Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Are People Voting Early in the Runoff?
Turnout is better than expected, with participation in most of the state's largest counties outpacing both projections and the two-week early period from May's election.
Jeff Wentworth
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Down-Ballot Races Surprise
Upsets! Runoffs! Drama! The U.S. Senate race wasn't the only contest worth watching Tuesday night.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Wentworth and Jones: Who’s Suing Who?
Republican state senator Jeff Wentworth's latest salvo against his primary opponent Elizabeth Ames Jones? Suing her for defamation.
Politics & Policy
February 14, 2012
Ames Jones v. Wentworth: first shots fired
Lest anyone think that the race between challenger Elizabeth Ames Jones and incumbent Jeff Wentworth [a third candidate, Donna Campbell, is also in the race] is going to be a campaign characterized by mutual respect and a civil exchange of ideas, I herewith present the opening statements of the two
Politics & Policy
February 14, 2012
Railroad Commissioner Reluctantly Resigns
Elizabeth Ames Jones is running for a San Antonio senate seat, but must live in the "capital of the State" to stay Railroad Commissioner. People laughed when she questioned the phrase, but does she have a point about its modern definition?
Politics & Policy
January 16, 2012
Dueling fundraisers in SD 25
Jeff Wentworth faces a tough primary race against TLR-backed Elizabeth Ames Jones. Wentworth’s consultant, Bryan Eppstein, is circulating a comparison of their respective fundraising efforts. The summary in italics is written by Eppstein: Wentworh raises $400,000+ with 500 Co-Hosts for Jan 22nd Campaign Kickoff… Invitations mailed
Politics & Policy
August 23, 2011
Why Wentworth announced his bid for reelection today
Because, according to a Republican consultant during a conversation this afternoon, Donna Campbell was about to announce her intention to oppose Wentworth. Campbell came close to ending Lloyd Doggett’s congressional career in 2010. Doggett survived with 53% to Dr. Campbell’s 45%. He will face another fight for survival this year
Politics & Policy
June 29, 2009
Who runs the Senate?
Jeff Wentworth is still unhappy about the failure of his constitutional amendment to authorize a short veto override session following the twenty-day period during which the governor decides whether to sign or veto legislation. (A third option allows the governor to let a bill become law without his signature.) Jason
Politics & Policy
May 13, 2009
Patrick’s new approach
Yesterday’s Senate debate on Sen. Jeff Wentworth’s driver’s ed bill highlighted one of the remarkable stories of the session: Dan Patrick’s transformation into a real player who is having an impact on legislation. Wentworth’s bill would have required 18 to 25-year-olds to take a driver’s ed course before obtaining a
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2009
Keep your hands off my jet skis
Sen. John Whitmire preserved the right of Texans to drive boats and jet skis without the burden of completing driver safety courses by shooting down a bill by Sen. Jeff Wentworth mandating the new requirement. Holding his hand to his forehead in disbelief, Whitmire passionately argued against “big government” intrusion
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2009
The Indiana redistricting case: Is it in point?
This was an interesting discussion. The same lawyer who was grilled by Wentworth and Tommy Williams (see “Liars and Stolen Maps,” below) was asked by Democrats about the applicability of the Supreme Court opinion upholding the constitutionality of Indiana’s Voter I.D. law. The lawyer’s answer was that the Indiana case
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2009
Liars and stolen maps
The discussion in the Senate has gotten hot and heavy as the midnight hour approached. I missed the name of the witness, an attorney who had represented Texas Democrats in various redistricting cases. He attacked the Tom DeLay midcensus redistricting in 2003. Wentworth jumped in to point out that the