This was Kingwood Tea Party’s first event at their new location, the Nathaniel Center in Kingwood. Awesome place, I guarantee you they are going to have some great events there. Full multimedia capability, a large stage, a dedicated kitchen and dining area, and lots of room. Very nice, Robin Lennon, Larry Lane, and Eric Zuleger. That picture at the top is of Eric and his son, talking to Democratic judicial candidate Sandra Peake. This young man was very polite, addressing me as sir. Unusual in this day and time. Kudos Eric.
Badge of Courage Awards
There were three four Democratic Party candidates (plus one representative for another) that defied their party leaders and attended this Tea Party event. I think that they should be recognized for their willingness to look beyond the lies, distortions, and vulgarities that are spread about the people that participate in Tea Party events. I also hope that my recognizing them doesn’t put them on the hit list of the “Top Houston political bloggers” because those people are vile, vicious, and vulgar, but I think that the reward outweighs the risk. Without further ado:
Believe me folks, those are some brave souls in this climate. Here are links to each candidate:
- Judge Kathy Stone (she was not there but sending a rep counts in this case)
- Sandra Peake
- Wally Kronzer
- Keith Branch (I’ve seen Mr. Branch at multiple events – he is campaigning hard)
- Bruce Mosier
Judicial Elections
Okay, this is my opinion, so take it for what you paid for it. Something has to change in the way Harris County elects judges. Do you realize that Harris County, in terms of square miles, is larger than the state of Rhode Island? And that the population is greater than the state of Oklahoma? Yet we require our judges to campaign across the entire county? This isn’t good. I don’t know how to change it but surely there is a way to break it into smaller districts. Or to use the dreaded “cumulative voting”? Something really does need to change if we want to keep electing judges. Those judges and candidates that are campaigning are tired.
Kathie Glass Making Noise?
When I first met Kathie, I didn’t really have much hope of her breaking that magical 5{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} mark. But I have noticed that she has been campaigning harder than I thought she would, virtually living on the road. I hear radio commercials now (yes, I listen to conservative talk radio). And then I see on Wednesday that the Texas GOP has decided to let one of their official party bloggers attack her (dude is some kind of complete anti-immigration nut), so I’m guessing that their polling is showing a little movement. If she breaks above that 5{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} mark, the election is up for grabs. I’m not saying that she is going to do that, just observing what is happening around me. She’s also become much more aggressive as a campaigner. I never envisioned that she would hop up on a table at an event like this when I first met her.
Some Candidates Not Campaigning, Not Carrying Their Share of the Burden
There are a lot of Republican candidates working very hard and I respect them very much. There are also some that aren’t working hard, relying upon the work of others and throwing money at the coordinated campaign to win. That, I do not respect. Last night was the first night I’ve met some of these judicial candidates and that is a shame. As well, some of them haven’t bothered to fill out the basic six question Judicial Q&A, even after repeated prodding. No more prodding from me. Early voting starts on October 18th. Come October 11th, I’ll add every candidate I’ve contacted that hasn’t returned the Judicial Q&A, note that, and link to their opponent. We’ll see if every vote truly counts.
I think I have a picture of every candidate that attended. There were other candidates represented, such as Lydia Smyth for her husband Don, Sarah Brown for her father Marc, I know that Caroline Baker had a rep there, and Governor Perry was represented.
UPDATE: The original version did not list Bruce Mosier under the Badge of Courage. Also, I’m told that another Democratic Party nominee, Natalie Oaks (313th Family District), showed up after I left.