INTERVIEW: Ronald C. Green takes a moment to discuss his Dream, Mission, and Outlook for 2015 with Aubrey R. Taylor

CITY OF HOUSTON CONTROLLER RONALD C. GREEN – pictured with Mayor Allen Owen (left). Ronald C. Green (right) was elected as the first African American Houston City Controller on December 12, 2009, after serving three terms on Houston City Council, At-Large, Position Four. He has been reelected to three consecutive terms and cannot run for reelection as Houston’s city controller in 2015.

On City Council, he chaired the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, overseeing the City’s annual budget of nearly $4 billion. While he served on City Council, his work entailed regular financial and operations reports, strategic purchasing, and municipal court reform. He also served as a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Aviation Committee and the Ad-Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs. As City Controller, he oversees a $13 billion debt portfolio and over $2 billion of investments. With rates at historic lows during the past three years, the Controller’s Office has sought out several refinancing opportunities that have generated over $220 million in savings without extending the life of the debt. In addition to management of the City’s treasury functions, every payment issued by the City of Houston is processed by the Controller’s Office. The Office also prepares several reports to provide financial data and operational statistics regarding the City, including a monthly report, an annual audited comprehensive statement, and a trends report. The Controller’s Office also includes the Audit Division, which has primarily concentrated on identifying inefficiencies and evaluating the City’s outside contracts. Through Audit’s efforts, the City has realized $7.5 million in savings.

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INTERVIEW: Controller Ronald C. Green (Controller for the City of Houston, Texas) answers a few questions asked by Aubrey R. Taylor about his dream, mission in life, outlook for 2015, and advice to others striving to achieve their dream

QUESTION #1

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What was life like for you as a child growing up?

CONTROLLER GREEN: I was fortunate to have loving parents and grandparents who encouraged my inquisitiveness and school interests. Even as a youngster, I had a strong sense of community, in my case Houston’s Third Ward—where I still live.

QUESTION #2

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up?

CONTROLLER GREEN: I always knew I wanted to be a part of my community and be of help to others; that came from my parents I think.

QUESTION #3

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Did you achieve your childhood dream, or did it evolve into something different?

                CONTROLLER GREEN: Early on, I thought I wanted to be a doctor, and so I attended Debakey High School for Health Professions. When I was attending the University of Houston, I became interested in social issues and the sense of serving the community became even stronger. After I received my BS degree from the UH School of Social Science, I attended the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, and then while I served on Houston City Council, I went back to UH and obtained my MBA. 

QUESTION #4

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life?

            CONTROLLER GREEN: I do not have a single “mission in life.” Rather, I have a mission to serve my city—and to elucidate the complexities of municipal finance to the public; a mission to serve and mentor young people; a mission to especially encourage and empower young African-Americans as they begin their careers; a mission to collaboratively work with other municipalities in our country to address the large challenges cities face—and my position on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities has given me that opportunity. Finally, of course, I have the all-important mission of being an encouraging and loving father to Christopher, as my parents were to me.

QUESTION #5

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share?

CONTROLLER GREEN: I am especially proud that as Controller I have been involved in the aggressive re-financing of the City’ municipal bonds; our office has seen successful bond transactions that will save the city well over $450 million this next decade, money that will fund services for our citizens. I am also proud that the Controller’s Office has a heightened level of transparency and that more people are aware of what exactly this office accomplishes.

QUESTION #6

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015?

CONTROLLER GREEN: My outlook for 2015 is very optimistic. Houston is doing well, post-recession. The City’s two main sources of revenue—property and sales taxes—have rebounded significantly from their lows during the recession, and that translates into City services such a libraries and parks and health clinics that benefit citizens across the city. There is an infectious civic pride in Houston—and, I think, the notion that we are all better off when there is a lessening of any “prosperity divide” among our citizens.

QUESTION #7

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream?

CONTROLLER GREEN: Dreams need a plan. Most dreams that are realized have a lot of hard work and commitment behind them. Most dreams are team efforts really, and include parents and teachers and supportive friends. I do think it is important to choose your friends wisely and to play within the rules. I also think it’s important to not jeopardize your dreams by doing something stupid on Facebook or YouTube!!!

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"I would like to take this moment to thank City of Houston Controller Ronald C. Green for finding value in our vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others in association with our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine." -- Aubrey

As President and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, I encourage you to support the people, small business, organizations, corporations and ministries who support our mission and vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others as we climb.

Best regards,

Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
P: (832)212-8735
C: (832)894-1352
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
BLOG: www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

**** Please do not forget that your support can enable us to reach more people with our message of encouragement, hope, inspiration, and empowerment. So email me your request for a hard-copy of our “2014 Year-End Review” edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine today at: (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com). And don’t forget that our ad prices start at a very low $40.00 dollars per issue. WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE GOALS AND DREAMS BY FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER!!!

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Click here to email us your request to have Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business today.

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PEOPLE FEATURED ON THE COVER: Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food). FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, TSU Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), and Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston). Email your request to (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) if you would like to have a copy of our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business.

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Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760. 

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Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760. 

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About Carroll G. Robinson

Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.

Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. 

Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.

Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party. 

Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law. 

Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. 

Professor Robinson is a Life Member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is the author or co-author of numerous legal and public policy articles and commentaries. Robinson plans to put his vast experience and know-how to work for the people of Houston should voters choose him as the best candidate in the race for City of Houston Controller on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Ronald C. Green, Controller for the City of Houston Will Not Be Running for Reelection in the 2015 Election

PEOPLE FEATURED ON THE COVER: Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food). FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, TSU Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), and Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston). Email your request to (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) if you would like to have a copy of our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business.

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City of Houston Controller Ronald C. Green is featured on the "2014 Year-End Review" cover of Houston Business Connections Magazine with other leaders in Business, Education, and Public Service

By Aubrey R. Taylor

Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine

On behalf of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine, our supporters, sponsors, advertisers, and readers, I would like to take a moment to congratulate and thank the following individuals for finding value in our mission to inspire, inform, uplift, promote, brand, and empower people striving to reach their full God-given potential. What we do to build bridges and empower people would not be possible without the support of "DISTINGUISHED AND RESPECTED" individuals like: Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, FBISD Trustee Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), and last, but not least Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food).

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PEOPLE ON THE COVER

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CITY OF HOUSTON CONTROLLER RONALD C. GREEN – pictured with Mayor Allen Owen (left). Ronald C. Green (right) was elected as the first African American Houston City Controller on December 12, 2009, after serving three terms on Houston City Council, At-Large, Position Four. He has been reelected to three consecutive terms and cannot run for reelection as Houston’s city controller in 2015.

On City Council, he chaired the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, overseeing the City’s annual budget of nearly $4 billion. While he served on City Council, his work entailed regular financial and operations reports, strategic purchasing, and municipal court reform. He also served as a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Aviation Committee and the Ad-Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs. As City Controller, he oversees a $13 billion debt portfolio and over $2 billion of investments. With rates at historic lows during the past three years, the Controller’s Office has sought out several refinancing opportunities that have generated over $220 million in savings without extending the life of the debt. In addition to management of the City’s treasury functions, every payment issued by the City of Houston is processed by the Controller’s Office. The Office also prepares several reports to provide financial data and operational statistics regarding the City, including a monthly report, an annual audited comprehensive statement, and a trends report. The Controller’s Office also includes the Audit Division, which has primarily concentrated on identifying inefficiencies and evaluating the City’s outside contracts. Through Audit’s efforts, the City has realized $7.5 million in savings.

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MAYOR ALLEN OWEN – Mayor Allen Owen is Missouri City's 10th mayor since the city's incorporation in 1956. He’s faithfully served as Missouri City’s mayor since 1994. He has a long-standing documented track record of placing the citizens of Missouri City first. His track record and dedication was part of the reason Missouri City was honored as one of the top 10 safest cities in Texas by real estate website Movoto back in August of 2014. Movoto combined crime data from the top 100 most populous municipalities in Texas, and used the FBI’s 2012 Uniform Crime Report to determine that Missouri City is the sixth safest city in Texas. 24/7 Wall St., a web-based corporation designed to report financial news and opinions, also recently ranked Missouri City 16th on their list of the top 50 places to live in the United States. Using data to rank municipalities based on factors such as employment, economy and infrastructure, 24/7 Wall St. celebrated Missouri City’s low crime rate, proximity to Houston and affordability. Missouri City was the only city in the Houston area to make the list; other Texas cities on the list include Richardson (#17) and Flower Mound (#9). The news organization’s profile of the “Show Me City” also reflected the following details: Median household income: $84,511; Median home value: $163,000; Average commuter travel time: 29.5 minutes. Missouri City is also one of the most diverse cities in America.

Mayor Owen and his family have lived in Missouri City more than 36 years. And he continues to dedicate much of his time and expertise towards the development of a community where he and his wife of 47 years, Jane, raised their three children.

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Dr. Michael O. Adams: Leading in Excellence at Texas Southern University

Michael O. Adams, Ph.D., is the Interim Chair of the Department of Political Science, Director of the Master of Public Administration and Founding Director of the Online Executive Master of Public Administration programs at Texas Southern University. He currently serves as the Interim Director of the Barbara Jordan Research Institute. He is a tenured professor, teaching classes in Public Administration and Political Science, while continuously contributing to the academic body of knowledge through research. He provides expertise and proficiency where education, policy administrations, and community participation intersect.

Dr. Adams has authored and co-authored five books since 1987, which cover the fields of American Government, Public Administration and Public Policy. He has published twenty-five papers since 1982. He has also written numerous newspaper columns and editorials, made several scholarly presentations, acted as a consultant and aided in many educational developments. He has also authored many grants ranging from $1,000 to $1 million. Dr. Adams has received numerous awards including, the Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowship and the Committee on Institutional Cooperation Fellowship.

Dr. Adams is at the cusp of addressing pivotal policy issues. In recent years, in relation to Homeland Security and terrorism, Dr. Adams received a fellowship from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy to participate in its Academic Fellows Program in Tel Aviv, Israel. The program, entitled, “Defending Democracy, Defeating Terrorism,” featured lectures by academics, diplomats, military and intelligence officials, and politicians from Israel, Jordan, India, Turkey and the United States. It also consisted of visits to military bases, border zones, and other security installations to learn the practical side of deterring terrorist attacks. The goal of the program was to offer information and training to teaching professionals about the latest trends in terrorists’ ideologies, motives, and operations.

He volunteers as a political and educational consultant, and is an avid speaker, serving on a plethora of panels and speaking on various topics as a representative of the University. He is also a member of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) Small Programs Committee.

He has received several awards including the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs International Service Award, the Texas Southern University Research Scholar Award, the School of Public Affairs Research Scholar Award, and the Quiester Craig Teaching Award.

Dr. Adams received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Tougaloo College (1976), his Master of Arts in Political Science from The Atlanta University (1978), and his Ph.D. in Political Science from The Atlanta University (1984).

Excellence in Achievement  Programs At Texas Southern University

Armed with the motto, “Excellence in Achievement,” Texas Southern University has produced some of the most prominent leaders of our time.

Some of this prominence was birthed in 1974 when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the establishment of a School of Public Affairs at TSU, and helped the school to fulfill its role as a special purpose institution.

Later, in 2002, the school was named the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.

With the foundation of two great namesakes, the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University leads the way in the realm of emergency management, homeland security, human resources, public policy, international development, social justice, executive management, sustainability and urban planning through the undergraduate and graduate degree programs it offers.

To name a few, the school is home to an emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) undergraduate program, a NASPAA-accredited master of public administration (MPA) program, and an online executive master of public administration (eMPA) program.

Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery.

Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy.

On the cutting edge of public administration, one of its greatest assets lies in its potential to alleviate the shortage of professionally educated persons, especially those from minority groups, in local, state, national and international public service. As a matter of fact, the MPA program is the only NASPAA accredited program in the Houston metropolitan area.

Another program housed in the School of Public Affairs is online eMPA program, which launch in fall 2010. This 16-month program graduated its first cohort in fall 2011 and has a curriculum uniquely designed to meet the growing demand for mid-career professionals in the public sector who wish to pursue an executive MPA degree.

In addition, eMPA candidates can broaden their international scope by participation in the program’s study abroad program, which is a part of the program’s tuition package. To date, the program has traveled to Brazil, China and Ghana.

For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.

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BUSINESSMAN BILL FRAZER – pictured with Judge Loyd Wright (right). Bill Frazer (left) has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1975. He is a past President of the Houston CPA Society and has served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Society of CPAs for the past 20 years. CPAs must meet stringent educational and professional requirements and are trained to establish effective business operations. They must adhere to strict state licensing guidelines that distinguish them from other accountants and professionals in the financial services industry, and they must abide by a strict code of professional ethics.

Frazer was raised in San Antonio and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973 with a BBA in Accounting. He began his accounting career in Houston as a staff accountant with Ernst & Ernst. He has been a licensed CPA since 1975. He and his wife Jean, also a CPA, moved into the Ayrshire area 37 years ago. Their two children, Jennifer and Jeremy, attended public schools and graduated from Bellaire High School.

Frazer plans to put his vast experience and know-how to work for the people of Houston should voters choose him as the best candidate in the race for City of Houston Controller on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot.

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EDUCATOR AND ATTORNEY CARROLL G. ROBINSON – pictured with Mayor Allen Owen (right). Carroll G. Robinson (left) is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.

Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. 

Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.

Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party. 

Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law. 

Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. 

Professor Robinson is a Life Member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is the author or co-author of numerous legal and public policy articles and commentaries. Robinson plans to put his vast experience and know-how to work for the people of Houston should voters choose him as the best candidate in the race for City of Houston Controller on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot.

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FBISD SUPERINTENDENT DR. CHARLES DUPRE – pictured with Mayor Allen Owen (left). On April 11, 2013, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Charles E. Dupre (right) as Superintendent of Schools for the state’s seventh largest school district. Dr. Dupre officially assumed duties of the Fort Bend ISD Superintendent on April 29. With a passion for serving children and young adults, Dr. Dupre has invested many hours in shaping the future of others through his role as mentor, Sunday school teacher, camp counselor and friend. Since becoming a superintendent in 2006 in Pflugerville ISD, Dr. Dupre’s commitment to developing capable young people has been supported by his background in financial management. He is the first African American to serve as Fort Bend ISD’s Superintendent.

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FBISD TRUSTEE GRAYLE JAMES – Grayle James (left) currently serves as the President of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees. She was elected to Position 2 on the FBISD Board of Trustees in May 2012. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Secondary Education teaching credentials in mathematics and physical sciences from California State University, Bakersfield. Grayle has volunteered for many years at multiple FBISD schools, and has served as the PTO/PTA President for Lakeview Elementary, First Colony Middle School and Kempner High School. In the past, she has served as PTO/PTA Treasurer and VIPS Coordinator, as well as serving on the FBISD Parent Advisory, Health Advisory and Discipline Advisory committees. Grayle and her husband, David, have three children, who all currently attend or have graduated from FBISD schools.

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PROBATE JUDGE LOYD WRIGHT – pictured with Judge Christine Riddle Butts (right). Judge Loyd Wright (left) currently serves as the Probate Judge for District Court #1 in Harris County. As an attorney with over 27 years experience in probate, trust guardianship, estate planning, and elder law, he’s developed a solid reputation as a man who is very capable of handling the matters entrusted to him with diligence and integrity. A wealth of the experience brought to the bench by Judge Wright was gained through the extensive experience he’s garnered as an attorney assisting executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, and beneficiaries in complex probate proceedings while recovering millions of dollars in assets lost through fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. Over the years, he has been appointed by fellow probate judges to handle both contested and uncontested estate and guardianship matters. The experience he’s garnered over the last thirty years has served him well on the bench.

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PROBATE JUDGE CHRISTINE RIDDLE BUTTS – pictured with Mayor Allen Owen (left). Judge Christine Riddle Butts (right) currently serves as the Probate Judge for District Court #4 in Harris County. In November of 2010, after fourteen years of practice as a probate lawyer in Harris County, Judge Riddle Butts was elected by the people of Harris County to serve as the judge for Probate Court #4. As a probate judge she presides over probate, guardianship, and civil mental health cases. Judge Riddle Butts’ mission is to serve families in times of crisis in a thoughtful, compassionate, and deliberate way, whether that crisis involves the loss of a loved one, the need for a guardianship, or a mental health issue. Her experience and caring nature has served her well on the bench.

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BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH – Craig Joseph is a well-known successful businessman who owns one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in the Houston area. Established in 1959 by the late Frank and Mattie Jones, Houston’s This Is It Soul Food is still going strong under the direction and management of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Joseph Sr., the grandson of the late Frank and Mattie Jones. 

Combined with Southern Hospitality and excellent customer service, Houston’s This Is It Soul Food owners and staff take great pride in being an excellent family diner. In addition, Houston’s This Is It Soul Food offers a catering service to the Greater Houston Metropolitan area to accommodate any "Special Occasions". Committed to providing quality, cost efficient food service to Houston and surrounding communities, Houston’s This Is It Soul Food could very well be the right choice to cater your next event.

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Click here if you would like to have a copy of this edition mailed to your home or business.

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To request your copy of this edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine you can should email your request to us at (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) or call (832)212-8735. If you need to speak directly with Aubrey R. Taylor call (832)894-1352. *The individuals featured on this page are not connected or associated with one another in anyway unless noted. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All rights reserved. 

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Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760. 

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Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760. 

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About Carroll G. Robinson

Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.

Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. 

Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.

Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party. 

Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law. 

Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. 

Professor Robinson is a Life Member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is the author or co-author of numerous legal and public policy articles and commentaries. Robinson plans to put his vast experience and know-how to work for the people of Houston should voters choose him as the best candidate in the race for City of Houston Controller on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot.

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PEOPLE: Ronald C Green, Is Term Limited and Cannot Run for Re-election in the November 2015 Mayoral Election

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City of Houston Controller Ronald Green is currently serving his third and final term in office and cannot run for re-election in the November 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

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What Houston Residents Need to Know about Houston’s City Council as We Move Forward to the Next Citywide Election

The City Council is the City's legislative body, with the power to enact and enforce all ordinances and resolutions. Eleven Council Members are elected from districts and five are elected at-large, by all voters of the City. 

The sixteen members of Council, along with the Mayor, act only by ordinance, resolution or motion. They adopt and may alter the annual budget and confirm the Mayor's appointments. Council is responsible for the appropriation and issuance of bonds, the awarding of contracts and the approval of City expenditures over $50,000. Council may lease or dispose of the City's real estate and may levy assessments against property. Council determines its own rules of procedure, and its meetings are open to the public. 

Sixteen Council Members are elected every two years, in odd-numbered years. Council Members are limited to serving three terms of two years each, with each term beginning on January 2 of the even-numbered year. Five Council Members are elected At-Large, or city-wide, while the other eleven are elected to geographic districts of roughly the same proportion of population. 

You can write to your Council Member at: 900 Bagby / City Hall Annex / First Floor / Houston, TX 77002. 

All Houston Residents Should Use These Guidelines for Attending, Speaking, and/or Viewing Houston City Council Meetings 

The City of Houston City Council agenda is published on Friday afternoon and details the actions that Council will consider at its meeting the following week. Per Houston City’s Charter, Council meets at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons and 9 a.m. on Wednesday mornings in the Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall, 901 Bagby, Houston 77002. 

The Tuesday session is devoted to public comment. The Wednesday session is for consideration of actions that require Council approval. Be sure to check the Council meeting calendar atwww.houstontx.gov/citysec/calendar.pdf since there are scheduled break weeks throughout the year and meetings that are consolidated due to holidays. 

Sign up to speak for Tuesday Public Session by calling the City Secretary’s office at 832.393.1100, sending an email to citysecretary@houstontx.gov or coming by the office on the public level of the City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, Houston 77002 by 1:30 p.m. that Tuesday. Note: If a translator is required, please so advise when reserving time to speak. 

Each week’s Council agenda is available to view at www.houstontx.gov/citysec. Under the City Secretary and Other Relevant Links, you’ll find “Agendas, Etc.” Select the first link “Agendas of City Council” for the agenda and the second link “Agenda Backup” for all of the backup information associated with each agenda item.

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City Controller Ronald C. Green

901 Bagby, 6th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 832.393.3460 

Fax: 832.393.3411

Email: controllers@houstontx.gov

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To discuss advertising inside Houston Business Connections Magazine call (832)212-8735. If you need to speak directly with Aubrey R. Taylor call (832)894-1352. *The individuals featured on this page are not connected or associated with one another in anyway unless noted. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All rights reserved. 

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THOUGHTS: Ronald C. Green, City of Houston Controller Explains Why He's a Proud American with Aubrey R. Taylor

Controller Ronald C. Green

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AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Why are you proud to be an American?

CITY OF HOUSTON CONTROLLER RONALD C. GREEN: "People around the globe are envious of the enormous opportunities that most Americans have. I believe the greatest advantage we have is the ability to choose our leaders—and our history is rich with brilliant, humane and thoughtful leaders. Democracy is synonymous with America. I am personally proud that I have served my community through elected office. In the larger scheme, I am proud of the ingenuity that defines America: our industrial and commercial strengths, our medical and scientific breakthroughs, our arts and cultural geniuses. As an African-American, I take special pride in that heritage and the many individual accomplishments made to this country by those of my race who came before me."

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To discuss advertising inside Houston Business Connections Magazine call (832)212-8735. If you need to speak directly with Aubrey R. Taylor call (832)894-1352. *The individuals featured on this page are not connected or associated with one another in anyway unless noted. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All rights reserved. 

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Ronald Green to Be Featured as a "2014 HISTORY MAKER" in Houston Business Connections Magazine

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Meet Ronald C. Green

"Ronald C. Green made history by becoming the first African American Controller for the City of Houston."

On January 4th, 2010, former Houston City Council Member Ronald C. Green was sworn in as the first African American City Controller in Houston’s nearly 200-year history. The City Controller is the second highest elected office in the City of Houston, and serves as the public’s independent “watchdog” over City finances. 

Controller Ronald C. Green is a 1988 graduate of the Houston Independent School District's High School for Health Professions. Green earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston, as well as a law degree from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, the District of Columbia, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Green is also a licensed real estate broker. 

Ronald Green is a founding partner of his own law firm and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and Government Finance Officers Association. Green and his wife, 

Justice of the Peace Hillary Harmon Green, have one son, Christopher. They are active members of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

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To discuss advertising inside Houston Business Connections Magazine call (832)212-8735. If you need to speak directly with Aubrey R. Taylor call (832)894-1352. *The individuals featured on this page are not connected or associated with one another in anyway unless noted. Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All rights reserved. 

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City of Houston Controller Ronald C. Green Discusses Freedom and Why He's a Proud American with Aubrey R. Taylor

CITY OF HOUSTON CONTROLLER RONALD C. GREEN HAS FEATURED THOUGHTS ON PAGE (42) OF THIS EDITION OF HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE

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AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What does freedom mean to you?

CONTROLLER GREEN: On the most essential level, freedom is the intrinsic right to choose for yourself what you will do with your life. Within the confines of a society’s laws, an individual is free to pursue a chosen livelihood and personal pleasures such as marriage and volunteerism in the community. Freedom brings certain responsibilities, I think, such as participation in the affairs of one’s community, and it also may involve the duty to protect the freedom we are given through service to our country. One needs only to imagine living in a country or society where freedom is denied to realize what a hardship that would be. I am also mindful of the past, and the struggles that millions of Americans faced in gaining true freedom in our land, the cost they paid.

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Why are you proud to be an American?

CONTROLLER GREEN: People around the globe are envious of the enormous opportunities that most Americans have. I believe the greatest advantage we have is the ability to choose our leaders—and our history is rich with brilliant, humane and thoughtful leaders. Democracy is synonymous with America. I am personally proud that I have served my community through elected office. In the larger scheme, I am proud of the ingenuity that defines America: our industrial and commercial strengths, our medical and scientific breakthroughs, our arts and cultural geniuses. As an African-American, I take special pride in that heritage and the many individual accomplishments made to this country by those of my race who came before me.

Meet Ronald C. Green

Ronald C. Green is the Controller for the City of Houston

Ronald C. Green was elected Houston City Controller on December 12, 2009, after serving three terms on Houston City Council, At-Large, Position Four. He has been re-elected twice and will begin serving his third and final term in January 2014. On City Council, he chaired the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, overseeing the City’s annual budget of nearly $4 billion. While he served on City Council, his work entailed regular financial and operations reports, strategic purchasing, and municipal court reform. He also served as a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Aviation Committee and the Ad-Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs.

As City Controller, Mr. Green oversees a $13 billion debt portfolio and over $2 billion of investments. With rates at historic lows during the past three years, the Controller’s Office has sought out several refinancing opportunities that have generated over $220 million in savings without extending the life of the debt. In addition to management of the City’s treasury functions, every payment issued by the City of Houston is processed by the Controller’s Office. The Office also prepares several reports to provide financial data and operational statistics regarding the City, including a monthly report, an annual audited comprehensive statement, and a trends report. The Controller’s Office also includes the Audit Division, which has primarily concentrated on identifying inefficiencies and evaluating the City’s outside contracts. Through Audit’s efforts, the City has realized $7.5 million in savings.

Mr. Green is a native Houstonian. He earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston, as well as a law degree from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He is also a licensed real estate broker.

Mr. Green is a founding partner of his own law firm and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of America, Inc., UH Alumni Organization, UH Black Alumni Association, the Government Finance Officers Association, National Association of Bond Lawyers and the Houston Lawyers Association. He serves on the National League of Cities’ 2013 Community and Economic Development Steering Committee; he was appointed to the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council (GASAC) in January 2013.

He is married to Judge Hilary Harmon Green, Justice of the Peace, Harris County Precinct Seven, Place 1. They have a son and are active in their community and Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

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AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "On behalf of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine, I want to thank the following community, business and political leaders for finding value in our ONE AMERICA - "Leaders Celebrating Freedom Series" currently being published inside Houston Business Connections Magazine through January 2015. Here are a few of our contributing "THOUGHT LEADERS" who have valued our request to share their insights on freedom and why they're proud to be American as part of our ONE AMERICA - "Leaders Celebrating Freedom Together Series" inside Houston Business Connections Magazine: Harris County Treasurer (Orlando Sanchez), City of Houston Controller (Ronald C. Green), 8th Congressional District U.S. Congressman (Kevin Brady), Congressional Candidate (Niko Letsos), Congressional Candidate (Lt. Col. Sean Seibert), Candidate for Texas Attorney General (Sam Houston), Supreme Court Justice (Jeff Brown), Justice 14th Court of Appeals (Ken Wise), State Representative HD-126 (Patricia Harless), Candidate for State Rep. (Laura Nicol), State Representative HD-144 (Mary Ann Perez), Candidate for State Rep. (Chris Carmona), Judge (Wesley Ward), Judge (Steven Kirkland), Judicial Candidate (David Newell), Judicial Candidate (John Schmude), Judicial Candidate (Farrah Martinez), Businesswoman (Stephanie Boutte), Political Consultant (Philip Owens), Judicial Candidate (Mack McInnis), Candidate for State Rep. (David Hamilton), The Spirit of Freedom Republican Women's PAC (Debbie Fancher), The Houston Republican Liberty Caucus (Rusty Kuciemba) more to come...call (832)212-8735 to discuss your inclusion.

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yourthoughtmatters@gmail.com

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AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "We are currently looking for "THOUGHT LEADERS" as we seek to grow our reader base and become even more diverse and inclusive. Below is our editorial calendar for June 2014 through January 2015. Call us at (832)212-8735 or (832)894-1352 to discuss your inclusion as a "THOUGHT LEADER" or to simply discover solutions to your branding, promotional, advertising, event coverage, press release or marketing needs for 2014."

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LISTEN TO DR. TONY EVANS

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE BY DR. EVANS

Voting God's Way - A message from Dr. Tony Evans on how Believer's should be voting to elect leaders who best reflect the values of the Kingdom of God.

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 The number of registered voters in Harris County is estimated at 1,992,969 according to the Harris County Clerk. Here's a look at how candidates in Harris County have performed in elections from 1992 to present.

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The Republican Party candidates for President and Governor won Harris County in all the following elections: 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, and 1992. Currently, Texas voters have entrusted Republicans with the stewardship of every statewide elected office and majorities in the state senate, state house and on the state board of education. Republicans currently have majorities in 107 Texas counties that contain nearly two-thirds of the state’s population.

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Back in the 2006 Midterm Election, Rick Perry (Republican) won Harris County by receiving 36.50% or 215,150 votes over Chris Bell (Democrat) who received 34.46% or 203,102 votes. NOTE: Only 12,048 votes was the difference between Rick Perry and Chris Bell in the 2006 Midterm Election in Harris County. The total voter turnout for Harris County was 589,348 back in the 2006 Midterm Election.

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Back in the 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama and Joe Biden (Democrats) won Harris County by receiving 50.44% or 590,982 votes over John McCain and Sarah Palin (Republicans) who received 48.81% or 571,883 votes. NOTE: Only 19,099 votes was the difference between the Democratic turnout and Republican turnout in the 2008 Presidential Election in Harris County. The total voter turnout for Harris County was 1,171,472 back in the 2008 Presidential Election.

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Back in the 2010 Midterm Election, Bill White (Democrat) won Harris County by receiving 50.23% or 395,952 votes over Rick Perry (Republican) who received 48.14% or 379,516 votes. NOTE: Only 16,436 votes was the difference between Bill White and Rick Perry in the 2010 Midterm Election in Harris County. The total voter turnout for Harris County was 788,234 back in the 2010 Midterm Election.

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Back in the 2012 Presidential Election, Barack Obama and Joe Biden (Democrats) won Harris County by receiving 49.39% or 587,044 votes over Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan (Republicans) who received 49.30% or 586,073 votes. NOTE: Only 971 votes was the difference between the Democratic turnout and Republican turnout in the 2012 Presidential Election in Harris County. The total voter turnout for Harris County was: 1,188,585 back in the 2012 Presidential Election.

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 Back on Tuesday, March  4, 2014 Democratic and Republican voters went to the polls in Harris County to nominate the candidates to represent their party in the November Midterm Elections.

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MARCH 4TH REPUBLICAN PRIMARY TURNOUT

Only 7.01% or 139,703 of the more than 1,992,969 registered voters in Harris County turned out to vote in the March 4, 2014 Republican Primary for Harris County.

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MARCH 4TH DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TURNOUT

Only 2.70% or 53,788 of the more than 1,992,969 registered voters in Harris County turned out to vote in the March 4, 2014 Democratic Primary for Harris County.

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MAY 27TH REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUNOFFS TURNOUT

Only 4.86% or 96,763 of the more than 1,992,969 registered voters in Harris County turned out to vote in the May 27, 2014 Republican Party Runoff Election.

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MAY 27TH DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RUNOFFS TURNOUT

Only 0.94% or 18,828 of the more than 1,992,969 registered voters in Harris County turned out to vote in the May 27, 2014 Democratic Party  Runoff Election.

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On Tuesday, November 4, 2014 voters all across the United States of America will be going to the polls. The information below is intended to inform and empower voters in the Harris County area to make an informed voting decision in the 2014 Midterm Election on Election Day.

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*The races below with a green check mark have at least one candidate seeking the vote of Harris County area voters in the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Midterm Election in Harris County Texas.

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U. S. Senator 

John Cornyn, Republican VS. David M. Alameel, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for United States Senator at this time. Rebecca Paddock is a Libertarian candidate also running for U.S. Senator for Texas.

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United States Representative District 2 

Ted Poe, Republican VS. Niko Letsos, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas at this time. Cecil Anthony Ince is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 2.

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United States Representative District 7 

John Culberson, Republican VS. James Cargas, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 7th Congressional District of Texas at this time.Gerald Fowler is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 7.

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United States Representative District 8 

Kevin Brady, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for United States Congress for the 8th Congressional District of Texas. Ken Petty is a Libertarian candidate also running for United State Congress for District 8.

MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN BRADY! "Our country is headed in the wrong direction. I'm worried our children and grandchildren won't have the same opportunities we have. I'm a pro-family, pro-small business conservative. I'm fighting for free enterprise, limited government, a balanced budget, secure border, more American-made energy and an innovation economy that leads the world."

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United States Representative District 9 

Al Green, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for United States Congress for the 9th Congressional District of Texas. Johnny Johnson is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 9.

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United States Representative District 10 

Michael McCMcCaul Republican VS. Tawana Walter-Cadien, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 10th Congressional District of Texas at this time. Bill Kelsey is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 10.

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United States Representative District 14 

Randy Weber, Republican VS. David Brown, Democrat, and John Weider, the Libertarian candidate. This is one of our featured races taking place outside of Harris County, Texas. -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 14th Congressional District of Texas at this time. 

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United States Representative District 18 

Sean Seibert, Republican VS. Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat -- *Sean Seibert (R) is the only candidate seeking your vote in the race for the 18th Congressional District of Texas at this time.


MESSAGE FROM SEAN SEIBERT: "My fellow Houstonians of District 18. I am seeking your support to be your reasonable voice in Congress. I will champion the causes that are important to you, my constituents. I’m listening to you, I will take your concerns forward, and I will fight for the causes that best serve you. I appreciate your support to become your advocate and leader in Washington."

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United States Representative District 22 

Pete Olson, Republican VS. Frank Briscoe, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 22nd Congressional District of Texas at this time. Rob Lapham is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Representative for District 22.

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United States Representative District 29 

Gene Green, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for United States Congress for the 29th Congressional District of Texas. James Stanczak is a Libertarian candidate also running for United State Representative for District 29.

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United States Representative District 36 

Brian Babin, Republican VS. Michael K. Cole, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 36th Congressional District of Texas at this time.Rodney Veach is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Representative for District 36.

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Governor of Texas 

Greg Abbott, Republican VS. Wendy R. Davis, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Governor of Texas at this time. Kathie Glass is a Libertarian candidate also running for Governor of Texas in the 2014 Midterm Election.

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LISTEN TO GREG ABBOTT

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE BY GREG ABBOTT

 A Story of Perseverance - Meet Greg Abbott the Republican choice for governor of Texas in the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Midterm Election in Texas. Click here to learn more about Greg Abbott. A husband and father, Greg Abbott understands the importance of preserving Constitutional, traditional values – like faith, family and freedom for future generations. That’s why as the state’s chief law enforcement official, Abbott has made protecting children, families and values the focus of his administration.

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LISTEN TO WENDY DAVIS

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE BY WENDY DAVIS

 A Texas Story - Meet Wendy Davis the Democratic choice for governor of Texas in the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Midterm Election in Texas. Click here to learn more about Wendy Davis. Like any true Texan, Wendy Davis has taken on her share of tough fights. Raised by a single mother, Wendy began working after school at age 14 to help support her mom and three siblings. By 19, she was on her way to becoming a single mother, working two jobs just to make ends meet.

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LISTEN TO KATHIE GLASS

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE BY KATHIE GLASS

The Libertarian in the Race - Meet Kathie Glass the Democratic choice for governor of Texas in the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Midterm Election in Texas. Click here to learn more about Kathie Glass. As the Libertarian nominee for governor of Texas back in 2010 Midterm Election Kathie Glass ran an active, statewide campaign, and participated in the gubernatorial debates. Click here to see that debate. The AP said about the debate, "Kathie Glass seemed to steal the show." In 1982, Kathie’s race for attorney general on the Libertarian ticket was well received by Libertarians and non-Libertarians alike. Click here to see her debate in that race.

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Lieutenant Governor 

Dan Patrick, Republican VS. Leticia Van de Putte, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Lieutenant Governor of Texas at this time. Robert Butler is a Libertarian candidate also running for Lieutenant Governor of Texas.

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Attorney General 

Ken Paxton, Republican VS. Sam Houston, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Texas Attorney General at this time. Jamie Balagia is a Libertarian candidate also running for Attorney General of Texas.

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Comptroller of Public Accounts 

Glenn Hegar, Republican VS. Mike Collier, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts at this time. Ben Saunders is a Libertarian candidate also running for Comptroller of Public Accounts.

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Commissioner of the General Land Office 

George P. Bush, Republican VS. John Cook, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Commissioner of the General Land Office at this time. Justin Knight is a Libertarian candidate also running for Commissioner of the General Land Office.

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Commissioner of Agriculture 

Sid Miller, Republican VS. Jim Hogan, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Commissioner of Agriculture at this time. Rocky Palmquist is a Libertarian candidate also running for Commissioner of Agriculture.

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Railroad Commissioner 

Ryan Sitton, Republican VS. Steve Brown, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner at this time. Mark Miller is a Libertarian candidate also running for Texas Railroad Commissioner.

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Chief Justice, Supreme Court 

Nathan Hecht, Republican VS. William Moody, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Chief Justice, Supreme Court at this time. Tom Oxford is a Libertarian Candidate also running for Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Texas.

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Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 (Unexpired) 

Jeff Brown, Republican VS. Lawrence Edward Meyers, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 (Unexpired) at this time. Mark Ash is a Libertarian candidate also running for Supreme Court Justice Place 6, Texas.

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Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7 

Jeff Boyd, Republican VS. Gina Benavides, Democrat  -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7 at this time. Don Fulton is a Libertarian candidate also running for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7.

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Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8 

Phil Johnson, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8 in Texas. Roberto Koelsch is a Libertarian candidate also running for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8.

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Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 

Bert Richardson , Republican VS. John Granberg, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 at this time. Mark Bennett is a Libertarian candidate also running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3.

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Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4 

Kevin Patrick Yeary, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4 in Texas. Quanah Parker is a Libertarian candidate also running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4.

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Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 

 David Newell, Republican -- *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm election for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9. William Bryan Strange III is a Libertarian candidate also running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9.

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Member, State Board of Education, District 4 

Dorothy Olmos, Republican VS. Lawrence A. Allen Jr., Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Member, State Board of Education, District 4 at this time.

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State Senator, District 7 

Paul Bettencourt, Republican VS. Jim Davis, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Senator, District 7 at this time.Whitney Bilyeu is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Senator for District 7.

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State Senator, District 15 

Ron Hale, Republican VS. John Whitmire, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Senator, District 15 at this time. Gilberto Velasquez, Jr. is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Senator for District 15.

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State Senator, District 17 

Joan Huffman, Republican VS. Rita Lucido, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Senator, District 17 at this time. George Hardy is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Senator for District 17.

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State Representative House District 126 

Patricia Harless, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 126 in Texas. Chris Hernandez is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Representative for House District 126.

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State Representative House District 127 

Dan Huberty, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 127 in Texas.

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State Representative House District 128 

Wayne Smith, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 128 in Texas. Ken Lowder is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Representative for House District 128.

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State Representative House District 129 

Dennis Paul, Republican VS. John Gay, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 129 at this time.

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State Representative House District 130 

Allen Fletcher, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 130 in Texas.

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State Representative House District 131 

Alma A. Allen, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 131 in Texas.

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State Representative House District 132 

Michael Schofield, Republican VS. Luis Lopez, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 132 at this time.

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State Representative House District 133 

Jim Murphy, Republican VS. Laura Nicol, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 133 at this time.

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State Representative House District 134 

Sarah Davis, Republican VS. Alison Ruff, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 134 at this time.

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State Representative House District 135 

Gary Elkins, Republican VS. Moiz Abbas, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 135 at this time.

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State Representative House District 137 

Morad H. Fiki, Republican VS. Gene Wu, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 137 at this time.

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State Representative House District 138 

Dwayne Bohac, Republican VS. Fred R. Vernon, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 138 at this time.

----------------------------

State Representative House District 139 

Sylvester Turner, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 139 in Texas.

----------------------------

State Representative House District 140 

Armando Lucio Walle, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 140 in Texas.

----------------------------

State Representative House District 141 

Senfronia Thompson, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 141 in Texas.

----------------------------

State Representative House District 142 

Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 142 in Texas.

----------------------------

State Representative House District 143 

Ana Hernandez, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 143 in Texas.

----------------------------

State Representative House District 144 

Gilbert Pena, Republican VS. Mary Ann Perez, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 144 at this time.

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State Representative House District 145 

Carol Alvarado, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 145 in Texas.

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State Representative House District 146 

Borris L. Miles, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 146 in Texas.

----------------------------

State Representative House District 147 

Garnet F. Coleman, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 147 in Texas.

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State Representative House District 148 

Chris Carmona, Republican VS. Jessica Cristina Farrar, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 148 at this time.

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State Representative House District 149 

Al Hoang, Republican VS. Hubert Vo, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 149 at this time.

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State Representative House District 150 

Debbie Riddle, Republican VS. Amy Perez, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Representative House District 150 at this time.

----------------------------

Chief Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District 

Kem Thompson Frost, Republican VS. Kyle Carter, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Chief Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District at this time.

----------------------------

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3 

Russell Lloyd, Republican VS. Jim Sharp, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3 at this time.

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Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5 

Laura Carter Higley, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5 in Texas.

----------------------------

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, 

Place 4 (Unexpired) 

Marc Brown, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 4 (Unexpired) in Texas.

----------------------------

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7 

Ken Wise, Republican VS. Gordon Goodman, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7 at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 55th Judicial District 

Jeff Shadwick, Republican VS. Kay Morgan, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 55th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 113th Judicial District 

Michael Landrum, Republican VS. Steven E. Kirkland, Democrat  -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 113th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 157th Judicial District 

Randy Wilson, Republican VS. Jim Peacock, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 157th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 180th Judicial District 

Catherine Evans, Republican VS. Randy Roll, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 180th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 182nd Judicial District 

Jeannine Barr, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 182nd Judicial District in Harris County.

----------------------------

District Judge, 183rd Judicial District 

Vanessa Velasquez, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 183rd Judicial District in Harris County.

----------------------------

District Judge, 184th Judicial District 

Jan Krocker, Republican VS. Mark Thering, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 184th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 185th Judicial District 

Susan Brown, Republican VS. Mack McInnis, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 185th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 189th Judicial District 

Bill Burke, Republican VS. Ursula A. Hall, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 189th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 190th Judicial District 

Patricia J. Kerrigan, Republican VS. Farrah Martinez, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 190th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 208th Judicial District 

Denise Collins, Republican VS. Chuck Silverman, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 208th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 209th Judicial District 

Mike McSpadden, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 209th Judicial District in Harris County.

----------------------------

District Judge, 228th Judicial District 

Marc Carter, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 228th Judicial District in Harris County.

----------------------------

District Judge, 230th Judicial District 

Brad Hart, Republican VS. Greg Glass, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 230th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 232nd Judicial District 

Mary Lou Keel, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 232th Judicial District in Harris County.

----------------------------

District Judge, 234th Judicial District 

Wesley Ward, Republican VS. Barbara Gardner, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 234th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 245th Judicial District 

Roy L. Moore, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 245th Judicial District in Harris County.

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District Judge, 246th Judicial District 

Charley Prine, Republican VS. Sandra Peake, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 246th Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 247th Judicial District 

John Schmude, Republican VS. Clinton "Chip" Wells, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 247th Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 248th Judicial District 

Katherine Cabaniss, Republican VS. Shawna L. Reagin, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 248th Judicial District at this time.

----------------------------

District Judge, 257th Judicial District 

Judy Warne, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 257th Judicial District in Harris County.

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District Judge, 262nd Judicial District 

Denise Bradley, Republican VS. Jules Johnson, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 262nd Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 263rd Judicial District 

Jim Wallace, Republican VS. Herb Ritchie, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 263rd Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 269th Judicial District 

Dan Hinde, Republican VS. George H. Arnold, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 269th Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 270th Judicial District 

Brent Gamble, Republican VS. James Hippard, Jr., Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 270th Judicial District at this time.

---------------------------

District Judge, 280th Judicial District 

Lynn Bradshaw-Hull, Republican VS. Barbara J. Stalder, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 280th Judicial District at this time.

---------------------------

District Judge, 281st Judicial District 

Sylvia Matthews, Republican VS. Tanner Garth, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 281st Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 295th Judicial District 

Caroline E. Baker, Republican VS. Latosha Lewis, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 295th Judicial District at this time.

---------------------------

District Judge, 308th Judicial District 

James Lombardino, Republican VS. Jim Evans, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 308th Judicial District at this time.

---------------------------

District Judge, 309th Judicial District 

Sheri Y. Dean, Republican VS. Kathy Vossler, Democrat  -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 185th Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 310th Judicial District 

Lisa Millard, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 310th Judicial District in Harris County.

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District Judge, 311th Judicial District 

Alicia Franklin, Republican VS. Sherri L. Cothrun, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 311th Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 312th Judicial District 

David Farr, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 312th Judicial District in Harris County.

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District Judge, 313th Judicial District 

Glenn Devlin, Republican VS. Tracy D. Good, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 313th Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 314th Judicial District 

John F. Phillips, Republican VS. Natalia Oakes, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 314th Judicial District at this time.

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District Judge, 315th Judicial District 

Michael Schneider, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 315th Judicial District in Harris County.

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District Judge, 334th Judicial District (Unexpired) 

Grant Dorfman, Republican VS. Daryl Moore, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 334th Judicial District at this time.

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Harris County District Attorney (Unexpired) 

Devon Anderson, Republican VS. Kim Ogg, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Harris County District Attorney (Unexpired) at this time.

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Harris County Judge 

Ed Emmett, Republican VS. Ahmad Robert Hassan, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Harris County District Judge at this time.

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Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 1 

Debra Ibarra Mayfield, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Civil Court at Law #1 in Harris County.

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Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 2 

Theresa Chang, Republican VS. Scot "Doli" Dollinger, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Civil Court at Law #2 at this time.

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Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 3 

Linda Storey, Republican VS. Gloria Cantu Minnick, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Civil Court at Law #3 at this time.

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Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 4 

Roberta Lloyd, Republican VS. Damon Crenshaw, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Civil Court at Law #4 at this time.

----------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 1 

Paula Goodhart, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #1 in Harris County.

----------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 2 

Bill Harmon, Republican VS. Harold J. Landreneau, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #2 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 3 

Natalie C. Fleming, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #3 in Harris County.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 4 

John Clinton, Republican VS. Nikita "Niki" Harmon, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #4 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 5 

Margaret Stewart Harris, Republican VS. Ramona Franklin, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #5 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 6 

Larry Standley, Republican VS. Linda Geffin, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #6 at this time.

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Judge, County Criminal Court No. 7 

Pam Derbyshire, Republican VS. Shelia Acosta, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #7 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 8 

Jay Karahan, Republican VS. Kelli Johnson, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #8 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 9 

Analia Wilkerson, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #9 in Harris County.

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Judge, County Criminal Court No. 10 

Dan Jeffrey Spjut, Republican VS. George Barnstone, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #10 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 11 

Diane Bull, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #11 in Harris County.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 12 

Robin Brown, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #12 in Harris County.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 13 

Don Smyth, Republican VS. Jason Long, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #13 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 14 

Mike Fields, Republican VS. David L. Singer, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #14 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Criminal Court No.15 

 Jean Spradling Hughes, Republican VS. Raul Rodriguez, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #15 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Probate Court No. 1 

Loyd Wright, Republican VS. Kim Bohannon, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Probate Court #1 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Probate Court No.2 

Mike Wood, Republican VS. Josefina Tendon, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Probate Court #2 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Probate Court No. 3 

Rory Robert Olsen, Republican VS. Jerry Simoneaux, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Probate Court #3 at this time.

---------------------------

Judge, County Probate Court No. 4 

Christine Riddle Butts, Republican VS. James Horowitz, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Probate Court #4 at this time.

---------------------------

District Clerk 

Chris Daniel, Republican VS. Judith Snively, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Harris County District Clerk at this time.

---------------------------

Harris County Clerk 

Stan Stanart, Republican VS. Ann Harris Bennett, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Harris County Clerk at this time.

---------------------------

Harris County Treasurer 

Orlando Sanchez, Republican VS. David Rosen, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Harris County Treasurer at this time.

----------------------------

County School Board Trustee, Position 5, At-Large 

Mike Wolfe, Republican VS. Debra "Debby" Keener, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for County School Trustee, Position 5, At-Large at this time.

----------------------------

County School Trustee, Position 7, At-Large 

Don Sumners, Republican VS. Melissa Noriega, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for County School Trustee, Position 7, At-Large at this time.

----------------------------

County Commissioner, Precinct 2 

Jack Morman, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for County Commissioner for Precinct 2, in Harris County.

----------------------------

County Commissioner, Precinct 4 

R. Jack Cagle, Republican VS. M.I. Bad at, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for County Commissioner for Precinct 4, at this time.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2 

David M. Patronella, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2, in Harris County.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2 

Leonila Olivares-Salazar, Republican VS. George E. Risner, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2 at this time.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2 

Don Coffey, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, Place 2, in Harris County.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2 

Laryssa Korduba, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, Place 2, in Harris County.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 2 

Jeff Williams, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 2, in Harris County.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6, Place 2 

Armando V. Rodriguez, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 6, Place 2, in Harris County.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Place 2 

Zinetta Burney, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 2, in Harris County.

----------------------------

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8, Place 2 

Louie Ditta, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 8, Place 2, in Harris County.

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 # # # #

(From: Hartley, William H., Vincent, William S.. American Civics. N.Y., 1974, pp. 34ff) 

HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS

Government is the authority or power that people establish to help them run their affairs. 

Governments serve many important purposes, but the most important one is that government makes it possible for people to live and work together. Government provides us with rules of conduct we can follow. Government makes it possible for people to live by known laws, and helps provide many services that citizens acting alone could not perform themselves. 

Our nation's government is based on the American Constitution. This Constitution, together with its Bill of Rights and other amendments, provides us with a workable plan of government. The Constitution also guarantees to all Americans many priceless rights and freedoms. 

Our nation's government is based upon the approval, or consent, of the people who are governed. It is a federal system in which certain powers are given to the national government and other powers are left to the states and to the people. Certain powers are shared by both federal and state governments. In both federal and state governments, powers are separated and balanced among three branches of government.

# # # #

The Rights and Freedoms of Americans 

In drafting the Constitution, most of the Founding Fathers believed that the safeguards written into it would protect the rights of Americans. But when the Constitution was sent to the states in 1787 for ratification, a great roar of disapproval went up. In Virginia, Patrick Henry protested vigorously against the lack of a specific statement of rights. Other Americans from different states demanded that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution. A number of states ratified the Constitution only conditionally. That is, they would approve the Constitution only if it were changed to include these rights.

Two years after the new American government went into effect, the Bill of Rights was added as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Congress discussed nearly 200 proposals for amendments before it presented these ten to the states for approval. The states ratified these amendments, and they became part of the Constitution in 1791. 

THE BILL OF RIGHTS 

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights, set forth the priceless rights or freedoms that all Americans may enjoy. A brief summary of these great freedoms is given here. 

FREEDOM OF RELIGION 

The first right, or freedom, guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is freedom of religion. This right is guaranteed in the First Amendment. Freedom of religion guarantees to all Americans the right to practice any religion they choose, or to practice no religion at all.

Congress is forbidden to establish any religion as our nation's official religion. Congress cannot favor any one religion over others or tax citizens in order to support any one religion. 

FREEDOM OF SPEECH 

The right to express your ideas and opinions when you speak is called freedom of speech. Freedom of speech also means the right to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others. This freedom guarantees that Americans are free to express their thoughts and ideas about anything. They may talk freely to their friends and neighbors or speak in public to a group of people. Of course, no one may use his freedom of speech to injure others. If a person knowingly says things that are false about another, he may be sued in court by the person or persons who believe they have been harmed by what he said.

Americans are free to express opinions about their government or anything else. They are free to criticize the actions of the government and of government officials. In a dictatorship, where the nation's government has all the powers, the people have no right to speak like this. They do not dare to criticize the actions of the government. If they do, they may be imprisoned. But all Americans enjoy the freedom of speech, which is guaranteed in the First Amendment. 

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS 

The freedom to express your ideas and opinions in writing is known as freedom of the press. This freedom is closely related to freedom of speech and is also guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Freedom of the press gives all Americans the right to express their ideas and thoughts freely in writing. This writing may be in newspapers, books, magazines, or any other printed or written form. Americans are also free to read what others write. They may read any newspaper, book or magazine they want. Because they are free to read a variety of facts and opinions, Americans can become better-informed citizens. 

FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY 

Another priceless freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment is freedom of assembly, or freedom to hold meetings. Americans are free to meet together to discuss problems and to plan their actions. Of course, such meetings must be carried on in a peaceful way. 

FREEDOM OF PETITION 

The freedom of petition is the right to ask your government to do something or to refrain from doing something. The First Amendment contains this guarantee, also. The freedom of petition gives you the right to write to your Congressman and request him to work for the passage of laws you favor. You are free to ask him to change laws that you do not like. The right of petition also helps government officials to know what Americans think and what actions they want the government to take. 

THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS 

The Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees Americans the right to bear arms. In the early years of our nation, Americans needed weapons in order to serve in the militia, or volunteer armies, that were established to defend our states. The militia provided protection during emergencies, too. Many Americans also believed that without weapons they would be powerless if the government tried to overstep its powers and rule by force. 

"NO-QUARTERING" RIGHT 

The Third Amendment states, "No soldier shall, in times of peace, be quartered in any house. . . ." Under British rule, the colonists sometimes had to feed and house British soldiers against their will. As a result, Americans wanted this practice forbidden under the Bill of Rights. 

THE RIGHT TO EQUAL JUSTICE 

The Bill of Rights contains many rights that are guaranteed to persons accused of a crime. Amendments Five, Six, Seven, and Eight are all concerned with these rights. Our nation places great importance on these rights in order to guarantee equal justice for all Americans.

A person must be indicted, or formally accused of a crime, by a group of citizens called a "grand jury" before he can be brought into court for trial. 

A person accused of a crime is guaranteed the right to know what law he is accused of breaking. 

A person accused of a crime has a right to a prompt public trial by a jury of his fellow citizens. 

An accused person cannot be put into prison and kept there for weeks or months while awaiting a trial. He has the right to leave jail, in most cases, if he can raise a certain sum of money, or bail, as a pledge that he will appear at his trial.

An accused person has a right to a lawyer to represent him in court. 

All the testimony and evidence against an accused person must be presented publicly in court. 

The accused person has the right to call any witnesses to appear if their testimony will help him.

The accused person cannot be forced to testify or give evidence against himself.

If the accused person is found guilty, he cannot be given cruel or unusual punishment. If the accused person is found not guilty of a serious crime, he cannot be tried a second time for this same crime. 

THE RIGHT TO 
OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY 

The Fifth Amendment guarantees Americans the right to own private property. No person may take away anything that we own. Nor can the government seize our land, money, or other forms of property without cause, or without paying for it. The right to own private property is one of America's basic freedoms. Our free economic system is based upon this right. 

THE RIGHT TO ENJOY 
MANY OTHER FREEDOMS 

To make doubly sure that Americans should enjoy every right and freedom possible, Amendment Nine was added to the Constitution. This amendment states that the list of rights contained in the Bill of Rights is not complete. There are many other rights that all Americans have and will continue to have even though they are not mentioned in the Bill of Rights. Among them are the following.

Freedom to live or travel anywhere in our nation

Freedom to work at any job for which we can qualify

Freedom to marry and raise a family

Freedom to receive a free education in good public schools

Freedom to join a political party, a union, and other legal groups 

As a final guarantee of our rights, the Tenth Amendment set aside many powers of government for the states. This Amendment says that all powers not given to the federal government by the Constitution, nor forbidden to the states, are set aside for the states, or for the people. This provision leaves with the states the power to act in many ways to guarantee the rights of their citizens. 

SUMMARY 

Government is the authority or power that people establish to help them run their affairs. 

Governments serve many important purposes, but the most important one is that government makes it possible for people to live and work together. Government provides us with rules of conduct we can follow. Government makes it possible for people to live by known laws, and helps provide many services that citizens acting alone could not perform themselves. 

Our nation's government is based on the American Constitution. This Constitution, together with its Bill of Rights and other amendments, provides us with a workable plan of government. The Constitution also guarantees to all Americans many priceless rights and freedoms. 

Our nation's government is based upon the approval, or consent, of the people who are governed. It is a federal system in which certain powers are given to the national government and other powers are left to the states and to the people. Certain powers are shared by both federal and state governments. In both federal and state governments, powers are separated and balanced among three branches of government. 

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT EDITION OF HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE 

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "We are currently looking for "THOUGHT LEADERS" as we seek to grow our reader base and become even more diverse and inclusive. Below is our editorial calendar for June 2014 through January 2015. Call us at (832)212-8735 or (832)894-1352 to discuss your inclusion as a "THOUGHT LEADER" or to simply discover solutions to your branding, promotional, advertising, event coverage, press release or marketing needs for 2014."

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Pastor Robert L. Thomas, his wife Tracey and daughters, Mariel and Taylor

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 # # # #

Why We Should Vote in the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Midterm Elections

By Pastor Robert L. Thomas

 I know many of us will say the old cliché’ “Our forefathers died for this right!,” which is very true; but that alone as an argument to motivate us to do what we should already be excited to do – just isn’t enough.

 Why we have to extol the virtues of voting to a people just a few decades removed from one of the worst atrocities ever perpetuated against mankind in the detestable act of slavery is really beyond me.

 It really boils down to this: if you are interested in having a better quality of life – you should go out and vote; if you want your children to be able to afford to attend college – then go vote; if you think your taxes are too high for the services you receive – go out and vote; if your school system is not what you want it to be – yep, you should get up and roll to the polls.

 It really is true – your vote is your voice! We have to be stronger in voice, so that what we say, when we say it, matters – and we are responsible for doing that at the voting booth. Elected officials work for the taxpayers, not the other way around, and as such, they should not be able to tell us what they are going to do…they are to push forward the positive agendas for bettering our safety, opportunities, prosperity and quality of life.

 The choice is yours, accept things as they are, or vote and seek the systemic change we all so richly deserve!

 Be Safe, and Stay Informed!

 Robert L. Thomas, Jr.
Robert Thomas Ministries
Senior Pastor of Olivet Missionary Baptist Church
Contact: (713)224-1515

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LISTEN TO DR. TONY EVANS



CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE BY DR. EVANS

 Let's Promote Oneness - This is a powerful message from Dr. Tony Evans, one of the most respected leaders in the body of Christ. Dr. Evans discusses how we should be promoting unity to show the world how the body of Christ works, Dr. Evans along with his wife, Lois, established Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in 1976 with only ten people in their home. Serving as senior pastor for more than 36 years, Dr. Evans has seen his church grow from 10 to over 9,700 members with 100 plus ministries.

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LISTEN TO BISHOP ALLEN

The American Dream - This is an inspirational hip hop message from Bishop Anthony A. Allen and Billy Cook a legendary hook singer and rapper. Bishop Allen and his wife Matishe, are the founders of Anthony Allen Ministries and one of the "FEATURED SPONSORS" of the Houston Business Connections Magazine "Celebrating Freedom" series June 2014 - January 2015. Billy Cook has been featured on over 500 records including Chamillioanire's "The Sound Of Revenge". He's worked with just about every big name rapper in Texas. Bishop Anthony A. Allen is an apostolic leader who also serves the community at large as a businessman, entrepreneur, investor, author, and entertainer. He is the founder and president of Anthony Allen Ministries, a ministry called to serve the urban community.

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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE BY BISHOP ALLEN

The American Dream Is Ours...So Let's Go Get It -- You have authority to walk in dominion. So don't let anything stop you from doing what you've been called to do. We must bring our community at large to another level of existence. To do this we must put some principles into perspective and practice.


We must put people into office who are not afraid to stand up for righteousness, and walk in the authority given to them by God.



We must put entrepreneurs in their rightful place as leaders in our communities and the marketplace. We must do this by making sure that we support our businesses. But we must also make sure our banks are supporting our businesses and empowering them to be competitive in the marketplace.



We must also educate and empower our communities on the concept of how the economy and free market really works.

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Go vote on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 in the 2014 Midterm Election for Harris County

By Bishop K.J. Brown

Voting is an empowered opportunity to choose leadership which should be exercised every time we have the opportunity. Our collective voice is of great value to our neighborhoods, communities, city and country.

Our political system affords us the opportunity to vote…and every vote matters. Everyone who is eligible to vote should do so. Never buy into polls and percentages put out in the media…and figure that your vote won’t make a difference. Every vote counts and every voice will be heard by you participating in this very important and pivotal election taking place on Tuesday, November 4th.

Be attentive to the issues and think forward. When I cast a ballot at the polls I use a biblical example as my guide. God chose David as King. When I read the story of David, I see a lesson we can all use in voting. God chose David because of the following reasons. ONE: His heart. TWO: His History. THREE: How he would handle the issues. FOUR: How he would help the people. FIVE: How he would be used to heal the land.

God knew that David wouldn’t be perfect; but God was able to use him in civil government in order to fulfill his divine purpose. Voting is not only valuable to the candidates. Voting is valuable to you and your family too. Our families are counting on us at the polls. Your right to vote is very valuable. So use it to be a part of the collective voice that leads this country forward. God Bless America!!!

Bishop K.J. Brown Ministries

“Building Winning Lives!”

Email: bishopkjbrown@gmail.com

The individuals featured on this page are not connected to one another directly or indirectly unless noted. Being featured on this page does not constitute and endorsement or recommendation by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications unless noted.