Tuesday night the Republican Hispanic Citizens In Action held a Straw Poll meeting for contested GOP primary races in Harris County. The overflow crowd heard from a wide variety of candidates and an appearance by Rep Ted Poe to boot. Rep Poe spoke of the need for strong voter turn-out and bringing in hard working conservatives to fight the battles in Washington, D.C.
Harris County has an abundance of strong, qualified Republicans running for office. In the judicial races, in particular, it is crucial for a strong voter turn-out in the primary and then in November to take back the majority of judicial seats swept away in 2008 by the Obama tsunami. Many candidates have compelling personal stories about why they chose to come forward and run for office. Some of these races are downright nasty and that includes Republican against Republican in the primary. What would Ronald Reagan think?
The positive takeaway is that there are fresh faces running for office. No longer satisfied with the "it's my turn" mindset of some, they have taken a deep breath and plunged into the world of county-wide politics. We even heard some speak against the long standing and utterly corrupt pay-for-play endorsement slates sent out by a handful of men reaping the benefits of this system. Ever wonder what in the world is wrong with Harris County Republican politics? The pay-for-play system in place in the primary system is a large part of all that is wrong with Harris County politics. For candidates to begin speaking out against that system, boldly and unafraid, is very encouraging. And, appreciated.
A short list of some impressive candidates: Don Sumners, Tax Assessor-Collector; Sophia Mafrige for Judge, 164th Civil District Court; Leif Olson,for Judge,151st Civil District Court; Kevin Fulton,for Judge Justice of the Peace 5th Precinct- Place 1; Allyson Wilkinson, for Judge 152nd Civil District Court; Al Florido for Harris County Constable Precinct 5; Kristin Guiney, District Judge 179th District; Michael Landrum,District Judge,129th District; Richard Johnson, Harris Co Dept of Ed Brd of Trustees, At-Large Pos. 3; and Bruce Bain,Judge 11th District. I have missed some here but the point is that there are many people working hard to be elected to serve Harris County who are very qualified and will be working hard for the taxpayer.
Full Disclosure: I am serving as Campaign Manager for the Jack Lee for Tx Dist 149 campaign. Jack won the Straw Poll in his District's primary race. He is a hard working campaigner, a lifelong Republican with a record of working as a volunteer in campaigns dating back to his high school days and served as an Intern for former Rep Bill Archer in his younger days.
I support Rep Jim Murphy for State Rep District 133, the district in which I live.
I support the re-election of Harris County D.A. Pat Lykos.
I have endorsed Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate.
I have endorsed Paul Simpson for Harris County Republican Party Chairman.
I encourage you to go to some of these events and get to know the candidates. Hear what they have to say about the offices for which they are running and what they have as a vision of serving in that office.
You are the taxpayer. They work for you. Demand the best.
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