denton county totals dismal

Here are the percentages for the candidates on Denton County ballots... keep in mind these are Denton County totals, not statewide totals. While they may seem dismal, Democrats succeeded in making inroads in traditionally conservative areas of Denton County and look forward to future election cycles.

U.S. SENATOR
Hutchison: 69.67%
Radnofsy: 28.01%
Jameson: 2.31%

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 24
Marchant: 62.25%
Page: 34.71%
Frohman: 3.03%

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 26
Burgess: 67.33%
Barnwell: 30.02%
Haas: 2.63%

GOVERNOR
Perry: 46.96%
Bell: 23.09%
Werner: 0.57%
Friedman: 12.34%
Strayhorn: 17.01%
Dillon: 0.00%

These figures are with about 70% of precincts reporting in Denton County. Our best showing was in the State Rep. 64 race, where John McLeod took nearly 41% of the vote. We also showed well in the two judge races and in U.S. Rep 24, where Gary Page received about 35%.

All of the Denton County totals can be found here. Expect more election analysis tomorrow.

An Interview with John McLeod

Whosplayin has another great interview up - this time with candidate for State Representative in District 64, John McLeod. Here's a sampling:

Whosplayin: You were the child of a Presbyterian minister. How does your faith guide you in your political beliefs? What do you say to those who think Republicans have the "corner on Christ?"

John McLeod: My Mother, Jobeth McLeod is a Presbyterian minister in Alpine, TX. I was actually talking to her last night and she is in the middle of planning a fundraiser and meet-and-greet for Chris Bell incidentally.

I don't think that I can separate my political beliefs and my spiritual beliefs enough to really say where one begins and the other ends. In my mind public service, servanthood, spirituality, and being a good Democrat were always the same thing. When I volunteer with a soup kitchen it's both because I believe we're are all God's children and it's my Christian duty to do so, but also because as a Democrat I believe that we have a mutual responsibility to support one another. To whom much is given, much is required. As to having a monopoly on God all I can only say is that no one can truly say that God is on their side, only that they are on God's side.

Whosplayin: This question, for the benefit of my father-in-law: Are you a "godless liberal" hell-bent taking away Texans' guns?

John McLeod: I like your father-in-law already. No, the vast majority of Texans, myself included, generally support maintaining the status quo in terms of firearms laws. I am also a gun owner, skeet shooter, and hunter. The only new gun law I'd consider at this point is restricting the Vice President from handling a firearm within a three mile radius of me.

It's a long and in-depth interview. Read it here, and if you're as impressed as I was, go on over and contribute to the McLeod campaign.

Denton County Teacher Back-to-School Celebration

Join John McLeod, Democratic candidate for State Representative in District 64, as he celebrates with some of the hardest working men and women in the county, our teachers.

You may have noticed stores and businesses busier than normal and restaurant waiting times increasing, helping to remind us all that it's back to school time again. For the last few months the media and our conversations have been filled with discussion of our struggling Texas schools as the Legislature, once again, failed to increase school funding by even $1. However, what often gets overlooked is that despite the many failings of our representatives, we are blessed with some of the best educators anywhere. These hardworking men and women continue year in and year out to overcome substantial obstacles to teach our children in difficult circumstances. To thank them for all their sacrifices and hard work, we are hosting a special event. We will be providing fun, food and fabulous door prizes thanks to the generosity of many local businesses that care about our teachers.

What: Denton County Teacher Back-to-School Celebration
When: Wednesday, August 16th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Downtowner, 725 N. Elm St., Denton

If you would like to volunteer, donate food, gifts or gift certificates, or make a donation to this event, please email liz@mcleodfortexas.com

Candidate Profile: John McLeod

If John McLeod is elected to the Texas Legislature this fall, he will be among the youngest politicians in the statehouse. But don’t let his age fool you. McLeod’s interest in politics goes back to childhood, and he has volunteered on a variety of campaigns. These early experiences naturally led him to study government while at the University of Texas at Austin.

McLeod is running in the 64th District, which includes most of the city of Denton, Lake Dallas, Corinth, and The Colony. The seat is currently held by Republican Myra Crownover.

A fellow candidate describes him as “a true gentleman, in the old-fashioned sense of the word.” Talk to John, and on everything from his political priorities to even the way he criticizes his opponent reflects a certain decency. Of his opponent, Myra Crownover, he says, “Give her credit. She took over her seat under difficult circumstances, after the death of her husband. But her heart isn’t in it, and it shows.” In fact, the latest reports show McLeod’s fundraising efforts outraising Crownover by a two-to-one margin.

John’s wife, Carabeth, is a middle school teacher, and education reform is among his highest priorities. Despite the money and energy spent in recent special sessions, he doesn’t feel Texas has solved its educational crisis. Asked specifically what needs to be done, he states that funding is still an issue, and that we are still not allocating enough dollars to education to provide a first rate system. “Texas needs to adequately fund education, not just pretend to. I’m sick and tired of being first in all the wrong measures, and fiftieth in everything that counts.” A good education shouldn’t be “reserved for someone whose parents are crafty enough to figure out how to send them to private school.” Among his educational priorities, he sees a need to radically improve technology, upgrade textbooks, and increase teacher salaries to keep our school systems competitive.

Asked about the funding crisis for Texas parks, he replies, “This is an issue that resonates with everyone whenever it comes up. There is widespread support for increased funding.” He supports legislation to raise the cap on the amount of money directed to parks from the sporting goods tax.

Discussing one of his reasons for running for public office, he talks about the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform to stop lobbyists from picking the pocket of Texas tax payers. “We’ve created a system of government that is ‘pay to play’.” McLeod doesn’t feel public service should be about making money for himself or lobbyists. One of his heroes is Henry B. Gonzalez, the first Hispanic representative to Congress from Texas. “Henry left office poorer than he came in. That’s public service.”

www.mcleodfortexas.com

bor: focus on north texas

Lately, we've seen an influx of posts on Burnt Orange Report that don't focus on Austin or the state as a whole, but on North Texas. We've decided to profile some of these front-page blogs.

Earlier we reported that BOR front-paged John McClelland's blog about Amy Manuel. Soon after, McClelland blogged about Strayhorn's waffling on Denton toll roads. Now, you can find a blog about Gary Page and the race for the U.S. House seat in District 24.

Also, Katie Naranjo is reporting that John McLeod, Democratic candidate for Texas House District 64, has fundraised "past his competition." That's right, McLeod has raised more money than the Republican incumbent, Myra Crownover.

Either well-connected Austin bloggers think that North Texas Democrats have a chance in November or, at the very least, have begun to take notice of our active blogosphere and party politics in Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin counties. Either way, we're happy about it.

denton county democratic convention

This past Saturday, I was a delegate to the Denton County Democratic Convention. The convention was opened with a speech from Lt. Governor candidate Maria Luisa Alvarado. She expressed her desire for a stronger Texas for every Texan and promised to bring her Democratic values to the very important post in Texas government. She asked that all Texans vote for her in the runoff on April 11 and beyond that in November.

After Alvarado's address, Denton County Party Chair Edra Bogle addressed her last convention. In May, she will be succeeded by John Gossett, who served as secretary to the convention. Mrs. Bogle called the convention to order and implemented some parliamentary procedures and then we were under way.

Some key speeches included a rousing address from candidate for U.S. Congress, District 26, Tim Barnwell. He talked about how the constituents in his district range greatly; some live in a gated community in Flower Mound and others live in a rough area of Fort Worth. He's running on principles, though, principles that should extend past those barriers. Rep. Michael Burgess has outstayed his welcome in the 26th District and it's time for a change.

Amy Manuel, running for Denton County Commissioner Precinct 2, gave a speech, as well as the Democrat running for State House, District 64, John McLeod. McLeod faces stiff competition from popular Republican Myra Crownover in November.

Some candidates sent representatives to speak in their stead. One of your NTL bloggers proudly spoke on behalf of Barbara Ann Radnofsky, candidate for U.S. Senate. The crowd overwhelmingly showed support for Radnofsky as Jennifer urged the delegates not to vote for perennial loser Gene Kelly on April 11.

Another candidate represented by a campaign worker was Glen Maxey. Maxey ran the No Nonsense in November campaign last year against Prop 2. This year, he is running for State Party Chair. The representative urged all delegates that would go on to the State Convention to cast their vote for Maxey.

After candidate speeches, delegates were chosen for the State Convention. Yours truly will represent Senate District 9 and Denton County this June at the State Convention in Fort Worth. I'm very excited about it and will definitely come back bearing many reports, endorsements, etc.

After a short recess, Edra reconvened the convention to vote on resolutions. The Denton County Party will send several resolutions, including national healthcare and anti-war messages to the State Convention. At the state level, they will have the chance to be embedded within the party platform.

The convention ended with a speech from Lt. Governor candidate Ben Z. Grant. Grant will face Alvarado in an April 11 runoff. Grant famously rode a horse to the Constitutional Convention in the 1970s and is a former Texas lawmaker that was considered a member of the "Dirty Thirty." He asked the delegates for their vote in the primary so he could get back down to Austin and sort out the Republican corruption.

The convention, overall, was a huge success. I was proud to be a part of politics in action and felt like I was really doing something to help better the Democratic Party here in Texas. I can't wait till June when the State Convention will convene. It will be a huge honor to participate. A large number of area Democrats have been elected as delegates to attend, and Denton County will be well-represented.