Why do you have to be a dick about everything: Galveston County Young Republicans

June 26, 2019

Every now and then you have to ask the question “Why do you have to be a dick about everything?”.

The Republican Party is raising a new crop of dicks in Galveston County. Joining the bag of dicks which include Trump, Louie Gohmert, Sid Miller, and the Harris County Republican Party, the Galveston County Young Republicans reached down into their pants and whip out the following:

Children are dying, locked up in filthy cages not fit for a dog, and they think this is funny, cute. Congratulations to the GCYR for joining the bag of dicks.

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Posted by johncoby

Movie Review: Ma and The Dead Don't Die

June 25, 2019

Do yourself a favor.

If you intend to go see either one of these movies do yourself a favor. Buy a bucket of popcorn. Watch the movie. Put the bucket on your head. Then walk out of the theatre. The bucket will hide your identity and protect you from ridicule.

Ma was just plain awful. Why Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, would stoop to this level of movie is beyond me. Think back to when you were a senior in high school and your friend that is 3 years older keeps coming back to your school and your parties. Now add 30 years to that age difference. Not only is Octavia stuck in the past but most of her high school buddies are too. It is just an incredibly brain dead movie.

Then there was The Dead Don’t Die. Watch the trailer. Add a flying saucer beaming up a ninja warrior in the middle of a field of zombies. And top it off with a predictable ending. It doesn’t end well. The movie has a boatload of stars including Adam Driver, Bill Murray, Selena Gomez, and more. They all suck in this movie. You will have to force a loud laugh to convince you that the $10 you paid wasn’t wasted. It was. It will be if you see it. The trailer is all you need to watch.

So far the summer has sucked for movies.

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Posted by johncoby

Don't cry for me Jonathon Stickland.

June 24, 2019

Texas State Representative Johnathon Stickland has read the writing on the wall. He can see the Blue Tsunami coming for him in November and has the dogs nipping at his heals. So like the coward he is he has decided to run. Away. He will not seek another term for the Texas State House.

But, don’t cry for Stickland. For his 8 years of doing the “Lord’s work”, part-time at that, he will receive a hefty $23,000 pension per year starting at the age of 60. A Texas teacher making $50,000/year must work 20 full time years to receive the exact same amount.

For his 8 years of accomplishing very little, sitting on his fat ass, passing a bill allowing gun nuts to carry loaded assault weapons in the street, and killing a bill that would ban chaining of dogs in the hot sun, Stickland will be receiving almost $2000/month for the rest of his fat life.

May the dogs hound you for the rest of your fat fucking life.

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Posted by johncoby

Tuesday June 25: Local Pollution and Your Health Forum

June 24, 2019

Attend the “Local Pollution and Your Health” Forum this Tuesday June 25 at Bay Area Community Center at 6:30 pm to find out critical information for you and your family.

Find out more about forum at Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/y6h9v89p

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Posted by johncoby

It you can't follow the law: Bill King

June 24, 2019

This isn’t Bill King’s first rodeo.

Bill King ran for Mayor of Houston 4 years ago. You would think his campaign would know that the “Political Advertisement Paid for by” requirement applies to all candidates. King’s campaign was in the neighborhood putting out door hangers without the necessary disclosure requirement. King might want to review the following section of Title 15 Election Code:

Sec. 255.001. Required Disclosure on Political Advertising
(a) A person may not knowingly cause to be published, distributed, or broadcast political advertising containing express advocacy that does not indicate in the advertising:
    (1) that it is political advertising; and
    (2) the full name of: 
      (A) the person who paid for the political advertising;
      (B) the political committee authorizing the political advertising; or
      (C) the candidate or specific-purpose committee supporting the candidate, if the political advertising is authorized by the candidate.


If you can’t follow the laws yourself, how can we trust you to make the laws for us?

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Posted by johncoby

Breaking: Trump calls for draft for war in Iran

June 24, 2019

President Donald J. Trump calls for a draft to prepare for war with Iran

 Foreign Policy Issued on: 
On June 24, 2019, by Executive Order 13466, the President declared a national emergency, with respect to a potential war with Iran, and pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act has called for a draft to replenish and maintain the strength of our military forces.

The President has called upon the Director of the Selective Service System, Donald Benton, to develop the rules for a draft including guidelines for deferments, medical situations, and exemptions for family care givers. The President has provided the following comments:

“Because of the endless wars by the Obama Administration our military service men are spread too thin. They have fought courageously through multiple tours. It is time to replenish their ranks especially with an inevitable war with Iran. The Director should set guidelines for the draft to include men and women, no deferments of any kind, and a tax for families who cannot participate in war time activities. The only exception should be for family care givers.”

The President’s guideline also include a tax on families that do not send their family members into battle in order to help pay for the war. Students drafted while in college would finish their semester and return after their tour of duty. High school graduates would begin immediately if selected. Everyone will participate in some fashion.

“Under my plan every single family in America would be able to perform their patriotic duty in the war in Iran by fighting or paying for the war. The 2nd Amendment Patriots of America who enjoy walking the streets dressed as a soldier and carrying an assault rifle can now walk in the streets of Iran serving their country with a taxpayer provided weapon. Even those with bone spurs can now participate and serve their country.” 
DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 21, 2019.

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Posted by johncoby

Combined Primary Voting Locations

June 22, 2019

I had the opportunity to meet with the Harris County Clerk, Diana Trautman, and her staff to discuss combined primary voting locations. Her staff provided a demonstration of the proposed process which included a complete voting location setup with voting machines, check in tables, and the staff needed to conduct the demonstration. The demo was conducted very professionally. Great job to the entire office!

Current process
A voter enters a voting location, selects the line for their party, declares their intentions to vote in that primary, checks in, and votes. Each different process is operated by the members of that particular party.

Combined Primary Locations
The new process is operated by both parties, sitting side by side. There are no different lines for different parties. Everyone, just like in general voting, stands in the same line. Once they check in they will be asked to select which party they intend to vote in. (see pic below) This choice is presented to the voter on the iPad. The ballot is presented to the voter at the voting booth based upon the party choice.

Advantages of the new process

  1. It saves the county an estimated $285,000. Who can possibly be against that?
  2. The Voter’s party preference is protected from disclosure to others in line. 
  3. Voters of the minority party in the voting location would not be intimidated by the longer lines of the majority party.
  4. In the current process the dominant party of a voting location may use the entire voting location sending the minority party somewhere else. Case in point here in Clear Lake a minority party location was established 5 miles away from their usual voting location. 
  5. It makes it easier to vote and to participate in the process

Disadvantages of the new process?
I asked this question of the Clerk and staff. They could not identify any disadvantages. I have heard the Republican Party is concerned about solving a problem that doesn’t exist. This coming from the party that gave us Voter ID laws to address a problem that doesn’t existed. The Chair of the Republican Party had to dig deep to find something to complain about and it was based on incorrect information:

“The Democrat County Clerk’s proposed joint primary elections would empower the bureaucrats and, worse, let one party’s workers run the other party’s primary election that to selects its candidates, running the risk of disenfranchising, inconveniencing, and confusing voters.”

Whats next?
The primaries are the responsibility of each party. The Clerk’s office provides the equipment and support for the voting process. This new process must be approved by each party. Currently one party, the Democratic Party, is on board. The Republican Party is not. Hopefully that will change.

The bottom line
This process saves tax payers money. It’s more secure. It makes it easier for people to participate in the process. Who can possibly against that?

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Posted by johncoby

Harris County Voting Centers

June 20, 2019
From The Houston Chronicle

Harris County Commissioners have voted in favor of creating County wide Voting Centers as proposed by County Clerk Diane Trautman. What does this mean to voters and what’s the downside? I was fortunate to be invited to Trautman’s office to discuss this as well as the proposed Combined Primary voting locations. (more on the primaries later)

Early Voting
Early voting will not change. If you vote early you simply vote at any early voting location in Harris County. Unlike in the past these locations will also be available for voting on Election Day.

Election Day
On Election Day voters can vote at ANY voting location in any precinct or at any early voting location. There are no longer “Precinct” voting locations. Instead there are “voting centers” located in your precinct. So on Election Day you simply vote where you used to vote in your precinct, or at any early voting location in Harris County, or at any voting center in any precinct in Harris County. Got it?

On Election Day in 2018 we helped about 100 voters who came to the Clear Lake Library, an early voting location, find their precinct voting location. Now those individuals would simply vote there on Election Day. All the early voting locations in Harris County will be available on Election Day.

Finding a place to vote
On Election Day you can access the County Clerks website, enter an address, and it will display the 5 nearest voting centers along with an indication of how heavy the traffic is at that location. (Red, Yellow, Green lights) So a voter could vote close to their work, or school, or anywhere in the County.

The Downside
So voting centers might sound too good to be true. What’s the catch? For voters there is no catch. It’s easier. It’s just plain easier to vote.

For candidates and their consultants who pour over the election results as they come in an attempt to predict the outcome based upon precinct voting, it’s not going to be that easy. Since there are no “precinct voting locations” that analysis will not be able to be performed since someone could vote in a different voting center in a different precinct. Candidates locked in a close election may have to wait till all the locations have been counted.

The bottom line
The use of voting centers was not to help the consultants predict when to pop the champagne. They were created to help the voter voter. And it will.

Great job Harris County Clerk and staff!

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Dallas Police vs open carry of assault weapons

June 19, 2019
Photo by Tom Fox of The Dallas Morning News

Dallas citizens and police were lucky. 

In Texas Governor Abbott signed a bill to allow open carry which includes carrying loaded assault rifles like the Dallas shooter did this past week. Luckily no one was injured besides the shooter. Abbott and the Republican Party believes dressing up in military outfits, wearing bullet proof vests, and holding loaded assault weapons with large capacity clips in public is necessary and is a right of all gun nuts across Texas. This is legal in Texas. 

So it shouldn’t be so shocking to anyone that a person like this can simply walk up to the building and start shooting. In 2016 Five officers were killed, and nine others and two civilians were injured during a shoot out at a Black Lives Matter protest. During this event people were carrying assault weapons which confused those who were providing security for the event. So how does any of this protect our Police Officers?

Short answer. It doesn’t. What kind of idiot thinks carrying loaded assault type of weapons in public, dressed up like GI-Joe is necessary? How do we determine if this person is a law abiding gun nut and not a domestic terrorist? This is insanity. Law enforcement across the state was against this bill yet Abbott and company passed it anyway.

Unfortunately the police across Texas continue to vote for them.

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Posted by johncoby

Like father like son. Anthony Dolcefino

June 17, 2019

Wayne Dolcefino was an investigative reporter (sic) for KTRK-TV. He had a boner for Sylvester Turner back in 1995 when Turner first ran for Mayor. Dolcefino was eventually sued and lost for a story about insurance fraud and a jury awarded $5.5 Million. 

On Father’s Day 24 years later his son, Anthony, took up his fathers crusade running for City Council District C on his Facebook page:

Dolcefino should be running on what he could do for the district and not how he could rekindle a 20 year old allegation and disrupting Houston City Council. I would bet Anthony is a trump supporter. We do not need a trump asshole representing the people of District C, although that is for the voters in District C to decide.
What the hell is going on in Houston to attract Trump like candidates? Tony Buzbee, Ryan Lee, and now Wayne Dolcefino Part II? WTF?


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Posted by johncoby

Spending Campaign Cash: Stan and Gail Stanart

June 10, 2019

In the words of Hank Hill: That boy ain’t right.

Stan Stanart was defeated by Diane Trautman in the Blue Wave of November of 2018. Stanart had a problem with doing his job, running the elections, as Harris County Clerk. He also had a problem with his campaign spending.

Stanart’s wife, Gail, was his treasurer. She was also a candidate for Texas House District 126 in the Republican primary. She lost in March of 2018. She loaned her campaign $20,000 and used her campaign donations to repay a portion of it. That isn’t unusual.

After Stanart lost to Trautman Stan used his campaign cash to repay his own loan of $20,000. That
too isn’t unusual but on December 27, 2018 he donated $17,795.38 to his wife’s now defunct campaign which she used to repay the balance of her $20,000 loan. This payment was made 2 months after the 2018 mid term elections and a full 9 months after his wife lost in the primary. Instead of using that $17,795.38 he received from his supporters to try to win, he held onto the money in order to pay a loan that would have benefited himself.

It looks illegal. It smells illegal but it may not be illegal. Texas has lenient laws concerning campaign donations and loans. This donation/loan payment to himself seems pretty strange. He basically used her defunct campaign to launder his campaign donations in order to repay his wife’s loan which probably went back into his/their checking account.

Stanart couldn’t keep his unused donations but he could donate to his wife’s non-existent campaign and pay off her loan. It’s as if he took $17,795.38 from his donors. And that is illegal.

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Posted by johncoby

Tony Buzbee dumped by the Fire Fighters Union

June 8, 2019

That must have hurt.

After Buzbee sucked up to the Fire Fighters Union for months for his run for Mayor, the Union decided to endorse City Councilman Dwight Boykins only a day after he entered the race. Both are courting the Union by claiming they would fund their 25% increase in pay but both are not able to pay for it. Boykins attempted to call for a increase of $25/month on garbage collection which failed. Buzbee has no stated plans. Boykins conceded to the fact that there needs to be a revenue increase to avoid layoffs:

“I believe this solution is a fiscally responsible option, and it’s only an option, that would eliminate the need to lay off city employees,” Boykins said during the Council meeting.

Unlike Buzbee Boykins has qualifications to be Mayor. He is not politically ignorant. Hopefully that is why the Union endorsed Boykins over Buzbee. Buzbee fired back claiming he was campaigning on city property courting the Fire Fighters vote:


I’ve got a problem with the Union on this issue. I believe they are not being honest about how to fund for this increase in pay, one they deserve. Boykins, at the very least, understands that funding issue. Buzbee on the other hand might want to check on the laws concerning campaigning on city property and during office hours before visiting Police Stations.

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TX Congressman Pete Olson: Gun silencers should be legal

June 3, 2019

Leave it to Pete Olson and Brian Babin to support the Virginia Beach shooter.

Texas Congressmen Pete Olson CD22 and Brian Babin CD36 cosponsored House Bill 155 which would make buying a silencer as easy as buying a gun, which is pretty easy in the USA. The bill is called the “Hearing Protection Act” and would allow easy access to a silencer like the one the Virginia Beach shooter used to kill 12 Americans. Olson and Babin believe it is important to protect the victims hearing as they are shot to death.

Babin is in a 70/30 district and will easily win reelection but Pete Olson won in 2018 by only 3 points and the district is now a target for the Democratic Party. Easy access to a gun silencer is about as stupid as nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize which both had sponsored. Currently the law allows silencers to be purchased but there are specific requirements and applications that must be met.

Making  it easier is not in the best interests of the vast majority of Americans.

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Posted by johncoby

Let us prey for Donald Trump

June 3, 2019

The christians who have forgiven Trump for having multiple affairs with a porn star and playboy bunny, who put children in cages, separated families, mock the disabled, acting like an 8 year old, has temper tantrums, lies to them, and violates almost every commandment, has called for a day of prayer for him. So, lets prey.

Oh Lord  Let us prey.
Let us prey on the poor for they cannot afford to fight.
Let us prey on the sick for they cannot afford insurance.
Let us prey on the Hispanics for they will not vote.
Let us prey on the Blacks for their lives do not matter.
Let us prey on the disabled for they are weak.
Let us prey on the Muslims for they are now targets of hate
Let us prey on the Immigrants for they do not belong here.
Let us prey on the police as we flood the streets with guns.
And oh Lord
Let us prey on his supporters for they are too ignorant to know we are preying on them too.

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Posted by johncoby

Dear NASA, SpaceX blew up.

May 23, 2019

I’m surprised there hasn’t been more reporting on this.

During a static test of SpaceX Crewed Vehicle, Dragon, the vehicle exploded. A leaked video and commentary was posted on the web before SpaceX could stop it. The media referred to the explosion as an “anomaly”. You can watch the video below.

This was suppose to have tested the abort system on the crewed vehicle. SpaceX was scheduled to put humans into this vehicle for their first manned trip to the Space Station in late 2019. I can only hope the root cause of this “anomaly” will be found, corrected, and re-tested before any human being puts a foot into it. They have successfully launched the crewed vehicle without a crew and docked with the Space Station earlier in the year.
This is not the first vehicle that blew up on the pad for SpaceX. In 2016 an unmanned vehicle was destroyed along with the payload. In 2015 they had another “anomaly” which destroyed the payload and vehicle. Payloads can be replaced. Humans cannot. This isn’t pushing the envelope technology. Escape systems were developed over 50 years ago. “Anomalies” like this should concern everyone. Especially the crew.
BTW. NASA successfully tested the Launch Abort System for the Orion Crewed Vehicle being developed by Lockheed back in 2010. 

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Slap down of Houston Police Union President, Joe Gamaldi

May 22, 2019

In the words of Hank Hill, that boy ain’t right.

Houston Police Union President, Joe Gamaldi, is sowing discontent between the Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney’s office. (More about that later) It’s probably because he is trying to divert attention away from his ill advised press conference after the botched raid resulting in 4 Police Officers being shot. Here’s the story from Click 2 Houston:

After the botched raid, while our officers were recovering in the hospital, Gamaldi went on a tirade blaming activists. Here is what he said:

“if you’re the ones that are out there spreading the rhetoric that police officers are the enemy, just know we’ve all got your number now, we’re going to be keeping track of all of y’all, and we’re going to make sure that we hold you accountable every time you stir the pot on our police officers. We’ve had enough, folks. We’re out there doing our jobs every day, putting our lives on the line for our families.”

Police Chief Acevedo, in an email, clarified and denounced Gamaldi’s statements:

 I made it clear that President Gamaldi represents the HPOU and that I, as the Chief of Police, along with my executive team, run the Houston Police Department.  I also stated that activists should not be painted with a broad brush nor should the Houston Police Department be painted with a broad brush due to the comments of one person.  Rather, the Houston Police Department should be judged by the body of its work as performed by its leaders, officers and support staff.  The 5200 professionals that make up the Houston Police Department work tirelessly to build relationships with the community, including our activist community.  The Houston Police Department is not “keeping track” or “targeting” activists.

The fallout from the botched raid is going to be felt for a long time. Cases have been dismissed due to the actions of the Police Officer responsible for the botched raid. Indictments are sure to follow. Gamaldi ought to do everyone a favor, let our HPD do their jobs, and shut the hell up for a while.

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Posted by johncoby

Donating Campaign Cash: Tony Buzbee playing both sides

May 20, 2019

There is nothing worse than someone who attempts to play both sides. Case in point, Tony Buzbee, Republican running for the Mayor of Houston.

Since 2011 Buzbee has donated $905,601 to various candidates. $520,423 to Republicans, $268,678 to Democrats, $17,100 to unknown candidates, and $100,000 to Texans for Insurance Reform. Texans for Insurance Reform is described as

“The sole mission of Texans for Insurance Reform PAC is to stand with and support candidates for the Texas Legislature.  Candidates who aren’t afraid to stand up to the insurance industry…..“

The details of the donations are significant. On the Republican side Buzbee donated $308,000 to Greg Abbott and $79,000 to Rick Perry, and $2000 to the Galveston County Republican Party. He gave nothing to the Harris County Republican Party. He donated about $142,492 to a number of judicial candidates.

On the Democratic side Buzbee helped the party wipe out the Republican judges in Harris County with his $90,000 donation to the Harris County Democratic Party not including the $20,000 to their Federal PAC in 2018. He also donated $176,178 to Democratic Judicial Candidates. Every one of them won.

Tony Buzbee used to be a Democrat. He was the Chair of the Galveston County Party and a Democratic candidate for House District 23. Then he struck it rich and started to be a player. As I have said before:

In 2016 Buzbee gave the Trump Victory Fund $250,000. He held a fundraiser for Trump at his home in River Oaks. He donated $35,000 to Trump’s PAC and $165,000 to the RNC. He then donated $500,000 to Trump’s inauguration. 

He is player, playing both sides, but Democrats know better. Maybe the Republican Judges that are without a job understand this also.

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Ted Cruz is right. There are pirates at NASA

May 17, 2019
From SpaceRef

During a Senate hearing our Texas sized idiot, Ted Cruz, said the following concerning NASA and the Space Force:

“Pirates threaten the open seas, and the same is possible in space.

“In this same way, I believe we too must now recognise the necessity of a Space Force. To defend the nation, and to protect space commerce and civil space exploration.”

Yes. He said that out loud. Beside the fact there is no space commerce and there will never be any space commerce, there are no pirates in space. Never has been. Never will be. Trump’s Space Force is a Farce. It’s another reason to sink more money into the military budget. It also gives a good reason to make a fool out of yourself. Ted Cruz did just  that.

But….there was once a group of pirates at Johnson Space Center back in the 90’s working on a rescue

Ted Wolverine Cruz

vehicle called X-38. They adopted the skull and bones flag and called themselves pirates, getting the job done, ignoring bureaucracy and the NASA model historically used for vehicles that would carry crew members. They were free spirited led by someone who enjoyed the spotlight, standing on tables in the conference room during meetings, yelling for his staff from the opposite side of the building, and removing technical people from his project when they would question the technical decisions being made. NASA management and the legal office never liked the pirate label. It gave the appearance that they were pirating software or breaking established rules and federal laws as well as safety regulations.

The X-38 was eventually cancelled by Bush Jr. and the pirate vehicle was sent to Nebraska for display. Yes. Nebraska.

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Trump's legacy: Roe v Wade

May 14, 2019

If you haven’t been paying attention….

Trump has an ego that must be fed till the day he dies. The overturning of Roe v. Wade is just what he needs to be in the history books forever. Do not for a minute think this is not going to happen. President Obama has the Affordable Care Act. Bush Jr. has the Iraq war. Clinton had the roaring economy. Every President has something to define his presidency. Overturning Roe v Wade will be Trump’s legacy. Over the last two years the republicans have set the stage.

Multiple states have passed laws restricting abortion that will eventually be reviewed by the Supreme Court. Trump and the republicans in the Senate have stacked the Supreme Court with justices that will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade even if they said they wouldn’t during their confirmation hearing. With this stacked court it will provide a once in a generation opportunity to over turn Roe v Wade. They will not pass this up. When you wonder why the republicans in Congress have soiled themselves to support Trump, even in the face of historic lawlessness, remember the big picture. They see their opportunity. It will never come again especially after the 2020 elections.

This will be Trump’s legacy. Not the wall. Not North Korea. Not the economy. It’s Roe v Wade. It’s coming folks.

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Raising Campaign Cash: Bill King

May 8, 2019
From Houston Public Media

King is yet another Republican who wants to buy his seat.

In his campaign finance report filed 1/4/2019 King has $108,000 with a $110,000 outstanding loan from himself. So he basically is running a deficit in his own campaign much like what most republican are good at. King has had up to $685,000 in outstanding loans since his last campaign in 2015.

In his report filed 1/15/2016, after his first loss, King has an outstanding loan balance of $650,000 with a Cash on Hand of $52,000 after spending $701,000 and raising $485,000. There isn’t a clear source of the $650,000 loan. There are a couple of $150,000 loan entries from his 2015 run for Mayor but I could not find the other $300,000 entries.

Buying an election has become a republican trait. King is a republican.

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