After every major election, it seems I find myself writing an obituary for the Texas Democratic party. It’s not a true obituary, I suppose, since the Democrats are not exactly dead, just comatose. This year brought a rare combination of considerable early optimism by Democrats, followed by the worst pasting
Texas is a Republican state and nothing is likely to change that in the foreseeable future.
As the returns are started to roll in–find updated results here–here are a few quick thoughts:1. As the race in CD23 begins to take shape, the only competitive Congressional seat from Texas looks be breaking Republican. Challenger Will Hurd is leading Democratic incumbent Pete Gallego 53-44%.2. In the
UPDATED AT 7:25: The polls have closed, and the early vote totals are coming in. Here are some of the quick results, with a whooping 1% of the vote having been counted:ABBOTT: 57%DAVIS: 40%++PATRICK: 55%VAN DE PUTTE: 41%++PAXTON: 56%HOUSTON: 40%++HEGAR: 56%COLLIER: 39%++BUSH: 62%COOK: 33%++MILLER: 59%HOGAN: 36%++CORNYN: 60%ALAMEEL: 36%
It provides such a meager amount of funding that it's hardly worth the effort of putting it on the ballot at all.
If this is the worst election season in recent memory, what does that mean for Texas in 2015?
The voters have spoken (loudly) in the primary election. Where do we go from here?
Here are five races that I’m watching with particular interest tomorrow that are part of an ongoing battle for control of the Republican party.Sarah Davis vs. Bonnie ParkerWhy it matters:This is a rematch of the 2010 primary, when Davis beat Parker 54-45. Davis is the only pro-choice Republican woman in
It’s that time of the primary season that reminds me a lot of the endless run-up to the Super Bowl: One, it goes without saying that I love the game. Two, I can’t stand to read yet another story about the game before it’s actually played. So let’s kick-off already.
The candidates on the Republican ballot may compose the weakest ticket in terms of career accomplishments the Republican party has ever laid before voters. Take the race for comptroller: The four candidates (Harvey Hilderbran, Glenn Hegar, Debra Medina, Raul Torres) have thin resumes, Hilderbran excepted (he has been chairman of
It’s worth spending some time perusing the Texas Tribune‘s revealing graph tracking candidates’ ad buys in the major markets of the state. Of the various graphs reflecting candidates’ network TV expenditures leading up to the March 4 primary elections, the most significant one was the comparison between Hegar
Who has the power in the Republican party--and how are they using it?
The bad news for Texans is that 2014 is shaping up in the most predictable way.
The missteps aren't just by the candidate. They are by the campaign.
One stage, four candidates, and countless opportunities to try to burnish credentials.
The lieutenant governor flexes his financial muscle.
Who is safe--and who is in danger--in the 2014 primary?
It's 2010 all over again: Bonnie Parker is challenging Sarah Davis for HD 134.
For the second time this election season, I have to ask: Where's Wendy Davis?
State senator Leticia Van de Putte throws her hat in the ring for lieutenant governor.
Democrats look to take a shot at at least two incumbent Republicans in the Legislature in 2014.
The gubernatorial candidate hasn't been seen much on the campaign trail.
Democrats are understandably delirious over the finding in the UT/Texas Tribune Poll that Wendy Davis trails Greg Abbott by single digits. But that is not the most significant finding in the poll.The most significant finding is that “the fundamentals of Texas politics have not changed,” says pollster Jim
No one should be surprised by the numbers for the governor's race in the new UT-Texas Tribune Poll, which show Abbott with a single-digit lead over Wendy Davis.
The evangelical leader's candidacy would be enough to cause major heartburn among the GOP establishment in Texas.
Astonishing as it may seem, I think he is worse than Perry.
The good news about Brandon Creighton’s and Steve Toth’s decision to run for Tommy Williams’ Senate seat (SD 4) is that there will be one less far-right member of the Legislature. One of them has to lose. In all seriousness, I think Creighton made a mistake with this decision. He
Among the many Texans transfixed by Wendy Davis's June 25th filibuster was her father, Jerry Russell. In July, he shared some memories about Davis's childhood, her challenges, and what he was thinking on the day that shook up Texas's political scene.
Julián Castro makes his first trip to the Indianola steak fry.
Before everyone declares Dewhurst to be dead, just keep in mind that while his rivals may be starved for money, Dewhurst is not.
It's looking increasingly likely that Wendy Davis will run for governor in 2014. But still, the paucity of credible candidates for other statewide offices is a real problem for Democrats.
Mike Novak, a former Bexar County commissioner, plans to challenge State Senator Donna Campbell in the Republican primary.
Battleground Texas wants to turn Texas blue. FreedomWorks is worried they may have a shot.
The Texas attorney general is widely considered to be running for governor, but what are his priorities?
Rick Perry isn't running for re-election in 2014
Following the filibuster by Wendy Davis, I wrote a cautionary post on Burkablog in which I pointed out that the euphoria that flourished in the wake of her memorable performance was not a game-changer; that Democrats would be wise to keep their enthusiasm in check, lest they raise
As Act II of the Wendy Davis show returns to the Capitol, the Democratic state senator has become an instant national star thanks to her filibuster against the Republicans' abortion legislation last week. What happens next?
The obvious question about whether the Democrats have a candidate in Davis who has the potential to break the party's long losing streak in statewide races is hard to answer.
Perry told Bloomberg News that he would announce his decision about whether he would seek a full fourth term as governor by July 1. Why is he holding off on his reelect announcement?
The latest approval numbers aren't terribly surprising.
If so, what is it?Brad Watson of WFAA-TV in Dallas made big news with his report of a potential deal between Perry and Abbott. From the station’s website: In an exclusive WFAA interview Wednesday, [Jan. 31] Gov. Rick Perry said Attorney General Greg Abbott has told him he won’t
Here’s what I think should happen:(1) If Abbott isn’t going to run against Perry, he should challenge Dewhurst for lieutenant governor. It’s the best job available (other than governor), and Dewhurst is gravely wounded. Abbott would beat him like a drum. If Abbott doesn’t run, Dewhurst still has to contend
