2015 Houston Mayor's race

[Blue Dogs]

KTRK-TV Ch. 13 on why King wants to be Houston's next Mayor:

 

http://abc13.com/politics/why-bill-king-wants-to-be-houstons-next-mayor/973121/

 

[Blue Dogs]

Highlights from last night's debate:

 

http://abc13.com/politics/houston-mayoral-race-candidates-face-off-in-debate/978446/

 

 

[Blue Dogs]

Bell still ripping into Garcia over the scandals from his time as Harris County Sheriff:

 

http://www.khou.com/story/news/local/2015/09/30/mayoral-candidate-bell-accuses-garcia-of-cronyism-over-jail-contract/73120958/

 

There's more:

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/local/article/Garcia-leaves-mayoral-forum-early-avoiding-6538412.php

 

 

[Blue Dogs]

Here's Wayne Dolcefino's report on Turner's IRS Scam scandal from the 1991 Houston Mayor's campaign:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S5vHhpjPq8

 

 

[kylejack]

Here's Wayne Dolcefino's report on Turner's IRS Scam scandal from the 1991 Houston Mayor's campaign:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S5vHhpjPq8

 

It's deceptive to refer to it as "Turner's Scam". There's no proof he knew anything. The Texas Supreme Court did a good job of laying out how Dolcefino engaged in some deliberate deception. http://caselaw.findlaw.com/tx-supreme-court/1406447.html

[Blue Dogs]

It's deceptive to refer to it as "Turner's Scam". There's no proof he knew anything. The Texas Supreme Court did a good job of laying out how Dolcefino engaged in some deliberate deception. http://caselaw.findlaw.com/tx-supreme-court/1406447.html

Dolcefino bringing it up again:

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/Dolcefino-making-his-mark-on-mayor-s-race-6587759.php

[Blue Dogs]

Garcia defending his record as Harris County Sheriff:

 

http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=19282

 

 

[totheskies]

Can someone please explain to me why young voters have just fallen off the map?  This is scary... http://texasleftist.com/2015/10/where-are-houstons-young-voters/

[BeerNut]

Young voters are waiting for the voting app to come out.

[Blue Dogs]

Young voters are waiting for the voting app to come out.

The latest in the mayoral campaign:

 

http://www.fortbendstar.com/2015/10/29/does-houston-mayoral-election-affect-fort-bend/

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/route-to-houston-s-next-mayor

[cspwal]

Thought I would post the results - looks like a run off election between Sylvester Turner and Bill King on December 12

 

Sylvester Turner                 32%            84,025

Bill King                               24%            65,139

Adrian Garcia                      16%            43,223

Ben Hall                                9%             25,116

Chris Bell                               6%            18,958

Steve Costello                       6%            17,326

Hoc Thai Nguyen                   1%             2,230

Marty McVey                          1%            1,366

Demetria Smith                      1%             1,234

Victoria A. Lane                      1%              899

Rafael Jr. Munoz                    1%             502

Dale Steffes                            1%             301

Joe Ferreira                            1%             237

 

http://www.khou.com/elections/

[KinkaidAlum]

The runoff will be fascinating. Will Bill King get as large of a turnout or did suburban voters turnout more to defeat HERO? Will Turner lose some of his progressive base, especially amongst LGBTs because of a backlash against the black vote against HERO? Will Garcia and Bell voters automatically go to Turner? Hall's to King? 

[JLWM8609]

The runoff will be fascinating. Will Bill King get as large of a turnout or did suburban voters turnout more to defeat HERO? Will Turner lose some of his progressive base, especially amongst LGBTs because of a backlash against the black vote against HERO? Will Garcia and Bell voters automatically go to Turner? Hall's to King? 

 

Turner was pro-HERO, but King was anti-HERO so I think LGBTs will support Turner.

 

King on HERO:

http://abc13.com/uncategorized/bill-king-on-houston-equal-rights-ordinance/978284/

Edited November 4, 2015 by JLWM8609

[Blue Dogs]

Thought I would post the results - looks like a run off election between Sylvester Turner and Bill King on December 12

 

Sylvester Turner                 32%            84,025

Bill King                               24%            65,139

Adrian Garcia                      16%            43,223

Ben Hall                                9%             25,116

Chris Bell                               6%            18,958

Steve Costello                       6%            17,326

Hoc Thai Nguyen                   1%             2,230

Marty McVey                          1%            1,366

Demetria Smith                      1%             1,234

Victoria A. Lane                      1%              899

Rafael Jr. Munoz                    1%             502

Dale Steffes                            1%             301

Joe Ferreira                            1%             237

 

http://www.khou.com/elections/

Big question is whether we can see TX Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick ®, United States Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Governor Greg Abbott ® using aggressive scare tactics to swing voters over to King's side in the runoff ?

 

There's also the possibility of the "Special Friend", who might show up to leak more secrets about Turner!

[cspwal]

Big question is whether we can see TX Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick ®, United States Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Governor Greg Abbott ® using aggressive scare tactics to swing voters over to King's side in the runoff ?

 

There's also the possibility of the "Special Friend", who might show up to leak more secrets about Turner!

 

I like what formatting did to ( R ) - it makes it look like Patrick and Abbott are more brand names than people

[KinkaidAlum]

Turner was pro-HERO, but King was anti-HERO so I think LGBTs will support Turner.

 

King on HERO:

http://abc13.com/uncategorized/bill-king-on-houston-equal-rights-ordinance/978284/

 

Turner was very pro-HERO. He came out and doubled down today in his support.

 

However, it's widely believed his large African-American base is part of the reason HERO failed so miserably. It's no secret that several large African-American churches campaigned hard for the NO vote. Progressives and LGBTs who align with African-Americans on so many issues feel very betrayed. 

 

My best guess is someone told Turner about this and that is why he came out hard today for HERO. He cannot win with just an African-American vote. He has to energize people who are feeling very defeated right now. It's not going to be easy. 

 

It might be the first time in a long time that a Republican wins the job. 

[JLWM8609]

However, it's widely believed his large African-American base is part of the reason HERO failed so miserably.

 

It's funny that they supported Turner instead of Hall who had "no men in women's restrooms" plastered all over his signs. I guess those voters agreed with Hall on that one issue, but nothing else.

[IronTiger]

In a way I feel a bit bad for Turner, if only for the fact that he's been trying to be mayor for the last quarter century. By no means does he deserve it or that I would support him in his race, but, well, I have to admire that sort of dedication.

[Sunstar]

Turner was very pro-HERO. He came out and doubled down today in his support.

 

However, it's widely believed his large African-American base is part of the reason HERO failed so miserably. It's no secret that several large African-American churches campaigned hard for the NO vote. Progressives and LGBTs who align with African-Americans on so many issues feel very betrayed. 

 

My best guess is someone told Turner about this and that is why he came out hard today for HERO. He cannot win with just an African-American vote. He has to energize people who are feeling very defeated right now. It's not going to be easy. 

 

It might be the first time in a long time that a Republican wins the job. 

 

Based on the wide margin of defeat for HERO, I can only assume that a large percentage of people who this ordinance was designed to protect voted against it.  

 

One thing that perplexes me, why is this not all covered under the 14th amendment? Why do individual cities and states need to have these laws on the books? Equal protection under the law for everyone. No exceptions. 

[ADCS]

What are the substantive differences between King and Turner? Their websites are fairly vague in their positions.

 

Both seem fairly opposed to ReBuild Houston, so that's likely going out the window. Turner comes off as more of a machine politician, while King seems to be extremely pro-business.

 

Will either of the candidates put pressure on the Planning and Engineering departments to relax things like parking and form requirements?

[Montrose1100]

What are the substantive differences between King and Turner? Their websites are fairly vague in their positions.

 

Both seem fairly opposed to ReBuild Houston, so that's likely going out the window. Turner comes off as more of a machine politician, while King seems to be extremely pro-business.

 

Will either of the candidates put pressure on the Planning and Engineering departments to relax things like parking and form requirements?

Turner has experience. King was mayor of Kemah. KEMAH.

Edited November 5, 2015 by Montrose1100

[Ross]

What are the substantive differences between King and Turner? Their websites are fairly vague in their positions.

Both seem fairly opposed to ReBuild Houston, so that's likely going out the window. Turner comes off as more of a machine politician, while King seems to be extremely pro-business.

Will either of the candidates put pressure on the Planning and Engineering departments to relax things like parking and form requirements?

Aren't those requirements driven by ordinance? If so, Planning can't make any changes.

[ADCS]

Aren't those requirements driven by ordinance? If so, Planning can't make any changes.

 

Pressure can include getting ordinance changes pushed through City Council.

[mollusk]

One thing that perplexes me, why is this not all covered under the 14th amendment? Why do individual cities and states need to have these laws on the books? Equal protection under the law for everyone. No exceptions. 

 

Equal rights are protected under the 14th Amendment and Federal statutes.  The problem is, using them as the vehicle for enforcement means making a Federal case out of it in the most literal sense.

[Blue Dogs]

Turner was very pro-HERO. He came out and doubled down today in his support.

 

However, it's widely believed his large African-American base is part of the reason HERO failed so miserably. It's no secret that several large African-American churches campaigned hard for the NO vote. Progressives and LGBTs who align with African-Americans on so many issues feel very betrayed. 

 

My best guess is someone told Turner about this and that is why he came out hard today for HERO. He cannot win with just an African-American vote. He has to energize people who are feeling very defeated right now. It's not going to be easy. 

 

It might be the first time in a long time that a Republican wins the job. 

The last time Houston had a GOP Mayor was the late Jim McConn [R], who was elected in 1977 & reelected in 1979 before being unsuccessful in his reelection bid in 1981, failing to make the runoff!

[rsb320]

Equal rights are protected under the 14th Amendment and Federal statutes.  The problem is, using them as the vehicle for enforcement means making a Federal case out of it in the most literal sense.

I don't think sexual orientation is protected by this amendment.

[mollusk]

The 14th Amendment applies to everybody:  "No State shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."  More to the point, the 14th Amendment was also the Constitutional underpinning for Obergefell, the case that struck down bans on same sex marriage.

[Blue Dogs]

Costello [R] has endorsed Turner (D) for Houston Mayor!

[kylejack]

Garcia has as well. 

[august948]

Turner has experience. King was mayor of Kemah. KEMAH.

 

I recall a similar argument in the 2008 presidential campaign about one of the candidates not having much experience running things.  Something or the other about being a "community organizer".  As I recall the other candidate (who lost by the way) had much more experience.

 

[skwatra]

Based on the wide margin of defeat for HERO, I can only assume that a large percentage of people who this ordinance was designed to protect voted against it.  

 

One thing that perplexes me, why is this not all covered under the 14th amendment? Why do individual cities and states need to have these laws on the books? Equal protection under the law for everyone. No exceptions. 

 

The ordinance was intended to protect everyone. But to address what I think you're getting at - the people who are not clearly protected now (not to argue over if they are protected to make this point - many would disagree on this), the LGBT community - if they all came out and voted Yes, they are still an overwhelming small majority of the total population. So i don't believe your assumption is correct.

 

The 14th amendment is broad, and was written after the Civil War. There have been many Supreme Court cases that effectively have added on to the Amendment over the years to address more current rights issues. But there are several LGBT rights that are not protected at the Federal Level. Further, having a law at the Municipal level makes it much easier for a regular person to take to court (cost-wise and complexity).

 

Think about gay marriage, some people argued that the 14th amendment allows it, based on "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws". But states had the rights to make gay marriage illegal until a Supreme Court decision came down earlier this year stating Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage.

 

HERO was more specific than the 14th Amendment, and added clarity on LGBT and Transgender. Words:

"It is the policy of the city that all of its residents and persons subject to its

jurisdiction shall not be subject to discrimination based on an individual's sex, race,

color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status,

religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or pregnancy. "

 

[Naviguessor]

Correct.  The LGBT Community is not a protected class under US Law.  Meaning that individuals and institutions may discriminate, without penalty.  Meaning that an employer or landlord (for example) can ask you whether or not you are gay or straight in an interview and base their decision whether to hire you based on your answer. 

 

QTE

• In United States federal anti-discrimination law, a protected class is a characteristic of a person which cannot be targeted for discrimination.^[1] The following characteristics are considered "Protected Classes" by Federal law:

  • Race – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Color – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Religion – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • National origin – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Age (40 and over) – Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
  • Sex – Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Pregnancy – Pregnancy Discrimination Act
  • Citizenship – Immigration Reform and Control Act
  • Familial status – Civil Rights Act of 1968 Title VIII: Housing cannot discriminate for having children, with an exception for senior housing
  • Disability status – Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
  • Veteran status – Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
  • Genetic information – Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

UNQTE

 

Rights do not come automatically in this country unless you are part of a majority.  You have to fight like hell to get them.   And they rarely come, to a minority, when put up to a general vote. 

[Blue Dogs]

Former US Rep. Chris Bell (D-TX) endorsing King for Houston Mayor in the runoff:

 

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Bill-King-gets-major-surprising-endorsement-6637953.php

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2015 by Blue Dogs

[august948]

Correct.  The LGBT Community is not a protected class under US Law.  Meaning that individuals and institutions may discriminate, without penalty.  Meaning that an employer or landlord (for example) can ask you whether or not you are gay or straight in an interview and base their decision whether to hire you based on your answer. 

 

QTE

• In United States federal anti-discrimination law, a protected class is a characteristic of a person which cannot be targeted for discrimination.^[1] The following characteristics are considered "Protected Classes" by Federal law:

  • Race – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Color – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Religion – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • National origin – Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Age (40 and over) – Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
  • Sex – Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Pregnancy – Pregnancy Discrimination Act
  • Citizenship – Immigration Reform and Control Act
  • Familial status – Civil Rights Act of 1968 Title VIII: Housing cannot discriminate for having children, with an exception for senior housing
  • Disability status – Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
  • Veteran status – Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
  • Genetic information – Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

UNQTE

 

Rights do not come automatically in this country unless you are part of a majority.  You have to fight like hell to get them.   And they rarely come, to a minority, when put up to a general vote. 

 

Reading the snippet about the protected classes in the thread above, it looks to me like all the classes are already protected except marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.  Were all the rest just thrown in there in a lame attempt to get those three passed?

 

Maybe instead of doing this piecemeal, city by city, some national figures should put their money where their mouths are and do it in Federal law?

 

[Ross]

One of the goals if HERO was to provide for the ability to bring an action in a local court rather than in Federal court. That's one reason all protected classes were included. Federal court cases are far more expensive to initiate, and may not be viable for poor plaintiffs.

[Naviguessor]

August.  That is what Makes it an "Equal Right Ordinance" and not "Special Rights Ordinance".  And Yes...This absolutely should be done on a Federal Level.  But, do you see our current Congressional leaders even discussing such a thing?  

 

Don't think so. In fact anything, anywhere that extends GLBT persons any sort of protection or equality will instantly be struck down by Republican committee leadership.  

[august948]

August.  That is what Makes it an "Equal Right Ordinance" and not "Special Rights Ordinance".  And Yes...This absolutely should be done on a Federal Level.  But, do you see our current Congressional leaders even discussing such a thing?  

 

Don't think so. In fact anything, anywhere that extends GLBT persons any sort of protection or equality will instantly be struck down by Republican committee leadership.  

 

There was a time not so long ago when the Presidency and both houses of Congress were in Democratic hands.  Did they bring it up then?

 

[Trae]

There was a time not so long ago when the Presidency and both houses of Congress were in Democratic hands. Did they bring it up then?

Why does this matter? Are you saying Republicans don't care for equal rights? I would agree with you for the most part. It is unfortunate it wasn't brought up then and we instead had a president who tried working with the other side and it just bit him in the ass. Edited November 19, 2015 by Trae

[august948]

Why does this matter? Are you saying Republicans don't care for equal rights? I would agree with you for the most part. It is unfortunate it wasn't brought up then and we instead had a president who tried working with the other side and it just bit him in the ass.

 

Just trying to find out if this was an issue that the Democratic President and the Democratic Congress cared much about when they had the power to do something about it.  At a time when it couldn't have been struck down by Republican commitee leadership.

 

Did they?

 

[mollusk]

The filibuster proof D majority in the Senate lasted for all of seven months, much of which was consumed by the summer break.  Even then, it was pretty fragile because Teddy Kennedy was in such poor health and thus couldn't vote very often.  Even big priority things, like health care, didn't necessarily get through.  Once Kennedy died and was replaced by an appointed R, giving Mitch McConnell the leverage to follow through on his vow to obstruct everything Obama proposed, that was all she wrote.

[Naviguessor]

August. Yes the Dems did. Multiple times on multiple glbt issues.

A quick search turned up this article regarding the Employment Nondiscrimination Act in 2013.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/senate-cloture-vote-enda

[august948]

August. Yes the Dems did. Multiple times on multiple glbt issues.

A quick search turned up this article regarding the Employment Nondiscrimination Act in 2013.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/senate-cloture-vote-enda

 

Ok, but did they bring it up when they had the power in both houses of Congress (i.e. when they could pass it despite any Republican opposition)?

 

Or was it not really a priority for Congress or the President?

 

[Ross]

Ok, but did they bring it up when they had the power in both houses of Congress (i.e. when they could pass it despite any Republican opposition)?

 

Or was it not really a priority for Congress or the President?

 

 

It wasn't a priority. What's your point?

 

[Naviguessor]

The rights of Minorities are rarely ever a political priority. That's why you've got a fight like hell for equality and that is why they are always so late in coming. But it is clear what party supports them and which does not.

[august948]

The rights of Minorities are rarely ever a political priority. That's why you've got a fight like hell for equality and that is why they are always so late in coming. But it is clear what party supports them and which does not.

 

I think it's clear that neither party really supports them.  It's just that one bloviates about doing something about it more than the other.

 

[KinkaidAlum]

Even if what you are saying is true that neither party supports a community like LGBTs, why wouldn't I at least want to vote for the one that says it does and not for the one that has leaders attending conferences in which the main speaker thinks LGBTs should be stoned to death?

[west20th]

Even if what you are saying is true that neither party supports a community like LGBTs, why wouldn't I at least want to vote for the one that says it does and not for the one that has leaders attending conferences in which the main speaker thinks LGBTs should be stoned to death?

Added notes:

 

The GOP "leaders" were Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee and Piyush Jindal.

 

The "Christian" terrorist is Kevin Swanson. 

Edited November 20, 2015 by west20th

[gmac]

Added notes:

 

The GOP "leaders" were Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee and Piyush Jindal.

 

The "Christian" terrorist is Kevin Swanson. 

 

Anyone who hates Girl Scout cookies should certainly be put on the Watch List!

 

[Blue Dogs]

Houston Chronicle's fresh article on the hotly contested campaign for Houston Mayor, in particularly partisan terms:

 

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/Mayor-s-race-looking-anything-but-nonpartisan-6649425.php

 

[skwatra]

Google link to get to full article:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Mayor%27s+race+looking+anything+but+nonpartisan&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

Keeping partisan politics out of this, who do HAIFers feel will be better for Houston, in dealing with municipal issues and keeping things going in the right direction? Honestly from the little I followed in the original race, Turner rubbed me the wrong way. I know nothing of his long history and generally don't follow politics except for major social issues. King came off as fake in the debate clips i saw. I wasn't really impressed by anyone but Bell was my choice.