Big Jolly Politics

politics in Harris County and Texas

Judicial Q&A: William ‘Sumpter’ Frazier

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1. Who are you, and what are you running for?

My name is William ‘Sumpter’ Frazier, and I am a candidate for Judge in the 308th Judicial District Court of Harris County Texas.

 

2. What kind of cases does this court hear?

This court is a Family Law Court which hears domestic relations cases such as divorce, child custody, adoptions, child support, division of property in divorces as well as child abuse and child neglect cases.

 

3. Why are you running for this particular bench?

I am running for this particular bench because the Judge in this court is in poor health and has chosen not to run. With my qualifications and experience, I feel that I am uniquely qualified for this judgeship.

 

4. What are your qualifications for this job?

I have a BS in Pharmacy which will be beneficial specifically in cases of drug abuse. I have a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law. I have practiced family law for the past 37 years. For the past seven years I have been Assistant County Attorney and now a Division Chief overseeing the protection of abused and neglected children, whose cases are heard in the 308th Judicial District as well as other family courts. I oversee some 1,300 cases of child abuse and neglect each year.

 

5. Why is this race important?

There are no courts in Harris County which affect the lives of the people as directly as the family courts.

 

6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?

With 37 years of family law experience and seven years experience in Children Protective Services, as Division Chief overseeing over 1,300 cases of Child Abuse and Child Neglect each year, I am the only one in this race with Child Protective experience and there is no one in the race more qualified than I am.

 

7. Why did you choose to run in the Republican Primary versus the Democratic Primary?

I am a conservative and I am a Republican. In these trying times, it is imperative that the Conservative American Leaders take a stand in order to preserve American Values for our children and Grandchildren. I believe that the family is the foundation of our society.

 

Website: sumpterfrazier4judge.com

Facebook: Wm Sumpter Frazier

Click here to view Sumpter Frazier’s Campaign Flyer

Debate for Gubernatorial Candidates is Tonight!

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At the same time, the big media outlets are preparing their editorials, with most of them saying that the real winner was…Bill White! That’s right, they will say that Houston’s budget blundering mayor won by default because the three Republicans just aren’t up to the task in the modern world. Anyone care to wager on that?

Okay, back to the debate itself. All around Texas, people will be holding “watch parties” to cheer on their candidate. Or, in the case of Tea Parties, to grade the answers as to which one is “most” conservative. Here is a scorecard put out by the Houston Tea Party Society to be used at the watch parties:

htps_scorecard

These scorecards will be tallied at each location, the tallies sent in to the HTPS and an aggregate scorecard will be issued.

My own debate watching is a bit different. No one is going to win the debate, although it is possible for someone to make a gaffe and lose. I like to watch debates like this with this question in mind:

What does each candidate need to do in this debate to move his or her campaign forward?

Face it, we already know where each candidate stands on the issues in the scorecard above. Those that are going to be at watch parties, at least. The rest of the voters are just now starting to tune in – don’t believe me, ask someone at work or church that isn’t involved in politics in some form or fashion.

Here is what I think that each candidate needs to do tonight to move their campaign forward:

kay-bailey-hutchison_DPJ_3923Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison – She needs to let her supporters and moderate independents see a little fire in the belly. If there is one thing that has been lacking in her appearances, it is enthusiasm. With the public just now tuning in, this is critical for her. If she comes across flat, as she has in most of her public appearances today, she will lose the momentum gained from her recent television ad blitz. This is much harder to do than it seems on the surface, but she has done it before.

debra-medinaDebra Medina – She needs to show the general public that she belongs on that stage. As an unknown entity to most Texans, she cannot pull a James Stockdale “who am I and why am I here”. She must pull off a serious, statesmanlike performance and persuade voters to listen to her conservative message. Not an easy task to do but if she speaks from the heart, as she did at this event, her evening will be a success. If she speaks from prepared remarks, as she did here, she’s doomed with the general public.

rick-perry_DPJ_3739Gov. Rick Perry – He has the hardest job of all, which is why his camp tried mightily to keep Debra Medina off the stage. Without her on the stage, he could contrast his brand of conservatism with Sen. Hutchison’s. With her there, that strategy will not work because Mrs. Medina has articulated conservative positions that are more in line with the right wing of the party. His biggest goal will be to avoid a gaffe and avoid mentioning his executive order on the HPV vaccine, the Trans Texas Corridor, his 180 on the border after the last campaign, or the rate of growth in the Texas budget. If he can avoid highlighting those issues and focus on the Texas economy compared to the nation, then he will have had a successful evening. A tall order but he is an excellent campaigner and debater.

 So there you have my two cents, worth exactly what you paid for it!

TexasDebate.org has a listing of media outlets that are carrying the debate live.

Judicial Q&A: Donna Detamore

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1. Who are you, and what are you running for?

My name is Donna Detamore and I am running for the nomination as the Republican Candidate for Judge of the 311th Family Court.

 

2. What kind of cases does this court hear?

Family Law Cases. This includes cases such as : Divorces; Suits Affecting-the Parent Child Relationship (including custody); Paternity; Protective Orders; Modifications of Prior Orders Concerning the Parent-Child Relationship; Children’s Protective Services Actions against Parents of Children in Termination or Custody of the Children; Establishing Child Support; Enforcement of Visitation and/or Child Support Orders; Termination and Adoption; Name Changes (Adults and Children); Enforcement of property division orders; and other suits in the best interest of Children.

 

3. Why are you running for this particular bench?

Working with Families and Children has been my profession and my life’s work. I feel there can be no greater achievement and purpose in the law than to serve as a Judge for those individuals and families who find themselves before these courts.

 

4. What are your qualifications for this job?

  • 26 years of judicial experience as Special Master/Associate Judge
  • Board certified family law specialist and BV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Strict constructionist: fair and decisive, does not legislate from the bench
  • Renders judgments in a timely,cost efficient manner, protecting the rights and property of the parties
  • Lifetime conservative and Republican Activist
  • As a wife, mother, and family law attorney for 32 years. I have always put children and families first and I understand the core conservative principles we all share.

 

5. Why is this race important?

To continue to maintain a compassionate conservative on the bench making decisions that affect families and children.

 

6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?

I am the only candidate with the breadth of experience, knowledge and compassion needed in the 311th Family Court.

 

7. Why did you choose to run in the Republican Primary versus the Democratic Primary?

I am a Lifetime Conservative and Republican Activist. I have supported Conservatives and Republicans with my time, talent, toil and funds since the 70’s. I have walked blocks for Congressman Culberson, poll-watched for State Representative Duane Bohac, helped with signs for State Senator Dan Patrick and Congressman Ted Poe. I have volunteered in all capacities including phone banks to get the vote out and to get countless conservative and Republican candidates and elected officials into office since the 70’s. I have attended Precinct and State Conventions throughout this period and been a member and on the board of numerous Republican Women’s groups and Republican groups for decades. Please view my website at Detamore4judge.com to see my biography with more details about my professional, political and volunteer activity.

 

Website: detamore4judge.com

Facebook: Elect Donna Detamore in 2010 (311th Family Court, Harris County)

Debra Medina Border Security – Say What?

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First, the endorsement rally. Now, I really wouldn’t have minded the rally, had I known what I was walking into, because I’ve met most of the people that were there to endorse her. But it would have been nice to know beforehand that the majority of the press conference was going to deal with endorsements. Also, if you say a press conference is going to start at 10:00 am, the press conference should not start at 10:15 am, especially when you are adding endorsers and giving them the opportunity to speak on an ad hoc basis, making me late for another appointment. Not good.

Okay, fine, there was an endorsement rally and I didn’t give myself enough time to arrive at the other event. I’ll get over it. Here are some of the people that spoke:

  • Claver Kamau-Imani
  • Tracy Metcalf Miller
  • Bill Tofte
  • Lori Macomber
  • Mary Baker
  • Bob Bagley
  • Helena Brown (supported by Republican Precinct Chairs Larry Lane and Jim Bowie)

They each gave a short speech with their or the group that they represented reasons for endorsing Mrs. Medina. One of the things you are certain to notice from that list is what is missing: big names, well known politico’s that are big money raisers. That is unfortunate because Debra really does offer something different and substantial. At least she used to: after this press conference, I must tell you that I have some doubts that I had managed to overcome. Let me explain.

Anyone that has read much of what I’ve written (poor souls) knows that I’m not a fan of U.S. Border Watch or its president, Curtis Collier. I think that their rhetoric and actions hurt the Republican Party by driving away Hispanic votes that otherwise would be with us. At best, their rhetoric is inflammatory: at worst, it is derogatory and racist. At once, they claim to be against illegal aliens because of gang violence and drug pushers but picket and video men that are trying to work to feed their families. I have a very difficult time reconciling the two.

That said, I thought that their spokeperson, Bob Price, did a very good job yesterday in his endorsement speech. Not only did he focus on the border, he took on Sen. Dan “Cowboy Logic” Patrick for outright lying about Mrs. Medina’s position on gun control. I thought I was the only one willing to point that out. In case you missed it, Sen. Cowboy Logic told his audience (which is shrinking by the month) that Mrs. Medina wanted to do away with concealed carry laws and was therefore in favor of gun control.

Laughable if you have ever met Mrs. Medina. Sen. Logic left out the rest of her line which is “because the State has no right to tell people they cannot protect themselves”. No candidate in this race is more pro-Second Amendment than Debra Medina. Cowboy Logic nothwithstanding.

You can watch his endorsement here, it is about 10 and a half minutes in length.

Bob Price Endorses Debra Medina from Big Jolly Politics on Vimeo.

Again, I thought Mr. Price served his organization well yesterday.

Now, it was Debra’s turn. And I must tell you, I didn’t hear the same person that I talked about here. If you click on that link, you will find a 6 1/2 minute audio clip of her talking about the border. You should listen to that one and then view her complete speech from yesterday, which is just over 11 minutes in length. The two are so different I left wondering what I had just witnessed.

First off, it is apparent that she has absorbed the inflammatory language of U.S. Border Watch. She used terms like “mobocracy” and “invasion” to describe the border situation, a situation which is so complex and integrated into our society that the “simple” solutions proffered by most politicians are ludicrous. I think that most Americans agree that unchecked immigration has caused problems in our country but we are far from unanimous on a solution to these problems. Inflammatory rhetoric does nothing to help solve the problem. Besides that, she never gives credit where credit is due: the border today is far more secure than it was when President George W. Bush took office. That is a fact, not rhetoric.

But far worse than absorbing their language, she repeated some of their more bizarre arguments. Please, please watch this 56 second clip, in which she alleges that “she has heard reports from all over Texas that orders are being given within departments to stand down on the prosecution of crime committed by illegal aliens and visitors to our state”. Note that she states this shortly after remarks about “human slavery and child labor law”.

Debra Medina Claims Illegal Aliens Are Not Being Prosecuted for Crimes from Big Jolly Politics on Vimeo.

That is an incredible claim. An irresponsible claim unless she can produce names and turn them over to the Texas Rangers immediately. I do not believe those claims, although I do believe she has heard them given that she also said that she had spent the past six or seven months talking with U.S. Border Watch. Those types of bizarre claims are right up their alley.

The last problem I had with her speech isn’t as conspiratorial, unless of course you are of the mindset that the CFR rules the world and free trade is bad. One of the actual planks in her Border Security Plan is to nullify any treaty that the U.S. has made that infringes upon state sovereignty. In this 48 second clip, she claims that NAFTA and CAFTA actually create poverty in Mexico and Central America – an absolutely false claim.

Debra Medina – We Will Not Recognize Treaties from Big Jolly Politics on Vimeo.

The reasons behind the levels of poverty in those nations are multitudinal and extremely complex. The impact of NAFTA has not been as positive as anyone had hoped but it certainly has not “created poverty”. Here is one study (for you conspiratists out there) and here is another. It just isn’t true.

The other parts of the plan are pretty good. Using the Texas National Guard and Texas State Guard are better ideas than Sen. Hutchison’s volunteer force. The Second Amendment protection is good. Eliminating social incentives is a great idea – but how are you going to get it done? Working with the Mexican authorities is a given and Gov. Perry should have been doing that all along. Working with County Sheriff’s is a no-brainer and Gov. Perry has been negligent not to.

But Debra! Throwing out conspiracies and unfounded rumors is sooooo not like you. Eliminating trade barriers with other nations does not lead to poverty! Prosecutors in Texas are not being told by anyone to “stand down” instead of prosecuting illegal aliens for the crimes of human slavery and child labor laws; I give you my personal guarantee! I’m befuddled.

Note: I did email the Medina campaign ahead of time and told them that I would be writing this. I hope that they are huddled somewhere preparing for tomorrow nights big debate. Without U.S. Border Watch representatives assisting them. A lot of people worked really hard to get her into that debate and we want her to succeed.

I think.

(click here to read her plan)

Website: Medina for Texas

District Clerk Candidate Daniel Keeps Woodfill, Radack Candidate Off Ballot

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The defendant’s basic argument is that the Texas Legislature screwed up when it changed the Election Code. This line in the denial from the 14th is music to strict constructionists ears:

However, the role of the courts is to construe statutes as they are written….Therefore, we cannot rewrite the Election Code.

You can view the entire ruling by clicking here .

By the way, the names of those justices on the panel that chose not to rewrite the law?

Hmm. Notice anything in common?

Judicial Q&A: Joel Grandstaff

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1. Who are you, and what are you running for?

My name is Joel Grandstaff, I am running for judge of the Harris County 311th District Court , a Family Law court.

 

2. What kind of cases does this court hear?

The court hears all cases which involve family related matters, including but not limited to,  divorces, custody cases child support cases, adoptions and protective orders.

 

3. Why are you running for this particular bench?

We need good judges,  people with  common sense and a sense of fairness and justice.  People with an understanding of family law  and with experience both in the law and in life.   I have those qualifications.

Judge Doug Warne, who is retiring, was an excellent judge.  He should be replaced by someone who will strive to uphold his principles and the high standards he set as jurist.  I am committed to doing that.

 

4. What are your qualifications for this job?

I was a school teacher and high school coach for  for 14 years (wrestling and track).   I have been an attorney for 19 years.  I am a father of two wonderful daughters and grandfather of four equally wonderful grandchildren.  I worked in factories and at construction jobs to support my family while I was finishing college.   I have worked shoulder to shoulder with people from all walks of life.  I have broad life experiences that will help me on the bench.

 

5. Why is this race important?

Judges affect people’s lives in a way no other person can do.    On a daily basis, family law judges make decisions that have a profound impact on families.  A judge’s decision can and probably will, affect you for the rest of your life.

 

6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?

People should vote for me because I am a lifelong Republican with solid family values.   I understand that, if elected, I will be there to serve the public, follow the law and provide a fair and just forum in which people can have their cases heard

 

7. Why did you choose to run in the Republican Primary versus the Democratic Primary?

I grew up in a strong Republican family.  I have been a Republican all my life.  I live by the stated values of the Republican Party.  Grand Old Party …Grandstaff, a perfect fit.

 

Website: Joel A. Grandstaff for Judge