Wow. R’s rule! A few thoughts on the results in the Texas election.
But first, I have to give thanks to the election workers in my precinct, the mighty 377 in Harris County! As a precinct chair, you always wonder if the workers you ask are actually going to show up. Fortunately, we had a great team and made it through a long day without any problems that we couldn’t handle on site. So thank you to Don Hill (Alternate Judge), Richard Florance (my right hand), Marion Schmitz, David Williams, and Mike Meehan.
Human Interest Story
Okay, so during the 12 hours (really 14) that election workers work the polls, there are always several human interest stories. From the mighty 377, the one that stands out was the grandmother who brought her autistic grandson to the poll. I was so happy with the response of our poll workers and the voters in the booths at the time. My alternate judge, Don Hill, displayed grace beyond measure in trying to talk to the young man and then moving discretely behind the voting machines to help protect the setup. The voters in the booths at the time quickly understood what was happening and no one complained. It was, to me, an awesome display of basic humanity and I’m proud to say that the grandmother was able to vote with minimal distraction and I am blessed to have met her for this brief period of time.
Harris County Sweep
Kudos to Chairman Paul Simpson. He came in on a platform of “professionalizing” the party and he did it in just a few months. The phone banking and GOTV measures he put in place clearly helped in the Republican sweep. And he took advantage of Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s gift and spent party money on radio ads by Paul Bettencourt urging voters to vote straight R. More on that later but since I haven’t been Paul’s strongest supporter, I think that I have to give kudos where they are due and certainly, Paul earned them.
Governor
Greg Abbott is the real deal and he is not Rick Perry or anyone else. Voters made an awesome choice and Governor-elect Greg Abbott is going to surprise many of his Democratic detractors with his forward thinking ideas for Texas. He is going to be an awesome Governor, I guarantee it!
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3
So, so happy that my friend Russell Lloyd destroyed incumbent Jim Sharp in this race. Russell has a brilliant legal mind and will be a positive force on the 1st Court.
Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7
Justice Ken Wise deserved to be elected to this position. Justice Wise is a calm, steady jurist that will not legislate from the bench.
District Judge, 113th Judicial District
Everyone in the top echelon of Harris County Republican Party politics was worried about this race. Judge Landrum didn’t get the Houston Chronicle endorsement and his opponent was a well respected former Democratic judge. I didn’t understand the concern because I know Judge Landrum and he is one of the finest men I’ve ever met. Fortunately the voters agreed with me and he coasted to victory. Congratulations to Judge Landrum and Mary Grace!
State Representative District 23
Very pleased that Wayne Faircloth won this race and flipped a former Democratic seat. Wayne is exactly the type of candidate we need (we coastal residents) in this district and I look forward to his leadership on TWIA issues.
State Representative District 129
It was never in doubt after the primary but I still have to give kudos to Rep.-elect Dennis Paul and his campaign manager Debra Risinger for their overwhelming victory in my home district. And Debra did this while pregnant and giving birth to the newest Risinger! I’m almost positive I received an email from her while she was in labor urging me to get out the vote for Dennis! How do you top that?
State Representative District 144
This might be the biggest surprise of the night to many but since I know the players involved, it wasn’t such a shocker to me. Gilbert and Cynthia Pena worked their tails off to win this Democratic, Latino focused district and flip it from last session’s rookie of the year, Mary Ann Perez. They did it with no money, just hard work and great strategy. I’ll have a lot more on this race since it involves my old stomping grounds in Pasa-get-down-dena. For now, if you are a candidate in an urban area, I’d suggest you check out American Renaissance Consulting for help.
Harris County District Clerk
Another non-surprise but Chris Daniels has shown the way for future Republicans. Do a great job in your elected position, get out and talk to people of all stripes, and you will be rewarded with another term in office. Love this guy.
Harris County District Attorney
Hey, you can’t win them all. The Republican voters chose to “keep Harris County red”. If you look at the totals, those of us that supported the D in this race made a fairly significant impact but clearly not enough. That’s okay, Mrs. Anderson is on record on any number of issues for change at the criminal justice center. Believe me, we will be watching. I hope that she follows through on them and gives me a reason to vote with a very happy face for her in two years when she runs for a full term. It is never fun coming out publicly for a Democrat when you are a dyed in the wool Republican precinct chair. Trust me on that one.
We’ll have more and certainly more specific numbers and analysis later. For now, that’s all I got.
Except…wow! It was almost as good as 2010! Let’s govern like we deserve these votes and then we’ll have a chance in the 2016 Presidential election!
Why no mention of Dan Patrick? Everyone with half a brain knows that the Lt. Gov. is as powerful as the Gov. in our state, and yet you fail to mention his election against an opponent arguably stronger than Wendy Davis. With the power of the pen comes great responsibility. Too bad you have no one to judge whether you exercise your press freedoms responsibly. Unchecked power by the press is what gave us Obama. What will you do with your unchecked power?
Charles Meyer,
I have no idea what you mean. Sorry.
DJ
Dan Patrick won Harris County by the smallest margin of any Republican, the poorest showing of any candidate on the Republican ballot. 50.34{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} 340,384 votes.
Compare this to George P. Bush who received 54.14{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} or 368,318 votes. Charles, I hope this helps.
some trivia from that night: My race had the highest winning percentage (55.2{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}) of any non-judicial, democrat contested county wide race; while lower in percentage, Orlando Sanchez had the highest total votes in the same category
The KKK is in power in Texas now.
Uhhh, No. The KKK was a Democratic organization. I think you’re confused.
House District 144
I am thrilled and really surprised that Gilbert Pena won District 144. After the district lines were redrawn, I didn’t think an R would ever win again.
Harris County DA
I think that it was extremely important to keep Harris County completely red. Toward the end of the race, the democrat candidate showed a pretty nasty side. David, if you have a beef with Ms. Anderson, try to settle it in the 2016 Republican primary. I, for one, would be more receptive to a change if the replacement is another Republican.
You know, Mr. Jolly, on your comments about Greg Abbott I really hope you are right.
Quite frankly I thought Abbott to be just the next hand up and wildly gesturing in the air “it’s my turn” bratty candidate for governor. I think he is a product of an out-of-party in office too long.
I hope that Greg Abbott has the intestinal fortitude to make the hard decisions needed in this state. To begin funding much needed improvements in infrastructure, water and education. His reluctance to detail his vague agenda and run against someone who wasn’t even an opponent does not give me much optimism.
He will need grit and guts to quash the worst tendencies of our unfortunate Lt. Governor, Dan Patrick. I hope for the sake of Texas he man enough for the job.