Early Voting Ongoing In Harris County And All Of Texas—Who Can A Liberal Or Progressive Support?
Early voting is ongoing in Texas.
The last day of early voting is Friday, November 2. General Election Day is Tuesday, Novermber 6.
(Above–A ballot box.)
I’m supporting Green nominee Jill Stein for President.
Ms. Stein is the only honest voice in this campaign regarding our rigged economy that benefits the most wealthy to the detriment of everyday working people, climate change, and police state-like attcks on the right to dissent.
If I lived in a contested state I would vote for President Obama because there are substantial differences between the two major party candidates.
An important local race can be found in Houston State House district 134. Centrist Democrat Ann Johnson is running to unseat extreme Tea Party Republican Sarah Davis.
Representative Davis has time and time again voted to gut public edcation in Texas and has been part of Governor Rick Perry’s attacks on womens health in Texas.
Texas political blogger Perry Dorrell has compiled two excellent lists on who a liberal or progressive might consider in Harris County and in Texas for 2012.
Here is Perry’s post for federal and statewide offices.
Here is Perry’s post for Harris County and state legislative races.
It Is Always The Right Time To Take Responsibility For Your Future—Ann Johnson Working Hard For Your Vote
Here’s a picture I took today of Texas House District 134 candidate Ann Johnson.
I told Ms. Johnson I’d hand out leaflets for her on Thursday at the early voting place.
It is always the right time to take responsibility for our future.
In this election, I’ve donated to President Obama and Green nominee Jill Stein, blogged, made my case on Facebook, and attended events for Stein and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.
My mother has donated to Brown and gone door-to-door for Obama in Cincinnati.
The hopeful work of freedom is up to each of us everyday.
Ann Johnson is to my right on many economic issues. But this is a big world and people are going to disagree.
At the bottom line, Ms. Johnson is somebody who shares my view that we each have to work hard, and that we have to put ourselves out there to help make the world a more hopeful place.
Ms. Johnson is a decent and hard-working person who will listen to everybody and make her decisions based on what she thinks is best for 134 and for the people of Texas. Ms. Johnson is very clear that 134 has many Republican voters and that these are folks she also wants to hear from should she be elected to serve in Austin.
The Houston Chronicle has endorsed Ms. Johnson.
Here is what The Chronicle said about Ms. Johnson–
The tea party turnout of 2010 gave Republican candidate Sarah Davis the narrow victory she needed to win in District 134, a prosperous swing district that covers areas from River Oaks to Meyerland and the Medical Center, as well.
Davis speaks about politics with a fiery passion, but her passion often seems aimed more at Washington than Austin.
She successfully navigated the minefield of wedge-issue votes that defined the previous legislative session – voting no on the sonogram bill, for example. But voters deserve a representative who doesn’t just avoid bad votes, but leads on good ones. We believe Democratic challenger Ann Johnson can be that sort of leader.
Johnson began her career as a prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, where she was known for her no-nonsense, hardworking attitude. After leaving the prosecutor’s office, she dedicated herself to the world of juvenile law, where she focused on issues like child exploitation and sex trafficking – two issues that need the attention of the Texas Legislature. (In one notable case, she successfully argued before the Texas Supreme Court that girls too young to consent under the law could not be charged with prostitution.)
Johnson’s focus on juvenile issues doesn’t end at the courtroom. On the campaign trail, she rattles off embarrassing statistics on Texas kids – we’re 43rd in high school graduation rates, 45th in SAT scores, and have the highest percentage of children without health insurance. Texas should not be content with these rankings, and Johnson certainly isn’t, advocating smart educational investments like all-day Pre-K and capping class sizes.
Issues like education and health care aren’t just matters of compassion, they’re necessary to ensure that Texas has the healthy, educated workforce we need to power our economy.
In this race, Ann Johnson is the better bet for Texas’ future.
Green Party Candidates On 2012 Texas Ballot—Give The Green Party A Look
There are a number of Green Party candidates on the Texas ballot in 2012.
Below you see the names of these candidates as listed by the Green Party of Texas.
I’ve said on the blog that I’m voting for Jill Stein for President here in Republican Texas.
I believe that Greens are best on the issues of our economy that is rigged for the benefit of the few, climate change, and in protecting our right to dissent in a time of militarized police and a national security state.
There are real differences between Democrats and Republicans. Many Democratic activists and volunteers are very decent and progressive people.
At the same time I’d say that the Democratic Party in Texas does not have strong prospects for either 2012 or 2014.
I’d also say that a strong voice on the left can move the Democratic Party just as Libertarians have had success in moving the Republican Party.
It is up to each voter to decide for each race if voting for a Green makes sense for whatever reason.
There is certainly nothing to be lost in looking at what Greens are saying and in thinking about everyday issues in new ways.
It is likely that a number of the candidates below have web sites even if not linked to on the list.
Google these folks and see what you find. In my experience some Greens run energetic campaigns while others do not. This is just how it is for major party candidates.
Here is the Green party of Harris County.
Here is the Green Party of the United States.
Early voting takes place in Texas from October 22 through November 2. General Election Day is November 6.
Here is the list of Green candidates on the Texas ballot in 2012—
President/Vice President
Jill Stein / Cheri Honkala
State-wide Office
David B. Collins – U.S. Senate site, site, Facebook
Charles E. Waterbury – Texas Supreme Court – Place 4
Chris Kennedy – Texas Railroad Commission – Place 1
Jim Chisholm – Texas Supreme Court – Position 6
Bexar County
Federal
Antonio Diaz – US House of Representatives, Texas 20th Congressional District
Ed Scharf – US House of Representatives, Texas 23rd Congressional District
Meghan Owen – US House of Representatives, Texas 35th Congressional District
Michael D. Cary – US House of Representatives, Texas 28th Congressional District
Rhett Smith – US House of Representatives, Texas 14th Congressional District
State
Chris Christal – Texas Senate – District 26
Chuck Robinson – Texas House of Representatives – District 123
Gregory L. Fox – Texas House of Representatives – District 120
Herb Gonzales, Jr – Texas House of Representatives – District 124
Irene Meyer Scharf – State Board of Education – District 5
Timothy Giddens – Texas House of Representatives – District 125
Local
Eric M Fahrenthold – County Commissioner – Precinct 3
Joel Benavidez – Justice of the Peace – Precinct 2, Place 1
Paul Pipkin – County Tax Assessor-Collector
Sonia Lucy Benavides – County Commissioner – Precint 1
Dallas County
Federal
Brandon Parmer – U.S. House of Representatives – District 6
State
Angela Sarlay – Texas House of Representatives – District 113
Josh Wendel – Texas Railroad Commission – Place 2
Saul Arechar – Texas House of Representatives – District 105
Denton County
State
Alex Mendoza – Texas House of Representatives – District 65
Harris County
Federal
Don Cook – U.S. House of Representatives – District 22
Lance Findley – U.S. House of Representatives – District 7
Maria Selva – U.S. House of Representatives – District 29
Mark A. Roberts – U.S. House of Representatives – District 2
Vanessa Foster – U.S. House of Representatives – District 9
State
Alfred Molison, Jr. – Texas House of Representatives – District 131
Art Browning – Texas House of Representatives – District 130
David Courtney – Texas Senate District 17
Deb Shafto – Texas House of Representatives – District 147
G C Molison – State Board of Education – District 6
Henry Cooper – Texas House of Representatives – District 148
Local
Carlos Villalobos – Harris County Constable – Precinct 1
Remington Alessi – Harris County Sheriff
Lubbock County
State
Leanne Lamb-Vines – Texas House of Representatives – District 84
Local
W.L. Matheny – County Commissioner – Precinct 1
Randall
Federal
Keith F. Houston – U.S. House of Representatives – District 13
Tarrant
Federal
Ed Lindsay – U.S. House of Representatives – District 33
Webb
Local
Emily Marie Sanchez – Tax Assessor-Collector
Wise
State
Matthew Britt – Texas House of Representatives – District 61
Green Presidential Nominee Jill Stein Makes Houston Campaign Stop
I saw Green Presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein speak last night in Houston.
Above you see a picture from that appearance.
Dr. Stein spoke about a hopeful agenda that involved the provision of health care, addressing climate change and protecting civil liberties.
She said that our leaders had “no exit strategies for the crises we face.”
Dr. Stein spoke well and is competent. She is a credible candidate for President of the United States.
Dr. Stein said the Green ticket was on the ballot in 85% of the nation, had qualified for matching funds, and was polling at about 2% in polls that asked about 3rd party candidates.
Here is the website for Dr. Stein if you would like to learn more.
Dr. Stein will be in San Antonio today –10/6 –and will be back in Houston tomorrow. Here is a link to her Texas schedule.
Here is the Green Party of Texas. This link has a list of Greens on the ballot in Texas in 2012.
My view is that I’m voting for Dr. Stein in Republican Texas because she is best on our rigged economy, climate change, and issues of civil liberties and protecting the right to dissent.
If I were in a contested state I would vote for Mr. Obama as there are real and important differences between Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney.
The fact that differences do exists between the major party candidates does not mean though that Dr. Stein is wrong when she says that the rich call the shots in America and that it is up to each of us to look for new solutions to change this fact.
A strong Green Party can help push this country in a hopeful direction as it puts pressure on Democrats and as Greens gain support across America.
Green Presidential Nominee Jill Stein To Be In Houston & San Antonio From October 4 Through October 7
(Blogger’s Note–10/2/12—This post has been updated with the latest on Ms. Stein’s schedule.)
Green Presidential nominee Jill Stein will be in Houston and San Antonio from Thursday, October 4 through Sunday, October 7.
(Above–Jill Stein addressing the people. Photo by Paul Stein)
I am voting for Ms. Stein here in Texas. I believe she is the best candidate in 2012 for addressing our rigged economy, climate change and for protecting the right to dissent.
If I were in a contested state I would likely vote for President Obama as there are important and substantial differences between Mr. Obama and Mitt Romney.
Each person must choose their own course. I do know that we do not have to pick from the same options year after year after year.
There is value of hearing what Ms. Stein has to say even if you do not intend to vote Green. A strong voice on the left can only help our nation move ahead in a hopeful way in the fights ahead.
Here is Ms. Stein’s campaign web page.
Here is the website of the Green Party of Texas.
Here is the website of the Green Party of Harris County, Texas.
Below is the press release from the Harris County Green Party about Jill Stein’s visit. I know that I’ll attend at least one of the events in Houston. I ask that you consider attending one of the appearances and that you please help get the word out about this visit.
Please keep in mind that this schedule is subject to change. There will be further updates at this blog.
September 30, 2012 — Green Party US presidential candidate Jill Stein comes to Houston and San Antonio this week, Thursday, October 4 through Sunday, October 7, as her presidential campaign takes her across the nation.
Stein will be in Houston the day after her participation in Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman’s Live Debate Talkback, running concurrently with the Obama-Romney debate in Denver, CO, on the evening of Wednesday, October 3. Stein and Justice Party presidential candidate Rocky Anderson will respond to questions in real time asked of the Democratic and Republican nominees. In effect this debate “technologically” includes the two candidates who were excluded from participating by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Here is the schedule of Stein’s appearances, speaking engagements, press conferences and media availability. Additional events, substitutions, and revisions to this schedule may be reflected in following press releases.
Thursday Oct. 4, 2012 (Houston)
11:00 am Arrival, Houston Hobby airport
11:30 am University of Houston (4800 Calhoun Road, 77004), University Center Satellite food court: meet-and-greet with students, faculty, and staff. Media availability.
1:30 pm University of Houston: classroom discussions
3:00 pm On air appearance, KPFT 90.1 FM: The New Capital Show with Leo Gold
7:00 pm Public speaking engagement: Lone Star College — Kingwood (20000 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood 77339), Student Conference Center. Media availability.
Friday, October 5 (Houston)
9:00 am “Toxic Tour” (also here), led by Juan Parras of t.e.j.a.s. Media welcome (but no availability to the candidate, as tour time is limited). Departure location and tour stops to be determined.
11:00 am Tranquility Park (400 Rusk Street), Houston: press conference with Parras and Benjamin Franklin, who was choked, pepper-sprayed, and tasered as part of the confrontation with police officers at the Tar Sands Blockade (a citizen action organized to halt the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, ongoing in Wood County, Texas). Media availability.
1:00 pm Texas Southern University (3100 Cleburne Street, 77004), classroom discussion (to be confirmed).
3:00 pm On air appearance, KPFT 90.1 FM: Partisan Gridlock with Geoff Berg (to be confirmed).
7:00 pm Public speaking engagement, Saint Stephens Episcopal Church (1805 West Alabama Street, 77098), Precor Hall. Media availability.
Saturday, October 6 (San Antonio)
2:00 pm Public speaking engagement, University of Texas -San Antonio, (specific location TBA), Students United for Socioeconomic Justice. Media availability.
7:00 pm Fundraising event, Bexar County Green Party (276 Natalen, 78209).
Sunday, October 7 (Houston)
12:00 pm The Last Organic Outpost‘s Emile Street Community Farm (711 N. Emile St., near Gunter St.). Stein will tour the sustainable urban agricultural facility (background here). Limited media availability.
2:00 pm Fundraising event: home of Lee and Hardy Loe (1844 Kipling, 77098).
9:00 pm On air appearance, KPFT 90.1 FM: Self Determination with Obidike Kamau. Stein will be on for the full hour.
Media may contact the Stein campaign at media@JillStein.org to schedule an interview. There may be more additions/subtractions to Stein’s schedule as the campaign stops draw closer.