Texas Democratic Party

An Interview with Leticia Van de Putte

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Dec. 23, 2009

It's been a rough few days for Bexar County Democrats: Party officials announced last week that a former official had embezzled more than $200,000 from the party. Just about every elected Democrat in the county held a press conference today to say that the party has a plan to pay it back — and that none of this will affect the March primary — or their candidates' chances in next November's general election. Ben Philpott, who is reporting on the 2010 elections for KUT News and the Tribune, talked with State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, about the scandal, about her party's prospects, and her own. Full Story

The Polling Center: Indirect Soundings on Ronnie Earle

By Jim Henson Dec. 19, 2009

Is retired Travis County D.A. Ronnie Earle — who talked about running for governor and then filed for lieutenant governor — a strong statewide candidate? Full Story

Ronnie Earle in Austin, July 2008 — Credit: Lindsay Beyerstein

Guest Column: Rational Numbers

By Ed Martin Dec. 16, 2009

In every major urban and suburban Texas county, where the vast majority of Texans cast their ballots, the Democratic vote share increased betweeen 2004 and 2008. Montgomery County was the single exception. In Denton, Collin, Fort Bend, and Williamson Counties — four of the five most populous traditionally Republican suburban counties — the Democratic vote rose. Full Story

Kinky Exits Governor's Race

By Elise Hu Dec. 14, 2009

Humorist and author Kinky Friedman is setting his sights on a new prize: the agriculture commissioner post. Full Story

Article thumbnail — Credit: Bob Daemmrich

Guest Column: Democrats' Irrational Exuberance

By Ted Delisi Dec. 9, 2009

In the wake of Bill White’s entry into the Governor’s race, Texas Democrats are understandably — and dangerously — optimistic. Full Story

Audio: The Pecking Order

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Dec. 9, 2009

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman could announce this week whether he’ll continue his run or stake his claim to another statewide office. Full Story

Guest Column: Elections Don't Win Themselves

By Harold Cook Dec. 8, 2009

It's not an accident that Democrats have been winning races in Republican-held urban and suburban districts, and narrowing statewide Republican margins. That Democrats are attracting A-team candidates like Mayor Bill White is testimony to years of hard work, not coincidental political evolution. Full Story

Combing Over Shami's Voting Record

By Elise Hu Dec. 7, 2009

Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Farouk Shami is counting on your votes to put him in office, but records show his own voting history is inconsistent. There's no evidence that he's ever voted in a Democratic primary — but he did vote in the Republican primary in 2000. Full Story

Farouk Shami on November 19, 2009 — Credit: Todd Wiseman

White Stumps Austin

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Dec. 7, 2009

Houston Mayor Bill White has hit the campaign trail after joining the race for governor late last week. One of his first stops was Austin. The Capital city is considered a democratic stronghold. And made for a nice safe place to start his run for governor. Ben Philpott is covering the Texas governor's race for the Texas Tribune and KUT News. Full Story

Party Matters

By Reeve Hamilton Dec. 7, 2009

Candidates from both sides of the spectrum are self-recruited and responsible for their own campaigns. So what's the value of a relationship with the state's political parties? Full Story

2010: The Re-Entrance of Bill White

By Elise Hu Dec. 3, 2009

Bill White's expected to announce for governor today. We'll get you caught up to speed on what led to this day, help flesh out what it all means, and take a quick look ahead. Full Story

TribBlog: Castro Incontrovertible

By Evan Smith Nov. 26, 2009

Well, now it's official: The mayor of San Antonio will save us all. Full Story

White Noise

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Nov. 25, 2009

If Bill White runs for governor, what's the effect down the ballot? Full Story

Help from Above?

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Nov. 25, 2009

This holiday weekend, Democrats up and down the ballot are giving thanks for the prospect of a Bill White gubernatorial candidacy. Full Story

HuTube: Monday's Developments in 60 Seconds

By Elise Hu Nov. 24, 2009

It's a Bill White-Tom Schieffer-Kinky Friedman-Farouk Shami-Rick Perry mashup to get you caught up on Monday's developments, if you missed them. Full Story

Bill White speaking in Austin, TX on November 20, 2009. — Credit: Elise Hu

T-Squared: Give or Take a Million

By Evan Smith Nov. 24, 2009

If we didn't think campaign finance law was confusing before this morning, well, we do now. Full Story

Schieffer Calls it Quits

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Nov. 24, 2009

There's been a major shake-up in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Tom Schieffer has dropped out of the race, and he and several other Democrats hope Houston Mayor Bill White will jump in. For the first time, White says he's considering it. Full Story