Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Good Policies result in Good Politics

Gov. Rick Perry walked away with the Republican nomination without a run-off as he captured over 51% of the vote. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison graciously conceded and threw her support to Perry. KBH garnered 30% while Debra Medina got over 18% of the vote. Gov. Perry ran on Texas’ good job growth and on his support for government spending limits. It appears good policy results in a good economy and makes for good politics!

No surprise, former Houston Mayor Bill White walked away easily with the Democratic nomination for Governor. However, Houston’s over $5 billion debt may prove a detriment to his bid for Governor in November. White claimed to have lowered tax rates 5 times in Houston, but has any Houston taxpayer seen lower tax bills?

Republicans had five ballot initiatives which are not binding, but provide a gauge for support. Photo ID for voting, controlling the growth of government and cutting federal income taxes were all winners with over 92% but the biggest winner was public acknowledgement of God, which garnered 95%. The sonogram initiative got 69%. Legislators would need to enact laws before any of these measures would be binding.

In a real upset, Railroad Commissioner Victor Carrillo lost to challenger David Porter who got over 60% of the vote. Porter will face an opponent in November.

In the spirited race for Texas Supreme Court Place 5, former legislator Rick Green and former Reaganite Jim Mosley head to a runoff.

The State Board of Education had some surprises as former Chairmen lost their bids – Don McLeroy in place 9 and Geraldine “Tincy” Miller in place 12. McLeroy lost to a lobbyist.

Two more surprises: trial lawyer and teacher lobby-funded Lance Gooden beat incumbent Betty Brown in the Republican House Dist 4 primary race. He ran saying he may want to raise property taxes, but has not paid property taxes himself. There is no Democrat in the November election. What were the voters thinking there?

Republican Tommy Merritt lost his bid for re-election to David Simpson who has no Democratic opposition on the November ballot.

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