Lone Star Report Recent Blog Posts

Amarillo restaurant owner Victor Leal announced his candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives, District 87 today. HD 87 is the open seat vacated by Rep. David Swinford's (R-Dumas) retirement.

“Our family has successfully operated restaurants in the Panhandle for over 50 years,” Leal said. “We listen to our guests, work hard on service and deliver on results. I will apply thissame responsive work ethic to protect our family values, improve local quality of life andlower taxes. I also want to continue the outstanding representation of our current State Representative David Swinford who has been a tremendous, conservative advocate for us for so many years,” Leal said.

The San Antonio Express-News is reporting that Lyle Larson, former Bexar County Commissioner and former San Antonio City Council member, is running for state representative. The incumbent, Rep. Frank Corte Jr. (R-San Antonio), announced his retirement yesterday. As Larson has already represented much of the district, his candidacy would be formidible, though others have also expressed interest in filing for the seat. Real estate agent Denise Barnhill has also filed for the seat.

Surrounded by family, Rep. Frank Corte Jr. (R-San Antonio) announced he will not seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives in 2010. Corte said he is not currently endorsing any candidate for the seat. Corte's office issued a full news release which we post here.

Corte is known as one of the most consistently conservative members of the Texas Legislature. He was president of the Texas Conservative Coalition 1996-1998 and chairman of the House Republican Caucus 2007-2009. He authored several pieces of conservative legsialture, most notably the Woman's Right to Know Act, which provided for informed consent for women seeking abortions. He also authored many bills strengthening private property rights after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 Kelo v. New London decision.

Rep. David Swinford (R-Dumas) issued a press release last night announcing that he is not seeking re-election. Swinford has served in the Legislature since 1991. He was asked to lead committees by two different speakers. He was chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock under House speaker Pete Laney and was chairman of the Committees on Government Organization and later State Affairs under Speaker Tom Craddick. Like the rest of the Panhandle delegation, Swinford had a reputation as one of the hardest working members of the House and is respected by Republicans and Democrats alike.

As chairman of Agriculture and Livestock, Swinford authored House Bill 2, the first comprehensive statement of Texas agriculture policy. Later in his career, Swinford became known for his advocacy for wind power and power investment in West Texas. Due both to Texas's electric restructuring act and federal environmental policy, West Texas has become a much more significant player in providing for the state's energy needs, and wind power has become a much more significant part of the region's economy.

Swinford wrote a column for today's Amarillo Globe News discussing his career and decision in more detail. He also issued a statement to the press, which we reprint in full below:

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a party honoring Harry Cabluck, the lone-time photographer for the Austin bureau of Associated Press. Cabluck was laid off from AP as a part of company-wide cutbacks last month but will likely still be working around the Capitol as a freelancer. Cabluck is a Capitol institution and is perhaps the only person who could go into just about any room at the Capitol without being thrown out. He's spent an entire career helping people from all sides of the political spectrum look good in print. He's also one of the nicest people in the Capitol and often considered a real class act.

The Texas Tribune's Elise Hu wrote a fabulous tribute to Cabluck, and for those who have not done so already, I highly recommend reading it. Speaking as someone who has followed the Capitol for more than a decade, press conferences just won't be the same if Harry Cabluck isn't in the back taking photos.

Last week, I observed a development that raises ethical concerns in the race for State Board of Education District 9 between incumbent Don McLeroy and Thomas Ratliff.

The lobby held a fundraiser for Ratliff. (I've been forwarded several copies of the lobby invitation, one of which can be viewed here.) Several of the lobbyists listed as fundraiser sponsors represent companies that could have business before the State Board of Education. Some represent computer companies that pushed for legislation watering down state textbook quality control efforts and making it easier for computer companies to get state textbook money – bills that passed over the objection of several State Board of Education members. Others represent firms that have provided or could provide investment services to the Permanent School Fund. Still others have no direct connection to board business, but are simply Ratliff family friends.

Houston mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White made an appearance on WFAA's Inside Texas Politics last Sunday (Dec. 6).  White discussed the key themes of his campaign for governor. Speaking immediately after White was LSR Managing Editor William Lutz, who gave a commentary on the need for immigrants to speak English.

Specifically, Lutz praised Dallas police officers who gave tickets to drivers who didn't speak English when pulled over and suggested they have brought to light important probems that need solving. Lutz didn't defend giving tickets to those who haven't broken the law. But rather he argued that the current state of affairs on immigration policy is indefensible too.  Click here to view the entire program. Inside Texas Politics airs every Sunday at 9 a.m. on WFAA-TV in North Texas (Channel 8).

State Board of Education member Cynthia Dunbar (R-Richmond) announced that she is not seeking re-election to the State Board of Education. She also announced her endorsement of Brian Russell for the District 10 seat. We reprint her statement in full below:

It is with a deep sense of accomplishment that I announce I will not be seeking re-election to the State Board of Education.  When I ran in 2006 I was unreservedly outspoken about my conservative views on both government and my goals for office.  My boldness earned me the overwhelming support of all 16 counties within the boundaries of District 10; clearly I was a voice for the majority of my constituents.  I promised them that I would be a statesman and not a career politician and that I would get in, get the job done and get out.  That is exactly what I have done ...