GOP Primary - U.S. House District TX-10

The Texas primaries are set for Tuesday, 9 March 2004. The U.S. Congressional districts in Texas have been significantly altered due to the re-districting battle last year. One heavily altered district is TX-10 which stretches from the western suburbs of Houston to Austin. Since the current office holder (Lloyd Doggett-D) is running in district TX-25, this is one district that many expect to switch from Democrat to Republican.

There are eight (at-least) GOP candidates for this office. Most of these candidates have little name recognition, and many people voting in this race were in other districts for the 2002 election, this thread is started to help gather and share information with fellow voters. Web-sites for the candidates are linked in alphabetical order.

Candidate web-sites are linked in alphabetical order. Chances of a run-off (to be held Saturday 3 April) are high, since it is unlikely anyone will get 50%+1 of the votes; we will deal with any potential run-offs later.

Here's what the "Houston Review" repotys as of 2-28:

Congressional District 10

In a large field, three candidates at this point are seriously competing for run-off slots. Ben Streusand, in the grand tradition of Peter Wareing, Phil Sudan and others, is spending his way into the runoff with wall to wall radio advertising. To his credit, Streusand is a successful businessman who sounds like a conservative. Supporters of former judge John Devine, however, are busy circulating FEC records which show Streusand to have been a donor to a few Democrats, including Bob “Hasta La Vista” Kreuger, Ken Bentsen, and a Ron Paul opponent in the ‘70's. Peter Wareing comparisons may be more appropriate than we at first realized, although Streusand does at least live in the district.

John Devine is well known from his flamboyant campaigns for judge and various other races, including losing efforts for Congress in 1996 and County Attorney in 2002. Devine excites some activists with his, uh..."uninhibited" use of Christian language and imagery. One obstacle for Devine is his reputation as a shill for plaintiff’s attorneys like John O’Quinn, who have given large sums to his past campaigns. With President Bush pushing for a united Republican front on national tort reform, this could become a thorny issue in the primary. While Devine hasn’t undertaken major media advertisements, some of his supporters have engaged in a rumor mill campaign to smear the credentials of rival candidates. Given Devine’s numerous and publicly noted past ethical mishaps, we suspect this is an alley he mightn’t wish to walk into.

Michael McCaul, an Austin attorney, may have on paper the best rationale for this race. McCaul was a top deputy to former Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, and headed anti-terrorism efforts in the U.S. Attorney’s office. McCaul is the second candidate in the race to take out major media advertisements, which tout his impressive resume. Anti-terrorism rhetoric is popular in the primary races; McCaul is the only candidate with real experience confronting this threat. To make the runoff, McCaul, who is said to possess the resources for a well-funded campaign, will need to reach a large number of Harris County voters who are unfamiliar with him.

http://www.houstonreview.com/0204/primary.htm

Sounds like they have Devine pegged as the sender of the "attack" flyer and he does seem to be the most logical suspect. If so, it makes me lose a little respect that he cloaked it under the heading of some annonymous committee and not under his own name.

The Uberliberal Austin Chronicle chimes in:

Republican Primary
U.S. House, District 10: No Endorsement

A number of readers will show up at the polls wondering who the hell all these oddball (and mostly Houstonian) Republicans are. Consider them the poisoned bait of Bug Man Tom DeLay, so determined to evict old CD 10 incumbent Lloyd Doggett from Congress that he was happy to disenfranchise the capital city of Texas in the bargain. To get some idea of the available choices, Michael McCaul – former "counterterrorism" prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office for Texas, who is apparently running on his father's WWII war record – may be the "moderate" of the bunch. You've got a mortgage banker (Ben Streusand) promising to abolish the IRS, a corporate attorney (Dave Phillips) running to represent the energy industry, an anti-choice judge (John Devine) who thinks he's the second coming of Moses – and Teresa Doggett ("Up With People") Taylor. Austin voters do not have a real choice here, and are not intended to have a real choice here. Consider this race an object lesson in the institutional abuse of our democratic system, and a challenge to work toward transforming Texas politics into something approaching representative democracy.

BTW, the News24 story (linked above) says the Austin American-Statesman (house organ for the state Democrat Party) endorses McCaul in this race.

If I were ever endorsed by the Statesman, I would call them and demand a retraction.

I have met each candidate and attended two of the debates. I think McCaul wins on substance. He has the best experience, having served three presidents in the Department of Justice as a career prosecuting attorney. He got so frustrated by the shenanigans of Janet Reno that he quit DOJ because she refused to appoint an independent prosecutor for the Chinagate scandal. He served as John Cornyn’s Deputy AG over 12 divisions of lawyers.

McCaul would be insulated from special interests because he has family money. Michael McCaul cannot be bought. Michael’s wife, Linda, is an A & M grad in oceanography. After graduation, she worked in Naval Intelligence tracking Russian submarines. She is a sharp woman and if Michael weren’t running for Congress, I’d vote for her, even though I’m a UT grad.

I agonized over my decision. The candidates are real close in terms of their politics. This district (Congressional District 10) is very conservative and no Democrat even dared to run. What it boiled down to for me is the character issue. Michael is a man of integrity.

I support McCaul because he will not be a guppy in the shark tank we call Washington D. C. He will make an impact in Congress. He is a man of substance, of gravitas. I told Michael he is overqualified for Congress. He should be a U. S. Senator. He is polished without being slick, intelligent without being condescending, wealthy without being patronizing. He is the real deal, a man you like when you meet him. He is humble. He is gracious. He has devoted his career to public service.

Consider who is endorsing the man.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn was sworn into the U.S. Senate in December 2002, after serving as Texas Attorney General for four years. While in Texas, Cornyn and McCaul worked together to create two new programs: Texas Exile, a gun violence reduction initiative that involves the cooperation of the U.S. Attorneys and District Attorneys across the state, and the Texas Internet Bureau, formed to combat cyber crime, child pornography, and online fraud statewide.

United Republicans of Harris County
United Republicans is a Political Action Committee that represents the economic conservative Republicans in Harris County. The members are concerned about the effectiveness of a Republican Party which has become too exclusive. The goals of the group are to create a broad-based Party grounded on traditional conservative principles, to support candidates who are pro-business, are well qualified, can win elections and will help our Party grow, to increase Republican voter turnout in all elections and to motivate mainstream Republicans to play a greater role in their Party.

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
CLEAT works to protect the rights of Texas peace officers. The association has sought better pay and benefits for officers, either through the legislature or by collective bargaining. It also works to help officers provide for their families by offering benefit plans and programs that help officers protect their families and stretch their hard earned dollars.

Young Conservatives of Texas
Young Conservatives of Texas is an independent, non-partisan youth organization dedicated to the preservation of individual liberties and freedoms through limited government. YCT is an organization that enables college students the opportunity to participate in the political process. “For more than two decades, the YCT endorsements have served as a seal of approval for true conservatives seeking public office. We are honored to lend our support to a distinguished group of conservative leaders who will promote real conservative values in Washington,” YCT State Chairman David Rushing said.

Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agricultural Fund
AGFUND is Texas Farm Bureau’s Political Action Fund. It is a legal entity separate from the Texas Farm Bureau and may endorse and contribute financially to political candidates. AGFUND is funded only by voluntary contributions from TFB members. Each of the eight candidates for District 10 had 10 minutes with members of the Farm Bureau to discuss their platform and their background. McCaul won the endorsement from the group by a 16-4 margin.

Justice for All
Justice for All is a Houston-based advocacy group that works for change in the criminal justice system. As Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice in Texas, McCaul headed up the Crime Victims Services Division of General Cornyn’s office and worked closely with victim’s advocacy groups such as Justice for All.

Joe Pojman, Executive Director of Texas Alliance for Life
The Texas Alliance for Life is a statewide non-profit, nonpartisan, pro-life organization. The group is committed to protecting the fundamental right to life of all innocent human beings and to promoting respect for their value and dignity from the moment of conception until natural death. The alliance focuses its work in three areas: education, public policy and alternatives to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.

Isaac Albarado, Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans
The Texas Federation of College Republicans work to achieve a better understanding of the government process, to increase student awareness of contemporary issues, to promote student involvement in the community, local, and national government, to teach the rights and privileges inherent in a representative democracy to the youth as voters, to encourage leadership and responsibility among college students in the Republican Party, and to further the election of Republican candidates.

Austin Police Association
The Austin Police Association is a labor organization that represents more than 1,300 police officers employed by the Austin Police Department.

Finally, Michael has an “A” rating from the NRA.

I organized that Brenham debate. Though Devine won the audience vote, he also had a large contingency of supporters in tow who skewed the vote. I spoke with the Brenham High School speech and drama teacher, Andy Hart, and asked his opinion as to who won. Andy came to the same conclusion I did. Devine was great in terms of style, but McCaul was superior in substance, and Elliott had the best summation. I support McCaul. The reason he can claim to be a terrorist watchdog is that his last assignment in DOJ under our current president was to oversee the Western District of Texas as Chief of Counterterrorism, protecting our border with Mexico and the Crawford Ranch. Michael is very conservative. He is pro-life (endorsed by Texas Alliance for Life as you noted), pro-gun (he’s close to getting the endorsement of Wayne Lapierre of the NRA), anti-IRS (in favor of a consumption tax). I look for something in a candidate that goes beyond politics. I look for character. Michael is a man who will look you in the eye, give you a firm handshake, and tell you what he believes, not necessarily what he thinks you want to hear. I trust the man. Because of my position as a leader in Washington County Republican politics, every candidate solicited my support. I met each candidate. I heard two debates. Then I decided. Michael is coming to Brenham to Republican HQ Thursday, March 4, 2-4pm at 2125 S. Market St., next to Brenham Corral Restaurant. He’s coming back to Brenham on Sunday with Senator John Cornyn at 3PM at a site to be determined. Michael is the real deal.

I support McCaul because he will not be a guppy in the shark tank we call Washington D. C. He will make an impact in Congress. He is a man of substance, of gravitas. I told Michael he is overqualified for Congress. He should be a U. S. Senator. He is polished without being slick, intelligent without being condescending, wealthy without being patronizing. He is the real deal, a man you like when you meet him. He is humble. He is gracious. He has devoted his career to public service.

I agree. I have had lengthy private conversations with McCaul and Streusand, several extended semi-private conversations with Devine and Phillips, and a candidate forum last night with all 8 candidates. It is clear to me that McCaul is the best candidate.

While Streusand has spent more money on FairTax advertising, McCaul (with Calabrese on staff) has the best understanding of it's potential impact. Add McCaul's experience in the Justice Department and working on Homeland Security and the personal qualities you mentioned above and McCaul is clearly the choice candidate.

Best quotes at the candidate forum last night:

Teresa Doggett Taylor: "Everyone is happy when they have all the money they need."
John Kelley: "I don't have an answer for that."

Actually, you wouldnt believe how the costs add up to run a campaign. A single letter to the neighborhood cost $100 for 300 letters - 30 cents a pop...

But my signs are really cool ... Here is a shared idea for fellow FREEPERS - HOW TO MAKE A COOL SIGN FOR FREEPS:

1. You can use desktop software to 'posterize' a sign, eg, make a 30" x 20" sign and print it as 6 pages on a color laserjet/inkjet.
(And dont be fooled by nice-looking fonts that are unreadable from far away. Make it 300pt or bigger to be visible from a distance.)
2. Do-it-yourself with tape, put the sign together.
3. Go to Kinko's and get them to laminate the paper sign for you. It works great. I got 2 signs of size 25"x18" done, $6.
Since kinko's laminates up to 3' wide, you could get signs up to 3'x6' done this way.
The signs stay together and look glossy and professional and now are 'weatherized'. And my favorite part - its cheap.
4. Tape it to a stiff posterboard backing and nail/fix it to a stake or post.
End result: A weatherized color printed sign bigger than a typical yard sign that looks quite professional, for about $6.

No radio ads, but shockingly, there is a precinct with 4 candidates. And not just that, but someone made a 4x8 sign.

PetroniDE, didn't see you at the Forum in Katy. Did you make it?

Here is the article from the Katy Times:

District 10 hopefuls discuss issues at forum
http://www.katytimes.com/articles/2004/03/02/news/02news.prt

By Jeremy Moreno Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 2, 2004 3:56 PM CST

The eight Republican candidates who are vying for the new Congressional District 10 seat, argued their case for the position Monday night at a congressional district forum sponsored by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.

Approximately 180 people including area constituents and elected officials attended the event held at Falcon Point Country Club.

Each candidate gave two-minute opening statements, which introduced themselves and their political platforms. They then responded to questions posed from a trio of panelists, which included Carol Adams, president of the Katy Heritage Society, Thomas Adams, managing partner of the Adams Law Firm, and Ron Kapche, president and CEO of International partners Incorporated.

Each candidate was asked if they supported religious expression in public places such as football games and even legislative sessions, and all shared a similar sentiment that today the importance of religion in American society has been suppressed and depreciated.

"I'm all for prayer, and the 10 commandments on public display. What is so wrong with that? Because of the moral decline of our society we need religious principles taught in schools, not necessarily religion. We were founded as a Christian nation, and this is not taught in schools," said candidate Pat Elliot.

Elliot's statement reiterated candidate John Devine's declaration that today America is experiencing a culture clash of values.

"Religion is the very foundation of civil government and this nation. I believe we are facing a culture war," Devine said.

The commonality of the candidates was further evident in their responses to the question about President Bush's immigration policy.

"I'm very disappointed with the immigration proposal. They would receive the same workplace rights as American workers and I will not support it if elected," said candidate Ben Streusand.

"Will not this give illegal immigrants American jobs, American benefits and an American education," asked candidate Dave Phillips.

The candidates began to diverge when they expressed what their first act would be if elected to office.

McCaul said his first order of business would be to push a House bill Fair Tax Plan and eliminate all taxes except retail sales tax, while Phillips said he would pursue the energy bill to create more jobs in this area. Elliot said he would like to see Congress eliminate taxes on businesses and the retail tax lowered.

Devine said his first priority would be to replace the income tax with a national retail sales tax and Streusand said he would first support the president's proposal to define marriage as an institution and stop activist judges from redefining the social fabric of our country.

Candidate John Kelly said he would ensure that the government takes care of teachers better including salary raises, while Taylor said it is the veterans that need more funding for healthcare.

Tashenberg proclaimed himself to be the economic candidate and said his first priority is the economy and to make Bush's tax cuts permanent.

Other issues discussed during the forum included free and fair trade and social security.

Under the new redistricting map, the Katy area falls within the new U.S. Congressional Districts of 10, 14 and 7 after the bill was enacted by the Texas Legislature Oct. 12 and signed by Gov. Rick Perry Oct. 13

Which means that the Katy area's congressional representatives are John Culberson of District 7, Ron Paul of District 14 and the yet to be elected official in a district 10

District 10, the new congressional district formed under the new legislation, encompasses most of the Katy area and gives constituents within that district the opportunity to vote for a new U.S. representative.

The congressman will be elected in the Republican primary March 9 since there is no Democratic opponent. Early voting began Feb. 23 and runs until March 5.

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