Perry Appointee Loses Election to TLR-Backed Candidate

Gov. Rick Perry is shown on Nov. 15, 2013, at an Austin kickoff rally for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign.
Gov. Rick Perry is shown on Nov. 15, 2013, at an Austin kickoff rally for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign.

Galveston County voters chose Patricia Grady over Bret Griffin for 212th District Court Judge, a race notable for being a rare instance in which tort reform group Texans for Lawsuit Reform split with Gov. Rick Perry.

The governor appointed Griffin to the bench in January. That riled TLR, which criticized Griffin for his ties to Tony Buzbee, the trial lawyer who also is a Perry appointee to the Texas A&M System Board of Regents.

Grady won by just 383 votes out of more than 13,500 votes cast. And it appeared that TLR wasn't in a conciliatory mood, even in victory. In an email congratulating Grady on her win, the tort reform group didn't mention Griffin's name at all, calling it a "Victory Over Tony Buzbee."

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National and state chapters of the Log Cabin Republicans, which represents gay conservatives, on Thursday protested being denied a booth at the upcoming Republican Party of Texas state convention in Fort Worth.

"We deserve to occupy a booth just like anyone else, and it’s time that the Texas GOP’s hypocritical policies and procedures are replaced by new ones that match the general opinion of Texan Republican voters," LCR of Texas Chairman Jeffrey Davis said in a statement sent out in advance of Thursday's press conference.

Texas Republicans meet June 5-7 to formally nominate their slate of candidates for the November general election. There could also be some controversy. It's thought that some conservatives will push to remove a platform plank calling for a guest worker program that was added two years ago.

Log Cabin Republicans noted that Thursday's press conference came 16 years after the group was denied the ability to participate in a previous state convention.

Texas Democrats offered the group space to set up a booth at their state convention in Dallas at the end of June. KUT's Ben Philpott reported that the Log Cabin Republicans politely declined the Democrats' invitation. "Thanks but no thanks," said Gregory Angelo, the group's executive director.

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Scott Turner, who is challenging Joe Straus for House speaker next session, will join conservative stalwarts Ted Cruz, Tom DeLay and David Barton as guests of the Texas Eagle Forum's patriotic banquet on the first evening of the GOP state convention.

Meanwhile, the RPT's gala reception on Friday evening honors "Courageous GOP Women," including New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer and Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

SD-4 Runoff Election Set for Aug. 5

State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, insurance company president Gordy Bunch, former state Sen. Michael Galloway and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, were the four initial candidates in a May 10 special election for Senate District 4. Creighton and Toth are heading to a runoff Tuesday.
State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, insurance company president Gordy Bunch, former state Sen. Michael Galloway and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, were the four initial candidates in a May 10 special election for Senate District 4. Creighton and Toth are heading to a runoff Tuesday.

The runoff in the SD-4 special election has been set for Aug. 5, with early voting scheduled for the prior week, July 28-Aug. 1.

State Reps. Brandon Creighton and Steve Toth qualified for the runoff election, with the winner to serve out the remainder of former state Sen. Tommy Williams' term. The Woodlands Republican resigned his seat in October.

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The Texas Ethics Commission voted on Thursday to hold a formal hearing June 25 in its investigation of Empower Texans and its president, Michael Quinn Sullivan. The hearing, which is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., is expected to last all day. The commission also gave Sullivan until June 13 to produce documents. The hearing and subpoena focus on the complaint that Sullivan was an unregistered lobbyist for the 2011 session.

Empower Texans has been fighting in various legal venues to quash those subpoenas for documents, so it would not be surprising if the group asks a judge to forestall that deadline.

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We're reserving judgment on just how creative this is, but the Democratic candidate for comptroller, Mike Collier, is calling on the current comptroller, Susan Combs, to give the contents of her campaign war chest to charity. According to her most recent campaign finance filing, that amounts to a cool $6.5 million.

Collier is, of course, aiming to get something out of the effort as well. His plea to Combs comes in the form of a petition in which those interested in asking Combs to act will leave a name, email address and ZIP code with the Collier campaign.

"We can take $6 million in special interest money out of Texas politics all at once," Collier tells his supporters. "Join us today and let’s get it done!"

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You might know by now that Susan Motley won the Democratic primary runoff for the western Dallas County-based HD 105. What you might not know that she is a member of the Texas Organizing Project, the liberal advocacy group that has become one of the state's most prominent organizers on the left.

In fact, Motley is the first TOP member to win an electoral campaign. The significance here is that HD-105 is one of the few swing districts in the Texas House. So if you're looking for a race that could potentially get expensive, this one is a good candidate because of its potential to become a proxy way between a TLR-supported Rodney Anderson (he was endorsed by the group in his 2010 state House bid) and a TOP-backed (read: Steve Mostyn-funded) Motley.

Newsreel: Runoff Recap, Dewhurst Out, Conventions Coming

This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: David Dewhurst is out and Dan Patrick is in for the lite guv spot. We recap runoff election night's winners and losers. And hold onto your hats: A state party convention may soon be coming to a city near you.

Inside Intelligence: About Those Voters...

On the morning of the primary runoff election, we asked our insiders in politics and government about turnout — specifically, about what the long 12-week break between primaries and runoffs does to turnout.

It decreases it, according to 77 percent of the insiders.

The insiders were nearly unanimous in saying that primary voters are not representative of the general election and “occasional” voters from their own political parties.

We also inquired about the latest presidential appointment, with San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro being tapped for U.S. secretary of housing and urban development. Will it help him if he runs for state office later? No, according to 66 percent of the insiders. Does it help his chances of getting on a national ticket? Yes, according to 74 percent.

We collected remarks from the insiders and have attached the full set. Here’s a sampling:

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Setting aside what is on a runoff ballot, what effect does the long spell between primaries and runoffs have on turnout?

• "And it raises the cost of elections as candidates have to start all over in educating voters"

• "After 6 months of the slog, all but the most rabid party faithful have tuned it out."

• "It's a given that fewer voters come out for the runoff. However, the amount of attrition depends on who the candidates are and what they do with the time (see, e.g. Ted Cruz)."

• "The numbers don't lie--turnout is decreased."

• "In this case, the unusual negativity of the runoff campaigns seems to have depressed expected turnout. That doesn't have to be the case every time, however."

• "People will vote if inspired. There is nothing inspiring about this ballot. No Cruz this year."

• "Having elections around Memorial Day hurts"

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Are the voters who turn out for party primaries and runoffs representative of general election and other ‘occasional’ voters from their parties?

• "No. Primaries are party elections where party loyalists make the key candidate decisions. By the time you get to the general election, everyone who skipped the primaries is stuck with a take-it-or-leave-it decision...or simply stay home - which ends up working in favor of each party next election cycle."

• "Is an AA meeting representative of the general drinking public? Both party primaries function at the pleasure of their extreme voters."

• "Primary voters are the most motivated and loyal of each party's base. Runoff voters even more so. They define a party's true agenda."

• "They are party purists. Not in any way representative of the larger general election population."

• "They're crazies. Like us."

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Does serving on a president's cabinet improve a Texas politician’s chances at winning a statewide election?

• "Generally not, but it depends on the president and the cabinet role. Julian is a star and his trajectory will continue to rise because of his appointment."

• "Depends on the President and the role. But, Obama's cabinet? Um, that would be a NO."

• "San Antonio mayor heads to Washington to serve as HUD Secretary with hopes of returning to Texas to make a big splash. Haven't we lived this before? Remember how that one ended?"

• "Why would it? Can't think of example one in my lifetime."

• "Whichever Castro brother is joining the Obama Administration will have a better shot at being tapped for V.P. than being elected Railroad Commissioner."

• "Not for this President in this State. In fact, it decreases chances."

• "When has this ever worked?"

• "Insiders, name 5 current Cabinet members."

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Would having a position on the Obama cabinet increase San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro’s chances of being on a national political ticket?

• "Although this gives the mayor national credentials, Hillary’s pick should be a senator or governor."

• "If he were being nominated for Secretary of State, then yes it would. But, HUD? No it does not."

• "It might increase Castro's chance of being on a national ticket, but it wont increase the chance of the Ds carrying Texas. Outside of San Antonio, no one knows who either Castro is."

• "Will give Castro national access to the wealthy Obama mega donors and corporate lobbyists."

• "I know Hispanics Texans are very hopeful about the VP slot but I just don't think this Texas candidate will make the difference to win early"

• "Maybe. It all depends on the political calculus at the time of the race. The cabinet is far more often a political graveyard than a stepping stone."

Our thanks to this week's participants: Gene Acuna, Cathie Adams, Brandon Aghamalian, Jenny Aghamalian, Victor Alcorta, Brandon Alderete, Clyde Alexander, George Allen, Jay Arnold, Charles Bailey, Tom Banning, Dave Beckwith, Andrew Biar, Allen Blakemore, Tom Blanton, Chris Britton, David Cabrales, Lydia Camarillo, Kerry Cammack, Marc Campos, Thure Cannon, Snapper Carr, William Chapman, Elna Christopher, Kevin Cooper, Beth Cubriel, Randy Cubriel, Denise Davis, Hector De Leon, June Deadrick, Nora Del Bosque, Holly DeShields, Tom Duffy, David Dunn, Richard Dyer, Jeff Eller, Jack Erskine, Neftali Garcia, Norman Garza, Dominic Giarratani, Bruce Gibson, Stephanie Gibson, Eric Glenn, Kinnan Golemon, Daniel Gonzalez, Jim Grace, John Greytok, Clint Hackney, Anthony Haley, Wayne Hamilton, Bill Hammond, Susan Hays, John Heasley, Ken Hodges, Deborah Ingersoll, Richie Jackson, Cal Jillson, Jason Johnson, Mark Jones, Robert Jones, Lisa Kaufman, Richard Khouri, Tom Kleinworth, Ramey Ko, Sandy Kress, Dale Laine, Nick Lampson, Pete Laney, James LeBas, Luke Legate, Leslie Lemon, Myra Leo, Ruben Longoria, Vilma Luna, Matt Mackowiak, J. McCartt, Dan McClung, Steve Minick, Bee Moorhead, Mike Moses, Keir Murray, Nelson Nease, Keats Norfleet, Pat Nugent, Todd Olsen, Nef Partida, Gardner Pate, Jerod Patterson, Robert Peeler, Jerry Philips, Tom Phillips, Wayne Pierce, Allen Place, Royce Poinsett, Gary Polland, David Reynolds, Carl Richie, Jeff Rotkoff, Grant Ruckel, Jason Sabo, Luis Saenz, Andy Sansom, Jim Sartwelle, Barbara Schlief, Stan Schlueter, Bruce Scott, Robert Scott, Steve Scurlock, Ben Sebree, Bradford Shields, Christopher Shields, Nancy Sims, Jason Skaggs, Ed Small, Martha Smiley, Larry Soward, Dennis Speight, Tom Spilman, Jason Stanford, Bill Stevens, Bob Strauser, Colin Strother, Michael Quinn Sullivan, Sherry Sylvester, Trey Trainor, Vicki Truitt, Corbin Van Arsdale, Ware Wendell, Ken Whalen, David White, Darren Whitehurst, Seth Winick, Peck Young, Angelo Zottarelli.

The Calendar

Thursday, June 5

  • Republican Party of Texas three-day state convention kicks off in Fort Worth.
  • The 45th Annual Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association (TSABAA) Summer Conference begins in San Marcos. The two-day event features a keynote address by former Legislative Budget Board Director John O'Brien.
 

The Week in the Rearview Mirror

Roughly 950,000 Republican and Democratic voters cast ballots across Texas in party primary runoff elections on Tuesday. On the GOP side, Tea Party candidates did extremely well at the top of the ticket while establishment Republicans did better in downballot legislative races. Democrats, meanwhile, avoided major embarrassment by not choosing an advocate of President Obama's impeachment as its U.S. Senate nominee. But Democrats also nominated for ag commissioner someone who promises not to campaign for the office.

An analysis showed that Dan Patrick won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor with 65 percent of the votes in Tuesday's runoff election, but he earned votes from only 3.5 percent of registered Texas voters.

Congress' oldest member, 91-year-old Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall, was defeated on Tuesday. His defeat, coupled with the retirement of Michigan Congressman John Dingell, means the next Congress will have no WWII veterans.

The two contenders for governor — Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis — continued their brinksmanship on debates for the general election campaign. Davis proposed this week six debates with Abbott preferring to stick with his original proposal of two debates.

The Houston City Council on Wednesday passed a landmark ordinance that gave equal rights protections to gay and transgendered residents. Opponents are expected to seek a referendum to try to repeal the ordinance in November.

Prominent Texas Republicans were all over the map this week, literally: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz went to Israel for a two-day visit, U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess and Steve Stockman were part of the congressional delegation observing elections in Ukraine and Gov. Rick Perry went to Iowa to campaign for his counterpart there, Terry Branstad.

State Sen. Wendy Davis, the Texas Democratic candidate for governor, has titled her upcoming memoir Forgetting to Be Afraid: A Memoir. The book is due to hit the shelves in September.

Political People and their Moves

Natalia Luna Ashley was named the new executive director for the Texas Ethics Commission on Thursday. She had been serving as the agency's interim executive director.

UT Brownsville President Juliet Garcia was named to lead the newly created University of Texas Institute of the Americas. According to a release, the institute "will focus on developing the next generation of leadership, rooted in the values of a democratic society, and will provide a non-partisan venue for convening discussions of critical issues with global significance."

Betty Reynard was named sole finalist for president of Lamar State College-Port Arthur by Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall. Reynard is currently vice president for academic affairs and was selected for the new post after an internal search that began last year.

Priscilla Pipho has been named to the newly created post of Chief Customer Officer at the Texas Department of Information Resources. She comes to the agency from the Board of Professional Engineers and the Board of Architectural Examiners where she served as deputy director.

The Texas Department of Transportation announced a pair of staff hires:

•    Richard C. McMonagle takes over as the agency's new chief of staff. A retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, McMonagle comes to TxDOT from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department where he directed the infrastructure division.

•    Darran I. Anderson was named the agency's new chief strategy and innovation officer. A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, Anderson is leaving the Trideum Corp. of Huntsville, Ala., where he was a senior program manager.

The pair start work in June.

Ryan Cassin, the CEO of Dallas-based BEAST Digital, was named a 2014 'Rising Star' by Campaigns & Elections magazine. The award was given to 10 Republican, 10 Democratic and 5 non-partisan/independent consultants.

Disclosure: The Texas State University System is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. Brian McCall is a major donor to the Tribune. A complete list of Texas Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Quotes of the Week

You don’t raise any money, you leave it to the people, God and everybody else. It didn’t cost anything. I go on with my life.

Newly minted Democratic nominee for agriculture commissioner Jim Hogan on how he won

It's really a sad state of affairs for the Texas Democratic Party when someone is able to be a statewide candidate without actively campaigning at all.

Rice University political scientist Mark Jones on the larger meaning of Hogan's win

Some Democrats have said they wanted me to be the nominee. Well, they’ve got me and I’m coming.

GOP nominee for lieutenant governor Dan Patrick on Election Night

They’re here, and the vast majority are productive ... At some point the political process, the legislative process, needs to recognize that and deal with it.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, on the need for immigration reform that eventually allows for legalization and a path to citizenship for children brought to the country illegally

I think they had a better appreciation for America, they understood sacrifice, they understood what our role in the world was, and so they were pretty good legislators.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole on what makes military veterans good lawmakers. There will be no WWII veterans in the next Congress.