Tour:Smart - Martin Atkins at Avant Garden Tonight.
H-Town Rock
Missed Connections: November 2 - 5
Daily-ist Thursday: River Oaks Theater 70th Anniversary Celebration
Get sticky at Lawndale's Sugar Skull workshop
This is the first in a series of posts about the simmering 2007 City Council races. Check Houstonist in the next week or two for information about Districts D and E and At-Large Positions 3 and 5.
Current District I Representative Carol Alvarado is term-limited this year, and two contestants are hotly vying for her seat. James Rodriguez, Alvarado's former chief-of-staff and her pick for the position, announced his candidacy late last year - a sign that any other challengers should be prepared for a long race and lots of fundraising. In spite of this, John Marron, a retired AT&T (headquartered in San Antonio) employee, has also thrown his hat into the ring. Both contestants grew up in District I, which includes neighborhoods in downtown and East End.
James Rodriguez has a valuable endorsement from Carol Alvarado, but John Marron is backed by Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia. That's great, but we think sharing campaign logos is taking things too far. U.S. Rep. Gene Green has also thrown his support behind Marron, although Carol Alvarado spent much of her formative political years working for Green. Marron may have these powerful endorsements, but he's not very popular with City Hall blog commenters.
District I may end up a little bit of a political soap opera, and this will definitely be a long and hard-fought race between two qualified candidates. Both candidates are holding campaign events next Thursday evening: James Rodriguez will be hosting Cocktails with the Candidate at 13 Celsius and John Marron will have a reception with Rep. Gene Green at Brady's Landing.
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Sylvia: Patrona??? Not me. Just use my logo.
You stirred my curiosity about this race and noticed Morron's supporters are virtually all who do business with Harris county. Where is his support from members of the community? Cronism and political endorsements will only take you so far. Political Action committees do not vote and cannot buy votes. By contrast, Rodriguez seems sharp,educated and more experienced.
good observation. i did read marron's support-- everyone backing marron depends on contracts from the county. surprise, surprise that patrona sylvia probably made them support marron.
Sylvia Garcia? I don't ever remember her coming to my community to help us with District I issues And Gene Green backing Marron? That's reason enough to find him a qualified Hispanic opponent. At least Gene comes into the district during election time, but Sylvia made it clear she doesn't even know what neighborhoods are in district I--she thought Pleasantville was in the district--it was in a letter marron handed out!! Give me a break!
If Marron's endorsers all depend on contracts from the county, it's no wonder those folks probably gave money to Marron. otherwise Sylvia probably said she wouldn't approve their contract.
Did Moron ask for the electeds to endorse or did Sylvia?
The Chronicle got in trouble with some Hispanic readers when they threw the word "patrona" around, but all these comments raise a valid point, regardless of race.
I agree sharing campaign logos it too weird. I feel as if someone is just telling him what to do versus him wanting to run a successful campaign. As far as Congressman Green endorsing Marron sents off alarms for me because why in the world would he endorse Marron. Did Marron beg him or did Commissioner Garcia interesting. It will be an interesting campaign race and I will be there campaigning for the best candidate.... James Rodriguez. So make sure you vote November 6 if you leave in district I if not tell your friends.