Two full days after the last day to file for the March 2nd Democratic Primary, we finally find the list of candidates for Fort Bend County posted at the Texas Democratic Party website (here).
I don’t know about you but I am getting sick and tired of having to wait until long after the filing date to find what our slate of candidates is going to look like this year, and I am told that a race not appearing on the TDP website, the one for Chair of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party, is going to be a contested race this year.
According to the Fort Bend Herald, incumbent party chair Elaine Bishop will face a challenge by Steve Brown. Brown, it may be recalled, mounted a primary challenge to State Rep. Dora Olivo in 2006. I would expect that one issue that will be raised in this election is the whole primary filing process which is currently laughable in the extreme.
Another might be the aggressive way the current chair defends her turf, to the detriment of not only getting Democrats elected in general, but the whole democratic process in particular.
In Congressional District 22 which extends across Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties, Kesha Rogers, who lists her occupation as Political Organizer, will be running against Doug Blatt (who filed in Brazoria County), a Development Analyst, and John Wieder, an Alvin Minister (who filed in Galveston County). Wieder, it might be recalled ran against Nick Lampson and Pete Olson for the office as the Libertarian Party nominee.
Ron Reynolds, a Missouri City lawyer and president of the local NAACP will again challenge State Rep. Dora Olivo for the Democratic nomination in HD 27. Reynolds was narrowly edged out of the nomination in 2008 and will challenge Olivo over her anti-Democratic stances on abortion and stem cell research, positions that she holds because of her religion.
Another contested Democratic Primary race is for County Judge with local activist Rodrigo Carreon running against Dr. Phillip Atisebaomo PhD, O.D.
Joel Clouser, Democratic incumbent Justice of the Peace in Precinct 2 is facing an opponent this year in Tony Sherman. Sherman, it may be remembered ran against Judge Clouser in the 2002 primary, getting 39.14% to Clouser’s 60.86%.
And finally, three individuals are vying for the Democratic nomination for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 2: Marty Rocha, Aurelia Moore and some other guy.
Marty Rocha, it will be recalled, ran against Richard Morrison for Fort Bend County Commissioner, Precinct 1. Morrison won the primary and then went on to defeat the Republican candidate, Gregg “Toll Road” Ordineaux.
All other primary races are uncontested.
Here is the list of uncontested races:
- District Judge, 240th Judicial District: Fredericka Allen, Attorney
- State Representative District 26: Phillip Andrews, College Professor
- Judge, County Court at Law #1: Milton Flick, Lawyer
- County Treasurer: P.K. George, Certified Financial Planner
- Judge, County Court at Law #2: Harrison Gregg Jr., Attorney
- District Judge, 268th Judicial District: Albert Hollan, Attorney
- County Clerk: Korinthia Miller, Lawyer/Teller
- County Commissioner, Precinct 2: Grady Prestage, County Commisioner
- District Clerk: Veronica Torres, Administrative Specialist
All in all, it is a respectable slate of candidates and all that I can hope is that the local contested races as well as the healthily contested races for statewide office will draw Democratic voters to the polls in the enthusiastic numbers that the ballot deserves.
And yes, I have my preferences and will make them known as we get closer to Early Voting.
6 comments:
Is there not a single Democrat in Fort Bend candidate that can run for District Attorney.
What a terrible thin bench to pull candidates from.
Hal,
As a long time reader of your blog,I have come to respect your opinions Although, I often disagree with your positions they usually have a sound basis and are
highly persuasive.BUT you have completely missed the mark on your evaluation of this year's Democratic candidates. In a year in which the incumbent Republican DA has been the subject of much criticism the Democrats field no candidates.The Judicial candidates leave a lot to be desired and the County Judge candidates are worse.Reynolds is a quality candidate but the odds are against him.I'll bet anyone lunch at Don Bankston's favorite restaurant (Larrys of course) that with the exception of the Pct. 2 and State Rep District 27 races all the local Democratic candidates will lose by at least 4 % (52% to 48%) to the Republicans in November..Any takers on this wager? Hal? Mark? Susan? Don?
So I filed for Precinct chair position. How do I find out whether I made it on the ballot and who else is on the ballot for Fort Bend County?
Thanks for any tips.
Anon #s 1 and 2:
I heard that someone was being heavily recruited to run for DA but in the end it didn't happen. I suspect the one who got the "ask" didn't want to take a cut in pay.
Anon #2: Ron Reynolds lost in March 2008 by 187 votes. News of his loss in March is, I think, premature. This will be a much lower turnout primary.
And you might want to rethink those percentages, Anon. Dems lost by 1-2% in '08 and the demographics indicate an even closer result this year.
Anon #3 all I can suggest is that you check with the county elections office. Calling the party chair about it is just about guaranteed to frustrate you.
According to Albert Hollan's webpage(www.carwrecks.com), one of the things he specializes in is "dog bites."
I think this uniquely qualifies him to take on his Republican opponent.
It's so nice to be so well known for being responsible for your own beliefs and actions.
You forgot Bryan.
Susan DuQuesnay Bankston
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