The Texas primaries were today. In my four-way race, I came in first by 3 votes and will face a run-off on May 22 with the guy in second place. We both got about 32% of the vote. The other guys got 24% and 12%. Since the fellow I'm running against is basically the establishment candidate, I like my chances for picking off the votes of the other two.
Otherwise, all the incumbents in my county were re-elected, despite all the talk about the upheaval because of the storm. The seat I'm running for is open, as the current commissioner elected not to run again.
Congratulations! Glad to hear that the people are willing to hear out good candidates like you and support them.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the runoff!
ReplyDeleteOnce again I am disgusted by the news media and the profession of journalism.
ReplyDeleteThe headlines in dozens of nations media outlets shout that the turnout for Democrats reached record highs in the 2018 primary. Which is true. Texas Democratic turnout is the highest it's been since Ann Richards was governor.
That turnout is still about 40% lower than the turnout among Republicans in the same day primary, which is about the same as in prior (Bush, Perry, Abbott) years. All across the state. The fact is that Republicans turned out much heavier crowds than Democrats -- again, just as they have for decades -- and the best factual claim that SHOULD be reported is that Democrats have narrowed the gap some.
Imagine a little town-- Tuna or Luna City, Texas -- with about 150 registered voters, about 5 to 10 percent of whom actually work up the energy to vote in any given election. Usually about 13 of those voters, vote Republican, and usuaally about 5 vote Democratic. This year, the Democrats were unusually spurred to action. So EIGHT (8) Democrats came out for the primaries while the same familiar 13 Republicans turned out.
What does that evidence tell us about the general?
It looks to me as if all the activity among Democrats will still fall well short of the number needed to flip the recent trends in the state.
Good work, Tex!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Tex!
ReplyDeleteThe Dem turnout was much too small to turn the state, but I don't like the trend, even so.
ReplyDeletePS, thanks, everyone!
ReplyDelete@Texan99
ReplyDeleteI really must apologize for my earlier (anonymous) comment. You deserve congratulations for running and finishing first. Which benedictions I now, belatedly, offer. And the following: " Good luck with the run off. "
I should never have "stepped" on your news and well deserved celebration to gripe about the news, or Democrats, or certainly not to imply your jurisdiction will run to anything like as small as the mythical town of Tuna.
I showed poor judgment and ill manners and I deeply regret my behavior. Sorry.
Anyhow, ignore the trend and keep running hard. Yay for competent candidates!
Congratulations!! Good Luck in the run-off.
ReplyDeleteGive 'em hell, T. I'd suggest breaking a leg for good luck, but then I'd have to get specific....
ReplyDeleteEric Hines
J Melcher, not at all! I was a little worried looking at the Dem turnout last night, that's all. In fact, even the early voting results here showed a slightly higher D turnout than I'm used to. I'm nervous about the midterms. But thanks for the congrats anyway!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I second douglas's comment: It's good people are willing to listen to what you have to say. I've been really enjoying the posts you've made about your experience as a candidate and what you've learned. I look forward to more. Go get him!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteWe had relatively high turn out on all sides up here, in part because we had so many vacancies (judges, city council), and because the state senate seat was hotly contested. The incumbent won, but he had to work for it for a change.
LittleRed1
Congratulations! We need good candidates. Thank you for running.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Congratulations!
ReplyDelete