A new ad from Simon hits Ginsberg for underperforming in the 2022 HD108 race after it was gerrymandered to help incumbent Morgan Meyer.
Several local Democratic precinct chairs commented on Simon’s own ad post they didn’t appreciate her “negativity.” There were also complaints she was misrepresenting Ginsberg’s performance.
Other Democrats have privately ask “who is Yasmin Simon?”
One precinct chair said she plopped out of the sky and “started donating to candidates and causes.” They continued, “has she ever got her hands dirty except going negative on Liz?”
The Dallas Morning News also asked about her donation history which included Republican U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran.
He previously served as Smith County Judge while Simon was working on an opioid lawsuit which netted her significant legal fees.
HD108 Gets Rough – Will It Get Worse?
Questions exist over how dirty the HD108 race will go. Numerous commentators believe Morgan Meyer is vulnerable this cycle.
Meyer will face whoever wins the Democratic primary if he gets through his own.
Barry Wernick filed for 108 also and appears to be allied with Allen West’s campaign for Dallas County Republican Chairman.
Other Side Dallas will update our community on local breaking Dallas news including local elections, crime, and education.
(Editors note: this is an updated article with a copy of the video ad.)
Hinojosa said, “Elizabeth Ginsberg is an outstanding advocate for public education in Texas.”
He continued, “She understands that the way forward is to continue enhancing our public school system.”
He finished saying “I look forward to her measured, rational and solution-oriented leadership on this issue in Austin. She will be a terrific state representative.”
West fights Texas primaries in a recent email to supporters blaming a system similar to Texas for Nikki Haley’s success in New Hampshire.
The email said there are thirteen propositions. One is a closed primary system.
(Nikki Haley ‘s success in New Hampshire was attributed by West to Democrats voting in the Republic primary. Data indicates Ambassador Haley won independents by a wide margin over former president Donald Trump.)
Victoria Neave wins SD16 per a story in left leaning Flip Texas Blue stating poll numbers show the state representative winning the race.
The article says Neave wins the SD16 race if the election were held today. The poll reflects voter recognition of her leadership and work in the Texas legislature.
Victoria Neave Criado is the daughter of an immigrant and was the first in her family to graduate from college.
Today, she is a lawyer and is a leading voice in the Texas State House since her election in 2016.
Neave In Legislature
In the Texas legislature, Victoria secured a major legislative victory with landmark legislation, the Lavinia Masters Act. That law combined with an unprecedented $50 million tackles the rape kit backlog. This brings long-overdue justice to thousands of survivors of sexual assault.
The male dominated state senate has ignored the rape kit backlog for years. The boys club likes to claim to be tough on crime while ignoring rape and sexual assault.
As the Chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC), she fights Governor Abbott’s radical agenda.
Neave supports public schools and put a stop to Abbott’s taxpayer-funded private school welfare program.
She receives credit for her work to stop police profiling by race.
She also received credit for her work to stop attacks on people of color and our LGBTQ community.
In a Facebook post her son, Kirk Johnson, wrote, “I am heartbroken to share the news that my mother, Eddie Bernice Johnson, has passed away.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
RIP Eddie Bernice Johnson Across Dallas
One of the first statements came from District 4.
Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold wrote a heartfelt statement.
“I was truly saddened today to wake up to the news that Congresswoman Johnson had passed.”
She continued, “I have many great memories working alongside her in southern Dallas.”
Additionally, another city council member, Paula Blackmon, hailed Johnson as a local hero – getting projects done.
Above all, it is clear, Johnson would bring national support for local projects.
City Council Member Paula Blackmon said, “Dallas lost a trailblazer today with the passing of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.”
“She was a true champion for Dallas and, in particular, White Rock Lake. Her advocacy is a testament to her commitment to the environment and the recreational spaces that everyone in the Dallas community could enjoy. When she said, “I got this,” you knew it was good as done,” her statement continues.
“I’m grateful to have been able to call Eddie Bernice Johnson my friend,” Blackmon would say. She concluded, “…my prayers are with her family and friends.”
Allen West is back – running for Dallas County Republican Committee Chairman. He is a former Congressman and ran for Governor in 2022.
West also previously served as state party chairman for the Texas Republican Party. He left that post early to run for governor, despite promises he would not.
Dallas County has two remaining GOP seats in the state House of Representatives.
Those seats are in House Districts 108 and 112. They are held by state Reps. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) and Angie Chen Button (R-Garland).
Meyer is being challenged from within the GOP. Former city council candidate Barry Wernick filed for 108 in November.
Allen West has criticized both Republican elected representatives despite them maintaining their seats in blue Dallas.
Allen West Is Back, But Why?
West hosted a campaign kickoff at Richland College yesterday.
Lieutenant Colonel West self describes as a constitutional conservative and combat veteran.
His time as Chairman of the Texas Republican Party was sewn with division and now debt. He was in often public spats with his Vice Chair Cat Parks.
Wernick files for 108 in a 2024 primary challenge to Morgan Meyer in the Park Cities/Preston Hollow district.
In a press release prior to Election Day 2023, Wernick cites Meyer’s connection to lobbyists and leftists. His announcement is below.
Wernick’s campaign site focuses on “liberty over tyranny”, “election integrity”, and “border security” among his top three listed issues. It is unclear if these are focal areas for voters in HD108.
Wernick previously ran for Dallas city council against Jaynie Schultz. That campaign was marred by doctored audio of his opponent.
Wernick Files For 108: How Does The “Other” Wernick Shape Race?
Another question in his bid for the 108th is his mother, Diane Benjamin.
In 2021, she claimed on Nextdoor someone decapitated a squirrel and placed it on her property. Benjamin was then credited with hurting Candy Evans’ campaign for city council after hijacking a meeting on public safety.
Benajamin has been active in GOP politics for decades, but it isn’t clear what role, if any, she will play on the campaign.
Election Day 2023 is here and there are multiple propositions for voters to consider including cost of living increases for retired teachers.
Other Side Dallas does not hold opinions on any candidates or propositions before voters. Because our viewpoint is to present news and not opinion, he list below is only intended as information.
Today’s ballot in Dallas County includes all of the following propositions for voters to cast their ballot. As a result watchers expect a low turnout in today’s election.
In the following sections, the ballot proposition will be listed. Additionally, there is a reference to the bill that put the issue on the ballot.
Proposition 1 – HJR 126
“The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”
Proposition 2 – SJR 64
“The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.”
Proposition 3 – HJR 132
“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.”
Proposition 4 – HJR 2 (2nd Special Session)
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.”
Proposition 5 – HJR 3
“The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”
Proposition 6 – SJR 75
“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”
Proposition 7 – SJR 93
“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”
Proposition 8 – HJR 125
“The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”
Proposition 9 – HJR 2
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”
Proposition 10 – SJR 87
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.”
Proposition 11 – SJR 32
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.”
Proposition 12 – HJR 134
“The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”
Proposition 13 – HJR 107
“The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”
Proposition 14 – SJR 74
“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”
Vote Today
In conclusion, voters have a number of issues to decide. However, we hope this information is useful for voters in Dallas County. Voter participation has been a long term issue for Dallas. Other Side Dallas hopes all voters take advantage of the chance to cast their ballot.
Additionally, the March 2024 primary filing deadline starts in less than a month.
Beth Van Duyne running for Vice Chair of the Congressional House Republican Conference just moments after Mike Johnson elected Speaker.
Van Duyne who represents TX24 – a sprawling gerrymandered district from Dallas to Fort Worth was mayor of Irving.
Van Duyne noted her work in the Trump administration and as a small business owner. She was also one of 147 Members of Congress to vote to overturn the 2020 election.
Earlier this year, Van Duyne hosted a successful job fair for local businesses seeking applicants.
Beth Van Duyne Running – Successful in Past
In 2022, Van Duyne beat Jan McDowell by almost twenty points and more than 57,000 votes.
McDowell is currently running in the TX32 primary with ten other candidates to replace Colin Allred.
