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June 15, 2006
Don't Forget About Hubert
There is a lot of political energy in Texas this year among Democrats, but it may not be focused where you think. To be sure, the party has fielded (largely) a strong slate of statewide candidates for the November 2006 election, but most knowledgeable folks realize they face an uphill battle to win this fall. No Democrat has won statewide in a dozen years, the multi-candidate gubernatorial field favors incumbent Rick Perry, yadda, yadda, yadda... You know the story.
The recent Democratic convention in Ft. Worth was a pretty harmonious affair, as party conventions go, and the large crowd of delegates and activists in attendance warmly received their statewide ticket. Underneath that warm exterior, however, was a cooling feeling that while Texas Democrats are making progress on their journey back to political relevance statewide, noone quite believes they are there yet. The numbers, after all, remain daunting and justifiably color folks' perceptions.
One bright spot for Texas Democrats in an otherwise dreadful 2004 general election result (ah, redistricting...), was the first net gain for the party in the Texas House of Representatives in 30 years -- a whopping one seat, won by a landslide 16 votes. Hey, it was something and it has definitely channeled efforts, expectations and resources in a similar direction for 2006.
In other words, while winning back the governor's mansion would be boffo, many Texas Democrats would be pretty happy taking 4 to 6 House seats net in November, a potentially achievable goal that would threaten the viability of Tom Craddick's speakership.
Strong candidates in key districts around the state -- mostly professional women -- carry the hopes for success. Ellen Cohen and Kristi Thibaut here in Harris County, Valinda Bolton in Travis County, Juan Garcia in Corpus Christi, and Katy Huebner, Harriet Miller & Paula Pierson from the DFW area are the relative unknowns who have fast become household names among party insiders.
These House challengers, among others, represent Texas Democrats' best chance to affect political change in our state this year. We encourage folks to get behind them early, give them the resources they need to run, and work their tails off for them throughout the summer and fall.
But in looking ahead, let's not forget the trendsetter, the 2004 unknown who shocked the Texas political establishment by knocking off the powerful House Appropriations Chair. Please don't forget about Hubert Vo and defending his seat.
As mentioned, Vo won his race by a mere 16 votes two years ago, and is facing the same opponent -- baby stealing Talmadge Heflin -- in 2006. The 149th district becomes more demographically favorable for Hubert every day, and he has acquitted himself as a committed, hardworking member for his constituents in his freshman term. That said, this race won't be easy folks. Hubert needs your help too.
Posted by houtopia at June 15, 2006 09:13 PM