Why are you even running for COH City Council?

October 11, 2019

If you are considering running for office, you might want to find a treasurer that knows the laws or at the very least understand that you have to report how much money you raised and how much money you spent. It’s so easy, a caveman can do it.

There are a number of candidates who must think running for office is a game especially some running for Mayor. Naoufal Houjami, Victoria Romero, Johnny Taylor, Roy Vasquez, and Derrick Broze haven’t filed their reports yet. Demetria Smith has filed a report with zero funds raised, spent, and COH. None of these candidates understand the seriousness of running for Mayor of the 4th largest city in the United States. They haven’t been invited to debates and rightfully so. They are not viable candidates.

Larry Blackmon, Yolanda Flores, Jim Honey, Jose Gonzalez, Javier Gonzalez, Jennifer Laney, Jason Rowe, and Ralph Garcia have not filed. Brad Batteau has filed a zero report. 

Sam Cleveland, running for District E has raised only $5682 with $352 COH.

In the At Large Position 1 race Georgia Provost raisted $4850 with only $468 COH.  Larry Blackmon and Yolanda Flores didn’t file. 
In Position 2 Emily Detoto raised $234 for a campaign that requires $100,000 or more in a competitive race. Mike Griffin “run everywhere, every time” raised only $600. Jim Honey didn’t file.
In Position 3 Janaeya Carmouche raised $3,975 and Marcel McClinton raised $14,787. These are surprising numbers only because Carmouche has talent and Marcel does not (yet). I expected more, and less.
In Postion 4 Ericka McCrutcheon loaned herself $34,000. James Joseph raised $94K but $58K was an in-kind donation from a campaign firm. James has talent. Maybe he just needs a new campaign firm. Christel Bastida raised only $1103. Javier Gonzalez, Jennifer Laney, and Jason Rowe didn’t file.
In Postion 5 every candidate had poor fundraising totals except for Sallie Alcorn. Eric Dick raised only $1,435, loaned himself $75,000, and spent $93K out of his own pocket. Much like Buzbee he is attempting to buy a seat at the table. Brad Batteau who runs for something every year raised $0. Michell Bonton raised only $200 but loaned herself $20,000. Ralph Garcia didn’t file.


Tony Buzbee meets the Press after botched intern controversy

October 3, 2019

That didn’t end well.


Greg Groogan of Fox26 and Mario Diaz of KPRC ran a story about an “intern” that was hired at a salary of $95,000. Buzbee jumped on this controversy like Donald Trump jumped on a porn star. He held a press conference. He called for the Texas Attorney General to start an investigation. He called the Texas Rangers. And so far they haven’t returned any of his calls and for good reason.

The “intern” according to the Houston Chronicle, has a master’s degree in legal studies from Texas State University and a law degree from Texas Southern University. He also has very significant experience. From the Chronicle:

Turner released a statement Tuesday explaining that the position is part of the airport system’s “Executive Internship Program” and said Agumagu’s salary “is commensurate with his education and experience.” Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz created the program “to attract new talent in the field of aviation” and to serve as an entry to a city management training program, according to a 2018 memo released by the city Tuesday.

The bottom line is this is 1995 all over again like Wayne Dolcefino’s botched investigation story against Turner that ended in a lawsuit. From a previous post.

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. 

Groogan and Diaz have been nominated for the Wayne Dolcefino Investigations Gone Wrong award. Buzbee is still waiting by the phone wiping the egg off his face.


Trump's mini-me: Tony Buzbee

October 2, 2019

OK. I’m working on something…but until then…I think I found Trump’s Mini-Me. Tony will do to Houston what Trump has done to us!


The three faces of Tony Buzbee

October 1, 2019

Much like Donald Trump, when someone tells you Tony Buzbee is a rich, politically ignorant, jackass, believe them.

Buzbee, who is running for Mayor of Houston, likes to claim he is an “independent” yet has a history of massive donations to Donald Trump and the Republican Party and donations to the local Democratic Party to help wipe out Republican Judges in Harris County. (It worked!) There is nothing worse than someone who is two faced, willing to tell you what ever you want to hear depending upon who you are or, in the newest case, who you love.

It has been rumored Buzbee was cozy with one of the most homophobic, hateful,  “christians” in the Houston area. Now it is official. Hotze has officially endorsed Buzbee and we have pictures to prove it. This is who Buzbee is sucking up to:

“The illegitimate SCOTUS ruling does not name Texas, so fight those lousy bastards,” said Hotze, president of Conservative Republicans of Texas, a group influential in Harris County GOP primaries. “They hate God and want to let the Sodomites queer our country.”

Tony Buzbee is a rich, politically ignorant, jackass. Believe me.


When liars lie just like Trump. Tony Buzbee and Bill King

September 18, 2019

It’s the new campaign strategy for the Republican Party. Lie. Just lie. Over and over again. 

The Houston Chronicle quickly fact checked Tony Buzbee and Bill King when they made claims about Houston crime statistics:

“I know what’s going on in this city,” Buzbee said. “Don’t tell me crime is going down when everybody across the country knows that Houston is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States.” 

Bill King, another prominent mayoral contender, has decried a “growing randomness and violence to crime that alarms people.”

According to the Chronicle this simply isn’t true. The article cites multiple crime statistics showing Houston’s crime had dropped and we, by far, are not one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. But this is what Trump candidates do. They lie and they repeat their lies. They know that the era of just plain lying works. Look at their leader, Trump. He lies on a daily basis. He is now lying about the lies he has previously lied about. It is a way of life for Trump. And Buzbee. And King.

Tony Buzbee and Bill King are just following the republican game plan. Lie. Look straight at the camera and lie. Like Trump, Buzbee has become good at this, taking a single personal experience and claiming it represents the entire city. It’s a great Trump move.

“Have you had a break-in?” he said, in response to questions about his statements. “Have you had your car window smashed in? Most of the time, the police do not respond to these types of crimes, and they rarely get solved.”

The Chronicle cites multiple statistics to debunk his stupidity. Too many to quote here. 

And I’m not lying.


Houston City Council At Large forum in Clear Lake

September 17, 2019

At-Large candidates for Houston City Council will discuss their plans for the city and the Clear Lake area during a nonpartisan forum on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Focusing on the area’s top issues, the forum will provide candidates the opportunity to explain their positions to the community prior to the November elections. It will utilize a Q&A format with questions by moderator Ann Hammond followed with questions submitted by the audience.

All candidates running for at-large positions have been invited to participate. Those who have accepted include: Position #1 – Georgia Provost and Raj Salhortra; Position #2 – David Robinson (I) and Willie Davis; Position #3 – Michael Kubosh (I), Janaeya Carmouche and Marcel McClinton; Position #4 – Tiko Hausman, Nick Hellyer, Ericka McCrutcheon and Letitia Plummer; and Position #5 – Sallie Alcorn, Catherine Flowers, Melvin McNeese, Sonia Rivera and Ashton Woods.

Ann Hammond, forum moderator, is a retired NASA program analyst and a 43-year resident of the Clear Lake area. Ann has dedicated years of service to the community as a consultant, an influencer and a volunteer. She has served on the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees, the Gulf Coast Area Association of School Boards, the Clear Creek Council of PTAs, multiple school district committees and community organizations including Bay Area Alliance for Youth & Families, Assistance League of the Bay Area and Bay Area Turning Point.

It all happens at the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park, located at 5002 NASA Parkway (across the street from the lake) in Seabrook. Sponsored by Bay Area Association of Democratic Women (BAAD Women), Bay Area New Democrats (BAND) and Bay Area Democratic Movement (BADM), the meeting begins with a meet & greet at 6:30 p.m. followed by the forum from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.


Hispanics for Buzbee because Buzbee is Hispanic?

September 12, 2019

Really? When did Buzbee become Hispanic? What am I missing?


If you love Trump, you will LOVE Buzbee

September 9, 2019

Buzbee is just like Donald Trump. He is politically ignorant. He is a loud mouth asshole. He is spending millions of his own money to buy a Mayors seat.

He has tried to played both sides with his wealth donating millions to Trump and various republican state parties, except for Texas. He donated $110,000 to the Harris County Democratic Party and tens of thousands to various judicial candidates which resulted in every Republican judge to be ousted from their court. He will do anything, say anything, and loudly, to get what he wants to buy.

If you are a #MAGAt and like a loud mouth, noisy, rich, asshole, then Buzbee is right for you. 



Harris County Democratic Party's statement on Bill King

August 24, 2019

Bill King was called out in Kingwood for mailers that listed Democratic Precinct chairs as endorsing his campaign. On Aug 7th he apologized and claimed he would resend a corrected version. Instead 3 week later he did it again this time in Clear Lake. The Republican Party has a problem with telling the truth. It might be a mistake the first time around, but the second time is a campaign strategy. Lie. Lie like trump.

The Harris County Democratic Party has issued the following statement:

Statement on Bill King’s Unauthorized use of Democratic
Precinct Chairs on Campaign Materials

The Harris County Democratic Party has been made aware that Bill King, Candidate for Houston Mayor, recently mailed a political advertisement that identified as supporters, among others, Democratic Precinct Chairs.

Our Precinct Chairs have unequivocally stated that at no time did they express support for Mr. King’s campaign or otherwise give their consent to be listed as supporters of his campaign.

“We take the concerns of our Precinct Chairs very seriously, we always have their backs,” said Lillie Schechter, HCDP Party Chair.

We stand behind these chairs in asking that all candidates conduct their campaigns with the utmost integrity and obtain consent before listing any HCDP Precinct Chair as a supporter.


Who's in and who's out in Houston City races

August 23, 2019

OK. So the filing period has ended and there are a couple of surprises. Not many.

Mayors race. Victoria Romero, Johnny Taylor and Roy Vasquez enters the race. I have absolutely no idea who they are.

Controller. Amparo Gasca is out (was never really in) and Orlando Sanchez is in. Orlando was the former Harris County Treasurer.

District E. Ryan Lee is out, although he was really never in. He was just saying he was. Sam Cleveland is still in,

Position 1. Larry Blackmon and Yolanda Flores joins the list.

Position 2. Mike Griffin and Jim Honey has joined.

Position 3. Goku Sankar is out (was he ever in?). Jose Gonzalez is in. Again I cant find any info on Jose.

Position 4. This is the big change. Amanda Edwards will not run. She is now running for US Senate. Bill Baldwin from the Heights is now in the race. Anthony Dolcefino has moved from District C to Position 4. Letitia Plummer has moved to 4. Javier Gonzales, James Joseph, Jennifer Laney, and Jason Rowe has joined.

Position 5. Eric Dick has joined the group. Jamaal Boone is out. Michelle Bonton has also joined.

NOTES: * Indicates the candidate entered the race after the date of the filing deadline. ** Indicates the candidate is using their own money to run and has not raised any money. The Raised/Spent figures are for the last reporting period ending in June.

CANDIDATE
COH
Raised
Spent
Loans
MAYOR
Sylvester Turner (inc)
$3,218,268
$1,698,596
$1,362,879
$0
Kendall Baker
$260
$15,810
$15,650
$15,650
Derrick Broze
$1,190
$1,379
$188
$0
Dwight Boykins
$69,783
$140,174
$93,219
$0
**Tony Buzbee
$5,140,725
$0
$1,814,754
$0
Anton Dowls
$0
$0
$0
$0
Naoufal Houjami
$154
$1,080
$356
$0
Bill King
$318,320
$684,842
$580,062
$100,000
*Sue Lovell
$0
$0
$0
$0
*Victoria Romero
$0
$0
$0
$0
Johnny Taylor
$0
$0
$0
$0
*Roy Vasquez
$0
$0
$0
$0
Demetria Smith
$0
$0
$0
$0
CONTROLLER
Chris Brown (inc)
$234,350
$66,611
$36,522
$75,000
*Orland Sanchez
$0
$0
$0
$0
District E
Dave Martin (inc)
$151,184
$49,450
$18,939
$0
Sam Cleveland
$0
$0
$0
$0
Position 1
Mike Knox (inc)
$41,171
$40,295
$45,555
$0
Michelle Bonton
$0
$0
$0
$0
Georgia Provost
$0
$0
$0
$0
Larry Blackmon
$0
$0
$0
$0
Yolanda Flores
$0
$0
$0
$0
Raj Salhotra
$178,536
$220,377
$30,340
$0
Position 2
David Robinson (inc)
$262,221
$88,616
$0
$0
Willie Davis
$807
$10,250
$3,051
$3,000
Emily Detoto
$439
$2,600
$2,660
$500
*Mike Griffin
$0
$0
$0
$0
Jim Honey
$0
$0
$0
$0
Position 3
Michael Kubosh (inc)
$122,870
$43,875
$20,319
$276,000
Janaeya Carmouche
$3,706
$8,950
$5,397
$1,000
Marcel McClinton
$8,675
$25,823
$21,739
$0
Jose Gonzalez
$0
$0
$0
$0
Position 4
Amanda Edwards (inc)
$192,791
$73,807
$42,179
$0
Christel Bastida
$750
$1,103
$51
$200
Tiko Hausman
$0
$0
$0
$0
Nick Hellyar
$20,501
$63,680
$34,446
$0
Ericka McCrutcheon
$2,875
$5,100
$11,625
$5,000
*Bill Baldwin
$0
$0
$0
$0
Anthony Dolcefino
$1,700
$2,836
$0
$0
Javier Gonzalez
$0
$0
$0
$0
James Joseph
$0
$0
$0
$0
Jennifer Laney
$0
$0
$0
$0
Letitia Plummer
$43,795
$64,519
$36,356
$0
Jason Rowe
$0
$0
$0
$0
Position 5
Sallie Alcorn
$252,366
$204,247
$75,393
$0
Brad Batteau
$0
$0
$0
$0
Catherine Flowers
$3,700
$13,543
$9,918
$75
Ralph Garcia
$0
$0
$0
$0
Marvin McNeese
$7,206
$23,100
$45,893
$30,000
Sonia Rivera
$0
$2,260
$3,895
$1,695
Ashton Woods
$0
$0
$0
$0
Eric Dick
$0
$0
$0
$0
Michelle Bonton
$0
$0
$0
$0