Decision Time
It is decision time. This evening, the members of the Harris County Democratic Party Executive Committee of Congressional District 18 will select a nominee to replace the late Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee on the 2024 ballot. The Chron E-Board today endorsed former Mayor Sylvester Turner. Here is from the E-Board take:
Democrats seem to have gotten their groove back, nationally at least, by putting Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of their ticket.
Is it time for local Democrats to embrace generational change, too?
That’s one of the questions before Harris County Democrats following the death of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee nearly a month ago.It’s too late to hold a new primary, so party insiders — a group of about 88 precinct chairs — will decide Tuesday who will take the congresswoman’s place on the ballot.
And this:
Enter Sylvester Turner, the 69-year-old former Houston mayor and state representative. He told the editorial board last week that he was offering himself “as a bridge” and promised to serve only “one term, possibly two.” That way, either in 2026 or 2028, no candidate would have the fundraising advantage and name recognition of an incumbent. We see his point, and believe he’d be an effective pinch hitter for the short-term.
And finally, this:
We support Turner’s short-term bid as well.
In any case, Turner may already have the nomination locked up. His campaign announced Monday they have endorsements from 30 of the 88 precinct chairs making the pick. If he does get selected and wins in November, we hope he’ll stick to his word, fight hard for his constituents and then step aside as soon as voters can meaningfully participate to give the next generation a chance to govern.
Here is the entire E-Board read: We endorse Sylvester Turner for Sheila Jackson Lee’s seat in Congress (houstonchronicle.com).
I got this last night from the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus:
HOUSTON, TX – The Board of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus has voted to endorse Amanda Edwards in the CD-18 Precinct Chair Election happening Tuesday, August 13. We believe she is the best candidate to carry the torch forward and represent the 18th Congressional District.
Yesterday, I saw this tweet from my H-Town City Council Member Abbie Kamin:
@AbbieKamin
Some have called us the next generation of Democratic leaders in TX.
We’re proud to endorse @SylvesterTurner for #CD18. Democrats need our best and brightest from EVERY generation to take back House, elect @KamalaHarris, and bring the promise of America to future generations
The “us” CM Kamin refers to includes Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, City Controller Chirs Hollins, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, and H-Town City Council Member Tiffany Thomas.
I would think if you were going to tout being “the next generation of Democratic leaders in TX,” you would support a candidate from the “next generation of Democratic leaders in TX.”
What do I know.
If former Mayor Turner gets the 30 executive committee supporters to attend tonight and only 59 of the 88 show up, he’s in.
Stay tuned.
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From the Chron:
District Attorney Kim Ogg will announce on Tuesday (today) criminal corruption charges related to Harris County’s highly scrutinized November 2022 election. Following a lengthy Texas Rangers investigation, a county election official is facing charges of theft and tampering with government documents, according to Ogg’s office.
On election day in November 2022, around 20 out of 782 Harris County polling locations ran out of ballot paper — some for just 15 minutes, others for up to three hours. In the following days, state officials including Gov. Greg Abbott called on the Texas Rangers to investigate allegations of election improprieties.
Over a year and a half later, Harris County residents will learn the findings of that probe.
Here is the entire read: Harris County DA Ogg to announce charges related to 2022 election (houstonchronicle.com).
If there is wrongdoing and criminal activity, throw the book at this official.
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The featured photo is from today’s Chron opinion page.
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The Astros have now won six in a row. All roadies. We are now a half game up in the AL West with 44 games remaining on the regular season schedule.
