The question asked:
How does the fine reflect upon the Harris County Republican Party, if it does at all?
The candidates answers (click on their name or picture to go to their campaign website):
Paul Simpson – The TEC fine agreed to by Commissioner Eversole does not in any way reflect on the fine citizens – including other candidates and officeholders – who make up the Harris County Republican Party. Texas law makes officeholders responsible for their own filings – the Party has no control over those filings. But the County Party itself should set an example by spending its own funds prudently and making all of its own campaign finance filings accurate and timely.
Ed Hubbard – In an ideal world, the mistakes of any individual, and the consequences for those mistakes, should not reflect adversely on his or her political party—but, in the real world, they do.
What were, and what will be the consequences for the party? In the coming 2010 election cycle–probably very little. Because of the age of the events, and the fact that the agreed decision was entered this past summer, I doubt that the fine or the decision will have an impact on the party going into this election cycle, unless additional legal actions are taken. Unfortunately, the news about these events probably did contribute to the overall climate in 2008, in which the credibility of our party was stained.
The question really is this—where do we as a party go from here? Does Commissioner Eversole have the experience and the skills to help the party move forward in Harris County in a positive, dynamic way? “Yes.” Do I hope that this specific experience will give him the wisdom to exercise his responsibilities properly in the future? Also, “yes.”
Don Large – It reflects poorly upon the Party, its leadership, its grass roots supporters, its precinct chairs, and its elected officials, primary candidates, and general election nominees. The Harris County Democratic Party was successful in referring to several of our then incumbent officeholders as a “Rogue’s Gallery” for their actions and omissions. This included then County Sheriff Thomas, then County Attorney Stafford, and then former District Attorney Rosenthal, amongst other officials. Although Pat Lykos won her race for District Attorney against former police chief Bradford (albeit by the narrowest of margins), Sheriff Thomas and County Attorney Stafford soundly lost their respective bids for reelection. The allegations against Commissioner Eversole, and the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and sanctions imposed by the Texas Ethics Commission would seem to amplify this preexisting perception of Republican elected officials who are engaged in improper behavior or are engaging in behavior that provides the appearance of impropriety. This will have a strong negative impact on all of our general election nominees for the November, 2010 general election in Harris County.
Jared Woodfill – No Response
I thank each of the gentlemen that responded. I must admit that I learned a lot more about the issue and about each individual.