The political editor of the D.C.-based Rothenberg Political Report talks Texas candidates and elections.
Griffin Perry
Posted in
State Government
Nathan Gonzales: The TT Interview
The political editor of the respected and influential Rothenberg Political Report on how Washington insiders view the Texas governor’s race, who’s at risk in the state’s congressional battles, what redistricting could mean for the major parties and why Republicans are likely to be happy campers one week from today.
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Criminal Justice
The Sex Offender is Offended
Marvin Brown is a convicted sex offender who was released from jail in 1999. Today, he’s ill and elderly, suffering from diabetes, stage-four renal disease and congestive heart failure. He’s had three mini-strokes in the last two months alone. On good days, he walks with a cane. Other times, he gets around with a walker or an electric wheelchair. But according to Gov. Rick Perry, he poses such a threat to society that he has to wear an ankle bracelet so he can be continuously monitored. Brown says that’s a violation of his civil rights, and on Tuesday he filed suit in federal court. “They can’t give you freedom and then take it away,” he says.
Posted in
State Government
The Mother’s Milk
The state’s political economy hummed with $43.5 million in contributions to and between candidates and political action committees between Sept. 24 and Oct. 23, according to the most recent reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. The biggest contribution: $3 million to Rick Perry’s re-election campaign from the Republican Governors Association.
Posted in
Politics
The Polling Center: Finding the Actual Voters
So how to create a likely voter model? Campaign pollsters typically use a combination of past voting history — available off the registered voter list — and current interest and engagement. Those who have voted in the past, as well as those who are jazzed about voting this year, tend to get into the likely electorate.
Posted in
Demographics
What We’re Worried About
The economy, unemployment and jobs are the most important issues facing the country, according to the new UT/Texas Tribune poll, while immigration and border security top the list of the biggest problems facing the state.
Posted inState Government
2010: Perry, White Fundraising Totals
Gov. Rick Perry outraised his Democratic challenger, Bill White, by roughly $5 million in the last month, according to the latest reports with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Posted in
Politics
The Polling Center: Are You Experienced?
Is the anti-career-politician, pro-outsider-businessman mood palpable in Texas? Yes. Is this preference for private-sector experience related to vote choice in the governor’s race? No.
Posted inState Government
Ads Infinitum: Perry’s “Sergeant Johnson”
Republican Gov. Rick Perry’s newest ad features the widow of a slain Houston police officer who implies that then-Mayor Bill White’s policies led to her husband’s death.
Posted in
University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Perry By 10 in New UT/TT Poll
Republican Gov. Rick Perry leads his Democratic challenger, Bill White by 10 points — 50 percent to 40 percent — in the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Libertarian Kathie Glass has the support of 8 percent of respondents; Deb Shafto of the Green Party gets 2 percent. In the last UT/TT poll, conducted in early September, Perry led by 6 points, 39 percent to 33 percent. In a red state in a red year, GOP incumbents in other statewide races are beating their Democratic opponents by between 13 points and 20 points, the new poll found.
