Democrats seek more pull in Texas

[sonias]

AAS 3/16/10
Democrats seek more pull in Texas
National committee set to give millions for state legislative races.

With congressional redistricting looming, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said it plans to spend a record amount of money in several states, including Texas.

The national committee, which provides financial support to Democratic candidates in state legislative races, will spend $20 million in an effort to take control of 21 legislative chambers in 17 states, a spokesman said.

The states slated to receive the money were chosen because their legislative chambers either have the potential to become Democratic or face the threat of losing control, according to a memo by committee Executive Director Michael Sargeant.

The committee identified Texas as having the possibility for a Democratic takeover in the state House, which has 73 Democrats and 77 Republicans.

Let it rain Democratic national money on Texas baby!

:bounce::woohoo::bounce:
:kick:

[sonias]

1. Texas House Majority in Play in 2010

From LoneStarProject's e-mail blast today:

Lone Star Project
http://www.lonestarproject.net/

Texas House Majority in Play in 2010
Democrats Hold Stronger Hand than Expected
Flawed GOP challengers and strong organization increase Democratic odds

A Strong Democratic Hand

The Lone Star Project has reviewed the top seven State House challengers for each party, taking into account the relative strength of incumbents and challengers as well as the demographic and political trends in each district. Although today’s national political environment favors Republicans, virtually every other important factor plays to the benefit of Democrats.

The State House Legislative map was gerrymandered by Republicans in 2001 with the intent of guaranteeing a sizeable Republican majority throughout the decade (Source: Austin American-Statesman, July 24, 2001). Yet, over the last two election cycles Democrats defied the expectations of pundits and political insiders and have closed the GOP State House advantage from fourteen seats to only three. In 2010, even while facing a difficult national political environment, Texas Democrats appear to have played their cards right and could walk away from the table holding a new majority.

Key Democratic Advantages in 2010
When comparing Democratic chances of gaining seats to Republican chances to increase their majority, the Democratic advantage is evident.

Better organization and strategic planning
Over the last five years, without any meaningful support from national sources, Texas Democrats have quietly built an effective political organization designed specifically to help State House and local candidates. State-of-the art voter data along with professional targeting and polling are available to top-tier candidates and incumbent office-holders. Both the House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) and Annie’s List provide financial support and professional guidance.

Under Chairman Boyd Richie, the Texas Democratic Party aggressively protects and supports the rights of voters while also reinforcing the mainstream views of its most promising challengers. Conversely, Republican campaigns continue to be driven by a network of competing, profit-driven consultants. And, due to Chair Cathie Adams’ extreme, divisive policy positions and mean-spirited rhetoric, the Republican Party of Texas is more burden than benefit to Republican candidates running competitive races politifact.com/personalities/cathie-adams/.

Flawed and ideologically extreme Republican incumbents and challengers
Most 2010 Republican challengers have adopted ideologically extreme views that take them outside mainstream thinking in Texas or in their districts. Others are burdened with controversy or scandal http://www.lonestarproject.net/Permalink/2009-06-12.html">lonestarproject.net/Permalink/2009-06-12.html.

Centrist-minded and practical Democratic incumbents and challengers
2010 Democratic challengers won their nominations by establishing themselves as centrist-minded problem solvers who are well-positioned to appeal to Democratic, independent and fair-minded Republican voters.

Changing district demographics
Although State House district lines were drawn by Republicans in 2001 to preclude Democratic victories, strong Democratic candidates, smart campaigns and changing district demographics have, in many cases, undermined the designs of Republican map drawers. In 2010, all but one of the top tier Democratic challengers are running in districts with minority populations that were at least 20 percent in 2000 and are now significantly larger. This change in the voting universe allows Democrats the opportunity to build a broad-based coalition of Democrats, independents and soft Republicans and makes it more difficult for Republicans to build a majority by appealing only to their far-right constituency.

More of their analysis at their website.

:dem:

[WolverineDG]

6. It's about damn time!

What took so f---ing long?

dg

[tbyg52]

2. About time! Thank you for the good news! nt

[onestepforward]

3. Excellent news!

"... possibility for a Democratic takeover..." Music to my ears! :D

[white cloud]

4. Great news

Thanks

[sonias]

5. We need to have control for the next redistricting cycle

Please, please make it so!

Cautious :bounce:. But how can you control an excited bounce? :shrug:

:bounce::bounce::bounce: You just can't! :bounce::bounce::bounce:

[sonias]

7. The redistricting battle is fought one State House seat at a time

Off the Kuff blog 3/18/10
The redistricting battle is fought one State House seat at a time

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the State House version of the DCCC. With 2011 being a redistricting year, the DLCC takes a more prominent role in the November elections than it would in other years, and with the Texas Lege being fairly balanced, they’ll be paying some attention to our state and its legislative races.

(snip)
Obviously, we’re still very early in the game, and that $20 million represents a goal, not a bank balance. Assuming the money gets raised, the candidates themselves still have to demonstrate they’re worth the investment, which in this case means competing with hopefuls around the country. In other words, don’t go ordering any ad packages based on DLCC money just yet. When and if that money does come this way, you can get an idea of which races it may get spent in by taking a peek at this Lone Star Project report, which covers most of the likely takeover targets. The Dems have a number of seats to defend as well, and like the takeover list that may grow or shrink depending on things like how everyone involved does with their own fundraising.

:kick: