GOP-PHOBIA SEEPING DOWN TO LOCAL REPUBLICANS-- EVEN IN TEAXS!
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Unless you live in Texas, it's not likely you've ever heard of State Rep Martha Wong or her Democratic challenger Ellen Cohen, CEO of the Houston Area Women's Center. They are contesting the Republican-gerrymadered 134th state house district in Houston (which includes Meyerland, South Braeswood, Bellaire, Montrose, West University Place and the Medical Center). Wong is on the defensive for several reasons-- not the least of which was that she was exposed by the Houston Chronicle as having kicked off the campaign season by blatantly lying in her first political ad.
Wong represents parts of Montrose, a largely gay neighborhood, but she abstained when it came to voting for the anti-gay constitutional amendment, pissing off both gay constituents and parts of the Republican base. She also voted for a typically Texas loony plan that forces abortion providers to actually lie to women and tell them abortion causes breast cancer. And, probably the thing that is most likely to cause her to lose her seat, she voted to cut hundreds of thousands of children from the Children's Health Insurance Program (HB 2292). She also blocked funding for a stem cell research facility in Houston's medical center.
This is Houston, not Waco or Amarillo. The district is not some socially conservative hellhole-- it was one of the few in Texas to vote against the anti-gay Prop 2-- and Bush's staggering disapproval ratings are thought to be pulling down local candidates in urban areas like this all over Texas.
After winning the primary, Wong has been desperately trying to run away from being identified with the right wing Republican Party. A really funny aspect of this is her campaign team running all over the district covering up the word "Republican" on her campaign signs with red tape. Her record-- not independent, pure Republican-- can't be covered up with the tape and no one in this affluent, educated district is fooled.
Texas' Burnt Orange Report has a great video about the latest krefufle in the bone-headed Wong's desperate bid to fool her constituents.
posted by DownWithTyranny @ 8:43 AM
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I've actually been cautiously optimistic about the Dems chances in Texas. There's a lot of untapped anger in Texas. We're known as a friendly people and for good reason. Though in recent years some might doubt that and who could blame you. Just remember the Bushes didn't come from Texas, they came here. We can't always control that but we do have some stinkers of our own.
I think Kinky has a real chance at Gov. If it weren't for Kinky I think Bell would win because Perry is such a horses ass who hasn't done anything but make himself richer. Folks are real mad at Bush and DeLay. Especially DeLay for redistricting and the spectical that caused. I hoping we surprise the country in November. It could happen. I don't get involved in local politics so I don't know how much help the party has been but if Dean really does have a fifty state strategy then maybe it will be enough.
Wong's district also includes some very wealthy, very Republican neighborhoods. So it will be a tough fight for Cohen. But it's going to be a real fight--Cohen is a good candidate with lots of community support.
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