Conventional wisdom says that Ben Hall doesn’t have a chance in the Houston mayoral race. Maybe that’s true, maybe it isn’t. One thing is for sure – Hall isn’t giving up and continues to win over voters and pick up endorsements.
July 29, 2015
HALL WINS HISTORIC STRAW POLL
A first of a kind straw poll among African-American grass roots leaders goes to Ben Hall.
The event by the TPPAC “People’s Political Action Committee” was held at the Greater St. Matthews Church on Jutland Street.
Hall received 60 percent of the votes cast, with Sylvester Turner and other candidates sharing the rest.
“What a humbling vote of support from proven leaders in the African-American community,” says Hall. “They are tired of career politicians who don’t deliver. When I am Mayor, neglected neighborhoods will be neglected no more.”
The Hall campaign has already picked up a key endorsement from a leading religious leader in the Acres Homes community. Rev. Dr. F.N. Williams of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Williams has been one of many pastors from across Houston fighting the HERO ordinance.
“I have been the only candidate in the Mayor’s race willing to stand up for family values and the right to vote,” says Hall. “These are critical issues that overshadows neighborhoods. From West Houston to the Third Ward, voters have made their voices on these issues clear.”
In addition to the endorsement by Rev. Dr. Williams, Hall also picked up these endorsements:
Pastors supporting the petition drive for the Right to Vote on “HERO” endorse Ben Hall for Mayor Reverend F.N. Williams Pastor Steve Riggle Dr. Hernan Castano Dr. Wendy Castano Bishop Prince E. Bryant Bishop Delegrantis Reverend Elmo Johnson Reverend Charles Ingram Reverend Ed Small Bishop Mark Smith Pastor Luis Larrinaga Pastor Joel Montes Reverend Carl Matthews Pastor Juan Carlos Jimenez |
If the HERO is on the ballot, it is definitely going to impact the race and thus far, Hall is in the best position to capture a large portion of those voting to rescind it because he isn’t a “johnny come lately” to the issue. I don’t know all of the pastors on this list but Riggle is pastor of one of the largest churches in the area. And that straw poll, combined with the pastors in the African-American community, might be telling us that Sylvester Turner isn’t a shoo in for those voters.
This race is going to be very interesting.
Mainstream says
How many folks voted in this straw poll? 20? 100?
How many of the pastors can vote in the City? Certainly they will have influence with their congregation members who do live in the City, but I suspect there are other ministers like Rev. William Lawson, who may carry greater weight.
Despite his singular position in opposition to HERO, I don’t see Hall getting into the run-off. His fundraising shows no broad base of support. His past and substantial financial support for President Obama, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, Congressman Al Green, a number of black politicians in other states, a local openly gay Democrat judge, and many others on the Left make it hard for him to claim to be some sort of social conservative. I think most voters will see through him and his opportunism.
That said, I think there could have been space for a credible, more conservative candidate to be in contention, had Pennington remained in the contest, or Dewhurst chosen to run.