State Sen. Steve Ogden, a straight-shooting Bryan Republican who is one of the Upper Chamber's most powerful members as its chief budget-writer, just announced that he will not run for re-election next year.
The decision had been widely rumored for months.
His departure promises an open seat that could attract several candidates, and could be a target for Democrats who would like to gain more Senate seats, although the district is considered GOP territory. State Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown, has been mentioned repeatedly as a likely candidate.
In a brief statement, Ogden said he will give up the Senate seat he has held since 1997 without detailing his future plans.
District 5 covers all or parts of the following state house districts: 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 52, 57.
The Democratic reps are: Chuck Hopson, Jim McReynolds, Diana Maldonado, and Jim Dunnam.
The Republican reps are: Byron Cook, Lois Kolkhorst, Fred Brown, Tim Kleinschmidt, and Dan Gattis.
Some of the bigger cities include: College Station, Bryan, Round Rock, Huntsville, Georgetown, and Cedar Park.
The 2006 election saw Ogden coast to a 61-35-4 win.
Kansas' two Republican Senators are holding up several nominations including Juan Garica's over placement of Gitmo prisoners:
Other nominations being blocked include Joseph Westphal, who is up for undersecretary of the Army, and former Texas State Rep. Juan Garcia as assistant secretary of the Navy.
The top seeds in the men's tournament
David Price (D-NC) UNC
Steve Cohen (D-TN) Memphis
Henry Waxman (D-CA) UCLA
Dennis Moore (D-KS) Kansas
The top seeds in the women's tournament
Joe Courtney (D-CT) UConn
David Price (D-NC) UNC
John Duncan (R-TN) Tennessee
Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Maryland
Texas schools
Lamar Smith for UT
Chet Edwards for Texas A&M and Baylor
Ciro Rodriguez for UTSA
Silvestre Reyes for UTEP
Joe Barton for UTA
Pete Sessions for SMU
(Great news, great man. - promoted by Matt Glazer)
It's soon-to-be official, former San Antonio City Councilman Art Hall will run for Railroad Commissioner. From the Express-News:
Fresh off his four years as the District 8 city councilman, Art Hall will formally announce this month his intent to run for the Texas Railroad Commission in next year's election.
But until the time comes, Hall's lips are sealed.
"I'll make a formal announcement in mid-October, and then I'll give you the details," Hall said Tuesday.
His campaign Web site, however, is a different story.
According to arthallfortexas.com, Hall, a Democrat, wants to bring balance to the Republican-dominated three-member commission, noting that the current commissioners initially were appointed rather than elected.
Tonight the Northwest Democrats of Bexar County held a dinner to honor our three Congressmen who represent Bexar County: Charlie Gonzalez, Ciro Rodriguez, and Henry Cuellar. The first time Bexar County has had three Democratic congressmen.
The event attracted over 350 Democrats from across the city. All three Congressmen spoke at the event.
In addition to the Congressmen, both of the major candidates for the U.S. Senate were also there; Mikal Watts and Rick Noriega. In addition we had:
Did anyone notice this item from Quorum Report: ITS OFFICIAL, KEN ARMBRISTER NAMED PERRYS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR. Will begin when his term ends in January.
While we have to first elect Ciro to Congress and then Anthony DiNovo to the State House, the third Special Election to come up will be for Todd Staples' District 3 seat in the State Senate.(There is no special election in SD-3- see comments)
He wasn't challenged by a Democrat in 2002, but his 2000 result (which included 1 county no longer in his district) was
