Wendy Davis replaces top campaign aide

[TexasTowelie]

The Texas gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Wendy Davis has experienced a major shake-up in its leadership.

Davis’ nationally celebrated campaign manager, Karin Johanson, will be replaced by state Rep. Chris Turner, a campaign source confirmed early Wednesday.

-snip-

Johanson, a Washington, D.C.-based consultant with three decades of experience in Democratic politics, arrived at Davis’ campaign in October with a long resumé and a reputation as one of the nation’s top grassroots organizers and strategists. Johanson’s accomplishments include serving as executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2006 cycle and as political director of EMILY’s List in the 1990s. She also led the successful 2012 campaign of Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin.

Turner’s campaign experience might not be as extensive, but he, too, has worked on his share of political contests. Turner, D-Fort Worth, won a seat for himself in the Texas House in 2008 and then lost it in 2010. He later won it back in 2012 and has prevailed in the 2014 Democratic primary.

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/wendy-davis-replaces-top-campaign-aide/ngJXz/ .

ETA: An additional article from Burnt Orange Report:
http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/15319/wendy-davis-hires-state-rep-chris-turner-as-new-campaign-manager

[Rstrstx]

1. Good

I've been disappointed in her campaign so far. Case in point, when her opponents keep calling her Abortion Barbie the campaign has pretty much just rolled over and ignored it. Things like that will sink a campaign, they have to be acted on. She needs to start pushing back harder.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I also think that Turner understands the political game better in Texas.

It's nice to think that a candidate can run a clean campaign and win, but past history in Texas shows that the failure to push back ends up in defeat. Johanson doesn't understand the dynamics of Texas politics and has not learned that lesson with her involvement on previous campaigns. Turner was defeated and returned back to reclaim his seat.

There is still time for Wendy to make this a close race and possibly win if both LVDP and her motivate the larger segment of women, Latinos and youth to show up and vote. There are plenty of reasons not to vote for the GOP in November and the people need to hear the reasons why.

If she can close the gap in the polls down to about five points, then hopefully the DNC will step in with the funding that could push her over the top.