YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS UP - TRUMP NOMINATES JAMES SULLIVAN TO A LIFETIME FEDERAL JUDGSHIP AFTER BEING TOSSED FROM THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT

Here is the problem, I am suing him for interfering with my federal case because as a member of the Texas Supreme Court he was of the opinion he could issue orders in a pending federal case.

His name and acts are squarely before the federal court of appeals.  It is clear, Trump's staff are not vetting his nominees.  Remember his press secretary lasted a week. 

Another nominee, Maria Chapa Lopez's nomination remains pending after the hearing.  She failed the Bar Exam twice.  She was a successful US Attorney for the Middle District of Florida under Trump.  She has a stellar resume since finally passing the Bar, but some have asked which side of justice she has worked for her entire career.   

Trump's staff seems to fail him when it comes to vetting judicial candidates. 

I will bet Trump will pull Sullivan's nomination.

I think Trump will be loyal to Maria Chapa Lopez.  She has been loyal enough to the Republicans her entire professional career.  She made her name prosecuting active military personnel and now wants to oversee Veteran's Appeals.  It does not fit.

Oh, in 76' my mother was disappointed I had no desire to date her.  They met on the phone a few times.  Those of us who knew her knew she was not going to be a progressive. It was odd because her parents worked hard as immigrants to build a successful business.  

She did three years at UTEP before doing her final year at UT in hopes of getting into UT's law school. She did not make it.  As a second-year law student I helped her to study for the Bar, which she finally passed. 

   THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   

This is not a game or a time to settle scores.  In 2030, the Democrats can control redistricting.  The new advantage will go to the Democrats with the Republicans losing even more seats.

If the Democrats can hold onto the Texas House, the Republicans may not regain control of the House of Representatives for years to come.

The Texas Tribune has a great article about how Clayton Tucker, Agriculture Commissioner, and Senator Talarico helped to deliver rural Texas.  Issues very important to rural Texas better play front and center when the Democrats post their agenda.  Rural Texas knows they control the power and will expect policies which make their life easier. If the needs of rural Texas are not front and center, the Democrats can kiss their advantage goodbye.

THE THREE FACES WHICH WILL LEAD TEXAS

GOVERNOR GINA HINOJOSA

Gina just finished a great interview on CNN.  She hit home repeatedly that her agenda is not a Democratic Party Agenda but a universal agenda of the people which meets everyone needs. 

She needs to work with the Lieutenant Governor to have a strong agenda ready to meet the universal needs of the people. We do not need promises of chump change.  As Congress moves forward with Medicare for all, Texas needs to add subsidies for Part B, such as so many other states

We need an employment Tsar who can organize job training for all new incoming jobs.  Locally, communities are failing on this issue.  Locally there is no job coordinator ensuring SpaceX for example demands will be met with new trainees.

Gina needs to be careful on the voucher system. It needs fixing, but she better understand there are progressives who want to use vouchers to send their kids to more progressive schools.

Texas needs to look to NY for a new education system.  Teachers and parents all know too well disruptive students make educating children difficult.  This is not a major problem in NY because NY has a three-tier system of education.

There are Applied classes starting in high school for kids who will look for trades training. Unfortunately, this group will have the disruptive kids.  Regents is an option which mandates passing statewide rigorous exams.  If you do not pass the exams your will not receive a Regents Diploma.  This is needed to enter a university in NY.  Then you have the Honor's program.  The Regents and Honors programs insure only the most serious students are in the programs.  

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VIKKI GOODWIN

Goodwin will lead the Democrats in the Senate. Gina needs to understand Goodwin will guide the legislative agenda through the Senate.

CLAYTON TUCKER, AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ELECT

The Texas Tribune has a great article on how Clayton delivered rural Texas.  The problems facing rural Texas are impacting the rest of Texas.  If the Democrats dismiss rural Texas, they will lose in 2028.  Clayton Tucker needs to be at the table in a very high-profile way if the Democrats want to hold on to Texas.  

 

THE DEMOCRATS DID NOT WIN AS MUCH AS THE REPUBLICANS LOST - THE INDEPENDENT VOTER

"The move backfired: GOP candidates lost four of five seats their new congressional map was designed to flip and lost two of their own."

Texas Tribune

During the Redistricting war I repeatedly said the Republican failed to understand the Independents.  In any Congressional District they are the largest bloc of voters.

The election was a complete rebuke of Donald Trump and the Republican Party which supports him.

Four of five new congressional districts meant to break for the Republicans went to the Democrats because, the Independents said enough is enough.  That is not a pro Democratic vote.

In two years, I would love a complete wipe out of the Republicans so Gina can governor with a clear Democratic majority in the Texas House and Senate. 

But she needs to understand she did not win as much as the Republicans lost because of Trump.

Gina needs to lead right out of the door.  She needs to put the Republicans on the defensive now.  Her speech last night was a flop.  She remains focused on education.  That is fine, but will she call for an investigation of the oil and gas industry which is making major profits? 

Now is the time because it is a hot issue, and she has 4 years before they can use it against her.

Rural Texas broke with Clayton Tucker.  Noone spoke more eloquently on the issues facing rural Texas than Clayton Tucker.  He turned those votes from red to blue.  Gina needs to meet with Clayton ASAP so they can agree on a plan forward.  We do not need giveaways; we need policy which hold the oil and gas industry accountable for the price gauging. 

We need a policy wherein the Texas Veteran's Land board locks in mortgage interest rates at 3.5 % for veterans and 3% for disabled veterans. I defy the Republicans to defy Gina on such a policy. 

We need to build the Texas Democratic brand one group at a time. 

TEXAS SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS WENT BLUE ON NO MONEY

I worked so hard on these campaigns.  I chose not to move forward in federal court before the election for fear I would be accused of using the Republican corruption to influence the election.  My hands are now free.

The Democrats had nearly zero campaign money for these races.  So how did they win?  It was simple.  They were running against Donald Trump Republicans.  Think about it, the Democrats showed up with no money and won because the people had reached their limit with Donald Trump.

The Democrats better get moving fast on their agenda. 

 

Vikki Goodwin as our new Lieutenant Governor will control the legislative agenda. 

Vikki, people are a lot more concerned about issues not related to education.  Yes, education reform needs to be on the agenda, but so too kitchen table issues such as oil and gas.  

Our farmers and truckers need relief on diesel fuel. 

 

TEXAS GOVERNOR ELECT: GINA HINOJOSA

It is good Texas went Blue.  We are all winners.  But she better understand, Trump pushed the Democrats to the win.  

It is now time to govern.  Clayton Tucker has won as Agricultural Commissioner. Gina needs to align with him ASAP.  He ran the best people campaign of anyone with very little money.  His win means he holds the rural vote.  Clayton needs to be heard so he can help the Democratic brand to grow.

No one was closer to the people than Clayton Tucker on all issues.  He was not a handful of issues. he was everything the people wanted. We need a constitutional amendment now to allow the people to vote using referendums.  Putting the people in charge is what Gina needs to do.

Education reform must include a system similar to BOCE in New York where Regions not mere school districts come together for job training while in high school

I wish her the best, and hope she succeeds.

It is time to governor.  I do not want endless Trump investigations.  I want policies which reach the needs of the people.

LOSERS WHO COULD NOT BUY OR STEAL AN ELECTION

 

TEXAS SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS WIPE OUT THE REPUBLICANS IN A MASSIVE BLUE WAVE - WOW

https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-live-results-2026/

throughout the state Democrats are winning nearly all statewide offices.  It will be morning before we know for sure. If the numbers hold, a majority of Democrats will hold the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal appeals.

 

WHILE WE WAIT ON SOME SENATE RACES, IT APPEARS TEXAS GOES BLUE ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

Trump pushed Paxton and Graham of the voters.  I cannot believe South Carolina has gone Blue.  That means Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina all going Blue with Senators.  

The Democrats have officially taken the House.  Things look very good for Talarico and Hinojosa in Texas.  It is truly a Blue Wave. 

The Democrats need to be careful.  Their win is more about distain for Trump than real support for the Democrats.

If the Democrats want to hold power in two years, Gina Hinojosa needs to push for a constitutional amendment to allow for referendums in Texas.  In every Republican state which had a referendum to restore some of Roe v. Wade, the prochoice vote won.  

 

NATIONAL ELECTION RETURNS: SENATE AND HOUSE

I am posting this separate because it will otherwise become cumbersome in one post.

I will not cover every race.  I just care which direction the election will take the Senate and House.

I will call the Vicente Gonzalez race here and on the local page

KEY SENATE RACES:  THE FLIPS

Democrats run through the South.  They have taken the Senate in North Carolina, along with a commanding lead in South Carolina.  Georgia has already been called for the incumbent Democrat.

Talarico in Texas has a very commanding lead over Paxton.  Calling the election for Talarico is a formality.

KEY HOUSE RACES:     THE FLIPS

In Florida the Republican redistricting falls on its face, as the Democrats win key seats.

FOR NOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE GAINING SEATS AND OR HOLDING ONTO SEATS

National Reporting remains iffy.