Road Keel -Austin

[sonias]

We are finally rid of all the Keels in Travis. Thank you supreme entity! This may only appeal to the Austin and Travis voters but I take it as a good sign that the newer meaner republicans, like the whole Keel family, are falling out of favor. Terry Keel used to represent HD47 and decided to run for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Keel never met a defendant he didn't want to send to the electric chair when he was a prosecutor. As a criminal lawyer he regularly represents dirty cops. He's the scum of the earth. In 2004 Travis Democrats helped Democratic candidates soundly defeat his brother and cousin for two other elected positions. With yesterday's runoff loss of Terry "death penalty" Keel, we can breathe easier tonight. Holcomb, the winner has to retire when he's 75, so that's even more reason we need Chris Bell as governor to make that appointment

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/12keel.html">AAS article 4/12/06
Keel falls short in runoff for court seat
Incumbent Holcomb dominates rural vote to win second term
Austin state Rep. Terry Keel's 14-year run of election success ended Tuesday when incumbent Judge Charles Holcomb edged ahead in the Republican runoff for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Keel, retiring from the Texas House after five terms, said he will work as a full-time lawyer when his term ends in January. He served as Travis County sheriff from 1992 to 1997.

(snip)
Holcomb, 72, was seeking a second term on the state's highest criminal court, but he will have to step down in September 2008, when he meets the mandatory retirement age for judges, 75. The governor appoints his replacement.


Keel carried most large counties Tuesday, but Holcomb dominated the rural areas to stave off an upset. Holcomb had topped Keel by 75,000 votes in a three-way March primary to lead 45 percent to 31 percent.(/snip)

Good riddance to road-keel!

Sonia

[sonias]

1. Oh and let me add that Craddick supported Keel too

Keel's money from the same article:
Other contributions included $5,000 from Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland; $5,000 from GOP contributor Bob Perry; and $1,000 from the Austin Police Association.

Craddick was a big loser last night! May his days as Speaker of the Texas House be numbered.

Sonia

[cannabis_flower]

2. Actually..

I'm not familiar with most of Keel's legislation - however, he was instramental in disbanding the Narcotics Task Forces that caused situations like we had in Tulia and he also sponsered HB 513 that would have provided an affirmative defense for persons who use marijuana as medicine.

He was one of drug policy reform's best friends and we will miss him. I hope his successor, be it a Democrat or a Republican will be as progressive on drug policy reform as Terry Keel.

[sonias]

3. Terry "death penalty" Keel did help kill the drug task forces

But it was the ACLU that lobbied very hard to show him that failed policy. He's not stupid just mean. And now those task forces are gone. Craddick's enforcer is out of the Lege.

Keel also killed the campaign finance reform bill in a hissy fit. So I won't miss him one damn bit. When Valinda Bolton Democrat wins that seat in HD47 she will be a much better and more progressive representative than Keel ever was.

Sonia

[cannabis_flower]

4. Well, I hope ...

good progressives in her district try to get Valinda's ear on drug policy reform and hope that she's progressive on this issue. There have been quite a few progressives that aren't quite so progressive on this issue and it may be that they just haven't been educated about it yet. Hopefully, they are not scared to touch this subject for fear of being labeled "soft on crime". While I could write her it means so much more when it comes from those in her district.

[Texaroo]

5. Terry also lobbied heavily in favor of relaxing DWI laws,

especially the driver's license revocation pieces. His proposed legislation was generally geared towards enriching his personal criminal defense practice - charge the same rates for reduced procedures, with more possibilities for getting someone some type of relief. Occasionally, that will dovetail with progressive sensibilities, but make no mistake - he's a slimeball.

I lived in Austin when he was first elected sherrif there, and worked on his opponent's campaign. I was heartened to see that he didn't make the runoff....

[David Van Os]

6. Charles Holcomb....

is not mean-hearted like Keel. I know him, he's a nice old guy. He was a Democrat until recent years. He was one of our Democratic nominees for the Court of Crim Appeals in 1996 and lost. He switched to the GOP on the assumption that was the only way to get elected any more. Not something I agree with doing, but my point is that Holcomb is not an ideologue of the right, rather a Democrat inside, who thought one couldn't get elected any more without calling themselves a Republican. Truthfully there are a lot like him. I don't excuse what they did, I only identify the reality of it. When we start winning again, which we have to this year, a lot of them like that will switch back.

David Van Os

[nick_DFT]

7. Worth noting...

...that a certain Glen Maxey played a major and significant role in both the candidacy and campaign of Richard McCain who won the constable seat and by all accounts is now doing a fantastic job, as well as the candidacy and campaign of Stephen Yelenosky.

Two out of three ain't bad :: in fact, we had "Road Keel" signs at the 04 party, remember? =)

[nick_DFT]

8. Oops!

And I should add, Stephen is doing an amazing job as well!