Judge Israel Garcia, the Presiding Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 1, in Harris County, Texas, was endorsed by Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ralph Cooper live on the KCOH 1230AM -- THE SOURCE, airwaves yesterday (Thursday, August 22, 2024). KCOH is Texas's oldest Black radio station. In other happenings, Former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (left) declared "Hope is Making a Comeback" in the forthcoming Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Presidential Election. NEW POLL RESULTS... A new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll shows that Democratic Party Nominee for President Kamala Harris only trails former President Donald J. Trump by two percentage points with "INDEPENDENT VOTERS" in Texas. President Biden trailed former President Trump by 24 percentage points in June 2024 with "INDEPENDENT VOTERS," according to the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs Poll.
Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ralph Cooper has been a fixture on the Houston airwaves for over 50 years. Cooper is a sports radio legend, but most folks don't know that Ralph Cooper began his career as a journalist at the Houston Forward Times newspaper, covering community issues, the Harris County Jails, and happenings in the Harris County Courts. On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ralph Cooper announced his endorsement of Judge Israel Garcia, a Democrat, in the forthcoming Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Presidential Election race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 1, in Harris County, Texas.
Charting a New, Less Divisive Way Forward Seems to Be the Battlecry for Democrats After DNC Convention in Chicago
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
What Democrat nominee for President Kamala Harris called for last night in her acceptance speech is for the American people to join her in her quest to “CHART A NEW WAY FORWARD” during this pivotal time in the history of our great nation.
From my observation, rejecting political division was the bedrock of her acceptance speech as she accepted her party’s nomination. “Our nation, with this election, has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past,” Harris implored her fellow Democrats to rise above divisiveness.
“A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans,” she said.
Since late last year, Judge Israel Garcia, the Presiding Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 1, has been investing his time, treasure, and resources to “DOING SOMETHING” in Harris County, Texas. And what’s unique about Judge Garcia is that he’s spending his hard-earned money to implore voters in Harris County, Texas, to go to the polls and vote in every race on the ballot.
Sure, he’s a Democrat through and through and bleeds blue. Still, he’s an American and a Democrat who believes in the United States Constitution and cares deeply about America – and protecting the rights of everyone who enters his courtroom.
When I heard former first lady Michelle Obama declare, “Hope is making a comeback,” the first person that came to my mind was Judge Israel Garcia, the Presiding Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 1, a man I believe in, and cherish as a client.
Judge Garcia, like me, is the first person in his family to graduate from college. His deceased father came to America as an undocumented minor at 16 years old with no formal education. Judge Garcia and his daughter have changed the trajectory of their entire bloodline in less than one generation.
“My dad came to America as an undocumented minor at 16 years old,” Judge Garcia told Hall of Fame broadcaster Ralph Cooper on Thursday, August 23, 2024, when he made a special guest appearance on “SPORTSRAP” a famous KCOH1230AM – THE SOURCE, talk show.
While on the show, Judge Garcia discussed his pride over his daughter and her accomplishments. “My daughter recently graduated from Trinity University as a Neuroscience Major and is in her first year of Medical School,” he explained.
“My daughter and other young people are the future,” he says.
Judge Garcia states, “We need to focus more on the future and our future generation of leaders.”
“We’ve assembled a hell of a ballot on the Democratic side in Harris County, Texas, and we have quality candidates running for office up and down the ballot,” he proclaimed.
This election is going to be close in Texas. “As former first lady Michelle Obama asked us to do, I’ve been doing the work.”
“When I’m not on the bench, I’m out with my team knocking on doors and doing my part to spread the word to my constituents about the upcoming election,” says Judge Garcia.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama was correct when she stated, “This election is going to be close. In some states, just a handful of votes in every precinct could decide the winner” in her speech to DNC Convention attendees.
“The vast majority of us do not want to live in a country this bitter and divided,” stated Former President Obama at the DNC Convention. “We want something better. We want to be better,” he said.
“IGNORE THE POLLS.”
A new survey measuring where things stand in Texas was released after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. The survey I’m referring to was conducted earlier this month by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs.
In June 2024, the same pollster released a survey showing former President Donald Trump holding a nine-point lead over President Joe Biden.
Texans may not realize that in June 2024, former President Trump held a 24-point edge over President Joe Biden with “INDEPENDENT VOTERS” in Texas.
With Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, according to the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs survey, former President Trump only holds a two percentage point lead with “INDEPENDENT VOTERS” over Harris in Texas.
I’m not saying that Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, will flip Texas blue on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. But I am saying that she’s made things much more exciting than they were a few weeks ago.
“CLOSING THOUGHTS.”
The battle for Texas on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, will be won (or lost) in Harris County, Texas. That said, “DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES” and “REPUBLICAN NOMINEES” need to do something.
History reveals that if the voter turnout in Harris County, Texas, is low, “REPUBLICAN NOMINEES” have an excellent chance of defeating their Democratic opponents. However, if the voter turnout is historic in areas like Sunnyside, Southpark, Acres Homes, Third Ward, Fourth Ward, Fifth Ward, Barrett Station, Kashmere Gardens, Greenspoint, Independence Heights, Settegast, and Pleasantville, “DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES” will do just fine.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONSEMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT:
(281)788-3033
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONSEMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT:
(281)788-3033
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "Early voting will begin on Monday, October 21, 2024, and end on Friday, November 1, 2024, for the upcoming Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Presidential Election. It is incumbent upon us to make it our business to select the best candidate available in every down-ballot race."
Donors Have helped Harris/Walz raise $500 million, and Local Black Democrat Judicial Nominees Have Raised over $1.3 million
AUBREY R. REPORTS©
After a rocky start to the 2024 Presidential Election cycle, African American female Democratic judicial nominees have found their groove. They are beginning to hit their stride after being called unqualified and ill-prepared to preside over courtrooms. Remember, only a few months ago, Judge Erica Hughes was called an animal by a local “LGBTQ+ Community attorney named Ben L. Aderholt, who was immediately fired by (COATS/ROSE), the law firm he worked for.
I’m not going to harp on Attorney Ben L. Aderholt or anyone else who hates the advancements Black women are making in the area of politics. However, I suffice to say, “THESE WOMEN ARE HERE TO STAY,” and for the most part, are doing stellar jobs presiding over local courtrooms.
“VOTING RIGHTS.”
It wasn’t that long ago that women didn’t even have the right to vote. Remember, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, granted women of all ethnicities the right to vote.
Since then, Black women, White women, Latino women, Asian women, and others have made tremendous strides in the political, public, and private sectors, forming “A SISTERHOOD” unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Will Americans entrust “A BLACK WOMAN” with the humungous task of leading the free world? After raising over $500 million in under a month, Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be the antidote to former president Donald J. Trump in the minds of Democrats and Republicans in many regards.
“OUTLOOK 2024.”
Law Firms, family, and friends of local “BLACK DEMOCRATIC JUDICIAL CANDIDATES” have positioned them with an impressive cash advantage over the Republican candidates they will face off against on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in Harris County, Texas.
With “EARLY VOTING,” beginning on Monday, October 21, 2024, “BLACK DEMOCRATIC JUDICIAL CANDIDATES” from Harris County, Texas (primarily women) have $1,391,006.14 cash on hand in the bank as a group. Their Republican counterparts only have $70,086.66 cash on hand when you subtract away the $607,012.48 that the Texas Alliance for Life PAC has associated with Texas Supreme Justice James “Jimmy” Blacklock, who Judge DaSean Jones challenged.
“VOTER OUTREACH.”
Republicans are encouraging Texas voters to “GO TO THE POLLS WITH INTENTION,” casting their ballots for “GOP CANDIDATES” up and down their ballot in 2024 to “Keep Texas – Texas.”
Their Democratic counterparts are encouraging Texas voters to “VOTE BLUE ALL THE WAY THROUGH” their ballots in Texas as they try to reclaim the Lone Star State where no “DEMOCRAT” has won a statewide race since 1994, which was three decades ago.
On top of dominating Democrats for three decades in statewide Texas races, Republicans are starting to make modest gains with Latino and Black voters in Texas. However, “BLACK DOWN-BALLOT JUDICIAL CANDIDATES” have begun making strides in fundraising, which could enable them to become surrogates for the Democratic Party, which desperately needs African Americans to turn out in historic numbers to have any shot at keeping control of Harris County, Texas.
The biggest mistake local Democratic candidates could make is to horde the campaign cash on hand they have, instead of using newly found wealth to mobilize, energize, and engage Texas voters in predominantly African American precincts to “VOTE BLUE ALL THE WAY THROUGH” their ballot on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
“VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.”
We haven’t seen any vast donations roll through, like the $30,000.00 the Buzbee Law Firm (Tony Buzbee) donated to Brittanye Morris shortly after she unseated her fellow Democrat, Judge Daryl Moore, to claim the 333rd Civil District Court bench on March 3, 2020, in the Democratic Party Primary.
We’re continuing to monitor the campaign finance reports.
While no local law firms have matched the $30,000.00 the Buzbee Law Firm gave Brittanye Morris, regional law firms are beginning to flex their muscle with smaller $5,000.00 donations being duplicated and distributed to multiple “DOWN-BALLOT” Democratic judicial nominees. This is a massive vote of confidence from the attorneys practicing before these honorable men and women.
“FEELING THE LOVE.”
In July 2024, after President Joe Biden dropped out of the Presidential race and endorsed his Vice President (Kamala Harris), she proved her worthiness by hitting the campaign trail running and raising $310 million, and she now has over $500 million cash on hand.
As a refresher, many “DEMOCRAT MEGADONORS” got spooked and soured on President Biden after his horrific televised debate performance against former President Donald Trump. But things have taken a dramatic turn for the better as Democrats are flexing their muscle with “HARRIS/WALZ” at the top of their ticket.
Believe it or not, the generosity shown to the “HARRIS/WALZ TICKET” over the last few weeks is starting to trickle down to local “DEMOCRATIC JUDICIAL NOMINEES” running in local races against “REPUBLICAN JUDICIAL NOMINEES” who are finding it challenging to keep pace with their “DOWN-BALLOT” Democratic rivals.
Based on their most recently filed campaign finance reports, “BLACK DEMOCRATIC JUDICIAL NOMINEES” are beginning to “FEEL THE LOVE” as local lawyers and their firms feel more confident and loosen their purse strings—if you know what I mean.
“THE MONEY BAG.”
A couple of years ago, Judge Ravi K. Sandill, the presiding judge for the 127th Civil District Court, had $620,400.85 in his campaign bank account. However, after his hotly contested 2024 bid for re-election, all he has in his account right now is $107,862.07.
On March 5, 2024, Judge Ravi K. Sandill was defeated by his fellow Democrat Denise Brown, who had no money to spend but had a “GOOD BALLOT NAME” and a strong work ethic.
“THE DOWN-BALLOT.”
Good ballot names are essential in local politics. As was evident when Denise Brown received 103,848 votes for 67.8% of the vote, and Judge R.K. Sandill only received 49,359 votes, for 32.2%, on “SUPER TUESDAY” in the Democratic Party Primary race for the 127th Civil District Court – a good ballot name could be the difference between winning and losing.
As Judge R.K. Sandill learned, it doesn’t matter how much money you spend – if you spend it in the wrong places – you could still lose handily – significantly if your name doesn’t help you.
“BAD BALLOT NAMES.”
Overconfidence on the part of “DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES” heading into the forthcoming Tuesday, November 5, 2024, election contests can come back to bite them, as it did for several local “BLACK DEMOCRAT NOMINEES” during the November 8, 2022, Midterm Elections.
Remember what happened to Gemayel L. Haynes (Democrat), who lost to Kristin M. Guiney in the race for District Judge, 183rd Judicial District Court?
The “ETHNIC SOUNDING NAME” of Gemayel didn’t help him much with voters scrolling down the most significant ballot in America. After the voting, Kristin M. Guiney received 534,707 votes for 50.13%, and Gemayel L. Haynes received 532,031 votes for 49.87%.
Gemayel lost his race to Kristin by the slim margin of 2,676 votes.
On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Porsha Natasha Brown (Democrat) lost her bid to become a judge to Leslie Johnson (Republican), who won by 267 votes in the race for judge of County Criminal Court at Law No. 3.
As a refresher, Leslie Johnson received 529,649 votes or 50.1% of the vote, and Porscha Natasha Brown received 529,382 votes or 49.99%.
In the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Judge Ronnisha Bowman (Democrat) was the only “SITTING DEMOCRAT JUDGE” running countywide who lost her bench. Judge Bowman received 529,909 votes, 49.77% of the vote, and Paula Goodhart received 531,798 votes, 50.23%.
Je’Rell A. Rogers (Democrat) lost to Jessica N. Padilla (Republican) in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court at Law No 14, on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, in Harris County, Texas.
According to the Harris County Clerk’s Office, Jessica N. Padilla received 533,823 votes for 50.68%, and Je’Rell A. Rogers received 519,533 for 49.32%.
In the race for District Judge in the 180th Judicial District Court, Tami C. Pierce (Republican) nearly defeated Judge DaSean Jones, sued him, and won a new election scheduled for May 2025.
As a refresher, Tami C. Pierce (Republican) received 534,011 votes, for 49.98% of the vote, and DaSean Jones received 534,460, for 50.02%, to win by 449 votes.
“CLOSING THOUGHTS.”
For Democrats running countywide to sweep Harris County, Texas, the voter turnout on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, would have to be north of 800,000 votes. If individual “DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES” running countywide in Harris County, Texas, below 800,000, they could risk losing to their Republican rival on Election Day. That said, if the voter turnout for individual candidates is below 500,000 votes, “REPUBLICAN NOMINEES” will run the table in countywide races.
Democrat nominees in “DOWN-BALLOT” judicial races dominate “REPUBLICAN NOMINEES,” but many are sitting on their campaign war chests, which is difficult to understand.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONSEMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT:
(281)788-3033
DaSean Jones (Democrat) has $35,162.42 in cash, and James “Jimmy” Blacklock has a political action committee affiliated with him called Texas Alliance for Life PAC, which has $607,012.48 cash on hand. These two nominees will square off in the Judge, Supreme Court, Place 2 race.
Chika A. Anyiam (Democrat) has $9,624.60 in cash, and Lee Finley (Republican) has a political action committee called Bastrop County Conservatives PAC affiliated with him that has $5,516.33 cash on hand. These two nominees will square off in the race for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8.
Amber Boyd-Cora (Democrat) has $2,850.00 in cash, and Susanna Dokupil (Republican) has $15,211.93. These two are running for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 9.
Velda Renita Faulkner (Democrat) has $600.00 in cash, and Chad Bridges (Republican) has $15,441.09. These two are running for Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 3.
Fredericka Phillips (Democrat) has $169,821.36 in cash, and Lee Kathryn Shuchart (Republican) has $2,650.00. These two are running for District Judge in the 61st Judicial District Court.
Jeralynn Manor (Democrat) has $183,947.44 in cash, and Sonya Aston (Republican) has $1,250.00. These two are running for District Judge in the 80th Judicial District Court.
Erica Hughes (Democrat) has $190,100.00 in cash on hand. She has no Republican opponent running against her for District Judge in the 151st Judicial District Court.
TaKasha Francis (Democrat) has $125,352.82 in cash. She has no Republican opponent running against her for District Judge in the 152nd Judicial District Court.
Cheryl Elliott Thornton (Democrat) has $71,471.97 in cash, and Aaron Adams (Republican) has “ZERO” cash on hand. These two are running for District Judge in the 164th Judicial District Court.
Ursula A. Hall (Democrat) has $48,991.63 in cash, and Bruce Bain (Republican) has $6,982.69 cash on hand. These two are running for District Judge in the 165th Judicial District Court.
Hazel B. Jones (Democrat) has $2,005.70 in cash. She has no Republican opponent running against her in the race for District Judge, 174th Judicial District Court.
Nikita “Niki” Harmon (Democrat) has $13,596.04 in cash. She has no Republican opponent running against her in the race for District Judge, 176th Judicial District Court.
Robert Johnson (Democrat) has $53,337.16 in cash, and Emily Detoto Munoz (Republican) has $500.00 cash on hand. These two are running for District Judge in the 177th Judicial District Court.
Elaine Palmer (Democrat) has $70,053.19 in cash, and Nathan Milliron (Republican) has $1,404.20. These two are running for District Judge in the 215th Judicial District Court.
Tracy D. Good (Democrat) has $67,925.79 in cash, and Brian Staley (Republican) has $12,304.11 cash on hand. These two are running for District Judge in the 333rd Judicial District Court.
Dawn Rogers (Democrat) has $157,639.28 in cash. She has no Republican opponent running against her for District Judge in the 334th Judicial District Court.
Te’iva Bell (Democrat) has $8,114.92 in cash. She has no Republican opponent running against her for District Judge in the 339th Judicial District Court.
Vivian King (Democrat) has $413.00 in cash, and Aaron Burdette (Republican) has “ZERO” cash on hand. These two are running for District Judge in the 486th Judicial District Court.
Stacy Allen Barrow (Democrat) has $13,392.00 in cash, and Lori Deangelo (Republican) has $346.00. These two are running for District Judge in the 487th Judicial District Court.
Carvana Cloud (Democrat) has a political action committee associated with her, and she has $5,578.27 in cash on hand, while Matthew Peneguy (Republican) has $13,561.89 in cash on hand. These two are running for District Judge in the 488th Judicial District Court.
Lillian Henny Alexander (Democrat) has $92,300.10 in cash, and Daniel Lemkuil (Republican) has $218.90. These two are running for District Judge in the 507th Judicial District Court.
Ashley Mayes Guice (Democrat) has $1,979.59 in cash, and Linda Garcia (Republican) has $2,684.03 cash on hand. These two are running for Judge County Criminal Court at Law No. 16.
Fransheneka “Fran” Watson (Democrat) has $18,629.12 in cash, and Ray Black, Jr. (Republican) has $2,500.00 cash on hand. These two are running for Judge, County Probate Court No. 5.
Joe Stephens (Democrat) has “ZERO” cash on hand. He has no Republican opponent running against him in the Justice of the Peace race, Precinct 3, Place 1.
Wanda Adams (Democrat) has $300.25 cash on hand. She has no Republican opponent running against her in the Justice of the Peace race, Precinct 7, Place 1.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONSEMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT:
(281)788-3033
