Ellen Cohen Set To Return In Texas House District 134—Picture Of My Bookshelves

(Blogger’s Note–Brilliant Harvard Kennedy School of Government graduate and Burnt Orange Report blogger Phillip Martin has teamed up with Annie’s List to report on some of the most competitive  races for the Texas House of Representatives in 2010. Phillip has been nice enough to allow me to share this analysis with Texas Liberal readers. Today’s profile is on Texas House District 134 here in Houston. I live in this district. Above you see a picture of my bookshelves. These books are part of  District 134. Below it says that 134 is one of the most well-educated in the state and I want to show you that this is indeed the case with a picture of books.  Also, as if blogging itself was not a sufficient act of vanity, it suits my ego to show folks that I have a lot books. )

Candidate Pages: Rep. Ellen Cohen website, on Facebook, on Twitter

Candidate Pages: Sarah Davis website, on Facebook, on Twitter

District Overview: The Numbers, The Issues, and the Candidates

• House District Map: District 134
  
• District History: 2008 Election Results

Rep. Donna Howard and Rep. Cohen share similar circumstances although their districts are very different: they have run and held districts that were previously held by Republicans by appealing to a relatively well-informed electorate. And they have won support from independent voters by serving as intelligent, common sense Democrats in districts where they have deep personal roots. They remain subject to targeting by Republicans because their districts were held by Republicans just five years ago, but their outstanding representation gives their oppponents little chance of winning. District 134 is home to Rice University and is one of the most affluent and well-educated in the entire state. It is also home to the highest concentration of ticket-splitting voters in the state, and one of the most closely divided in terms of partisanship. The 2008 Presidential election split 49.8% to 49.1% in favor of John McCain. Rep. Cohen, however, won with 55.5% of the vote, and polls from insider her district have shown that she is expected to win re-election handily.

Rep. Cohen, as a cancer survivor, a widow and mother of two  understands that Texas families must be able to afford their property taxes, health insurance and have access to quality public education, and those are the issues she will focus on this election. Sarah Davis, however, is a muddled mess in terms of policy and politics. A comparison of screen shots from (1) her website taken earlier this spring, and (2) the website content this fall indiciate a sudden lurcing to the right — she’s gone from a moderate Republican to turning almost Tea Party. What’s even more puzzling is that Sarah Davis signed in and voted for Hilary Clinton in 2008. Who is the real Sarah Davis? No idea, but it probably won’t matter after November

Why Rep. Ellen Cohen Will Return Next Year

Rep. Cohen took House District 134 by storm in 2006, and she has earned greater support ever since. She serves on the Higher Education Committee as well as the powerful Appropriations Committee, and has been able to pass legislation that directly improves quality of life in her district. With more cash, a solid record, a top-notch team and proven leadership, Rep. Cohen would be tough for even the best GOP candidate to beat. Davis, however, can’t seem to stay firm on major policy points and even voted Democratic in the last election. Her campaign isn’t saying anything, so voters are left wondering who the real Sarah Davis actually is. Rep. Cohen should win the race.

June 30 Campaign Finance Report:

HD 134: Cohen vs.Davis	Contributions	Expenditures	Cash on Hand	Loans
Rep. Ellen Cohen (D)	$230,181	$175,331	$265,536	–
Sarah Davis (R)	$54,130	$35,685	$103,073	$114,200
Cohen’s Advantage	$80,014	–	$202,026	–