Capitol Annex has learned that James Jonas, a San Antonio Republican lobbyist who has worked for AT&T, is making fund-raising calls on behalf of Travis County DA candidate Mindy Montford.
Jonas has a long record tying him to the Republican Party of Texas and Tom DeLay. At his former law firm, he represented the Republican Party of Texas (and even threatened a lawsuit against the now-defunct website, EnronOwnsTheGOP.com). He is also a former staffer for GOP senator Phil Gramm, and was involved with former State Rep. Rick Green, who got in some legal trouble over a vitamin scam. And, Jonas advised Tom DeLay on his 2003 redistricting scheme.
House Elections Chairman Leo Berman, R-Tyler said he plans to ask Attorney General Greg Abbott to respond to allegations of partisan favoritism presented to his committee by Gerald Hebert, head of litigation at the Campaign Legal Center.
Gerry Hebert gave great testimony before the House Elections Committee last Friday as the Committee held hearings on its interim charges related to Voter ID:
Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, said during a news conference at Dallas police headquarters that gang members are able to coordinate their crimes on phones that they simply throwaway. Unlike conventional phones, police are unable to trace conversations and determine ownership of so-called pre-paid phones that are becoming increasingly popular for gang members to use to communicate with one another.
Carona and Dallas police chief David Kunkle said law enforcement officers are becoming increasingly concerned about the number of “transnational gangs” that are committing crimes throughout the state, many of them organized through the use of prepaid cellphones. The gangs are crossing the border of Mexico into Texas, where drugs and street violence have become more prevalent.
Of course, this sounds like a good idea. We all want to clamp down on gang activity. However, there are two flaws. The first is in the statement above: “Unlike conventional phones, police are unable to trace conversations and determine ownership of so-called pre-paid phones…”
Via Off The Kuff (we got the press release, too, but hadn’t had time to blog it yet):
Former Houston City Council Member and candidate for State Representative in Texas House District 145, Carol Alvarado has received significant endorsements from progressive leaders of the Texas House of Representatives, including Representatives Ellen Cohen, Garnet Coleman, Jessica Farrar, Ana Hernandez, Borris Miles, Richard Raymond and Hubert Vo. Alvarado’s commitment to the Democratic Party and its principles has not gone unnoticed as these Democratic legislators have pledged their support to her candidacy. During her six years as a council member, Alvarado marched for immigrant rights, fought for tougher toxic emission standards and helped pass a city wide smoking ban. She has served her city council district well and is now ready to continue the fight at the Texas House of Representatives.
As Charles notes, this should put to rest any questions anyone has about where Alvarado’s support is coming from. Still, this could be a close race, as Alvarado’s opponent is clearly spending some money in his attempt to score this seat. However, I think Alvarado will prevail.
Given that other responsible and blamable parties in the Texas Youth Commission Scandal (Perry, Dewhurst, et al), are not up for election this year, I suppose that the only race where we will get the first-hand chance to see what electoral repercussions is that of the 143rd District Attorney out sparsely populated West Texas:
The West Texas prosecutor who received national attention for ignoring a lengthy and graphic Texas Rangers report detailing sexual abuse at a nearby state juvenile jail, thinks he can win another term in office.
But the scandal involving the systematic abuse of children held in Texas Youth Commission facilities won’t be ignored. His only opponent is the county attorney who tried to run him out of office on grounds of misconduct and incompetence and the two have been feuding since the scandal broke last year.
Randall W. “Randy” Reynolds, a local native, decided to seek a fourth term last year after speaking with his family and close friends and colleagues.
“Close supporters caused me to run again,” Reynolds said. “People whose opinions I trust told me to run and the decision was made.” → continue reading
Texas Governor Rick Perry has endorsed John McCain for President, following the departure of Rudy Guiliani from the presidential race.
It should come as no surprise that Perry made his new pick with the speed that he did; he’s clearly looking for a vice presidential nod or choice cabinet post to pull him out of Texas so he doesn’t have to either (a) go down in flames in the 2010 elections or (b) be forced to leave office on the low note of having urinated on his own legacy so much it really, really, really stinks.
• Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas: “I was particularly pleased to hear the president call for improved care and services for our veterans and do so by improving job opportunities, access to child care and allowing troops to transfer unused GI bill benefits to children and spouses.”
It’s so nice that Hutchison is so glad to hear the President talk about this, since Hutchison herself did zero for veterans until 2006, when Barbara Radnofsky’s 2006 campaign for U.S. Senate shamed her into getting off her duff.
• Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas: “We need greater accountability and transparency in how taxpayers’ dollars are spent, particularly by shedding light on the earmark process. We need to put more money back in the pockets of working families and small businesses to stimulate the economy in the long term, not just the short term.”
Translation: “I am saying that we need to shed light on earmarks, but I don’t really mean it because no Republican does. And, the only pockets I want to see get checks are the same people who can turn around and write $1,000 checks to my re-election campaign: the wealthy!”
KHOU, via AP has an interesting story about Harris County DA Chuck Rosenthal’s day in court today. The piece, here, is particularly notable because it chronicles Rosenthal’s previous idiotic actions.
Baylor University’s student newspaper has an interesting article, which includes a quote from Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco) on the economic stimulus package. Check it out here.
Local races for things like constable and justice of the peace usually don’t make many headlines, even in large city, but the Precinct 4 Harris County Constable’s race is making some. Via KHOU:
With the Precinct Four deputies on the streets, it’s business as usual.
But currently there’s a big fight over who should be their boss.
“This is hate propaganda. That is all it is, bottom line. There is no other way to describe it,” LULAC District Director Francisco Rodriguez said.
He’s talking about a campaign flier circulated by Louis Guthrie, a lieutenant deputy sheriff running in the Republican primary for Precinct Four constable.
“I would hope that the Hispanic community would see this as a threat to those who are American citizens, because it is a threat,” Rodriguez said.
The fliers publicize endorsements from the anti-illegal immigration group, Border Watch.
On the face of the mailing is an illustration that’s been deemed by some as controversial.
“It’s a depiction of what appears to be illegal immigrants, possibly about to cross the border. And it’s no secret that the borders of Texas and across the south are very porous. And if anybody is offended by that picture, my regrets and apologies,” Guthrie said.
But at a time when illegal immigration is a hot-button topic, LULAC won’t settle for just an apology. They want Guthrie out of the race entirely.
Do you know that you can 
