#TXLEGE: The Leticia van de Putte Precedent on Special Election timing/vacancies

"Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah"
Psalm 9:20

A couple days ago, we raised the question about the legality of Governor Abbott's special election order in SD-30.

Last night, it was brought to our attention that this isn't the first time in recent memory this situation has occurred.

To wit:

To ensure Democrats don't have one fewer Senate member when the legislative session begins on Jan. 13, [Former Senator Leticia] Van de Putte intends to only vacate her seat [for an ultimately unsuccessful run for San Antonio mayor] once the special election's winner is sworn in.

Whatever you want to say about the propriety or wisdom of holding a special election before the seat is technically "vacant," it's happened before.

Of course, none of that negates anything we've previously said about the nakedly political nature of Abbbot's announcement. But just because something's nakedly political doesn't make it illegal. Ballot box, not courts.

Bottom Line: This topic might very well be one at which the lege should take a look. The status quo might or might not be good. At a minimum, however, Abbott's sunday announcemnt is consistent with how the underlying statues have been understaood in recent years.

Ted Cruz, Dan Patrick, and Recycled Myths

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Stop us if you've heard this one before: "Conservative candidate X can't govern."  "Conservative candidate X has alienated his colleagues."  "Conservative candidate X will lose in November."

Were not talking about Ted Cruz's 2016 Presidential run, we're talking about Dan Patrick's 2014 campaign for Lt. Governor.

Throughout the 2014 election, Texans were warned about the alleged DISASTERS that would befall Texas if Dan Patrick garnered the Lite Guv nomination or was subsequently elected.  Dan Patrick was hated by his colleagues!!!  Dan Patrick would lose to van de Putz in November!!!

So what happened?!?

First, Dan Patrick won his general election BY ALMOST TWENTY POINTS (and, while we're on the subject, came close to breaking records with Hispanics).  Dan Patrick then had a legislative session where, considering the distribution of votes he consistently punched above his weight against the pro-status quo legacy Republicans who have historically dominated the #TXLEGE.  Ultimately, Dan Patrick was so successful in his maiden session as Lt. Governor that veteran Democrat Senator Eddie Lucio said, "“This session was incredibly good for me. If I had to choose one of the 15 sessions I have served in the state legislature, I would rate this session as No. 1 and would I rate it No. 1 because of the leadership of Dan Patrick."

As Ted Cruz's viability is questioned today using arguments that were recently used to question Dan Patrick, it's worth reviewing the relevant recent history.  Bold conservatism wins.  The concern trolls were wrong in 2014 and they're wrong again today.

Bottom Line: Heard this before....

The myth that "only a moderate" can win Sarah Davis' district

"But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness."
2 Timothy 2:16

One of the more obnoxious pieces of conventional wisdom around the Capitol is that Sarah Davis is the only Republican that can win her unfriendly district, but how did her district actually vote in 2014?!?

From her district profile on the Texas House's website.  With one exception (which we'll discuss below), the Republican candidate won every statewide race in her district.  A small sample:

Governor:

Abbott - R 27,200 50.4%
Davis - D 26,030 48.2%
Glass - L 613 1.1%
Parmer - G 150 0.3%
Pavitt - W 1 0.0%

Attorney General:

Paxton - R 27,059 50.7%
Houston - D 24,715 46.3%
Balagia - L 1,155 2.2%
Osborne - G 397 0.7%

Comptroller:

Hegar - R 27,025 51.5%
Collier - D 23,743 45.2%
Sanders - L 1,216 2.3%
Shafto - G 517 1.0 %

Ag. Commissioner:

Miller - R 29,268 56.4%
Hogan - D 20,319 39.1%
Palmquist - L 1,276 2.5%
Kendrick - G 1,055 2.0 %

Tx. Supreme Court, Chief Justice:

Hecht - R 30,677 58.3 %
Moody - D 20,604 39.2 %
Oxford - L 1,336 2.5 %

The only exception was the lite guv race, where van de Putz won a PLURALITY over Dan Patrick.  Even there, however, van de Putz failed to crack 50%.  Furthermore, the result in this race was partially due to the fact that the Libertarian candidate out-performed the rest of his ticket:

Patrick - R 24,880 46.5%
Van De Putte - D 26,615 49.8%
Butler - L 1,536 2.9%
Courtney - G 423 0.8%

[Author's note: Emphasis added.]

While Abortion Barbie and van de Putz had nearly identical vote totals, about 3000 Abbott voters didn't vote for Patrick (though they DID vote for Paxton, which means it's not a conservative thing).  This means a chunk of them voted for the Libertarian while another chunk under-voted.  The most likely explanation is that this is a Harris County based district, Dan Patrick is from Harris County, and there's a small segment of Harris County Republicans who can't stand Dan Patrick.

Bottom Line: If "only a moderate" could win HD-134, Republican candidates wouldn't have won nearly every top-ticket race in the district.

S.A. Mayor Runoff: Can Conservatives Make Lemonade?!?

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2

Interesting:

George H. Rodriguez

18 hrs · 

In the wake of the San Antonio mayoral elections, many grassroots conservatives are discouraged because their candidates lost. Sadly, many are saying they will not vote in the runoff between Mayor Ivy Taylor and Leticia Van de Putte. But when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade.

Conservatives need to realize this could be an opportunity for suburban conservatives and blacks community leaders to forge a new political paradigm that could topple the Hispanic/big business coalition that has dominated San Antonio (and Bexar County) since the 1980s. Ivy Taylor carried the black vote and will again carry it in the runoff. But will anti-Van de Putte suburban conservatives join Taylor to beat the SA Establishment’s anointed one?

Conservatives need to lick their wounds and realize this could be an opportunity to upset the Hispanic/big business Establishment that has dominated SA city the 1980s when it forged by Henry Cisneros. Latino political elites like Richard Perez and Henry Cisneros at the Chamber, Richard Romo at UTSA, Henry Munoz formerly at VIA and now at the National Democratic Party, and of course The Castro Twins, all work hand-in-hand with big business in SA to push their agenda. Van de Putte will continue that tradition.

To her credit, conservatives should remember that while Taylor is not a pure conservative (who is?), she held up the streetcar project and voted against the initially Non-Discrimination Ordinance. The Establishment wanted her to move on to another elected office, but she has displeased Establishment because she changed her mind.

We should remind black community leaders that they should be wary of the “Latino” agenda, specifically amnesty and sanctuary cities, which will create competition for services and resources between citizens and non-citizens. Be aware that Van de Putte and her Hispanic political elitist allies support the “Latino” agenda.

But can grassroots conservatives and suburbanites lick their wounds, be politically sophisticated, and vote in the mayoral runoff? Or will they stay just home? Christian voters stayed home in the 2012 presidential election because they couldn’t vote for Romney. How’s that working out now?

The final question is whether Mayor Ivy Taylor will sit and talk to grassroots conservatives to hear (and act) on their behalf?

Can grassroots conservatives and activists make lemonade?

Stay tuned…El Conservador.

Leticia van de Putte proposes Higher Education Slush Fund

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

Well this is a terrible idea:

State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic nominee for Texas lieutenant governor, wants the state to invest $2 billion in a new fund to provide free community and technical college to graduating seniors.

The "Texas Promise" scholarship represents the first major higher education policy proposal in the race for the state's No. 2 job.

"As Lieutenant Governor, I'll put Texans and jobs first. It is time to remove the barriers. Every hard-working high school graduate in Texas deserves an opportunity to go to college, receive technical education and obtain post-high school credentials. It is time to get Texans prepared for the jobs of the future," Van de Putte said in a emailed statement.

Under Van de Putte's proposal, announced Thursday, voters would decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment to allocate $2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund to start the new "Texas Promise Fund."

Interest earned on the fund's investments would pay the community or technical college tuition for applicable students beginning in fall 2016. To be applicable, students would have to enter the program immediately after high school, qualify for in-state tuition by living in Texas for at least three years, maintain at least 12 hours a semester, among other requirements.

[Author's Note: Emphasis added]

Obviously, this won't work; any time government increases subsidies for college tuition, colleges increase their tuition by an according amount.

Bottom Line: Leticia's proposal would raid the rainy fund to create a 'scholarship fund' for the politically connected to dole out while making tuition inflation worse!!!

-----

While we're on the subject of Higher education affordability, a Google search for "Leticia van de Putte Seven Breakthrough Solutions" yields bupkus.

#HAILSATANTX: Texas Democrats Flee Obama

"Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly."
Proverbs 26:26

[Standard Statesman Disclosure: Unfortunately, the original article is behind the paywall; quotes in this post transcribed by hand from a paper copy.]

About that whole "Turn Texas Blue" notion:

Democrats Keep Distance from President

Barack Obama's unpopularity, border issues cast shadow over Texas visit

....

[F]or Texas Democrats, struggling to make this a different kind of year for their statewide ticket, Obama's two-day visit to Texas, which begins Wednesday with stops in Dallas and Austin, is somewhere between a drag and a distraction.

Obama is very unpopular in Texas. Nearly half of all Texas voters strongly disapprove of his performance, and only 17 percent strongly approve, according to the most recent University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll in June.

And the timing of his visit -- planned long in advance for national Democratic [sic] party fundraisers in Dallas and Austin -- turned out to be particularly poor. It comes as a tide of unaccompanied minors, mostly from Central America, crossing the Rio Grande into Texas, also crossed a threshold from local problem to "national crisis," with all the attendant media attention and political finger-pointing.

....

Immigration might in the long term be in Democratic [sic] interests -- the more brown Texas becomes, the thinking goes, the more likely it is to turn blue. But in the short term, the issue is one that mostly rouses Republicans, who have moved to a harder-line stance on immigration in recent years, and that stance doesn't necessarily arouse as much of a backlash from Hispanic Texas -- at least those who vote -- as Democrats might hope. [Emphasis added]

....

The poll found that two thirds of registered Hispanic voters also think more should be done to limit entry into the U.S., and 38 percent support the immediate deportation of immigrants who are living in the country without legal authorization. [Emphasis, again, added]

 Then the coup de grace:

Meanwhile, state Sen. Wendy Davis, the Democratic [sic] candidate for governor, and state Sen. Leticia van de Putte, the party's candidate for lieutenant governor, will be speaking Thursday to the summit of the Association of Texas Professional Educators at the Austin Convention Center, just ahead of the President's speech at the Paramount [theater], a few blocks away.  But neither candidate will cross paths with the President during his two-day visit.

OUCH!!!

Dan Patrick's GOP Convention Speech

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the Lord."
Proverbs 21:31

Dan Patrick gave a fantastic speech at the GOP convention; his campaign finally made it public:



Highlights:

• "If you love America, the constitution, Texas, Free Markets, the Second Amendment, and the liberty that comes from God, welcome to the grassroots of the Republican Party of Texas."

• "The Democrats have this outfit called Battleground Texas, well they've picked the wrong ground to do Battle on."

• We have the high ground on every issue:
• Life
• School Choice
• Second Amendment.

• The harvest of Democrat voters who are members of minority populations is plenty; we just have to go out, tell them who we are, what we stand for, and we will bring them into our party.

• "The Democrats will not stand for safe communities for our Hispanic citizens, but we will."

A Post Convention Message to Battleground Texas

"The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion."
Proverbs 28:1

#Gameon:

Leticia van de Putte embraces corporate welfare

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

In a statement that could have been written by any rent-seeking lobbyist in Austin, Letcia van de Putte reacted to Dan Patrick's victory last night:

“Throughout this campaign and as the results came in tonight, I have been receiving calls from business leaders concerned about the future of our state. Like Texas business owners, and Texans across this entire state, I know that it’s time that politicians like Dan Patrick put their toxic rhetoric to rest.

“Texans want us to make smart business decisions: building our universities and community colleges, and supporting our local neighborhood schools. They want roads, not rhetoric; investments to help deliver water to their businesses, homes, farms and ranches. They know Texans needs leaders who make smart business decisions for the Lone Star state, by bringing the brightest minds at the table, regardless of political party.

“Just put Texas first. That’s what my campaign for lieutenant governor is all about. It’s time to put good policy before bad politics.”

 Vote for Big Government/Big Business collusion, vote Leticia!!!

The Marxist Revolutionary who will follow Wendy

Wendy Davis' missteps this week are entertaining.  They also illustrate a deeper truth.  In the long term effort to turn Texas blue, Julian Castro (and Leticia van de Putte) is a much bigger threat than Wendy Davis.

Since mid-2013, Cahnman's Musings has pursued substantial reconnaissance against all facets of "turn Texas blue."  For obvious reasons, we will not detail these activities on this website.  Suffice to say, this week's comically inept performance (like her bogus fundraising numbers) is consistent with what we've observed privately.

Unfortunately, a much more effective demagogue will follow Wendy; as the Washington Post explains:

[B]oth Julian and Joaquin Castro as well as a slew of other ambitious, young Texas Democrats are eyeing Senate race in 2018 and 2020 as well as the governor's race in 2018. [sic]

Wendy Davis is similar to former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm.  Julian Castro, by contrast, is another Obama.  Putting it mildly, the latter has done more damage.

Election 2014 is an important measuring stick. In addition to electing Greg Abbott, grassroots conservatives need to run up the scoreboard in down ticket and legislative races.  But the real fight for Texas won't begin until 2015.

A major component of that real fight is Julian Castro's next mayoral election, in May 2015.  The good news is that in Castro's last election, only 7.6% of voters showed up.  If grassroots conservatives can produce 20% turnout, Julian Castro and Battleground Texas are in big trouble.

Wendy's recent missteps are entertaining.  We should exploit them to run up the scoreboard in election 2014.  But be not deceived, the real battle begins in 2015....

The One Texas Democrat who frightens us

Let's rewind to the night of Wendy's filibuster and recall this moment:



Good demagoguery, especially since a female Texas Senator had been speaking for ten hours.

But that's the point.  In 2014, Texas Democrats are going to play victim.  That's why they're running the two women ticket in the first place.

Following yesterday's revelations, Wendy has a ceiling on how far the victim schtick will take her (especially considering that her opponent is in a wheelchair). That's not true in the Lt. Governor's race.  The sky's the limit for whiny gender and race based psuedo-anguish from Leticia running against any white male.  In person, she's much friendlier than Wendy.  And she gets along well with the Lobby.

Which brings us to the uninspiring Republican Lt. Gov field.  During the general election, Leticia and her media allies are going to bait the Republican nominee into saying something stupid. Before any policy consideration, Republican voters need to pick someone who won't take that bait.  Unfortunately, the Republican field doesn't inspire confidence.  One particular candidate is likely to become Todd Akin 2.0.

If Leticia were to pull off the upset, she'd become an instant hero to Democrats. She'd legitimize Battleground.  And that's before she derails our agenda in the Texas Senate.

Choose your Lt. Governor candidate wisely, Texas Republicans....