SD 11’s Joe Jaworski: Fund Raising, The District, And More

[Ed. Note: This is Part III in this series. Part I may be found here; Part II is here.]

In Post I, we told you that SD 11 (comprised of parts of Brazoria, Harris, and Galveston Counties) is winnable by a Democrat. Here is why:

Harris County makes up 45 percent of the district; Galveston County makes up 32 percent of the district, and Brazoria County comprises 24 percent of the district.

The district is 10 percent African-American and 20 percent Hispanic—two populations who have been under-represented in recent elections and provide significant votes for Democrats.

Of the likely 260,00 voters who will vote in the SD 11 election in 2008, Joe Jaworski needs about 135,000 for a ’safe’ win. As Joe’s home county of Galveston has trended steadily Democratic in recent years, that is a plus.

In addition, there are an estimated 25,000 registered voters in the district who could vote but aren’t considered “likely voters. ” A major GOTV effort to target these voters can help put them in Joe’s column.
Given that the district is winnable, but will take a good-sized warchest, we asked Joe about fund raising:

CAPITOL ANNEX: Tell us a little about your fund-raising strategy, and how the internet and the Texas Netroots play into that.

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SD 11: Joe Jaworski On Clean Air, Energy

[This is Part II in a three-part series on SD 11 candidate Joe Jaworski. Part I may be found here; Part III will go live on Capitol Annex at 2 p.m.]

We’ll do some of this portion of the series in a “Q & A” format:

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Joe Jaworski: A 12th Man For The Texas Senate

[Ed. Note: This is the first part of a three-part series. In Part I, we will get to know Joe Jaworski and learn why he is running for State Senate. In Parts II and III, we'll examine some of his positions on the issues. All parts are being published today on Capitol Annex at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. Please check back for more!]

There are presently 11 Democrats in the Texas Senate. It’s a razor-thin margin that barely allows the Democratic Senators to kill disastrous legislation such on issues such as Voter Identification, school vouchers, and measures that go against sound, progressive, public policy. As shown during the recent 80th Texas Legislature, one ill senator can allow Republicans the opportunity to bring up legislation that could harm millions of Texans.

What’s the solution? Clearly, we need more Democrats in the Texas Senate. In short, we need a ‘12th Man’ to borrow from the football phrase.

In the coming election cycle, however, there are limited opportunities for Democrats to acquire this much needed 12th Man.

But, one opportunity does stand out as a winnable State Senate seat—and, a Democratic candidate has already stepped up to the plate to take on the challenge.

The district is Senate District 11, and the candidate is Joe Jaworski (D-Galveston), an attorney and two-term Galveston City Councilman.

Jaworski, who has already raised more than a quarter million dollars for an anticipated battle with incumbent Sen. Mike Jackson (R-Shoreacres) sat down for a phone interview Tuesday with Capitol Annex about his campaign and some of the issues facing Senate District 11.

Before we get to the interview, however, Joe’s last name, “Jaworski” may sound familiar to you. If it does, that’s because it is. Joe is the grandson of famed Watergate Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski.

Joe follows in his grandfather’s footsteps by committing himself to public service.

About Joe Jaworski

Jaworski, 45, recently completed his second term on the Galveston City Council (the city has a two-term limit). He and his wife, Rebecca, met in law school (UT Austin). They have two children. Joe practices maritime law in Galveston.

Joe, like many Texans, became involved in politics starting at the local level. As Joe tells it:

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Abuse, Neglect Plague State Schools For Mentally Retarded

[Update: The buzz is growing on this story. Kuff and Eye On Williamson have both covered it, and done great jobs. We also have this x-posted at DailyKOS, ePluribus Media, and MyDD and would appreciate any recommends. Plus, you can 'buzz' the story via BuzzFlash here, and Digg the story using the buttons within this post.]

The troubles at Texas’ facilities for the mentally retarded were starting to bubble to the surface during the 80th session of the Texas Legislature. Now, thanks to this report from the Dallas Morning News, we have a full-blown scandal on our hands (yet again):

Hundreds of residents at Texas’ state schools for the mentally retarded have suffered serious abuse and neglect at the hands of those paid to watch over them, a Dallas Morning News review shows.

Documents released by all but three of the 12 state schools operated by the state Department of Aging and Disability Services outline everything from horrific physical violence and neglect to frightening verbal threats, derogatory slurs and pranks.

You’ve got to be kidding me. We knew about the problems at the Lubbock State School. So did Governor Rick Perry. Yet, like the Texas Youth Commission scandal that has all but vanished from the headlines, Perry was evidently asleep at the wheel while nurses were beating the living hell out of patients, patients sat around for hours naked in trash bins, had sex with each other and worse—at a wide range of Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services facilities:

In one 2006 case at the Brenham State School, a nurse assistant kicked and punched a mentally retarded resident on the bathroom floor, fracturing three ribs and puncturing the resident’s liver. In a 2000 incident at the Abilene State School, an aide ignored a resident who was found hours later in a trash bin, naked.

Other employees have left residents covered in feces and urine for hours, made them eat off plates where they had vomited, and fallen asleep on the job, waking only after residents engaged in sexual acts.

This is horrible. I’d like to say this is as bad as (or worse than) the TYC scandal, but it’s hard to compare the two. In both instances, though, it involved systematic, institutional abuse while officials did nothing. It will likely be only a matter of time before we see illuminating e-mails from Governor Perry’s where complaints were, time and again, ignored.

Of course, the sate says they’re fixing it:

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Did The AG Ask Denise Davis What She Thinks About Coming Craddick Ruling, Too?

I read with interest several items here and there about more “briefs” being submitted to the Texas Attorney General in relation to the request for opinion made by a pair of legislators relating to removing the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

And then, I thought, “wait a minute!”

I don’t recall it really being proper protocol for interested parties to submit “briefs” as part of the AG Opinion process. After all, the AG’s word is the final say (save the Lege and the Courts), and, presumably, with the resources of that office, such ‘briefs’ are unnecessary. On that topic, though, I turned out to be wrong:

Once requested to write an opinion, the Attorney General must interpret existing law in accordance with all applicable statutes and the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Texas. This process frequently involves extensive legal research by the group of assistant attorneys general known as the Opinion Committee. In addition to researching the law, the Committee solicits briefs from persons and groups that it deems likely to be affected by the opinion. The Committee welcomes additional briefs and any written commentary from the public, but the attorneys involved in the process do not engage in dialogue or explanation with interested parties or with the public. The draft opinion is reviewed by the Attorney General and the First Assistant Attorney General and signed by the Attorney General before it is issued. The written opinion when issued speaks for itself. [emphasis added]

The reason I bring all of this up is because House Parliamentarian Terry Keel was solicited for an commentary by the AG’s office (note the last line in his letter brief).

So, my question now is this:

Did they also solicit comment from former Parliamentarian Denise Davis? I sure hope they did. If they didn’t, they sure were remiss in not doing so.

[Ed. Note: Hat tip to Off The Kuff & Vaqueros & Wonkeros, the EPT blog]

Is Governor Perry’s Campaign Cash About A Vendetta?

Much has been made of Governor Perry’s $881,000 in campaign cash raised in the 12 days of June following the close of the 80th Texas Legislature.

The Express-News’ Clay Robinson seems to think that the fund-raising cash shows Perry isn’t a lame duck and that donors are simply ‘hedging their bets’ by giving:

The $881,000 secret is out, folks. Gov. Rick Perry is NOT a lame duck.

No, the political donors who gave the governor that much money during 12 generous days in June don’t know if he will seek another term. Some may hope he does, while others probably pray that he doesn’t.

But they all can read a calendar.

The next gubernatorial election won’t be until 2010, but the next regular legislative session will be in 2009 and — barring a lightning strike on the presidential campaign trail — Perry still will be governor then, still in a position to promote or veto the contributors’ priorities.

It very well may be that contributors are making their donations to make sure they get a foot in the door. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that Perry has received cash from campaign contributors and then acted favorably on their behalf (cough, cough — Merck — cough, cough — TXU — cough, cough).

However, I think it’s about something more than that: Vendetta coupled with a desire for another term.

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Learn More: Cash Advance payday loans, quick and easy

Texas Blog Round Up For July 23, 2007

Each week, the Texas Progressive Alliance compiles the weekly Texas Blog Round Up, modeled after the 50 State Blog Round Up. It is published on member blogs every Monday. Here is this week’s installment, brought to you by Vince from Capitol Annex.

John C. at Bay Area Houston Blog once again looks at the Houston City Council’s Own Chickenhawk and explores how he was once again punk’d on his own radio show.

Muse at Musings brings us some photos from State Rep. Rick Noriega’s announcement that he’ll form an exploratory committee to run against U.S. Senator John Cornyn in 2008.

TxSharon At BlueDaze revals that the government paid $400,000 for a new marketing plan that will fool us into believing that Endless, Forever War in Iraq is a good thing.

WCNew at Eye On Williamson tells us about the Texas Department of Transportation’s efforts to continue justify its existence in TxDOT’s Sunset Review Kick-Off Party & Media Blitz.

Texas Toad at North Texas Liberal tells us that the U.S. Senate Majority Leader has finally decided to call out the GOP in Iraq in Senator Reid’s Jujitsu On Iraq.

Hal at Half Empty explores Governor Perry’s choice of Don McLeroy to head the State Board of Education in Governor Perry Names ‘Academically Unacceptable’ To Head Texas School Board.

Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News reminds everyone to see Michael Moore’s SiCKO and reminds us to call senators and congressmen about the healthcare crisis, while telling us why he won’t be bothering to call Senator John Cornyn.

McBlogger at McBlogger wants to know why Stonewall Democrats President Shannon Bailey hasn’t resigned yet.

Krazypuppy at Texas Kaos is celebrating his own recovery from minor surgery this week by commiserating in his own inimitable way with the President’s latest colorectal adventure.

What is the Texas GOP doing to get ready for 2008? Charles Kuffner at Off the Kuff takes a look.

Do you want a red border fence or a green one? Will it make Texas look fat? CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme blogs about how the Republicans are all about PR and imagery. Chertoff opened his mouth and proved it once again.

MexicoBob at Who’s Playin’? explores some issues related to some outdated marijuana references in the City of Highland Village’s smoking ordinance in Texas Town To Allow Public Smoking Of Weed.

PMBryant at B and B explores journalists downplaying the effects of gender bias during an article on women and their career choice.

PDiddie at Brains & Eggs quotes Dave McNeely’s column regarding the potential 18th Texan to serve in the US Senate.

Vince at Capitol Annex discusses how Governor Perry may use Iranian divestment as a vehicle for a Special Session of the Legislature on Voter ID.

Van De Putte: If You Run, You Are Running Against Me

In response to a rather speculative Greg Jefferson piece in the San Antonio Express News concerning State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and her potential political plans and possible future opponents, I’m glad to see Van de Putte has issued a strong statement making her intentions clear:

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Make It A 25 Donor Weekend For Rick Noriega!

During the 2006 Senate Race, Capitol Annex put out a call to our readers to donate, on a Friday, $500 to the campaign of Barbara Ann Radnofsky who was running for senate.

Capitol Annex readers came through in fine fashion, donating more than $700 to Barbara from this very blog in less than six hours.

Now, we need Capitol Annex readers to do it again. Between now and midnight Sunday night, our goal is to recruit 25 donors from this blog for State Rep. Rick Noriega’s campaign for U.S. Senate.

Noriega is the only progressive candidate in this race, the only pro-choice candidate in this race, and the only people-powered candidate in this race. His record speaks for itself.

Won’t you please consider donating a few dollars to Rep. Noriega?  The size of your contribution doesn’t matter. What matters is that we need to show the National Netroots and Texas Democrats that Rep. Noriega has the will and support of everyday Texans behind him!

Please make your contribution today!

It’s Blogosphere Day! Donate To Rick Noriega Today! Can 10 Capitol Annex Readers Give Today?

[Ed. Note: We here at Capitol Annex were all set to write a post about Blogosphere Day today, but our Blogger colleague Boadicea Warrior-Queen from Texas Kaos wrote an even better post than we could so, with permission, we're liberally borrowing from it, with some changes.]

Happy Blogosphere Day!

{As you read the post below, we hope you’ll seriously consider helping the Texas Netroots reach its goal of 800 donors for Rick Noriega. We here at Capitol Annex are trying to get ten donors–at any level–to the Rick Noriega effort.}

What’s that you say? What the heck is “Blogosphere Day”?

The tradition we now know as Blogosphere Day began in 2004 when, in a surprise statement, incumbent Rep. Jim Greenwood (PA-08) announced his retirement. Democratic challenger Ginny Schrader, with $7000 in the bank, came to the attention of the nationwide blogosphere via the front page of DailyKos, and over $30,000 poured into her campaign that day. Just three weeks earlier, a brand new fundraising platform for Democrats — ActBlue — was launched, and quickly adopted by those raising who were raising funds for Ginny Schrader.

We say this time it’s Rick
Noriega’s turn.

A word from the
founder about that storied day:

Virginia “Ginny” Schrader was not getting much “help” at all from the DCCC in July 2004. She was running an uphill battle against Republican Congressman Jim Greenwood, who had won his previous race with 62%. Schrader herself had won a primary with only 60% against a frequent Republican candidate who had switched parties. As of the June 30th filing report, she had $7,000 on hand. Her chances, to put it mildly, were slim to none. Despite Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional district having voted for Gore in 2000, Greenwood’s moderate social views (he was pro-choice, for example) enabled him to win reelection easily, over and over again. This race would be no different.

Except, suddenly the incumbent announced his retirement, and one enterprising blogger thought it ought to be different. VERY different. So, he set out to raise money for a candidate he’d not yet met.

410PM: I used Politics1.com to find Schrader’s website, and quickly noted her main positions on the issues, her biography and the district demographics (it voted for Gore, for example). I then set to work typing up an article on the front page of DailyKos. As I did, I checked PoliticsPA.com to confirm the news, and found out that Schrader had just $7,000 in the bank.

440PM: I finished the article, and published it on the front page. This is what it said:

Breaking News: GOP Congressman Greenwood (PA-08) Leaving Congress This Year

I just read this at PoliticsPA.com and in a breaking news e-mail from RollCall.com. Congressman Jim Greenwood, a moderate Republican in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional district, just announced he will not seek reelection this year, instead removing his name from the ballot. The Democrat, Virginia “Ginny” Schrader, is an attorney who has just $7,000 in the bank as of June 30th. Greenwood’s district voted for Gore in 2000 by a decent amount, and the GOP is now scrambling for a replacement.

Schraeder’s website is [ Note: Link is now inactive]. A good place to contribute to would be at ACTBLUE at [Note: Link is now inactive], as it will track the donations recieved for the campaign.

I would suggest that we get involved ASAP. This seat is a Democratic-leaning one, and is too good to miss. Schrader is a liberal-to-moderate, pro-choice Democrat. In addition, she supports civil unions and is against Bush’s positions on Iraq and the Patriot Act. She is an attorney who ran for State Rep. in 2002 and lost by a respectable margin.

This is completely out of left field, folks, and it gives us another opportunity for a pickup. Ginny Schrader is the luckiest candidate in the nation today, but can her luck hold?

In my rush to post the article, I mispelled Schrader’s name at one point. I also forgot to include her ActBlue account, which I added later on at one poster’s urging. In addition, I as of then had not figured out HTML, so there was no bolding or italics in the post. Reading it today when compared to my “modern” work is like comparing Sumerian clay tablets to a Medieval manuscript in its aesthetic beauty.

*And yet my appeal worked.* I didn’t know Ginny Schrader from Adam; in fact, nearly all of the bloggers who responded that day didn’t know her either. *But people gave, people wrote kind words and let others know the news: that a Congressional seat could be won that had been not been looked at before.*

By the end of July 20th, Ginny Schrader had raised $30,000 from the Internet.

Let’s make July 19th, 2007 in Texas, Rick Noriega Blogosphere Day!

On July 19th, 2005, the Blogosphere catapulted Paul Hackett (D-Blogosphere) into contention in one of the reddest districts of red Ohio, OH-02. An excerpt from the Mother
Jones timeline of the now recurring phenomenon:

July 18 – Dembloggers posts video of a Hackett ad that Republicans claim creates a false impression of support from George W. Bush. On the same day, Baker posts an email he has received from the Democratic Party that helpfully informs him: on “August 2 there will be a special election to fill a vacant seat in Congress representing the 2nd Congressional district in Southern Ohio.”

July 19 – Blog for America, the blog of Democracy for America, announces DFA’s endorsement of Hackett. The timing coincides with National Blogosphere Day, which blogs across the internet celebrate by urging donations to Hackett’s campaign. In eight hours, Paul Hackett’s ActBlue page pulls in $55,000.

July 20 – Grow Ohio reports that the blogs brought in $80,000 in a single day. Swing State Project reports Hackett currently tops Schmidt in Cash on Hand. Hackett’s money comes from a network of individuals from around the country, each averaging around $50 a donation. According to the FEC reports analyzed by the blogs, Schmidt’s money has come from PACs in average donations of $1,785. Grow Ohio, Swing State Project and OH-02 offer daily information on get-out-the-vote campaigns around the district.

While we’re sure the Noriega campaign wouldn’t turn down a one day influx of $80,000, this would be a great day to get more small donors on board the
Noriega Express.

On July 19th, 2006, the Blogosphere catapulted Ned Lamont (D-Blogosphere) into contention in CT-Sen. Howie at http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2006/07/people-power-will-propel-…>Down\ With Tyranny filed this after-action report:

Ned Lamont was the biggest single recipient and he matched, dollar for dollar, all the money that came in– something he will continue to do through the end of the primary. Nevertheless, a story in today’s NY TIMES by Mike McIntire and Jennifer Medina illustrates what a tough, tough task Ned has taken on himself. Forget for a moment that Joe Lieberman has
become a millionaire many times over since he was elected to public office. (Unlike Ned, he is not a man who built a business, got audited, paid taxes and wages; Lieberman just won elections and, like most corrupt politicians… wound up very, very rich.) The headline of the TIMES story says a lot: “Lieberman’s Donors Include Many Who Favor Republicans.”

Lamont’s prospect of unseating Kissin’ Joe Lieberman in a primary seemed as distant a prospect as Box Turtle John Cornyn wants to pretend replacing him with Lt. Colonel Rick Noriega is. But 800 of my new best friends know different.

Are you ready for a ticket to ride on the Noriega
Express through the cities, small towns, and wild flower fields of Texas?

Won’t it be nice to have one United States Senator from Texas who doesn’t embarrass the state every time he opens his mouth? Get on the Noriega Express, and help make it happen.

Donate here.

Help Texas have a United States Senator who honors the spirit of our beloved Lady Bird instead of standing her friends and family up at her memorial service.

Future United States Senator Rick Noriega. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

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