, nerves, and adrenaline that I had standing on the field awaiting an opening kickoff when I played football. After countless days of practice and preparation, the game was finally on. When my campaign staff said it was time to hold our campaign kickoff, I could not help but think back to those moments. But this was a different kind of kickoff.
First, we have already been hard at work for quite some time. Since my announcement letter went out last December, I have spent the last eleven months campaigning hard to build a grassroots network across all twenty-four counties of the district. I am proud of the work that we have put in and our early success. A good sign of that success was the host list for our kickoff party: State Senator Kirk Watson, State Representatives Valinda Bolton, Pete Gallego, Donna Howard, Diana Maldonado, Elliott Naishtat, Eddie Rodriguez, and Mark Strama, and Austin Councilmember Chris Riley. Now that is an all-star lineup!
Second, as significant as those football games seemed to me at the time, this campaign is more important. The Third Court is one of the most important courts in Texas. Because the Third Court's district includes our capital city, it routinely reviews and decides cases involving state agencies, government officials, and administrative appeals. The Third Court plays a vital role in the key legal issues affecting Texas. Whether they know it or not, the Third Court affects the lives of every single Texan.
Third, as this kickoff got under way, I was not nervous. I have dedicated my entire professional career to the Texas appellate courts, and I would not be in this campaign unless I felt that I was the best qualified candidate to help make the court, once again, one of the best appellate courts in the state. Wherever we go, our campaign message is resonating with the people I meet, and I have confidence in the voters of Central Texas.
Now, as we move into high gear, there are three ways that you can make a real difference in my campaign today:
Make a donation. Taking our message to the voters requires us to raise the money necessary to do so. Your financial support will give me the resources to compete in all twenty-four counties. You can donate securely on my website by clicking here.
Become a public supporter. Demonstrate the broad base of support for my campaign. Your name will be added to over 300 prominent citizens who have endorsed my candidacy for the Third Court of Appeals. You can sign up by clicking here.
Sign up to volunteer. From placing yard signs to stuffing envelopes, my campaign can always use an extra set of hands. You can pitch in by clicking here.
And if you didn't get a chance to pick up a campaign tee shirt, we have them available on our website for a $25 donation. Order yours today!
Maybe, more than a "kickoff," last Wednesday was a recognition party for both the success so far and the hard work that lies ahead. Whatever we call it, it was a great event: great music, great food, great weather, and great company. Now, it is time to get back to work-"Game On!"
(KT asked me to promote -- looks like most of the Austin State Reps. are going to be there. - promoted by Phillip Martin)
Almost ten months ago, I announced my intention to seek an open seat on Texas' Third Court of Appeals in 2010. Since then, my campaign has taken me from enjoying Texas Independence Day with the Democratic Party of Bastrop County to celebrating the first hundred days of the Obama administration in Bell County. I have given speeches in Llano and Lampasas, and eaten barbecue in Kyle and steak in San Angelo. Putting my judicial impartiality to the test, I judged a chili cook-off in Rockne. And to my kids' delight, we have taken part in Texas traditions like the Bluebonnet Festival Parade in Burnet County, the Fourth of July Parade in Round Rock, and the Lexington Homecoming in Lee County. All along the way I've been introduced to an untold number of great people and organizations in Austin and beyond that I otherwise might never have met.
As I have traveled around the 24 counties that make up the Third District--and yes, I can name them--I have repeatedly been impressed with the people I meet and their interest in the Third Court. You can follow all of my adventures on the campaign blog on my website, www.votekuhn.com. Now, as the campaign season begins in earnest, I'd like to share with you why this court--and this race--matter, and encourage you to get involved in my campaign.
In many ways, the Third Court is the most important court in Texas. Not only does it hear both civil and criminal appeals from the counties it covers, but since Austin is the capital of Texas, the Third Court hears a large number of cases involving state agencies or officials, as well as administrative appeals. While some of these cases can go on to be reviewed by the Texas Supreme Court or Court of Criminal Appeals, the Third Court will have the final say in the vast majority of these cases. As a result, the Third Court has a huge impact on the legal issues that affect the entire State of Texas.
If you care about the issues that affect the everyday lives of Texans--the environment, education, energy, public corruption--you need to care about the Third Court. Unfortunately, the Third Court's docket is clogged with a backlog of cases, and in some instances, people have been waiting up to four years for cases to be resolved. As I travel across the district, I hear the same concerns from attorneys, judges, and voters alike: the Third Court needs to be more productive and less partisan. Texans care about the Third Court, and want to know that it has been entrusted to individuals who take their charge seriously.
That's why I'm running for the Third Court of Appeals: because justice matters.
If given the opportunity to serve on the Third Court, I cannot promise that you and I will agree on every case. But I can promise that in each case I will work tirelessly, apply the law evenhandedly, and never forget the importance of each opinion to the parties, their counsel, and the jurisprudence of the state. The Third Court of Appeals' current backlog is unacceptable, and I will work to end it. I am a Democrat, but politics will play no role in my decisions. And I will staunchly defend every citizen's right to a fair trial.
Now, as we kick the campaign into high gear, I'd like to invite all of you to join me in my campaign to ensure justice for the people of Texas. On my website, you can become a supporter of my campaign. You can also become a Fan on Facebook. But most importantly, I want to hear from you.
Join us for our kick-off event next Wednesday, October 7th, at Threadgill's. We'll have music from the Double Eagle String Band. I am especially proud of our fantastic host committee of elected Democrats across Central Texas. The information is below. As we look towards next November, I look forward to meeting you, and hearing your thoughts on our court system and how we can ensure that Texans receive the justice they deserve.
Kurt Kuhn Campaign Kick-Off
Hosted By: Senator Kirk Watson
Rep. Valinda Bolton * Rep. Pete Gallego * Rep. Donna Howard * Rep. Diana Maldonado * Rep. Elliott Naishtat * Rep. Eddie Rodriguez * Rep. Mark Strama * Councilmember Chris Riley
Almost ten months ago, I announced my intention to seek an open seat on Texas' Third Court of Appeals in 2010. Since then, my campaign has taken me from enjoying Texas Independence Day with the Democratic Party of Bastrop County to celebrating the first hundred days of the Obama administration in Bell County. I have 
