2024 Primaries
Feb. 26th, 2024 01:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebI just cannot this year. So I'll just copy the recommendations from my friend who keeps up with the Democrat party--she asked not to be named because she doesn't want to argue!
If you're voting in the Republican primary, let me remind you that Donald Trump has an untreated mental illness that makes it impossible for him to acknowledge that he could lose. Plus he sees everyone as either winners or suckers. And he greatly admires dictators and has literally said he will be a dictator, though only for one day. News Nation Now has compiled an excellent list of Nikki Haley's political views. She is the only remaining opponent, though per https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/haley-crushed-by-trump-in-home-state-plans-to-keep-losing.html, Haley 'has no chance of winning the GOP nomination even if Trump is somehow forced to drop out; a MAGA-dominated convention would turn to almost anyone else now that Haley is personally attacking the front-runner regularly.' That is creepy.
You might also consider voting against anyone that Attorney General Ken Paxton endorses.
For the Democrat primary, the following is a direct copy-and-paste from my friend [with my comments in brackets]:
If you vote in one race, let it be this one:
353rd District Court: Sherine Thomas. THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT
Federal Races:
President: Joe Biden. May not be the sexiest, but has been incredibly effective in his term so far, and I'm excited to vote for him and MVP Kamala Harris again.
US Senate: Colin Allred. I feel like Colin has a better chance in the general election against Ted Cruz. He's been solid in the US House, with a track record of getting things done. As much as I admire Roland Gutierrez, his focus on gun control measures (however justified and however much I agree with him) will not sway enough voters to oust Cruz.
US House 10: Keith McPhail. I'm giving Keith the edge, but barely. This district has a small footprint in Austin/Travis County, and a wide swath of rural Texas on the way to Houston. Both candidates in this race would be a benefit, and both will have a hard time overcoming the strength of the Republican incumbent (and his campaign warchest).
US House 17: Mark Lorenzen. (unopposed)
US House 21: Kristin Hook. (unopposed)
US House 35: Greg Casar. (unopposed)
US House 73: Lloyd Doggett. There is no reason to change representatives, and absolutely no reason to lose Lloyd's seniority in the House. [Lloyd Doggett is by far the best politician I've ever had!]
Statewide Races:
Railroad Commission: Bill Burch. Both candidates work in the oil & natural gas industry, but I feel like Bill is a more exciting candidate. His work on putting out the Deepwater Horizon fires is pretty impressive.
Supreme Court of TX Place 2: Randy Sarodsy.
Supreme Court of TX Place 4: Christine Vinh Weems. (unopposed)
Supreme Court of TX Place 6: Bonnie Lee Goldstein. Of the two folks running, Bonnie Lee Goldstein has a stronger campaign. She's currently on the 5th Court of Appeals.
Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals: Holly Taylor. (unopposed)
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 7: Nancy Mulder. (unopposed)
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 8: Chika Anyiam. (unopposed)
Texas Senate:
SD-14: Sarah Eckhardt. (unopposed)
SD-25: Merrie Fox. (unopposed)
Texas House:
HD-19: Dwain Handley. Neither candidate in this race is great, but I'm pretty sure after watching the incumbent in her Austin City Council days, that either of these guys would be better. Dwain has the edge.
HD-46: Sheryl Cole. (unopposed)
HD-47: Vikki Goodwin. (unopposed)
HD-48: Donna Howard. (unopposed)
HD-49: Gina Hinojosa. (unopposed)
HD-50: James Talarico. James is a rockstar destined for great things. We should keep him in the TX House until such time as he decides to run for something else. I've known and admired this kid since he was President of the University Democrats at UT. Keep him.
HD-51: Lulu Flores. (unopposed)
State Judges:
3rd Court of Appeals Place 2: Edward Smith. Incumbent I see no reason to change.
3rd Court of Appeals Place 3: Chari Kelly. (unopposed)
3rd Court of Appeals Place 5: Thomas Baker. An incumbent who doesn't need to be replaced, and I don't want Abbott to have a chance to appoint someone to Crump's bench should she win (I really like her, so I'm sad to see this race and not endorse her).
3rd Court of Appeals Place 6: Gisela Triana. (unopposed)
District Judges & District Attorney:
53rd: Maria Cantu Hexsel. (unopposed)
98th: Sandra Avila Ramirez. (unopposed)
126th: Aurora Martinez Jones. (unopposed)
167th: Dayna Blazey. (unopposed)
200th: Jessica Mangrum. (unopposed)
345th: Jan Soifer. (unopposed)
353rd: Sherine Thomas. THIS IS IMPORTANT The incumbent in this race (Madeleine Connor) is horrible. Super duper OMGWTF horrible. PLEASE, don't skip this race. Someone who has been declared a vexatious litigant shouldn't be anywhere near a judicial bench. Sherine Thomas seems great to me, and is a solid pick.
390th: Julie Kocurek. (unopposed)
427th: Tamara Needles. (unopposed)
450th: Brad Urrutia. (unopposed)
460th: Selena Alvarenga. (unopposed)
District Attorney: Jose Garza. I'm not a huge fan of Garza, but he's been delivering. I think his primary opponent is more moderate (which I like), and his donors are considerably more right-leaning (which I don't like).
County offices:
County Court at Law 8: Carlos Barrera. (unopposed)
County Court at Law 9: Kim Williams. (unopposed)
Probate 2: Nick Chu. (unopposed)
County Attorney: Delia Garza. (unopposed)
Sheriff: Sally Hernandez. (unopposed)
Tax Assessor: Celia Israel. (unopposed)
County Comm 1: Jeff Travillion. (unopposed)
County Comm 3: Ann Howard. (unopposed)
Justice of the Peace 5: Rick Olivo OR Tanisa Jeffers. Olivo was appointed to the seat when Nick Chu moved to the Probate Court, and deserves a shot at a full term. Tanisa Jeffers is also a really strong candidate, though. [I'll go with Olivo.]
Constable 1: Tonya Nixon. (unopposed)
Constable 2: Adan Ballesteros. (unopposed)
Constable 3: Stacy Suits. (unopposed)
Constable 4: George Morales. (unopposed)
Constable 5: Carlos Lopez. (unopposed)
If you're voting in the Republican primary, let me remind you that Donald Trump has an untreated mental illness that makes it impossible for him to acknowledge that he could lose. Plus he sees everyone as either winners or suckers. And he greatly admires dictators and has literally said he will be a dictator, though only for one day. News Nation Now has compiled an excellent list of Nikki Haley's political views. She is the only remaining opponent, though per https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/haley-crushed-by-trump-in-home-state-plans-to-keep-losing.html, Haley 'has no chance of winning the GOP nomination even if Trump is somehow forced to drop out; a MAGA-dominated convention would turn to almost anyone else now that Haley is personally attacking the front-runner regularly.' That is creepy.
You might also consider voting against anyone that Attorney General Ken Paxton endorses.
For the Democrat primary, the following is a direct copy-and-paste from my friend [with my comments in brackets]:
If you vote in one race, let it be this one:
353rd District Court: Sherine Thomas. THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT
Federal Races:
President: Joe Biden. May not be the sexiest, but has been incredibly effective in his term so far, and I'm excited to vote for him and MVP Kamala Harris again.
US Senate: Colin Allred. I feel like Colin has a better chance in the general election against Ted Cruz. He's been solid in the US House, with a track record of getting things done. As much as I admire Roland Gutierrez, his focus on gun control measures (however justified and however much I agree with him) will not sway enough voters to oust Cruz.
US House 10: Keith McPhail. I'm giving Keith the edge, but barely. This district has a small footprint in Austin/Travis County, and a wide swath of rural Texas on the way to Houston. Both candidates in this race would be a benefit, and both will have a hard time overcoming the strength of the Republican incumbent (and his campaign warchest).
US House 17: Mark Lorenzen. (unopposed)
US House 21: Kristin Hook. (unopposed)
US House 35: Greg Casar. (unopposed)
US House 73: Lloyd Doggett. There is no reason to change representatives, and absolutely no reason to lose Lloyd's seniority in the House. [Lloyd Doggett is by far the best politician I've ever had!]
Statewide Races:
Railroad Commission: Bill Burch. Both candidates work in the oil & natural gas industry, but I feel like Bill is a more exciting candidate. His work on putting out the Deepwater Horizon fires is pretty impressive.
Supreme Court of TX Place 2: Randy Sarodsy.
Supreme Court of TX Place 4: Christine Vinh Weems. (unopposed)
Supreme Court of TX Place 6: Bonnie Lee Goldstein. Of the two folks running, Bonnie Lee Goldstein has a stronger campaign. She's currently on the 5th Court of Appeals.
Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals: Holly Taylor. (unopposed)
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 7: Nancy Mulder. (unopposed)
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 8: Chika Anyiam. (unopposed)
Texas Senate:
SD-14: Sarah Eckhardt. (unopposed)
SD-25: Merrie Fox. (unopposed)
Texas House:
HD-19: Dwain Handley. Neither candidate in this race is great, but I'm pretty sure after watching the incumbent in her Austin City Council days, that either of these guys would be better. Dwain has the edge.
HD-46: Sheryl Cole. (unopposed)
HD-47: Vikki Goodwin. (unopposed)
HD-48: Donna Howard. (unopposed)
HD-49: Gina Hinojosa. (unopposed)
HD-50: James Talarico. James is a rockstar destined for great things. We should keep him in the TX House until such time as he decides to run for something else. I've known and admired this kid since he was President of the University Democrats at UT. Keep him.
HD-51: Lulu Flores. (unopposed)
State Judges:
3rd Court of Appeals Place 2: Edward Smith. Incumbent I see no reason to change.
3rd Court of Appeals Place 3: Chari Kelly. (unopposed)
3rd Court of Appeals Place 5: Thomas Baker. An incumbent who doesn't need to be replaced, and I don't want Abbott to have a chance to appoint someone to Crump's bench should she win (I really like her, so I'm sad to see this race and not endorse her).
3rd Court of Appeals Place 6: Gisela Triana. (unopposed)
District Judges & District Attorney:
53rd: Maria Cantu Hexsel. (unopposed)
98th: Sandra Avila Ramirez. (unopposed)
126th: Aurora Martinez Jones. (unopposed)
167th: Dayna Blazey. (unopposed)
200th: Jessica Mangrum. (unopposed)
345th: Jan Soifer. (unopposed)
353rd: Sherine Thomas. THIS IS IMPORTANT The incumbent in this race (Madeleine Connor) is horrible. Super duper OMGWTF horrible. PLEASE, don't skip this race. Someone who has been declared a vexatious litigant shouldn't be anywhere near a judicial bench. Sherine Thomas seems great to me, and is a solid pick.
390th: Julie Kocurek. (unopposed)
427th: Tamara Needles. (unopposed)
450th: Brad Urrutia. (unopposed)
460th: Selena Alvarenga. (unopposed)
District Attorney: Jose Garza. I'm not a huge fan of Garza, but he's been delivering. I think his primary opponent is more moderate (which I like), and his donors are considerably more right-leaning (which I don't like).
County offices:
County Court at Law 8: Carlos Barrera. (unopposed)
County Court at Law 9: Kim Williams. (unopposed)
Probate 2: Nick Chu. (unopposed)
County Attorney: Delia Garza. (unopposed)
Sheriff: Sally Hernandez. (unopposed)
Tax Assessor: Celia Israel. (unopposed)
County Comm 1: Jeff Travillion. (unopposed)
County Comm 3: Ann Howard. (unopposed)
Justice of the Peace 5: Rick Olivo OR Tanisa Jeffers. Olivo was appointed to the seat when Nick Chu moved to the Probate Court, and deserves a shot at a full term. Tanisa Jeffers is also a really strong candidate, though. [I'll go with Olivo.]
Constable 1: Tonya Nixon. (unopposed)
Constable 2: Adan Ballesteros. (unopposed)
Constable 3: Stacy Suits. (unopposed)
Constable 4: George Morales. (unopposed)
Constable 5: Carlos Lopez. (unopposed)