Posted on 12/17/2009 6:04:00 AM PST by deport
Strayhorn continues to explore Democratic bid for comptroller
Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who was twice elected comptroller as a Republican and then ran a losing gubernatorial campaign as an independent, called Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie on Tuesday to discuss seeking the party’s nomination for comptroller.
Democratic Party spokeswoman Kirsten Gray confirmed the conversation, which Strayhorn initiated. We don’t know much about what was said.
When I asked Gray whether the party would welcome Strayhorn as a candidate, she replied, “We will rely on our voters to consider each candidate’s record and decide if they have the Democratic credentials they want in a nominee. Our role is to run a fair primary.”
Strayhorn also ran in the City of Austin’s nonpartisan race for mayor earlier this year. She did not make the runoff.
The Statesman’s W. Gardner Selby reported earlier this month that Strayhorn had also initiated talks with Houston Mayor Bill White, who is the party’s front-runner for governor.
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Does Kinky qualify for agriculture commission job?
br> By Mike Ward | Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 05:19 PMKinky Friedman’s got the big black cowboy hat and the Texas twang. But the question is whether he has the credentials needed under state law to run for Agriculture Commissioner.
His campaign insisted today he does, and produced a letter from San Antonio attorney Abel Dominguez saying the colorful songwriter and singer raises cattle on a Kerr County ranch that he owns with relatives.
Until last week, Friedman was running for governor. He switched to the ag race, where he will face fellow Democrat Hank Gilbert in the March primary and, if he wins the primary, incumbent Republican Todd Staples in the November general election.
Under state law, candidates for Agriculture Commissioner must work or have experience in farming, livestock, horticulture, aquaculture or other ag-related endeavors........ snip
Friedman’s qualifications were first questioned in a story in the online newsletter Capitol Inside, which said that while the Echo Hill Ranch that Friedman calls home has an agricultural-use exemption — which makes it an ag property under state law — the ownership is registered to his sister, Marcie Friedman.
Rania Batrice, Friedman’s campaign manager, said the land is actually owned by Friedman and two siblings. Kerr County officials confirmed that but could not provide additional details.
Batrice then produced a letter from Dominguez, which states:
“I’ve reviewed the Tax Code section which is applicable to wildlife management in terms of where Kinky would qualify. It is my opinion after review that he qualifies. One of the seldom seen aspects of the ranch is that Kinky raises cattle on part thereof. There may not be a lot of cattle but he does raise and sell them. This satisfies (b) (3) of section 11.005. Additionally, he grows feed for the cattle on the ranch, which also satisfies section (b)(1) of the same code.
“As for the Tax code definition of wildlife management his ranch provides open space for sustaining, breeding and migration of indigenous wild animals for human use, Kinky has a sustained deer population on his ranch which, under the same definition (recreation- (A) habitat control and (B) predator control can be said to be used for educational purposes for the summer camp kids to learn about Texas wildlife.
“It is my professional and legal opinion that Kinky qualifies and meets the provisions under Section 11.005.”
end snips.....
Carole Keeton Strayhorn did well as Comptroller, I was there. Much better than her predecessor (John Sharp) and her successor (Susan Combs). As Mayor of Austin she didn’t do a bad job either. Better than some who came after her.
Dem or Pubbie any more, I wonder. It maybe just a vehicle to get elected. Many are the same, cut from the same bolt of cloth ... Politician. From my time there she did not seem to be the total political animal most are.
Kinky is something else all together. He may met the provisions of the statute, but is he qualified. As well as the next, I guess. Only time will tell ... if he wins.
Gov. Goodhair and KBH are still in the running. Debra Medina sounds great but not getting enough press. Now there is Farouk Shami, a millionaire Dem who says he take only $1 a year as pay. Maybe that should just be made the statutory salary for this office.
Only in Texas ... huh!
It seems politicians to some degree get it into their blood that they should serve the public for a lifetime. I guess they look at it like a lively hood as opposed to working in the private arena as a owner or employee.
Go away granny and take your POS son with you!
Just not a proper circus without Kinky and One Tough Gramma.
I think that’s true too. That’s why Term Limits is, to me, an important issue on all levels of elected office.
Washington Dc is a prime example and has been for half-a-century.
Maybe Kinky could run for the state dog catcher position.
Oh Texas doesn’t have a state dog catcher? I guess Kinky is s.... outta luck.
If I had to choose between Carole, Gov Goodhair or KBH ... I’d take Carole. Gov Goodhair talks tough because he wants that job soooo bad. KBH talks one way at election time and a totally different way after elected.
Her son was and is a flash in the pan.
Kinky is ah, ah, entertaining. As if the antics of the Legislature/Congress aren’t entertaining enough.
I don’t know that Kinky will make it. Hope he’s got another book in the wings.
I’m not sure what is Kinky’s motives with the race for gov. last time and now this can’t make up his mind thing. If he was touring or had another book on the market it would be good for a few bucks I guess but otherwise I don’t understand his thinking.
He needs a job! Especially a job where he could be on stage occasionally.
I’m more and more coming to the term limit side of things with all the politicians making a lifetime career of elected public service.
I read some of Kinky's platform last year, and you can get similar thoughts by going to the Mule Lips Bar and buying the grubbiest guy in there a double bourbon.
I’ve always though 8 years was enough for any career, in one elected office. One can always spend time ‘climbing the ladder’, local to state to federal level ... but max 8 in each seat.
Like the Founding Fathers, IMHO you get elected. Go do the job. Return to the people ... and get a real job.
Jessie Ventura was a breath of fresh air when it came to politicians. Didn’t agree with him always but he made it interesting. Guess the people of Minnesota will grade him when the time comes.
Maybe Grsanny Carol can marry Kinky and run as Carol Keaton Strayhorn Freidman. I mean they are both such media whores.
Understand-have no problem with Kinky in office-not a damn thing would get done and the show would be a scream.,
Much the same I think of Strayhorn
Carole Keaton Rylander Strayhorn Whatever was a GOOD Controller.
She’s the one said, “If I can find it in the Yellow Pages, government shouldn’t be doing it!”
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