Donna Howard Wins Election - Again!

[sonias]

AAS Postcards from the Lege blog 2/11/11
Report: Rep. Donna Howard won her contested election

State Rep. Will Hartnett, R-Dallas, released a report this afternoon that affirmed state Rep. Donna Howard’s election.

Hartnett, who presided over a hearing about the contested election, said the Austin Democrat fairly beat Republican challenger Dan Neil — by the slenderest of margins.

“After a thorough review of the numerous challenged ballots, I have concluded that Donna Howard won the House District 48 election by 4 votes,” Hartnett said in a statement.

The matter now heads to a special House committee, which also will hold a hearing an make a recommendation. Eventually, the members of the Texas House could decide the race.

:bounce: :toast: :woohoo:

That's 3 more than she needed!

[onestepforward]

1. Excellent!

Every vote counts!

:toast:

[sonias]

2. Yes indeed

Four voters in this district were the key votes!

:toast:

[sonias]

3. Howard Wins HD-48 Seat, Hartnett Says

Texas Tribune 2/11/11
Howard Wins HD-48 Seat, Hartnett Says
(snip)

Hartnett's recommendation goes now to a select committee chaired by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, which in turn will make a recommendation to the full House. The House's decision is final. Neil can, if he chooses, withdraw his appeal at any time.

During the four-day hearing, Neil's lawyer, Joe Nixon, argued the margin of votes was too close to definitively declare a winner. Howard's lawyer, Randall "Buck" Wood, said Neil could not request a recount just because he did not like the results.

Seven voters moved out of Travis County but did not change their address before voting in the election, Hartnett wrote in his recommendation. Hartnett opened four ballots during the course of the trial and did not count one of those votes because of ineffective registration, which left Howard's margin of victory at four votes, he said.

"We have completed step one of this process, and we intend to take our case to the committee," Nixon said in a statement. "We believe the evidence presented in recent hearings is worthy of a different finding, and we are confident the committee will agree."

Nicox and Neil are sore losers. :eyes:

[TxVietVet]

4. As long as it puts a Democrat in the House, then it's a very successful victory.

If the repugs can't take it, they should run. If Texas turns out the way the repugs want, they might not win any elections for a while. ;-)

[sonias]

5. The bad news is that this is the year they redistrict

And they hold all the cards. They are going to draw these districts all to be won by repukes. Now they can't hold on to all of them - but they sure are going to damn try.

:grr:

[sonias]

6. Panel rules for Howard in House race

Postcards from the Lege blog AAS 3/15/11

Panel rules for Howard in House race

PDATED, 6:48 p.m., with the committee’s recommendation: The House committee just ruled unanimously against contestant Dan Neil’s election challenge.

Neil said he would decide “very soon” whether to push forward with his challenge, which would bring the issue to the full House floor.

EARLIER:
A special House committee on the contested election between Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Republican challenger Dan Neil met today, attempting to make a final determination on a November election that was decided by four votes.

The committee has just gone into a closed-door executive session and is expected to issue a recommendation to the full House tonight. That chamber will ultimately decide whether or not the election results stand.

Neil should just give it up. He's really being a big sore loser!

:kick:

[sonias]

7. Election Contest Ends - Donna Wins (Aagain)!

Donna Howard Campaign Newsletter 3/21/11
Campaign Update - Monday, March 21, 2011

ELECTION CONTEST ENDS - DONNA WINS (AGAIN)!

Today is the 70th day of the legislative session - the halfwayy point - and more importantly, it is the first day that Donna will serve with the election contest behind her. Last Friday, Dan Neil withdrew his challenge after the select committee voted unanimously in her favor! This whole process has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, and she is grateful (and relieved) to have it behind her.


One lingering concern is the very large legal bill she has accrued defending herself. Her attorneys provided invaluable legal counsel, but the entire process, not including the recount, has ended up costing almost six figures. Please mark your calendars on Thursday, April 7th from 5-6:30 pm for a fundraiser to help with these costs. You will receive an invitation with all the details later this week. Any support is greatly appreciated, and a BIG thank you to those who have already made a contribution.

:toast: