A few things we wanted to share with you today:
Houston Mayor. Sheriff Adrian Garcia announced his candidacy today, ending months of “will he or won’t he” speculation. Stressing “reform and results,” Garcia said his campaign would focus on balancing the budget, saving taxpayers money and protecting children and families. Garcia was required to resign once he became a candidate. Harris Co. Judge Ed Emmett said he accepted Garcia’s resignation but has not decided on a replacement. Through a spokesperson, Emmett said he would prefer someone with a combination of law enforcement and management experience who would be willing to run for election to a full term in 2016. Rep. Allen Fletcher (R-Tomball) could fit that description, and he has openly courted the idea of seeking the commissioners court’s appointment should Garcia enter the mayoral race.
Garcia’s entry comes months after several high profile candidates had already entered the race. He joins a crowded field that includes former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, city council member Stephen Costello, 2013 mayoral runner-up Ben Hall, former Houston Chronicle columnist Bill King, businessman Marty McVey and Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston). Garcia reported having $57K on hand in the most recent campaign finance report, but he may not be able to transfer all of that into a mayoral campaign account.
San Antonio Mayor. A pair of ethics complaints were filed today as the increasingly bitter race enters its final days. A volunteer for the Leticia Van de Putte campaign filed one against Mike Villarreal, asserting an improper collusion between his campaign and an independent group making expenditures in support of Villarreal. He denies the accusation. Meanwhile, a contributor to Villarreal’s campaign filed a complaint against Mayor Ivy Taylor for failing to disclose her husband’s bail bonds business income on her personal financial disclosure forms. A Taylor spokesman said it was an “oversight that is being fixed.”
Eye on 2016. A Quinnipiac University poll released today indicates Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is leading the crowded, and ever changing, field there. Walker was favored by 21% of likely caucus attendees. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was part of a statistically tied group of four candidates in second place with 12%. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was at 5%. Former Gov. Rick Perry was at 2%. Bush led the field when it came to which candidate the caucus goers would refuse to support, followed closely by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Full poll results can be found here: http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/iowa/release-detail?ReleaseID=2223
New CTAs. No new campaign treasurer appointments (CTAs) of interest have been filed since our last report.
