The When Will Question, Part 2

A few weeks ago NPR focused on Texas and our demographics and asking that question of If and When Democrats will become a force again in Texas politics.

So we thought, putting demographics aside, what signs or omens should Democrats look for to know that they have the ability to capture statewide office?

We continue with a second sign.

Sign #2: The 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 13th, and 14th Courts of Appeals go Democratic.

Former Obama Nominee to Investigate Perry

Happened this past Monday, but it's interesting.  We here at Texas Hot Sauce have mentioned at least one strong potential Democratic opponent against DA Susan Reed.

Now that same attorney, Mike Mcrum, has been picked by former Republican District Judge Bert Richardson to be the special prosecutor in the complaint investigation against Rick Perry.

We've never heard any noise in terms of McCrum actually wanting to run for office.  It's just interesting that we happened to mention him previously and now he gets this position. 

Thinking like a pure politico, what great way to raise money and raise your profile.

UPDATE Food for Thought: Can a Homophobe be Mayor of the 7th Largest City?

Update: It looks like if the ordinance passes (unless the changes they are making include this section), Chan has effectively removed herself from being appointed to any city board or commission.  From MediaMatters a couple of weeks ago:

Ordinance Would Add Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity To Current Non-Discrimination Law. San Antonio's current non-discrimination policy already allows city council members to consider prior bias when making appointments. According to Article 1, Section 2-8 of San Antonio's Code of Ordinances:

Sec. 2-9. Policy governing appointment of persons demonstrating bias on basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age or handicap.
No person shall be appointed to a position if the council finds that such person has, prior to such proposed appointment, engaged in discrimination or demonstrated a bias, by word or deed, against any person, group or organization on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, or handicap. No appointed official or member of a board or commission, shall engage in discrimination or demonstrate a bias, by word or deed, against any person, group of persons, or organization on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, or handicap, while serving in such public position. Violation of this standard shall be considered malfeasance in office, and the council shall be authorized to take action as provided by law to remove the offending person from office. [San Antonio City Code, accessed 8/2/13]

I would say that Chan has demonstrated a definite bias against sexual orientation and gender identity.

After taking a moment to enjoy the schadenfreude with Councilwoman Elisa Chan, I have a question: Can a Homophobe be Mayor of the 7th Largest City in the United States?

As Brian Chasnoff notes in his article in the Express-News: Reached at City Hall on Thursday, Chan wouldn't confirm a rumor that she plans to run for mayor in 2015.

It's been assumed that Chan will carry the conservative banner if and when she runs for mayor.

After this tape however, the question becomes can you be anti-gay and still be mayor?

If you haven't listened to the tape, go listen.

One of the aides suggests playing to her base if you run in the Republican primary.  Could Chan be thinking of something other than mayor?  Like a primary race against State Rep. Lyle Larson?
As we have seen, you can definitely be anti-gay and win a Republican primary.

Rumor Mill Alert: Susan Reed Getting a Primary Challenger?

The rumor mill is churning and word on the street is that Bexar County DA Susan Reed (R) may face a primary challenge.

The potential challenger is District Judge Sid Harle (R).

Since at least 1994, Harle has never faced a general election challenge.

This could be a really fun primary to watch...if you're a Democrat.

In one corner you have a longtime Republican judge who hasn't been challenged in a long, long time, politically speaking.

In the other corner you have a Republican DA who has had opposition and will likely be prepared for a primary fight.

Judge Harle presides over the 226th District Court, a criminal court.  He deals with the DA's office on a daily basis.  So the question: What is it about the DA's office that's troubling him enough to get him to run against Reed?

Maybe this is the year Democrats recruit a strong Democrat to run.

It should be noted that Gilbert Garcia covered this issue last month in the Express-News, even suggesting Harle might run as a Democrat.

State House District 127

House District 127 has been around since 1912/1913.  For one term, 1921-1923, this district was represented by a member of the American Party.  The party was created by Governor Pa Ferguson in 1920 when he ran for the presidency, but was only on the ballot in Texas.  HD 127 was based in Bastrop County and represented only by Democrats.  Since its move to Harris County its only been represented by Republicans.  Since 2011, Republican Dan Huberty has represented this district.




2012

President

Romney: 69.2%; 46,110
Obama: 29.6%; 19,722

U.S. Senate

Cruz: 69%; 45,635
Sadler: 28.8%; 19,059

So which state goes here?

Wyoming.  This is one of 9 State House districts that closely matched Wyoming's presidential percentage.  Romney carried Wyoming by 40.82% and he won this district by 39.6%.  Cruz won this district by 40.2%.