Battle lines already forming over control of Texas House in 2010

[sonias]

Fort Worth Star-Telegram 6/23/09
Battle lines already forming over control of Texas House in 2010
By DAVE MONTGOMERY

AUSTIN — With the Texas House now almost evenly divided, the battle is shaping up for control of the 150-member chamber in next year’s elections. Republicans are scrambling to protect and expand their precarious majority, and Democrats are within striking distance of regaining control.

Both major parties and allied organizations are recruiting candidates, raising money and targeting incumbents whom they consider potentially vulnerable. An undetermined number of House seats are also expected to open up in the coming months as incumbents retire or seek other offices.

The populous North Texas metropolitan region is emerging as pivotal in the campaign for control of the House, according to interviews with party officials, lawmakers and political consultants.

High on the list of Republicans targeted by Democrats is Rep. Linda Harper-Brown of Irving, who won re-election in 2008 by 19 votes after a recount. GOP strategists are expected to take aim at several freshman and sophomore Democrats in Dallas and Tarrant counties, including Chris Turner of Burleson and Paula Pierson of Arlington.

Tips to TDP for the story which they sent out via e-mail.

Texas Democratic Party
Within Striking Distance
Friends,

As you know, the stakes have never been higher for Texas Democrats. Now that the legislative session is over, the race toward 2010 is in full effect. As the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports, "With the Texas House now almost evenly divided, the battle is shaping up for control of the 150-member chamber in next year's elections. Republicans are scrambling to protect and expand their precarious majority, and Democrats are within striking distance of regaining control."

Read the article and learn why we need your support more than ever: http://www.star-telegram.com/legislature/story/1450039.html.

Texas Democrats are on the verge of taking back the state legislature, but we need your help to maintain our momentum and finish the work we've started. Republicans know their grip on Texas is loosening every day and they are prepared to do whatever it takes to hold off a Democratic victory. There is no doubt they will throw out every dirty trick in the book to maintain control.

We need your help today to have the resources we need to spread our message across the state and fight off Republican scare tactics. Click here to contribute $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford today.

Donate https://secure.txdemocrats.org/page/contribute/contributeonlin

Please consider making an investment in your Texas Democratic Party to guarantee success in November 2010. Campaign season is in full gear and we need your support to accomplish the task at hand. Thank you for your support- together we will Move Texas Forward and win in 2010!


Sincerely,

Boyd L. Richie
Chairman
Texas Democratic Party

:dem:

Sonia

[Lithos]

1. Woohoo!!!!

Texas is gonna go BLUE!!!!!!!!!!

L-

[onestepforward]

2. Good news! n/t

[jeffweemsforRRC]

3. And it's funny what happens when you challenge everyone everywhere

Up-ticket races like mine (Railroad Commissioner) get helped by higher democratic turnout sparked by interest in the house races. In turn, our campaigns spend more time in targeted efforts which can help the individual house candidates. Good times.

[kentauros]

4. I know a lot of people have dissed the RRC

(and rightfully so in the past) but in my last job I had to work with the RRC GIS department for both getting information and supplying it back to them. I found all of the people there pleasant, helpful and professional. When you get elected, I hope you give them a bigger budget :D

And welcome to DU!

[sonias]

6. It can only get better

I mean since right now all the members are strictly business and industry people who always side with industry against the people of Texas.

Most people in Texas don't even know what the RRC does.

Here is their web site
www.rrc.state.tx.us

The Railroad Commission has primary regulatory jurisdiction over oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas & hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal & uranium surface mining operations. The Commission is responsible for research & education to promote the use of LP-gas as an alternative fuel.

Here are the 3 current commissioners:

www.rrc.state.tx.us/commissioners/index.php
Elizabeth A. Jones
Victor G. Carrillo, Chairman
Michael L. Williams

Railroad Commissioners are elected to six-year terms with one Commissioner seeking election every two years. When a Commissioner is appointed by the Governor to fill an unexpired term, the appointee serves until the next General Election at which time the appointee may run for the remainder of the unexpired term.

All of them are Republicans.

:kick:

Sonia

[kjackson227]

5. Thanks for the info, and the link to the Texas Democratic Party...

now I can start donating so that I can help make Texas blue.

[jeffweemsforRRC]

7. You know what?

This is a really big state.

19 media markets. Wow.

Thank goodness for the internet - the best way to traverse a state this size in minutes.

And hats off to you excellent Texas bloggers that make it happen.

Jeff