Houtopia: A Good Night

April 12, 2006

A Good Night

Well, the 2006 primary season in Texas is in the books, and for Democrats it was a good night.

Barbara Ann Radnofsky easily defeated perennial also-ran Gene Kelly for the right to face Kay Bailey Hutchison in this fall's race for United States Senate. Barbara is a sharp, talented candidate who will take a real fight to the junior senator in November.

Locally, first-time candidate Borris Miles took down 26-year incumbent Al Edwards in the race for State Representative District 146. Edwards, who is known in this predominantly African American district for passing legislation establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday, was hurt by his cozy relationship with Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick and a thin record of accomplishment in recent years. (Disclosure: Houtopia advised the Miles campaign.) HD 146 is solidly Democratic, so the primary decides who holds the seat.

In addition to losing Edwards, Speaker Craddick took a hit on his own side when State House incumbent Scott Campbell of Abilene was routed in last night's GOP primary. 2006 has not been a good year politically so far for Craddick, and given that a leadership challenge has already been issued by Houston Democrat Senfronia Thompson (anyone smell triangulation here?), it's not likely to get better any time soon.

National polling and news have all pointed toward a rough political season for Republicans in 2006. Last night's results in solidly "red" Texas confirm there's trouble ahead for the GOP, even deep in the heart of Texas.

Posted by houtopia at April 12, 2006 10:53 AM