Posted on 12/16/2008 10:53:36 PM PST by BnBlFlag
Huffman takes Senate Dist. 17 seat in runoff By ALAN BERNSTEIN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Dec. 16, 2008, 11:32PM 1 2
STEVE UECKERT CHRONICLE BuzzRepublican Joan Huffman defeated Democrat Chris Bell in Tuesday's runoff election for a Houston-area seat in the Texas Senate, setting a new high for the number of women in the 31-member legislative chamber.
With votes from all precincts counted, Huffman, a former judge and prosecutor, had 56 percent against the former congressman and Houston councilman, according to results that will be made final and official in a few days.
"I have my supporters and thousands of families (in the district) who believe in, I think, public service rather than politics as usual," Huffman said late Tuesday. "And I am going to work from sunup to sundown to serve those families."
Bell said he "knew it would be a tough battle, and it certainly appears to be just that."
Fewer than 45,000 people voted in the District 17 race, about a fifth of the participation level for the Nov. 4 election, which featured the presidential race. In the Harris County portion, about 10 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the runoff.
Designed to favor Republicans, the district covers southwest Harris County and parts of Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Jefferson counties.
Texas has four female state senators and has never had more, according to Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw.
In November, Democrat Wendy Davis defeated Republican incumbent Kenneth "Kim" Brimer in the Fort Worth area and can take the oath of office next month, Spaw said.
Special election Huffman can technically become a Senate member this month because the runoff was a special election to fill the remainder of Republican Kyle Janek's term, according to Spaw. Janek resigned this year; his term runs through 2010.
Huffman and Davis would bring the total number of women in the Senate to six. The others are Republicans Jane Nelson and Florence Shapiro of North Texas and Democrats Judith Zaffirini and Leticia Van de Putte of South Texas.
The state Senate has been such a male domain that its first woman was elected only after Texas already had elected a female governor, Miriam "Ma" Ferguson, in 1925, according to state records.
After Janek quit his post this year, citing family and career concerns, two Democrats and four Republicans enlisted as candidates for Nov. 4. The Democrats combined got a majority of the vote — 38 percent for Bell, 14 percent for Stephanie Simmons.
But with no candidate getting a majority, Bell advanced to the runoff in first place against second-place finisher Huffman, who got 26 percent.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which led the successful legislative fight for further limits on the damages plaintiffs can recover in civil court cases, supported Simmons and Huffman in the first round. Wealthy home builders and other business concerns provide most of the group's funding.
Some Bell supporters said Simmons was used by Bell opponents to deny him the majority in the first round. Simmons denied it. In this election and past ones, Bell was supported by trial lawyers on the opposite side of the tort reform battle.
Before the District 17 seat was filled Tuesday, the Senate had 18 Republicans and 12 Democrats.
On political roller coaster For Bell, Tuesday was the latest segment of a roller coaster ride in Texas politics. The lawyer-lobbyist lost races for state House and Houston City Council before winning a council seat. He lost a race for Houston mayor, won a Houston-area congressional seat and then lost it after Republican lawmakers changed the district boundaries. He was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2006.
While the runoff candidates concentrated on harvesting votes from people who already had supported them in November, they took opposing sides on many pressing legislative issues.
Huffman, 52, said the state should intensify efforts to help federal agencies secure the border with Mexico. Bell, 49, said that with its own challenges to face, Texas should rely on the federal government to handle the job.
Huffman was for the proposal to require that voters present photo identification before casting a ballot. She said the states provide sufficient funding for public schools and was against limits on campaign contributions by individuals. Bell disagreed on each.
He called himself a reform-minded, experienced lawmaker willing to compromise but also fight against high utility and insurance rates; she labeled herself an independent, common-sense conservative who will help streamline state government spending.
alan.bernstein@chron.com
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(5) Topgun wrote: Top 10 Reasons to Not Vote for Chris Bell * 10 – He has failed to find a Government agency to live on. 9 – He has failed to get Tom DeLay out of his mind while he remains living in the past. 8 – He has failed in five election attempts at stardom. 7 – He has failed to separate himself from the victimhood mentality. 6 – He has failed to sell his snake oil to his constituents. 5 – He has failed to convince people Socialism is the way for the USA. 4 – He has failed to convince people Government is your parent. 3 – He has failed to learn economic strength is in free markets, not Socialist markets. 2 – He has failed to accept defeat and hear the voice of, We The People. * And the number one reason you should not vote for a failure like Chris Bell, * 1 – Why vote for a Ding Dong from the past when you can have Joan Huffman lead you into the future. * Vote Joan Huffman for Texas State Senator SD 17 12/16/2008 12:53:11 AM Recommend: (145) (123) [Report abuse]
(0) RB-1 wrote: Maybe it's just me but it seems that every time I turn around Chris Bell is running in yet another political race. fortunately for us, he seems to fail every time. 12/16/2008 5:03:48 AM Recommend: (124) (53) [Report abuse]
(73) wallyhog wrote: Yep let's get some REAL progress and elect a career politician how has never done ANYTHING except run for office, that would be Chris Bell. Smarmy is how I find him. I’m sorry but to me Chris Bell represents exactly what is wrong with the system. I don’t believe those who founded this country ever had thoughts of government as a career. 12/16/2008 5:55:13 AM Recommend: (100) (53) [Report abuse]
(27) ThePrize wrote: Come on, Texas. Nail the coffin shut on Chris Bell's political career. Elect Joan Huffman! 12/16/2008 8:18:28 AM Recommend: (86) (51) [Report abuse]
(8) APatriot wrote: Topgun, You forgot No. 11: The Texas Lobby who controls to a large degree the Texas Senate WANTS Joan Huffman. VOTE CHRIS BELL FOR THE FUTURE OF A GREAT TEXAS! 12/16/2008 4:26:36 AM Recommend: (77) (146) [Report abuse]
(0) jwyoming wrote: The choice was between tweedle dee or tweedle dum. Huffman got my vote because of the border angle. Bell was a do nothing on the issue. 12/17/2008 12:35:01 AM Recommend: (0) (0) [Report abuse]
(186) bullwhip wrote: Good. Maybe the ladies will make better decisions. It is said the use both sides of their brain. Apparently the others aren't using any of their brains as we still have this illegal invasion thing going on. 12/17/2008 12:05:14 AM Recommend: (1) (0) [Report abuse]
(0) IMeanIt wrote: Newsflash!!! Chris Bell has just announced that he will run for Mayor of Houston... or City Contolller... or whatever else comes along. 12/16/2008 11:56:34 PM Recommend: (1) (1) [Report abuse]
(0) Chew wrote: Hey Chris.......since you want to "serve" so badly....the Sheriff's Office is hiring. See ya at 601 Lockwood. 12/16/2008 11:44:51 PM Recommend: (1) (1) [Report abuse]
(107) ratherbefishing wrote: Hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha 12/16/2008 11:42:56 PM Recommend: (1) (2) [Report abuse]
Read all comments (98) »
This is very good news. Joan is a true conservative, not someone who plays the political game.
“Designed to favor Republicans”
Of course, the article has to explain WHY this seat went Republican.
Bell lost again... whatta loser
Chris Bell claims he lost his seat in Congress because of the Republicans. He lost his seat to a black Democrat.
Chris Bell is a *ussy.
true - BW is probably the most boring politician I’ve ever seen, but after the likes of Lee P. Brown he was almost like a breath of fresh air.
Bill White has two ways of talking, one is treating you like a 3 year old and the other is to bluntly tell you that things are going to be done his way whether you damn well like it or not.
Including - and of course the Houston Chronicly Dumb won't tell you this - the most-senior member of the Senate, North Texas' own Jane Nelson, who has miraculously managed to do this while still being only 39 years old...
LOL!
Oh, and BTW, Mrs. Nelson is a true Conservative, unlike her colleague Florence Shapiro, who appears to have migrated here from some Yankee state.
Is this a big deal? A Republican wins in a heavily Republican district?
Chris Bell, the perennial Democrat loser. Seems Chris is well on his way to making a career out of losing political races.
What a gorgeous car!!!
I didn’t know this race existed! Joy!
Another failure for Bell (and the rats on Obama’s watch). Boys he’s desperate for a job huh? Forced to finally seek honest work now? Thank you Tom Delay.
This year Republicans have been losing in friendly territory. So a Republican candidate winning in a red district shows that we’re not dead yet.
Someday though the people of TX are going to elect him to something because he has perseverance.
It could happen if only by name recognition.
I can see some u uninformed voter going down the list and saying.. I've heard of him.
It is not out of the realm of possibility.
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