Houston Police Officers Union. To Protect and Serve Themselves.
Once again the HPOU President got his ass handed to him in front of City Council by Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz concerning the ICE ordinance passed last week. You can watch that video below starting at 2:01:26. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
This isn’t the first time HPOU has crossed the blue line. Just last month they posted a cartoon concerning Judge Lina Hidalgo and her dust up at the rodeo. It was childish and beneath the dignity of the office. Also, a couple of years ago the former President of HPOU soiled himself on television concerning a botched police raid which resulted in 2 homeowners dead, 4 police shot, and 6 police officers charged with felonies. He incorrectly, without any evidence what so ever, blamed the injuries on Black Lives Matter and threaten them with illegal surveillance. He later resigned, the police officer in charge of the raid was charged and convicted of murder and other cases he oversaw were reviewed for possible dismissal. You can watch his tirade here.
One thing is for certain, HPOU is for HPOU only. They are the MAGA arm of the police. Everyone supports our police. We grieve when one is hurt or killed in action. But HPOU does not deserve that support or that respect. Our police force is great but their Union is out of touch and out of control.
The HPOU President needs to shut the fuck up and get off his g**damn computer.
This is out of my district but the race highlights a very disturbing trend.
The Houston Chronicle wrote an article titled “Houston’s District C candidates clash over voting records” questioning the record of candidate Joe Panzarella. If it mattered to voters, his record of voting is questionable. He voted in the Republican primary in 2016 and in the Democratic Party in 2018 and 2024. His voting in the general election started in 2020. His opponent, Nick Hellyar, has a strong record of voting in every Democratic primary, general election, and the runoffs since 2008. The difference is night and day. The Chronicle said:
“Hellyar produced records showing Panzarella voted in the 2016 Republican primary despite saying at a March 18 candidate forum that he had voted in the Democratic primary in 2024 and “every Democratic primary before that.”
Hellyar’s participation in the Democratic Party is also very strong. He has served as a precinct chair. He has volunteered for a number of political campaigns, which as all volunteers know, is very difficult work. He has participated in County and State conventions. Besides have a strong record of voting in the Democratic Party, participating in the party, and having campaign experience, Nick has excellent, applicable, experience in City Council. He has served several elected officials to manage constituent services in their offices. He didn’t wake up one day and decided to run for City Council. He knows City Council. His experience in the office prepared him to run. He also has endorsements from many organizations and individuals representing a broad coalition in this non-partisan race.
Unfortunately the trend in local politics has changed and not for the better. Somehow voting in Democratic Primaries is not a requirement to run in the Democratic Party or even to run the Party. Last month a new comer to the party with no record of voting in the primary, and little if any participation in the Party, was voted in as Chair of the Party. Go figure.
Also having experience for the position you are running for doesn’t seem to matter either. A recent college grad, with little if any voting record, and no applicable experience is running for Harris County District Clerk to manage 500 employees and the court records of the 3rd largest county in the country. His opponent has a wealth of applicable experience. As an example of what could go wrong, Hays County voted for a young inexperienced candidate for District Clerk. He resigned two years later and left the office in shambles. Again the difference in the two candidates is night and day and yet prominent organizations and officials are backing the inexperienced newbie. Again, go figure.
City Council is a non partisan position but many know which Party the candidates associate with and what experience they bring to the table. If experience and party affiliation matters to voters in District C then the choice is very clear.
I can only wish that District E was competitive and an experienced Democratic candidate actually had a chance of winning.
If the Republicans in charge of Texas had just worked to actually solve the immigration problem over the last 30 years of being in charge of Texas the new immigration ordinance wouldn’t be necessary.
Republicans took over Texas almost 30 years ago with the election of George W Bush. In 2003 they took over the House and Senate. At times they also had the Presidency and Congress and yet all they did was campaign on immigration. They never tried to solve the problem and when a conservative Republican actually filed a comprehensive immigration bill, they blocked it because Trump said so.
So now the City of Houston has passed an ordinance to curb abuses of ICE and to return our police force to keeping us safe instead of wasting time on non violent immigrants caught in a traffic stop. For those complaining about this ordinance, do a favor, and just shut the hell up. If your g**damn party had stopped campaigning on immigration and started solving the immigration problem this ordinance wouldn’t be needed. Let’s face it. This is a Republican problem. Your party created this problem. You sat on your hands while masked ICE thugs swept up immigrants, as well as Americans, and deported them. You sat on your hands while masked ICE agents killed Americans. And you sat on your hands while this ordinance was voted on.
The lead conservative on City Council stated:
“Do we want to have the most effective force possible to enforce serious state crimes and city ordinances, one the immigrant community trusts, or do we want a deportation force that enforces federal rule violations? Because you can’t have both,” Ramirez said. “I know which one I want.”
Republicans have control of Congress, the Presidency, the Texas House and Senate, as well as the Governorship and yet they STILL refuse to seriously address immigration. Those who voted in favor of this ordinance are at least trying to solve a problem the Republican Party has ignored for over 30 years. Those who voted NAY should do us all a favor and either pick up a g**damn mop or shut the f*** up.
You have to hand it to the Republicans in Harris County, including Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, calling for Trump to resign. He would have ample reasons to do so including Trump being a convicted felon, an accused child abuser, a racist, a liar, an absolutely awful human being and a CHINO, Christian in Name Only. But there is more. Trump is a military dolt, a failed negotiator, a political bully, and an asshole. Trump started a deadly riot at the Capitol. He stole classified documents. He has plunged the nation into another war. He has cratered our economy. Ramsey has plenty of reasons to call for Trump’s resignation so his party can wash the stain out of their underwear.
But instead he calls for the resignation of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo for disrupting the Houston Rodeo. I would be the last person to defend Hidalgo at this point. I wish her well but I wish she would silently finish out her term. Ramsey is just full of shit and an incredible hypocrite when it comes to calling for anyone to resign. Members of the Republican Party have lost their right to criticize others concerning leadership, family values, fiscal responsibility, supporting our troops, law and order, all while looking the other way while the leader of their party is a political hypocrite.
So to those who are calling for Hidalgo to resign do us a favor and just shut the fuck up.
A few years ago after a drug raid that seriously injured 4 Police Officers, the following press conference was highlighted by the lunatic ranting of Joey Gamaldi, the Houston Police Officers Union President, blaming the injuries on Black Lives Matter. 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.”
Members of law enforcement were quick to distance themselves from him as if he was carrying a fresh load in his shorts. The raid didn’t find any drugs as expected. The botched raid killed two innocent homeowners, the lead investigator was charged with murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. Joey lost his position a few months later. The District Attorney, Kim Ogg, lost her position. Charges involving the lead investigator were revisited with some being dropped.
Yesterday the HPOU did it again but not in a lethal way, but in a childish, immature, pathetic, a**holy way. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo had a dust up at the rodeo resulting in her being asked to return to her seat. Click2Houston has the story if you want to read. (She was NOT escorted out of the venue) I won’t defend Hidalgo actions because no one has reported on exactly what happened and quite frankly I am tired of her drama.
But like a 6 year old HPOU had to weigh in with an AI generated post on Facebook. To call it childish would be an insult to children. Hidalgo is on her way out, opting not to run again. There was absolutely no reason to soil themselves again. HPOU is quick to call for respect for the members of our law enforcement, and that we all can agree on, but respect goes both ways. Childish stupidity does not help restore confidence in our police.
Political sign wars are petty. Signs don’t win elections. Don’t engage in sign wars. It is a waste of time, but….. FFS Scott, it’s 5 months out!
Off of his embarrassing defeat for CCISD Trustee, Scott Bowen has filed to run for State Representative. The republican primary is March 3, 2026. Five months out Bowen has decided to litter the district with his 4×8 signs, most if not all, are in violation of city ordinances.
A google search for “political yard signs rules texas” states signs cannot be place prior to 90 days before an election or on the right of way. Unfortunately Texas has no way to enforce this. The Texas Ethics Commission will not accept complaints about signs and they lack any enforcement of the law. Many cities have adopted ordinances concerning political signs. They do have enforcement abilities but again they have better things to do with their time. The City of Houston has an ordinance with a 90 day limit as well as right of way restrictions. City of Webster has an ordinance with a 45 day limit. I am sure Friendswood, El Lago, Nassau Bay, Taylor Lake Village, and Seabrook have similar ordinances.
If you want to report a sign in violation of the Houston Sign Ordinance, call 311 and provide the location, who the sign belongs to and why it violates the ordinance. In Webster call (281) 332-1826 with the same information.
This isn’t rocket science folks. We don’t want to look at political signs on the right of way for a full 5 months before the election. Not only is it against city and state ordinances it is just disrespectful. Bowen is the only candidate violating these rules. It’s as if he is above the law.
Maybe voters in the republican primary should tell Bowen “If you can’t follow the laws, you shouldn’t be making the laws.” BTW Bowen is being challenged in the primary by an excellent candidate, Bob Mitchell.
The special election for Houston City Council At Large Position 4 will be held in November 2025. Here are the current candidates and their fundraising activities according to the City of Houston. HNF means “Has Not Filed” a campaign finance report for this position at this time. The official list of candidates can be found here.
This Ethics Commission investigation involves City Council Member Nan Huffman, Tony Buzbee, The Houston Hispanic PAC, The Harris Progressive PAC and an unknown candidate for office, Enyinna Isiguzo. The Houston Chronicle wrote a detailed article prior to the election.
Background During the city election of 2023 Buzbee, Huffman, and Isiguzo ran for City Council District G, the River Oaks area. Isiguzo had no money, no background, and no business running, but he did. Someone sent out glossy mailers supporting him. Other mailers attacked Huffman in an attempt to draw enough votes away from her. Isiguzo drew 11% of the vote and forced a runoff which Huffman later won. An ethics complaint was filed and the Texas Ethics Commission investigated and assess a fine of $12,500.
Who sent the mailers? The mailers were printed by Long Printing and paid for by the Houston Hispanic PAC and the Harris County Progressive PAC. Neither PAC filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. They spent over $29,000 on the mailers. An ethics complaint was filed and the registered agent was fined $12,500. The mailers also had a fake Union logo which could lead to a fine of up to $10,000.Falsifying a union label is consider a breach of federal trademark registration and copyright, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Falsifying a union label is considered a breach of the federal trademark registration and copyright laws, said Oscar Lopez, president of Houston’s Printing, Packaging, Production Workers Union Local Chapter 4535M.
Who is the Houston Hispanic PAC and the Harris County Progressive PAC The HHPAC was created in 2016 according to the Secretary of State. I found no information about the Harris County Progressive PAC. Both are not registered with the Texas Ethics Commission. Neither have any association with the Harris County Democratic Party. Isiguzo ran as the “progressive” candidate in the deep red district.
Who is Daysi Marin? Daysi Marin is the registered agent of the HHPAC and is good friends with Gilbert Garcia. Garcia ran for Mayor in 2023. He was also the treasurer for Tony Buzbee. Marin has been featured on Garcia’s talk show in the past. Marin was the Vice President of the Texas Democratic Women’s organization but was removed from her position. According to the TEC, Marin ignored the Ethics Commission’s complaint. She did not respond to the complaint and failed to attend the informal or formal hearings. The hearing video concerning this complaint is available here starting at 3:50:22. In short, she ignored the complaint, she hindered the investigation, and the TEC fined her $12,500. You can read all of the details in the Order and Agreed Resolution here.
Who is Enyinna Isiguzo? Good question. Little is known about Enyinna. A google search reveals little. His campaign finance reports shows he spent just $150 of his own money. Buzbee spent millions in his losing effort while Huffman spent a couple hundred thousand. His treasurer was Heather Riley of Houston. According to the Chronicle he knew nothing about the expenditures in his favor.
“I don’t even know who those people are,” Isiguzo said. “I would definitely like to find out who paid for that, too, because they didn’t tell me anything.”
Conclusion I am sure everyone can connect the dots between Marin, Garcia and Buzbee. Marin will probably never pay the $12,5000 fine just like Harris County Department of Education Trustee, Eric Dick. The Texas AG will write a sternly written letter threatening legal action and then will do nothing. The TEC does not have enforcement authority so this will be just another of many unpaid fines. The entire event almost succeeded and could lay the foundation for others interested in swaying an election.
The cases against Aubrey Taylor, some kind of political blogger, were dismissed yesterday. From a previous post:
A right wing blogger, Aubrey Taylor, who publishes an online publication called Houston Business Connections, (It’s a blog) was indicted yesterday for assaulting the chair of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee campaign.
The case was dropped after the prosecutor claimed “Probable cause exists but cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt.” Taylor is a strange dude. He has a serious criminal record and has served time. The Houston Chronicle wrote about the assault as well as the dismissal. According to the Chronicle Taylor filed a civil suit against the chair the day after the assault. He is demanding $100,000.
Taylor likes to parade around polling stations dressed up like someone in the press in a war zone, flack jacket and all. The flack jacket looks like a life jacket for skiing and it might well be. I don’t know which side of the aisle he is on but Democrats should stay away from him. Again from a previous post:
He has ties to Steven Hotze an extreme far right influencer of the Harris County Republican Party who also has been charged with a felony, although much more serious.
Taylor list Hotze as the “Man of the Year”. Hotze is under indictment for aggravated assault for his role in an attack on an AC repair man who Hotze claimed had thousands of illegal votes in his truck. (He didn’t) His case will be coming up this year.
Taylor’s lawyer claims the case was dismissed due to the incompetence of the previous District Attorney, Kim Ogg. Ogg has become like the jelly of the month club. She just keeps on giving.
As a supporter of Whitmire for Houston Mayor it is very disturbing that instead of working across the aisle and bringing the city together he has opted to act much like out going District Attorney Kim Ogg, petty, childish, and unprofessional.
Whitmire has had an ongoing feud with Judge Lina Hidalgo. I am sure, based upon Hidalgo’s past, she has some fault to this toxic relationship but this latest stupidity is all on Whitmire. During an interview with the Houston Chronicle he stated:
“She’s fixing to announce that she’s not going to run,” Whitmire told The Chronicle. “She’s not enjoying her work. And she’s happy now. I saw on social media she got back this weekend from her wedding destination,” “But let me tell you what, this is a tough job at any level. You definitely lose your privacy. She’s obviously documented some of her emotional issues, which, this is a terrible profession to be in if you’re struggling with pressure.”
None of that is true. Much like a high school freshman on the cheerleading squad of the Jr varsity football team Whitmire can’t seem to miss an opportunity to spread unfounded rumors or spread gossip whether it is against Hidalgo or Controller Hollins. Seriously dude, it is time to learn when to keep your fuckin mouth shut and grow up. You are a grown ass man for fuck sakes.
You only have 3 years left in office. Grow up and focus on more important things such as picking up our trash on time. For once.
Posted by johncoby 
Bay Area Houston 