Politex

State Sen. Wendy Davis endorses state Rep. Marc Veasey in 33rd Congressional District runoff race

FORT WORTH -- State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, today threw her support behind state Rep. Marc Veasey in the runoff race for the 33rd Congressional District.

Veasey faces former state Rep. Domingo Garcia of Dallas in the Democratic primary runoff election on July 31.

Davis, who did not endorse a candidate during the initial primary race, said Thursday that she is backing Veasey because he is "the most capable candidate to build a coalition" to represent voters throughout the district that stretches from Fort Worth's Stockyards to Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood.

"I know Marc Veasey is focused on the priorities of hardworking North Texans, whether it is strong public education to encourage job growth or protecting family budgets from predatory lending,”  Davis said. “I fully endorse Marc Veasey because he is the partner we need in North Texas to create new jobs and strengthen our local economy.”

“I have enormous respect for the other candidates who were willing to put themselves on the line and add their voice to the conversation as to how Texas can do better, particularly friends here at home such as Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks, J.R. Molina, Rev. Kyev Tatum, and Judge Manny Valdez,” she said. “Each of them gave voice to the priorities of the people in this community. And each contributed greatly to assuring that those voices will continue to resonate. I know that these community leaders will continue their legacy of service to this community, and I look forward to working with each of them.”

Garcia has already received an endorsement from state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas.

The winner of the runoff faces Republican Chuck Bradley of Fort Worth in the November general election.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

 

District 97, Republican: Goldman leads Todd with 56 percent of early votes counted

Craig Goldman led Susan Todd and Chris Hatch in the Republican primary for House District 97.

Goldman had 2,941 absentee and early votes counted, or 55.2 percent of the vote. Todd had 1,902 votes, or 35.7 percent. Hatch had 464 votes, or 9 percent.

- Scott Nishimura

Tarrant County GOP chairman's race a nailbiter: McGrath narrowly leads Hall

Former State District Judge Bob McGrath narrowly led Tarrant County GOP ChairmaN Jennifer Hall in absentee and early voting results for the party's Tarrant County chairmanship.

McGrath had 16,696 of early and absentee votes counted, or 50.7 percent. Hall had 16,236 votes, or 49.3 percent.

- Scott Nishimura

District 101, Arlington: Chris Turner leads Paula Pierson in early results

Democrat Chris Turner led Paula Pierson and Vickie Barnett in absenttee and early voting for the new District 101, with the winner set to join the state Legislature. The Republican Party did not field a candidate for the general election.

Turner had 994 votes, or 56.6 percent of early and absentee ballots counted, compared to 565 votes or 32.3 percent for Pierson, and 191 votes or 10.9 percent for Barnett.

No election-day voting results were available as of 7:50 p.m.

- Scott Nishimura

Early voting lead meaningless: Brooks (Roy C.) not performing "happy dance" yet

Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks is leading in early voting Tuesday night and likes the trend, but he's not ready to celebrate just yet. 

He said he prefers the hand he's been dealt so far, but offered this serious, contemplative thought, "I'm not ready to do my happy dance yet."

Early voting shows Brooks leading his female challenger, the alter-ego sounding Roy LaVerne Brooks with 78 percent of the early vote, according to unofficial results.

 -- Darren Barbee

 

 

Tarrant versus Dallas voters in Congressional District 33

Tarrant County residents turned out in greater numbers than their Dallas counterparts to vote early in the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District that stretches from Fort Worth to Dallas.

More than a third more of the early vote cast in this race was logged in Tarrant County than Dallas County, a review of both counties' election numbers showed.

This district was drawn to give minority voters a chance to elect a candidate of their choice. While more Dallas County residents live in this district than Tarrant County residents, more registered voters are in Tarrant County than Dallas County.

And more black voters -- a backbone of the Democratic Party -- are in Tarrant County while more Hispanic voters are in Dallas County.

In this race, Democrats David Alameel, Chrysta Castaneda, Domingo Garcia, Jason Roberts and Steve Salazar, all of Dallas; Carlos Quintanilla of Irving; Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks, the Rev. Kyev Tatum, Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Manuel Valdez and state Rep. Marc Veasey, all of Fort Worth; and J.R. Molina of Burleson are in the race. Republicans Chuck Bradley of Fort Worth and Charles King of Red Oak face off in their own primary.

Political pundits give Democrats an edge in this district because in the 2008 election, President Barack Obama would have won 69 percent of the vote if the district had existed.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

You sure about that, madame?

Observation at the Precinct 4508 election site, Parkview Elementary in north Fort Worth:

An election official eyes a voter approaching her at the Democratic Primary table for a ballot -- the Republican Primary ballots are on the other side of the room. She asks with a quizzical expression: Are you voting in the Democratic Primary?

The numbers explain her perplexity: 11 votes in the Democratic Primary as of 3:12 p.m., 86 on the GOP side.

-- Tom Uhler

Still time to vote

Candidates continue reaching out to voters -- from the yard signs posted by the dozens in front of polling places to emails sent out to supporters -- encouraging Texans to make their voices heard today.

Voter turnout this morning was low at my 1081 precinct polling place at Paschal High School in Fort Worth. I believe there were three of us casting votes around 8 a.m. and only a handful of votes had been cast before ours.

Maybe turnout for Texas' primary election will pick up this afternoon?

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

Bush family returns to the White House this week

They may be gone, but they aren't forgotton.

Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will return to the White House this Thursday -- and will be welcomed by President Barack Obama -- for the unveiling of their official portraits.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

How Republican red is North Texas?

Shortly after noon, things were moving pretty slowly at Precinct 2524 in Mansfield, one of the busiest precincts in Tarrant County. Less than 200 people had cast ballots so far -- much lower than the typical turnout in a presidential election year with a contested U.S. Senate race.

It's not unusual for Republican voters to vastly outnumber Democrats at the precinct just up the street from the Walnut Creek Country Club. But today, the numbers were more overwhelming than usual -- as of noon, more than 180 GOP ballots had been cast and only 6 (yes, six) by Democrats.

Polls are open until 7 p.m. Get out and vote!

-- John Gravois

No campaigning today for Justin Hewlett, candidate for CD 25

Justin Hewlett knows what's important.

And today, it's family.

Today, his daughter Tyler is getting married and he won't be doing any campaigning.

"I am not campaigning, but will instead be following my wife and daughter around and doing as I am told (it took me a while, but I finally learned the proper way for a husband and father to participate in a wedding)," Hewlett, mayor of Cleburne, said in a statement.

He is one of 12 Republicans running for the redrawn 25th Congressional District that stretches from Tarrant County to Austin.

Others in the race: Ernie Beltz Jr. of Austin, Bill Burch of Grand Prairie, Costa, James Dillon of Liberty Hill, Dave Garrison of Austin,Charlie Holcomb of Wimberley, Brian Matthews of Austin, Wes Riddle of Gatesville, Chad Wilbanks of Austin, Michael Williams of Arlington and Roger Williams of Weatherford.

The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Elaine Henderson of Lago Vista in November.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver is not endorsing in the 33rd Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who heads the Congressional Black Caucus, will not be making any endorsement in the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District, which stretches from Fort Worth to Dallas.

"I have not and I will not endorse any candidate in the campaign for U.S. Congress in Texas District 33," according to a statement released Friday. "Any claims to the contrary are false.

"I have made no statement concerning this race nor has anyone on my staff," he said. "Furthermore, I have never had any plans to visit District 33 prior to the elections on May 29."

Eleven Democrats are running in this race: David Alameel, Chrysta L. Castaneda, Domingo Garcia, Jason E. Roberts and Steve Salazar, all of Dallas; Carlos Quintanilla of Irving; City Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks, the Rev. Kyev Tatum, Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Manuel Valdez and state Rep. Marc Veasey, all of Fort Worth; and J.R. Molina of Burleson.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face either Fort Worth’s Chuck Bradley or Red Oak’s Charles King, whichever wins the Republican primary, in November.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson will speak at the Republican Party of Texas' state convention in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH -- State Republican officials announced Thursday that U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin will be one of the featured speakers at the 2012 Texas GOP Convention Gala Banquet in Fort Worth.

The June 8 banquet, a private fundraiser, is the same event where former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum will speak. The event is closed to the media and the public.

Johnson will join Santorum as the co-keynote speaker of the gala.

"Sen. Johnson is one of our rising starts in the Republican Party," Party Chairman Steve Munisteri said. "He has become a national favorite of Republicans as a champion for Conservative values of free enterprise, individual liberty and the Constitution."

The convention will be held June 7-9 in Fort Worth at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum endorses Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate

Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum made news today, throwing his support behind former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz in the GOP
contest to fill the U.S. Senate seat that Kay Bailey Hutchison will leave next year.

Santorum spoke on WBAP radio this morning about how he has known Cruz for five or so years and believes "he's a dynamic individual ... exactly what the doctor ordered in the U.S. Senate."

Santorum said he's trying to not make a great number of endorsements, but felt compelled to endorse Cruz.

"He's an effective advocate ... who can do a great job, not just in voting the right way, but in articulating the message," he said while encouraging voters to turn out in such numbers that Cruz could win the election outright and not need to go to a runoff. "Ted Cruz does it as well as anybody I've seen out there."

Nine Republicans are in this race -- Cruz, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, former sports commentator Craig James, Glenn Addison, "Doc Joe" Agris, Curt Cleaver, Ben Gambini and Lela Pittenger. The winner of that race will face the victor of the Democratic primary, where Addie Dainell Allen, Sean Hubbard, Paul Sadler and Grady Yarbrough are vying for the nomination.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

Cruising in the 25th Congressional District

Here's a look at the new campaign advertising by Chad Wilbanks, one of 12 Republicans seeking their party's nomination for the reconfigured 25th Congressional District that stretches from Tarrant County to Austin.

 

 

 

Wilbanks, former executive director of the Texas Republican Party and the owner of a public relations firm, is the son of Grapevine Mayor Pro Tem C. Shane Wilbanks.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Recent endorsements in 33rd and 25th Congressional District races

A slew of political endorsements have been given in recent days to candidates in local congressional races. Here's a look at some of the most recent:

Dr. Rod Paige, the former U.S. Secretary of Education, and Lee Alcorn of Dallas, a civil rights leader, have lined up behind Kyev Tatum, one of 11 Democrats running for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District that stretches from Fort Worth to Dallas.

State Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, who also is running for CD 33, has recently picked support from the AFL-CIO for the Transport Workers Union of America, United Auto Workers International, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 776 and the Tarrant County Central Labor Council.

And Chad Wilbanks, one of 12 Republicans running for the reconfigured 25th Congressional District that stretches from Tarrant County to Austin, has picked up support from three former Republican Party of Texas leaders. Rene Diaz, Dennis Donley and Donna Davidson -- who all have served as general counsel for the Republican Party -- have endorsed Wilbanks.

"Chad is a limited government conservative who will not compromise his core values," Donley said.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

PAC supported by big Dem donor helps fund Todd Smith in GOP Dist 9 primary

Suddenly Rep.Todd Smith has splashed himself all over TV with well-produced ads in his effort to win the combative District 9 Republican state senate primarty and defeat Rep. Kelly Hancock.

Who is paying for the spots in this expensive media market? 

In the most recent reporting period, Smith declared $440,000 from Texans for Insurance Reform, a group that includes many law firms and individual trial attorneys. Some $300,000 was paid directly to Smith's political consultants at Dallas-based Allyn Media to cover the cost of his "television time," according to a filing by the PAC to the Texas Ethics Commission

The PAC includes such high profile donors as personal injury attorney Jim "The Hammer" Adler, also a familar face on television, if less telegenic. 

But Hancock's campaign focused on the law firm of Houston attorney Steve Mostyn, a very active and generous Democratic donor. There were other large donations, ranging up to $100,000, but none came close to the $500,000 from the Mostyn Law Firm.

"I don’t think Republican primary voters would apppreciate Todd Smith attacking Kelly Hancock for taking $100,000 in contributions from (homebuilder and big GOP donor) Bob Perry, then within days of that mailing, he takes $400,000 from the biggest Democrat donor in the state," Craig Murphy, Hancock's chief campaign consultant, said Tuesday.

But Smith defended his ties to the interest group.

"Todd Smith has a 15-year record of putting what’s best for his constituents ahead of special interests, and he has supported –- and still supports -– the most conservative tort reform laws in the nation," his campaign said in an emailed response to the Hancock broadside.

"Todd’s support from Texans for Insurance Reform is rooted in the common goal of making sure that a Houston billionaire -– who’s also the state’s biggest supporter of illegal immigrants -– does not have control of this critical senate seat," Smith's campaign said, referring to Bob Perry.

"To date, Bob Perry has contributed more than $225,000 directly to defeat Todd because he knows Todd will work for real immigration reform that helps Texans mitigate the biggest drain on our economy and public services. In addition, Mr. Perry is the largest single contributor to TLR (Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC), which has given Kelly Hancock more than $335,000 to date."

Smith himself had been a recipient of Perry's cash indulgences earlier in his political career.

Asked if Hancock would accept $200,000 from, say, a friend who was a major Democrat donor, Murphy insisted his client would turn down a $400,000 contribution.

A Hancock news release again repeated his campaign's frequently aired allegation that Smith broke a promise not to accept donations from fellow trial lawyers.

Smith told the Star-Telegram he had never made such a pledge, explaining that he had told groups that when he voted for tort reform -- and against his professional colleagues -- they abandoned him for years. But he hadn't said anything about turning down contributions, he added. 

Murphy insisted that Smith had indeed made the vow before numerous Republican groups. Asked to provide news reports or videotape or sound recordings of such public statements, the consultant said he didn't possess them.

In November, the primary winner will run against Libertarian Dave "Mac" McElwee, 73, a retired schoolteacher and 24-year Navy veteran from Arlington, and Democrat Pete Martinez, 41, also of Arlington, who is a firefighter and builds wooden sheds, in the heavily Republican constituency that includes chunks of Northeast Tarrant County and western Dallas County, along with a sliver of Denton County. -- Barry Shlachter

barry@star-telegram.com

817-390-7718

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul will speak at Texas' Republican state convention in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH -- U.S. Rep. Ron Paul -- the last Texan in the presidential race -- will be one of the featured speakers at the Republican Party of Texas state convention in Fort Worth this summer.

Paul will speak on the first day of the convention, June 7, during a breakout session about “Uniting Republicans and Balancing the Federal Budget” in the Fort Worth Convention Center's arena, party officials announced.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to confirm Congressman Paul’s appearance at our State Convention,” according to a statement by State Chairman Steve Munisteri. “His breakout session will undoubtedly be one of the most highly attended special events during the three-day convention and I know many of our delegates will be interested in hearing about his principled approach to shrinking the size of our federal government from such a major national figure in our party.”

The Republican state convention will be June 7-9 in Fort Worth. Other featured speakers include former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on June 8 and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc, on June 9.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Tarrant County Democratic Party Chairman calls for "civility" in 33rd Congressional District race

Tarrant County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Maxwell issued a statement today about the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District race.

He said: "The creation of a Democratic-leaning Congressional District in North Texas has created  a great deal of enthusiasm among North Texas Democrats. When eleven motivated candidates ended up filing for the seat, I was delighted at the thought of the spirit and energy that these candidacies would create for our Party. Until yesterday, the race for Congressional District 33 was turning out to be everything I thought, and hoped, it would be — a lively contest pitting a large number of very qualified and very committed individuals.

"And then the campaign took a turn for the ugly. Yesterday, when one candidate referred to another as an “errand boy,” the disgusting side of political campaigns raised its nasty head.

"I condemn this kind of terminology and this kind of tactic. The Democratic Party is better than this. Our Party is an all-inclusive and progressive organization. The use of terms that raise the specter of the dark side of our prejudiced past have no place in the Democratic Party of today. While I applaud the energy and the dedication of the candidates who seek this Congressional seat, neither I, nor the Tarrant County Democratic Party, will sit back and allow inappropriate campaign remarks. We have moved far past such things. Let’s remember who we are, where we have been, and where we are headed."

Original post from May 16:

The campaign battle between state Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and former state Rep. Domingo Garcia of Dallas – two of 11 Democrats running for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District – is on the rise.

Veasey stood outside General Motors in Arlington today, defending his support for local companies such as GM, American Airlines and Lockheed Martin, just days after Garcia said during a candidate forum that he didn’t “have any confidence” in GM, that American Airlines’ management was “reprehensible” and that he wouldn’t defend the F-35 project to save jobs at Lockheed.

“I know one of my most important jobs in Congress will be to stand with you and work with you to protect the jobs in our area and to protect your rights as American workers," Veasey said.

Garcia, meanwhile, sent out a letter to friends and supporters referring to Veasey as an “errand boy” and claiming his opponent’s defense of local businesses is “something no Democrat should ever do: stand with big corporations on Wall Street, not the workers.”

These were among the latest shots fired in a race that has included calls for federal election monitors to observe the May 29 primary election in the 33rd Congressional District – which stretches from Fort Worth’s Stockyards through Arlington and into Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood – as well as incidents of candidates using street money to let supporters join local political groups to influence the candidates those groups endorse.

Other candidates in the race include David Alameel, Chrysta L. Castaneda, Jason E. Roberts and Steve Salazar, all of Dallas; Carlos Quintanilla of Irving; City Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks, the Rev. Kyev Tatum and Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Manuel Valdez, all of Fort Worth; and J.R. Molina of Burleson.The winner of the Democratic primary will face either Fort Worth’s Chuck Bradley or Red Oak’s Charles King, whichever wins the Republican primary, in November.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Battle for 33rd Congressional District gets nastier

The campaign battle between state Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and former state Rep. Domingo Garcia of Dallas – two of 11 Democrats running for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District – is on the rise.

Veasey stood outside General Motors in Arlington today, defending his support for local companies such as GM, American Airlines and Lockheed Martin, just days after Garcia said during a candidate forum that he didn’t “have any confidence” in GM, that American Airlines’ management was “reprehensible” and that he wouldn’t defend the F-35 project to save jobs at Lockheed.

“I know one of my most important jobs in Congress will be to stand with you and work with you to protect the jobs in our area and to protect your rights as American workers," Veasey said.

Garcia, meanwhile, sent out a letter to friends and supporters referring to Veasey as an “errand boy” and claiming his opponent’s defense of local businesses is “something no Democrat should ever do: stand with big corporations on Wall Street, not the workers.”

These were among the latest shots fired in a race that has included calls for federal election monitors to observe the May 29 primary election in the 33rd Congressional District – which stretches from Fort Worth’s Stockyards through Arlington and into Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood – as well as incidents of candidates using street money to let supporters join local political groups to influence the candidates those groups endorse.

Other candidates in the race include David Alameel, Chrysta L. Castaneda, Jason E. Roberts and Steve Salazar, all of Dallas; Carlos Quintanilla of Irving; City Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks, the Rev. Kyev Tatum and Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Manuel Valdez, all of Fort Worth; and J.R. Molina of Burleson.The winner of the Democratic primary will face either Fort Worth’s Chuck Bradley or Red Oak’s Charles King, whichever wins the Republican primary, in November.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Gray thanks Hobbs for endorsement, stresses she would represent all of District 8

Marshall Hobbs, who finished third in Saturday's District 8 special election with 22 percent of the vote, has thrown his support behind Kelly Allen Gray in the June 23 runoff election. Gray finished second to Ramon Romero in Saturday's election and Hobbs said his decision is based on the council seat historically being an African-American district. "I am endorsing candidate Mrs. Kelly Allen Gray for Fort Worth City Council District 8. Again, it is about respecting and preserving this First Historical Single Member District for African Americans since the Voting Rights Act in the 1970’s..." Hobbs said. Gray thanked Hobbs for the endorsement but said she would represent the entire district. "While I appreciate that District 8 is historically an African American district, if elected, I plan to serve all the constituents in the district," Gray said.

- Bill Hanna 

 

Smith snares FW Mayor support in Dist 9 primary race against Hancock

It's not easy predicting how much, if anything, endorsements are worth. But in a competitive race, candidates scramble for whatever backing they can get.

Rep. Kelly Hancock, in a hot contest with Rep. Todd Smith for the GOP District 9 state senate nomination, has secured endorsements from Comptroller Susan Combs, Attorney General Greg Abbott, Ag Commissioner Todd Staples and the governor.

Hancock got Perry's nod even though he didn't public signed off on the governor's five-point pledge until Tuesday, and had said he leaned toward the other Rick, as in Santorum, during the Republican presidential scramble.

Smith has been no slouch, winning support closer to home -- including from retiring Sen. Chris Harris, whose district the two candidates are fighting over.

Smith also has gotten endorsements from Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and the mayors of Arlington, Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Hurst, Keller, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Trophy Club, Watauga and Westlake.

On Tuesday, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price weighed in with her praise of Smith.

“Todd’s the best candidate to trim the fat in our state’s budget and restore much needed funding for our schools,” Price said in a statement "Todd is not only a proven conservative, but he also has demonstrated that he is an honest, ethical leader who we can always trust to do what’s right.” -- Barry Shlachter

No media allowed to listen to Rick Santorum speech in Fort Worth next month

Update 11:53 a.m.

Party officials clarified that the Friday night banquet gala, where Rick Santorum will speak, is a private fundraiser for the party. Other speakers, such as U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, will speak during general sessions of the convention that are open to both party members and spectators.

Original post:

Texas Republican officials said Tuesday that former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum's speech during the state convention next month in Fort Worth will be off-limits to the media.

"There has never been media availability at the state party's premiere banquet," said Chris Elam, the party's communications director.

Elam said party officials are talking to Santorum and other officials about any media availability they would like to have. But when shown a copy of a newspaper article from four years ago that clearly indicated media was allowed into the banquet that featured Mitt Romney, speaking on behalf of the 2008 GOP presidential nominee John McCain, GOP officials said they didn't have an answer about that.

"It's not normal," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. "It is unusual to act like you are embarrassed by your keynote speaker and therefore don't want media records of his comments.

"This means the Texas Republican Party has concluded ... that it benefits by excluding the media," he said. "The Republican Party is saying they want to avoid any possibility that Santorum says anything that upsets the apple cart and causes a media story that is embarrassing to them."

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

 

Regional HUD chief honored by Fort Worth Council

Don Babers, who is retiring as Southwest Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, received a key to the City from Mayor Fort Worth Betsy Price this morning. Babers was HUD's Dallas Field Office Director for 15 years. He is a Fort Worth native, a UTA graduate and was appointed Southwest Regional Regional Administrator in the Fort Worth Regional Office by President Obama in 2010. During his 40 years of work, he oversaw the redevelopment of the Big Four public housing projects in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. In Texas, he led the effort to help resolve a housing discrimination lawsuit brought against HUD that included expanding affordable housing in 36 East Texas counties. He also led recovery efforts for Hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Dolly. "It's been an honor and a pleasure," Babers said.

 

- Bill Hanna

First Lady Michelle Obama asks North Texans to help re-elect her husband

First Lady Michelle Obama asked North Texans if they are truly ready to help elect her husband to a second term.

"Let me tell you something Dallas, we can't turn back now," she told a group of more than 400 gathered Monday in Dallas at the Hilton Lincoln Centre for a private fundraiser. "We have come so far, but we have so much more to do for our children.

"Are you in? I mean, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and work, and talk, and get people signed up, and call on the phone, and talk to the people who don't want to talk to you and convince the neighbor that doesn't understand?

"Are you ready to do that work?" she asked. "If you're in, I'm way in. If you haven't noticed, I am so far in."

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Burnam, Vasquez get personal over Fort Worth schools, Texas House race

Texas House Rep. Lon Burnam and Fort Worth school trustee Carlos Vasquez exchanged personal insults Wednesday night as their District 90 campaign became further mired in school board politics.

One day after Vasquez called some fellow trustees "traitors" and told them "shame on you" for replacing the board's first Hispanic president with the board's first African-American president, Burnam said Vasquez would be unable to work with lawmakers and "cannot behave well in public."

A coalition of Anglo and African-American school trustees replaced President Juan Rangel after four months, choosing 29-year trustee T.A. Sims as president.

Vasquez, an education consultant and former elementary school principal, derided Burnam, an eight-term incumbent, as out of touch with schools and healthcare concerns in the redrawn and now primarily Hispanic central-city Fort Worth district.

"Look at him down there in his sandals and his T-shirts," Vasquez said, pointing to Burnam at a Democratic club debate in the Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus auditorium.

"He's always talking about environmental issues. He's not talking about any issues that make a difference to constituents."

Vasquez also complained that Burnam is targeting African-American voters with robocalls.

Vasquez, campaigning to become the only openly gay lawmaker, said he knows Burnam is targeting African-Americans because he answered a Burnam robocall meant for "my former gay lover."

Burnam defended his record of "standing up to Rick Perry and [former House Speaker] Tom Craddick" and said he has represented Hispanic voters well.

"I killed anti-immigration legislation," Burnam said. "I killed voter ID legislation. I had a role in killing school voucher legislation."

Vasquez also accused Burnam of not campaigning hard enough for President Barack Obama in 2008.

Asked how they voted in the Democratic Primary that year, Vasquez said he voted for candidate Hillary Clinton, then switched.

Burnam smiled and replied, "Barack Obama."

--Bud Kennedy

(Photo illustration courtesy the Texas Tribune)

 

Dallas' Domingo Garcia picks up endorsement from civil rights leader Joseph Lowery in CD33 race

Updated 12:20 p.m.:

State Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, responds to the endorsement Garcia will receive today.

“Rev. Lowery is a hero of the civil rights movement and his contribution to our country is enormous.  That being said, I don’t think he has been briefed very well about this race or about North Texas or about the candidates running in Congressional District 33.  There is only one candidate is this race who fought to make sure that the Voting Rights Act was enforced for minorities everywhere in the District and that was me.

“Domingo Garcia in fact ended up cutting a bad bargain with the Republicans that hurt minority voters all over Texas.  I doubt that Rev. Lowery is aware of this.  So I welcome Rev. Lowery to North Texas, I look forward to being able to talk to him as a member of Congress to seek his good counsel and share with him our challenges here in North Texas."

 

Original post:

Former state Rep. Domingo Garcia, D-Dallas, and candidate for the 33rd Congressional District wil pick up an endorsement from civil rights icon Joseph Lowery, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

He will receive the endorsement today during a Tarrant County Leadership Luncheon.

“Rev. Lowery has been an inspiration of mine for many years," Garcia said. "I admire his sacrifice and appreciate his efforts to fight for civil rights and equal rights for all Americans. His support and endorsement will be a huge boost for our campaign.”

Several well-known Democrats are in the race for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District.

The 11 Democratic hopefuls are David Alameel, Chrysta L. Castaneda, Garcia, Carlos Quintanilla, Jason E. Roberts and Steve Salazar, all of Dallas; City Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks, the Rev. Kyev Tatum, Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Manuel Valdez and state Rep. Marc Veasey, all of Fort Worth; and J.R. Molina of Burleson.

The winner of the Democratic primary in November will face the winner of the Republican primary, where Chuck Bradley of Fort Worth and Charles King of Cedar Hill are facing off.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

 

 

Sarah Palin endorses Ted Cruz for the U.S. Senate

Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz picked up an endorsement Thursday from former Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd.

"We're proud to join conservatives in Texas and throughout the nation in supporting your campaign to become the next senator from the Lone Star State," Sarah Palin wrote in a letter. "Your conservative principles, passionate defense of our Constitution and our free market system come at a time when these cornerstones of our freedom and prosperity are under attack."

Nine Republicans are among those hoping to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison in the U.S. Senate next year: Glenn Addison, "Doc Joe" Agris, Curt Cleaver, Ted Cruz, David Dewhurst, Ben Gambini, Craig James, Tom Lepert and Lela Pittenger.

The winner of that race will face the victor of the Democratic primary, where Addie Dainell Allen, Sean Hubbard, Paul Sadler and Grady Yarbrough are vying for the nomination.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

Glaspie accused of campaign violations with emails

Charla Hawkes Vinyard’s campaign accused candidate Michael Glaspie, her opponent in the race for Arlington City Council District 8, of violating the Texas Election Code and a city ordinance with one of his campaign mailers.

Hawkes Vinyard’s political consultant Craig Ownby claims Glaspie committed a Class A misdemeanor by sending a political email this weekend to Arlington school district employees. The Texas Election Code prohibits a school board member or employee from using an internal mail system to distribute political advertising.

Glaspie, who served 17 years on the Arlington school board, said Monday that he obtained the email addresses legally from the district through an open records request and did not receive any special access to the employee information because of his school board ties.

“I didn’t even get a discount,” Glaspie said about the $28.50 the school district charged him to fill the records request.

Ownby also states that Glaspie appears to have violated a city ordinance, a Class C misdemeanor, by using the city of Arlington’s official logo on his May 5 campaign mailer. Click to view Michael Glaspie's campaign flyer

Glaspie said he was not aware of any potential conflict from the use of the logo, a capital A with a star, but said he would remove it from future campaign literature.

“If it has created any concern, we will take it down. I’m not trying to create any confusion,” said Glaspie, who said he was looking more at content than design when he approved the email. “The whole intent was just to indicate how much I love this city, how much I’ve served this city.”

City Attorney Jay Doegey said he was not aware of the complaint about improper use of the city logo late Monday afternoon.

- Susan Schrock

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan to speak at Texas Republican state convention this summer

U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan will join other well-known Republicans -- including former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum -- and speak at the Republican Party of Texas' state convention in Fort Worth this summer.

Ryan, R-Wisconsin, will be one of many featured speakers during the last day of the convention, June 9, at the Fort Worth Convention Center, party officials noted on Facebook Thursday.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Former Texas gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina asks for end to property tax

Debra Medina -- a Republican who unsuccessfully challenged Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for the Republican party's gubernatorial nomination in 2010 -- on Thursday asked state lawmakers to end property tax in the Lone Star State.

Medina, who heads the non-partisan, liberty-seeking Wharton-based We Texans organization, gave the House Ways and Means Committee paperwork signed by more than 6,000 Texans who agree.

"The property tax is broken, it is not fixable and we'd do well to be rid of it entirely," Medina said. "If we're to have a prayer of achieving that prosperous economy we boast we have, we must get rid of it.

"History has documented that ownership of property is the bedrock of every prosperous society," she said. "Man will not work for what he cannot keep. The property tax must be eliminated."

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Mitt Romney will be a no-show at Texas GOP state convention

Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney will not make it to this year’s Republican state convention.

But his former challenger, Rick Santorum, who suspended his bid for the White House last month, will. Santorum will be one of the featured speakers at the convention’s June 8 banquet in Fort Worth.

Romney did attend the Republican Party of Texas’ state convention, one of the largest GOP gatherings in the country, four years ago – on behalf of then-Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

GOP officials have said they sent an invitation to Romney’s campaign but never received a response.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum will attend Texas GOP state convention in Fort Worth

Top Texas Republicans are announcing that former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum -- who suspended his campaign for the White House a few weeks ago -- will be one of the featured speakers at the 2012 Texas GOP convention Gala Banquet in Fort Worth.

The banquet will be Fri., June 8 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St.

"I am very pleased that we have been able to confirm Sen. Santorum's appearance at our Convention Gala," said Texas Republican Party Chair Steve Munisteri. "His campaign was very active in Texas during the primary season and I am excited to offer our convention attendees the opportunity to hear from a major national figure in our party."

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

Rallies Saturday urge female voters to unite and vote out "anti-women" lawmakers

The Texas chapter of Unite Women will hold a rally and voter registration event at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Texas Capitol -- as similar other rallies are held in Washington, D.C. and 53 other cities.

The goal is to encourage women to register and vote to "replace all anti-woman lawmakers so we can bring fairness and sanity back to Texas," according to a press release from Unite Women.

"Help defend women’s rights and pursuit of equality," according to the group's mission statement. "Join Americans all across the United States ... as we come together as one to tell members of Congress in Washington DC and legislators in all 50 states, 'Enough is enough!'

"All Americans have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including contraception, without interference from government, business or religious institutions."

At the Texas Capitol Saturday, there will be 31 deputy voter registrars, including representatives from Tarrant and Dallas counties, to help people sign up to vote.

Monday is the last day to register to vote for the May 29 Texas Primary Election.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

First low-level radioactive waste shipment arrives in West Texas

The first shipment of low-level radioactive waste has safely arrived at the Texas Compact Disposal Facility in West Texas, officials announced Friday.

In time, shipments from up to 36 states may head to the Waste Control Specialists-operated dump in Andrews County near the New Mexico border, owned by Dallas billionaire and generous Republican political donor Harold Simmons.

Environmentalists have long worried about potential accidents in shipping the materials to the site or contamination once the loads are left at the facility.

"Valhi is proud that WCS has reached this important milestone and has now established itself as a leader and innovator within the industry," said Steven L. Watson, president and CEO of Valhi, the parent company of WCS. "We believe the prospects for this business are extraordinary, due to the unique characteristics of the industry and WCS' experience and extensive disposal and treatment capabilities."

WCS officials say state environmental officials were at the site overseeing the delivery, along with environmental inspectors who are at the site on a daily basis.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

Poll: Perry - No Go for Guv Run, say most Texans

Rick Perry is not getting a lot of love from fellow Texans: Only 29% of voters think he should run for governor again in 2014, while 64% think he should not, reports Public Policy Polling, a N.C.-based firm.

Among Republicans, Perry does a little better, with 49% saying he should run again for for a fourth term while 38% say he he should not. The Democratic-leaning polling firm makes the observation: "obviously if you win the Republican nomination in Texas you're always going to
start out in a pretty good position for the general."

uh-huh.

Then there's the presidency. or not. Perry's gaffe-laden 2012 run did not have many calls for an encore, with a whopping 73% of voters who think he should not run for president again. Only 19% of voters said he should try again. Among Republicans, 31% think he should run for the White House again.

The poll surveyed 591 Texas voters from April 19-22 and has a margin of error of plus/minus 4%.

 

--Maria Recio

Turner wins teachers' endorsement in House District 101 race

Former State Rep. Chris Turner, running in the Democratc primary for the new House District 101 against Paula Pierson and Vickie Barnett, said today he won the endorsement of the Texas State Teachers Association.Turner served in the Texas House from 2009 until 2011. - Scott Nishimura

Gov. Rick Perry to make endorsement in North Texas

Gov. Rick Perry will be at the Big Barn BBQ in North Richland Hills tonight to make an endorsement announcement.

He is expected to throw his support behind state Rep. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, who is seeking to replace the retiring state Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington, in the District 9 seat. 

Hancock, already endorsed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, is running against state Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, for the post. The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Pete Martinez in the November general election.

Smith has earned numerous endorsements already, including those by more than 15 mayors from within the district, more than 50 council members and school board members and the Texas Hospital Association.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

 

 

Mocked in movie, former ed board member compares criticism to "pre-Holocaust Germany"

DALLAS -- Mocked in a new documentary about Texas textbooks and the Texas State Board of Education, former board member Cynthia Dunbar accused critics of the controversial board of "discrimination" against religious views like in "pre-Holocaust Germany."

In a panel discussion Sunday night after the Texas premiere of The Revisionaries, a new documentary on how the social conservative board majority has influenced American science and history textbooks, Dunbar said board members who opposed teaching "weaknesses" of evolution theory were committing "viewpoint discrimination."

Dunbar is one of several board members featured in the documentary, which "stars" former board Chairman Don McLeroy and his "young-Earth" view of creation, including his belief that dinosaurs were alongside other animals aboard Noah's Ark.

The documentary revisits the board' 2010 debate over teaching evolution.

Dunbar said even though "experts" oppose discussing other views as science, "that's what they talked about in pre-Holocaust Germany as well." She added that "making us a homogenous society that has [only] one ideology that's acceptable is not what this society was based upon."

Dunbar, a Republican from Richmond in Fort Bend County, has said she believes public schools are unconstitutional. She served on the board from 2007 to 2011.

In 2008, she predicted that terrorists "with whom [President Barack] Obama truly sympathizes" would attempt to "take down" America.

Fresh off its Saturday premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York (photo of McLeroy and Thurman from Twitter), The Revisionaries was featured at the Dallas International Film Festival. The movie was originally a graduate project for University of North Texas film student Scott Thurman.

Thurman, 31, wept when he talked about McLeroy, calling him a "warm and kind" man who cooperated completely. McLeroy is scheduled to be a guest on The Colbert Report Tuesday night, Thurman said.

Among other guests Sunday was board member Thomas Ratliff, a Mount Pleasant Republican seen in the movie defeating McLeroy.

--Bud Kennedy

 

 

Honoring state Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington

ARLINGTON -- Members of the Republican Senatorial District 10 convention Saturday honored state Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington, who is not seeking re-election next year.

Although Harris represents Texas Senate District 9.

"Chris is no longer representing District 10, but as far as we are concerned, he’s always a 10," said David Ellis, temporary chair of the convention.

Harris said he appreciated the honor and noted that being elected to public office "will be the highlight of my life.

"I tried very hard to do what you -- my constituents -- wanted."

 -- Anna M. Tinsley