Green Party Ballot Access In Texas For 2010—Texas Progressive Alliance Round-Up

Here is the weekly posting of the Texas Progressive Alliance round-up. The TPA is a confederation of the best political bloggers in Texas. The round-up can be found at the end of this post.

The Texas Democratic Primary was held on March 2. Texas Democrats now have the statewide ticket for November elections.

Here is a full list of these statewide candidates from the Texas Democratic Party.

There are also of Green Party nominees in Texas for 2010.

Green Party precinct nominating conventions will be held on Tuesday, March 9. Here is a list of where in these conventions will be held. There will then be county conventions on March 13.

Beginning on March 10, Greens will be able to circulate ballot access petitions in an effort to place candidates on the ballot both at the local and statewide level.

Here is how the Greens explain the process of getting on the ballot in 2010–

“In order to obtain a ballot line in the November election, the number of participants at precinct conventions can be supplemented by petition signers requesting Green Party ballot status. Petitions will be circulated for a 75 day period starting on March 10, the day after the precinct conventions. The number signing or attending precinct conventions must total at least one percent of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election, around 44,000 voters.”

I think the way it works is that you cannot sign the Green petition if you voted in a party primary on March 2. I signed a ballot access petition for Green candidates in 2009 City of Houston elections. I was able to do so because there is no party primary for odd-year elections.

The Green party has not caught in Texas and the United States the way one might have hoped a few years ago. Still, a counterweight to Democrats that often takes core voters for granted would be welcome. If you did not vote in a primary last week, you should consider signing the Green petition if offered.  Green candidates on the November  2010 ballot may well merit your consideration.

Here is the web home of the Green party of the United States. Click the link and see what these folks are saying.

Here is the weekly TPA round-up—

From the Barnett Shale, TXsharon announces a new “Watchdog” for drillers and her SOS to EPA about benzene and other dangerous toxins in the Denton Creek watershed was heard. The EPA has responded! Read all about it at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS

After the latest prevarication on her date of departure from the Senate, PDiddie at Brains and Eggs opines: “Kay Bailey, won’t you please GO HOME?!”

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme shows the Texas Supreme Court flipping the finger to Texans, yet again.

Texas Republican Says He Lost Republican Primary Because Of Hispanic Surname

Incumbent Republican Texas Railroad Commission member Victor Carrillo blames his Hispanic surname for his defeat in the recent Texas Republican primary.

Here is some of what Mr. Carrillo said in an e-mail message to supporters–

“As you now surely know, last night I was defeated (61% / 39%) in my statewide Republican Primary by my opponent, David Porter. Porter, an unknown, no-campaign, no-qualification CPA from Midland residing in Giddings filed on the last day that he could file while I was waiting in Abilene to bury my dad. He has never held any elected office, has no geoscience, industry, or legal experience other than doing tax returns for oil and gas companies.”

Here is the full message.

As the Marshall (Texas) News Messenger reported, there is precedent for Hispanic last names costing Republicans in primary elections.

I have nothing but the back of my hand and a hearty good riddance for Mr. Carrillo. What did he expect from the Republican primary electorate?

If you’re a fair-minded Texan,—or a fair-minded person from any place— you see here the nature of the Texas Republican party.

This November, Jeff Weems is the candidate for Texas Railroad Commission who is running on experience instead of on his last name.

It is wrong to feel you know something about a person just on the basis of a name.

Texas Primary Results—You Won’t Find Them Here/ I’ve Done My Civic Duty

The Texas primary was earlier today and I voted. Not only did I vote, I attended the precinct caucuses we have here in Texas after the polls close on primary day.

At my precinct caucus, I was picked as a delegate to the convention later this month in Houston for Texas Senate District 15.

Even a doofus such as myself can be selected when there are 29 spots and only 8 people show up for the caucus.

With the four posts I did about the primary two days ago and with the hassles I endured yesterday loading that video on my blog—the first time I’ve added a video since I bought an Apple computer. I’m not always so adept with computers —I’m blogged out for the moment.

I think I’ve met my blogging and civic obligations for the time being. I’m going to go watch TV with the wife.

The Texas Liberal 2010 Texas Democratic Primary Endorsement Slate

Here is the Texas Liberal slate of endorsements for the 2010 Texas Democratic Primary.

You’ll note that I have not endorsed a candidate for most races in Harris County and that I’ve left out a few statewide offices.

I had planned to at least figure out all the statewide candidates, but I was in Ohio all last week and just could not find the time upon my return.

There are so many people running for all these judgeships in Harris County. Who the hell are all these people?

I promise I will study the candidates before I vote Tuesday. I’m a good citizen As for the candidates I have selected, you can bet your bottom dollar that I know just what I am talking about.

Each endorsement is linked to the post I write for the candidate in question.

Here we go—

Governor—Bill White

Lieutenant Governor—Linda Chavez-Thompson

Commissioner of Agriculture—Hank Gilbert

Texas State House District 146—Borris Miles

Judge 313th Juvenile Court—Marc Isenberg

Harris County Criminal Court At Law #9—Sylvia Pubchara-Munoz

For some of the other races on our primary ballot, please consult my friend Perry Dorrell at Brains & Eggs. Perry is a good liberal.

Another trusted source for endorsements is the Houston political blog Dos Centavos.

You could also use this resource at the Houston blog Off The Kuff.

The Houston League of Women Voters has a voter’s guide for the primary.

Marc Isenberg For 313th Juvenile Court In Harris County

For the important position of Judge of the 313th Juvenile court in Harris County, Texas, I am voting for Marc Isenberg.

Mr. Isenberg is endorsed by the Houston Chronicle.

From Mr. Isenberg’s campaign web home, here are some facts about why I feel Mr. Isenberg is the best candidate for the job—

Marc Isenberg is a native Texan running for the 313th Juvenile Court in Harris
County.  Born in Houston, Marc Isenberg lived in Galena Park until 1961 when
his family moved to Galveston.  He graduated from Ball High School in 1967.

Marc Isenberg graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A., in
Psychology and a Minor in Sociology.  He went on to graduate from the
University of Houston Law Center in 1974.

An Eagle Scout, Marc Isenberg’s life experiences include painting bridges for
the Galveston County Navigation District, construction work laying water pipe,
working on a federally funded nutrition survey conducted by the University of
Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and working for 5 years as a staff attorney
for Gulf Coast Legal Foundation representing indigent clients.

Marc Isenberg has been married to his law partner, Miriam Riskind for 30
years.  They have extensive experience in juvenile law, abuse and neglect
cases, probate and civil law.  His life, extensive legal experience and
community service make him uniquely qualified to hold this bench.

• Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law
  
• Board Certified Juvenile Law
  
• Member, State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section
  
• Member, Houston Bar Association Juvenile Law Section
  
• Treasurer, Houston Bar Association Juvenile Law Section
  
• Featured Speaker at State “Nuts and Bolts” Juvenile Seminars
  
• Featured Speaker at State Annual Juvenile Conference
  
• Houston Bar Association, Juvenile Consequences Committee
  
• Member, Shady Acres Civic Club
  
• Sustaining Member, Harris County Democratic Party
  
• Associate Member, Congregation Beth Jacob, Galveston, TX

Harris County AFL-CIO Endorsements—Including Terrible Selection Of Edwards Over Miles

As I never weary of telling folks, I was in 1997 a Stonewall Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio AFL-CIO endorsed candidate for the Cincinnati Board of Education.

Here in Houston and Harris County, the local GLBT endorsements get some notice. However, the Harris County AFL-CIO Labor Council endorsements get less play.

So–in appreciation for the  endorsement in Cincinnati 13 years ago, here are the Harris County AFL-CIO endorsements.

Please note however, that the pick in Texas State House District 146 is a terrible pick. Mr. Edwards has often sided with the most conservative and reactionary of Republicans in Austin. Borris Miles is the best selection in 146.

United States Congress
9th District – Al Green
18th District – Sheila Jackson Lee
22nd District – Doug Blatt
29th District – Gene Green

Governor – Bill White
Lt. Governor – Linda Chavez Thompson
Attorney General – Barbara Ann Radnofsky
Comptroller – No Endorsement
Land Commissioner – Hector Uribe
Agricultural Commissioner – Hank Gilbert
Railroad Commissioner – Jeff Weems
Texas Supreme Court, Place 3 – Jim Sharp
Texas Supreme Court, Place 5 – Bill Moody
Texas Supreme Court, Place 9 – Blake Bailey
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2 – No Endorsement
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5 – No Endorsement
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6 – Keith Hampton
Chair, Texas Democratic Party – Boyd Richie

State House of Representatives
State Representative 146 – Al Edwards

County Administration
County Clerk – Sue Smith Schechter

Reply From 295th Harris County District Court Candidate Paul Simon About Campaign Letter

Two days ago, I ran a post on the blog about a letter I got from 295th Harris County District Court primary Candidate Paul Simon. The letter was in Spanish. My guess was that I got the letter because my last name is Aquino. Aquino sounds Hispanic, but in my case is Italian.  My feeling is that this assumption I speak Spanish based on my name is a kind of profiling that would not be welcome if practiced by a police officer in a criminal case.

The Texas Democratic Primary is on this upcoming Tuesday.

Mr. Simon saw my post and offered the reply you see below—

Dear Mr. Aquino,

I learned today that you posted a blog about a letter you received from my campaign. I understand that you were offended by it, and for that, I am sincerely sorry. But I also wish to explain to you what I did and why I did it, and if you email me at (xxxxxxx), I will give you a number where you can call me so we can talk in person.

Before beginning, I should note that, about a week ago, I ran into Rick and Melissa Noriega. They also received my letter, and Rick was complimentary of my effort at trying to reach Latino voters, who are obviously a large, but underrepresented, segment of our country, particularly here in Texas.

Now, as for the “what” I did. What you should have received from me in the mail was an English and Spanish translation of my push-card, along with a list of the endorsements I have earned in this primary race, and information about Early Voting and where to go vote. If you only received a document translated into Spanish, that means something went wrong.

As for the “why,” I sent my mailer out because my practice consists mainly of representing Latino families, nearly all of whom are first generation immigrants who do not speak English or who do not speak English well. I decided to run for Judge in large part because of the racial insensitivity some judges have to litigants (like my clients) who sign contracts they do not know how to read after the other party to the contract fails to explain all of the important parts of the contract. In any case, when I asked those of them who regularly voted why they don’t vote the whole ticket, they sole reason I was told was because they don’t know anything about the candidates because they don’t receive anything from us down-ticket candidates in Spanish.

Obviously, one cannot know whether any particular voter is Spanish or English speaking, bilingual or otherwise, based solely on his or her surname, so when I was at a petition signing event on the East Side where I was told there would be a large number of voters who did not speak English (or who preferred to speak in Spanish), I had ready for them an English/Spanish version of my push card. But when it comes to sending out a mass mail piece, I did the best I could, and I am sincerely sorry for offending you.

I hope you will accept my apology and give me a call to talk more.

Warm regards,

Paul Simon, for Judge

295th Civil District Court

www.PaulSimonforJudge2010.com

Mr. Simon’s opponent in this race is Reginald McKamie.

I appreciate Mr. Simon’s reply and his sincerity.  I remain of the view that one cannot make assumptions about people based on a name.

Maybe an issue here is the failure over the years of our local Democratic party here in Harris County to consistently reach out to all possible voters, and the willingness of  some office holders in low turnout districts to say nothing about the poor turnout as they cruise to reelection every two or four years. With a stronger infrastructure in place to reach Spanish speaking voters, candidates for down-ticket offices in Harris County would be better able to address these voters at campaign time.

Individual voters can assess this issue for themselves and vote as they will on March 2.

Sylvia Pubchara-Munoz For Harris County Criminal Court At Law #9

I’m voting for Sylvia Pubchara-Munoz in the Democratic Primary for Harris County Criminal Court at Law #9. A veteran attorney, Ms. Pubchara-Munoz will bring a wide variety of life experience to the bench as she serves our diverse county.

Here is some biography on Ms. Pubchara-Munoz—

“I was seventeen (17) years old when I left Cuba, alone, for the United States. With no money, with only three (3) outfits, including what I was wearing, and no knowledge of the English language, I started my life in Miami, Florida. My jobs, among others, were selling coffee for 5 cents a cup, sorting tomatoes in a farm-camp and making and pressing uniform name labels in a hot laundromat twelve (12) hours a day. My cousin urged me to come to Houston for a better job. I started as a file clerk with the Hartford Insurance Company and worked my way up, going to the University of Houston at night, to become the first woman in Houston, and the second in Texas to hold an underwriting position with the Travelers Insurance Company. While working for Exxon Risk Management as an Insurance Analyst, I went to school at night to earn my law degree. I worked for the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office before opening my own practice twenty two (22) years ago. I am proud to be part of our criminal justice system, which is the finest in the world. My brother was a political prisoner in Cuba and he never had the opportunity to defend himself. Fortunately, I was able to bring my entire family to the United States via Spain, after seventeen (17) years of trying. I look forward to serving as Judge of the Harris County Criminal Court at law #9. I will be fair and just. I will treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their place of origin, religion, gender, and gender preference. Serving the community is my way of paying back for the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world. I am a former Assistant District Attorney, for Fort Bend County. I was appointed by the late Governor Ann Richards to a committee to establish prosecutor standards and guidelines. I also have over 23 years experience as an Attorney in private practice exclusively handling criminal cases in bot federal and state courts.”

This candidate has been endorsed by the Houston GLBT caucus. And also by the well-regarded Houston political blog Dos Centavos.

Please visit Ms. Pubchara-Munoz’s campaign web home and see why you should vote for her in the March 2 Democratic Primary.

One More Time—Borris Miles In Texas House District 146

(2/26/10—Blogger’s Note—This the second time for this post—Just as Mr. Miles is looking for another go-round in Austin. I’m running the post again because I think it is an important race. A shift from incumbent Al Edwards to Mr. Miles will offer District 146 representation much more in line with the needs and concerns of the district.)

Borris Miles is running to win back the Texas House of Representatives seat he lost two years ago.

This is in Texas House District 146. Please click here for a map of this district.

Mr. Miles was at one point seen by many as a promising legislator.

However, during his term in the legislature Mr. Miles went to a party and was alleged to have waived a gun at people attending the party.

(Above–Borris Miles seeming calm and well-composed.)

This alleged gun waiving did not help Mr. Miles at the polls in 2008.

However, we must recall that Mr. Miles was found innocent of charges related to this event.

The man Mr. Miles lost to in 2008 was the same person he defeated in the 2006 Democratic primary to win the seat in the first place –Al Edwards.

Mr. Edwards is awful. His district is quite Democratic, yet he has often aligned himself with the most conservative Republicans in the Texas legislature.

Voters understood this in 2006 when they turned out Mr. Edwards and elected Mr. Miles.

Mr. Miles is a smart man and I think he has changed his course for the better.

Al Edwards is the same man—playing all sides and for himself at all times—that he was when voters tossed him out in 2006.

In the Democratic primary coming up this March 2nd, I ask District 146 voters to please consider giving Mr. Miles another chance.

We all merit a second chance.

Mr. Edwards has had many chances, and each chance he gets he goes to Austin and helps far right-wing Republicans make Texas an even tougher place to live.

Here is the Borris Miles Facebook page.

Here is the web home for the Miles campaign.

Best Resources To Figure Out Who To Vote For In Harris County & In Texas For 2010 Democratic Primary

The Texas Democratic Primary is coming up on March 2, 2009.

Any properly registered voter can vote in the Democratic primary. The only restriction is that you cannot also vote in the Republican primary if you vote in the Democratic primary.

There are many contested races on the ballot in Texas and here in Harris County, Texas.

How should one vote? Nobody knows about all these people running for all these judgeships.

Please take note—The judicial races in Harris County are for the whole county. Though it may say district court  on the ballot, the races are countywide.

What are the best resources to learn about the candidates in contested Democratic primaries both in Harris County and statewide?

I am aware of two resources that are best.

Houston blogger Charles Kuffner has a spreadsheet with information about the candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This spreadsheet  has links to interviews that Mr. Kuffner conducted with most of the candidates, a list of endorsements the candidates have received, and links to the web homes for the candidates.

Another strong resource is the voters guide issued by the League of Women Voters of the Houston Area. This guide, accessible online, has information for both Harris County and Fort Bend County.

Please find some time over the weekend to figure out who to vote for on primary day. There are campaign volunteers, party workers, bloggers and others who spend time on these races because they think it is the right thing to do as citizens. Please make some effort on your part to be a good citizen as well.

I Support Linda Chavez-Thompson For Lt. Governor Of Texas—Why You Should Vote For Ms. Chavez-Thompson

I am voting for Linda Chavez-Thompson for Lieutenant Governor of Texas in the Democratic Primary to be held on March 2.

(Above—Ms. Chavez-Thompson.)

Early voting is taking place now. Here are facts about early voting in Texas.

Here is a brief overview of this race from The Dallas Morning News.

The  Lieutenant Governor is important in Texas. The Lt. Governor presides over the Texas State Senate. He or she can appoint standing committees and select who will serve on these committees. The Lt. Governor picks committee chairpersons and is the final arbiter of the rules of the Senate. Here is further explanation of the role of the Lt. Governor.

Why do I feel that Linda Chavez-Thompson is the best person for this job?

Here is why—

1. A daughter of immigrant sharecroppers, Ms. Chavez-Thompson has kept faith with working people. Ms. Chavez-Thompson has rooted her professional and political life in concern for others.

From the Chavez-Thompson campaign—

“Linda Chavez-Thompson’s.. story began when she was born in Lorenzo, Texas.  At.. ten, she started working for thirty-cents an hour hoeing cotton… In ninth grade, she had to leave school and to go to work full time to support her family. She continued picking cotton in the fall months and cleaning homes…to earn enough money to buy clothes and food for her family…In December 1967, she was hired as a Secretary at the Constitution Laborer’s Union in Lubbock, Texas. Over the next forty years, Chavez-Thompson kept working.. on behalf of working people, fighting to bring fairness and opportunity to Texans… Her work with unions culminated in 1995, when she was elected Executive Vice-President of the National AFL-CIO, the first woman and the first person of color to hold that position. In January of 1997, Chavez-Thompson was elected to serve as Vice Chair  of the Democratic National Committee.”

(Below—Francis Lubbock was both a Lieutenant Governor and a Governor of Texas. Unlike Governor Lubbock, who led Texas during the Civil War, Ms. Chavez-Thompson will not agree to leave the union if Governor Rick Perry leads Texas to secede.)

2.  Ms. Chavez-Thompson has pledged to push the expansion of children’s health insurance programs in Texas. This is very much needed in our state.

3. As proven organizer, Ms. Chavez-Thompson will offer the Texas Democratic Party needed skills in rallying more Democratic voters to go to the polls this November and beyond 2010. There is no good reason that a majority-minority state with many large urban centers should be so strongly Republican.

Other Texas bloggers have endorsed Ms. Chavez-Thompson as well. These bloggers include Mean Rachel, Dos Centavos, Bay Area Houston, Musings , and  Burnt Orange Report.

Please consider voting for Linda Chavez-Thompson in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Texas.

Here is my endorsement of Hank Gilbert in the Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.

(Below–A mural in Ms. Chavez-Thompson’s hometown of Lorenzo, Texas. Here is the city web home for Lorenzo. Here is a history of Lorenzo from the Handbook of Texas Online.  Lorenzo is near Lubbock and had a 2000 population of 1,372. The town is part of Crosby County.)

I’m Voting For Bill White For Governor Of Texas—Blogger Round-Up

At the bottom of this post is the most recent weekly round-up of the Texas Progressive Alliance. The TPA is a confederation of the best political bloggers in Texas.

With the round-up this week, is a picture I ripped off from the Bill White for Governor Facebook page.

The Governor Perry supporters with that sign might be better off in one of our public schools in Texas.

I’m voting for Bill White in the Democratic primary for Governor of Texas and I will vote for him in the general election.

Mr. White, a former Mayor of Houston, is the Democrat most able to win the Governor’s office in 2010.

I believe Mayor White has a clear sense of the problems of poverty, poor educational achievement, and no health insurance that afflict many Texans.

This is state with millions of people, and the problems we have are so bad and impact so many people that we just have to get Rick Perry out of the Governor’s chair before he does any more harm.

We can’t go on talking about secession and refusing federal money when people who need help in Texas go unheard.

We need to help make sure that hard working people in our state can get health benefits and that they have a chance to get a decent education.

Mayor White is shown in this Houston Chronicle poll to be only six points behind Governor Perry with 13% undecided. This is a race that can be won.

Here is the web home for White Campaign.

The round-up—

The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the sentencing of GOP Denton County Constable Ken Jannereth. Probation, anger management, laying off the bottle, and maybe more to come for the disgraced lawman.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is watching two Texas Counties fight it out with their district attorneys over legal duties.

Bay Area Houston says Teabaggers claim illiterate Blacks elected Obama.

Diane Trautman For Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector

In the upcoming Texas Democratic Primary, Harris County voters should support Diane Trautman for Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector.

(Above you see Ms. Trautman holding a baby.)

Texas primary day is March 2. Early voting begins on February 16. Here are facts about early voting.

Here are the duties involved with this important position. The Tax Assessor deals with property valuations, vehicle registration and voter registration.

While Ms. Trautman is running unopposed on the March ballot, a strong primary showing will send a clear message that Ms. Trautman is headed to victory in November.

Here is the Trautman campaign web home.

When elected, Ms. Trautman will work hard to make sure that tax assessments will be conducted fairly, and that Harris County voters are registered in an open and legal manner.

What a switch doing the job of Tax Assessor-Collector in a fair and competent fashion will represent  from business as usual in the Tax Assessor’s office.

It is wrong for subordinates in the Tax Assessor’s office to sell voter registration data to a political party. It is wrong even if appointed incumbent Leo Vasquez does not view it as wrong.

Ms. Trautman has experience in both banking and education. She will bring a renewed sense of ethics and public service to the office.

Ms. Trautman will serve her full term when elected and not pass on the office to someone else just weeks after the election. This cynical move is how Republicans kept control of the office in 2008 as Democrats made Election Day gains in Harris County.

Please consider supporting Diane Trautman for Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector in 2010.

Two Thoughts On Texas Democratic Candidates For Governor Primary Debate

As part of my ongoing efforts to kill my blog traffic, here is a quick post on the Democratic debate for Governor of Texas that took place this evening. This is the kind of post you write about a fleeting event, and it stops drawing traffic not long after it is posted.

Still—We must take part in the political process!

The candidates in the debate tonight were Farouk Shami and Bill White.

I’ll offer two thoughts—

1.  The person you see in the picture above is quite rude and condescending. Her name is Shelley Kofler and she was one of the panelists this evening for the debate.

She was abrasive and condescending to candidate Farouk Shami many times during the debate. Ms. Kofler appears to have an extensive resume in television reporting and I’m sure she is quite well-informed about Texas politics. Yet at the same time, she is abrasive for no clear reason.

2. The debate tonight was the second time I’ve heard Mr. Shami speak and I find him more coherent than I think he comes off to many voters. There is an underlying theme of decency and fair-play in his campaign message. Maybe it is all an act, but I’d be open to the guy if he’d not go on about stuff like jobs for all and free electricity.  That kind of talk is simply not credible.

My friends at Burnt Orange Report live-blogged the debate this evening.  Fellow Houston blogger Martha Griffin did the same at Musings.

Hank Gilbert For Texas Commissioner Of Agriculture—Why You Should Support Hank Gilbert

I support Hank Gilbert in the Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.

(Above—A Texas Longhorn. The leading agricultural exports of Texas are live animals and red meat. Here are facts about Texas Longhorns.)

Here is the web home for Mr. Gilbert’s campaign.

The primary is March 2.  Early voting begins February 16. Here are facts about early voting in Texas.

Why do I support Mr. Gilbert?

Here is why—

1. Mr. Gilbert has extensive education and experience in agriculture. Here are some facts about Mr. Gilbert

“Hank earned his bachelors degree in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M, where he was the Student Council representative for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and was also a recruiter for the Agricultural Education Department. Upon graduation, Hank was hired to teach high school agriculture in East Texas where he worked for 13 years. Since leaving the teaching profession, Hank has continued to work with agricultural youth, both as a volunteer 4-H leader in his community and with the local FFA chapter. In 2005, Hank created the East Texas Jr. Invitational Livestock Expo in Smith County, Texas. To date, this show has awarded over $75,000 in scholarships to its participants to support their educational pursuits.2. Mr. Gilbert is committed to making the Texas Department of Agriculture a friend of the small Texas farmer. He will be aggressive in promoting Texas  agriculture to ever wider markets and he will advocate for organic and sustainable farming methods in our state.”

(Below–Watermelon is an important Texas crop. Here are facts about watermelon production in Texas from Texas A & M. A & M has an entire program about the growing and the study of watermelons.)

2. Mr. Gilbert will advocate for small Texas farmers. Mr. Gilbert will work hard to promote Texas agriculture to ever wider markets and he will support organic and sustainable farming methods in Texas.

Here is the link to Mr. Gilbert’s plan for Texas agriculture.

3. Mr. Gilbert is an energetic campaigner who will work to help elect Democrats throughout Texas.

Please consider voting for Mr. Gilbert in the 2010 Texas Democratic primary.

Here is a brief description of all the candidates running for Agriculture Commissioner from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Here is the Texas Farm Bureau.

Here are facts about Texas agriculture from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

( Aquaculture is a part of Texas Agriculture. Below you see the Channel Catfish. This fish is farmed in Texas. Here is the Texas Aquaculture Association. )