2008 ELECTION PREVIEW: Texas House Race Ranking Updated
Vince Leibowitz | Oct 13, 2008 | Comments 0
Capitol Annex today updated its ranking of Texas House races leading to the November General Election. Two races moved up from our “Races To Watch” list to our “Hot Races” list. Overall, three race were upgraded in favor of Democrats, and two races previously leaning toward Democrats have been downgraded.
UPGRADES: Capitol Annex upgraded two races in favor of Democrats. HD 17 where Democrat Donnie Dippel and Republican Tim Kleinschmidt are fighting for Robby Cook’s open seat was upgraded from “TOSS UP/SLIGHT ADVANTAGE R” to “TOSS UP/SLIGHT ADVANTAGE D” based on fund-raising numbers posted last week by the two campaigns. Dipple had a commanding lead over Kleinschmidt, but we continue to have concern about fallout for this race based upon the Preidential election in this predominantly rural district.
Capitol Annex also upgraded Texas House District 41 to “SAFE DEMOCRATIC;” State Rep. Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) should win re-election here easily. This race remains on Capitol Annex’s Races To Watch list.
In addition, the HD 55 race where Democrat Sam Murphey faces Ralph Sheffield Jr., another race on our “Races to Watch” list, was upgraded from “LIKELY REPUBLICAN” to “LEAN REPUBLICAN” based upon information and activities in the District.
LIST MOVE, SAME RANKING: Capitol Annex also moved the HD 34 race from the “Races to Watch” list to the “Hot Races” list based upon fundraising numbers, but maintains the “LEAN REPUBLICAN” rating for the race at this time.
DOWNGRADES: HD 101, where Robert Miklos faces Mesquite Mayor Robert Anderson for an open seat, Capitol Annex downgraded the race from “LEAN DEMOCRATIC” to “TOSS UP/SLIGHT ADVANTAGE R” based upon fund-raising numbers and recent events in the District.
Capitol Annex also downgraded HD 34, where State Rep. Abel Herrero (D-Corpus Christi) faces a significant challenge from tort reform advocate Connie L. Scott. The race was moved from our “Races To Watch” list to our “Hot Race” list and was downgraded from “LEAN DEMOCRATIC” to “TOSS UP/ADVANTAGE D.”
Capitol Annex expects to downgrade as many as three other races by mid-week, and upgrade as many as two races by Wednesday.
You can view and monitor the Hot House Races list here, and the Races To Watch list here.
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Filed Under: 2008 HOT HOUSE RACES • 81st Texas Legislature
