Local Politics – Page 3 – The Other Side Dallas

May 20, 2022May 20, 2022

Sommerman Paid For Endorsements

It appears Andrew Sommerman paid for endorsements in his campaign for County Commissioner 2.

According to Texas Ethics Commission reports Andrew Sommerman has given generously to a number of candidates who all seem to endorse him shortly thereafter.

In April we reported on internal emails where Sommerman begged for endorsements from local figures and then he and his staff trashed those same individuals in private.

Clay Jenkins figures prominently in Sommerman’s campaign after trying to steer $250,000 in legal fees to Sommerman’s firm over a lawsuit against Governor Abbott and coronavirus response.

Locally, Jenkins has ordered a low warning order over COVID19 despite rapidly rising cases at both Parkland Hospital and Childrens Medical Center Dallas. Additionally, it appears county officials have suggested not testing all patients despite these rapidly rising cases as Jenkins tries to get his candidate across the finish line to November.

Sommerman Paid For Endorsements And Gave Generously To Republicans

Additionally, Sommerman and his firm donated more than $20,000 to GOP candidates including a judge in Abilene that has no impact on Dallas, unless your law firm is practicing in front of that judge. Judge Jeffrey Probst received $500 just two years ago.

Sommerman is also lining up with former Republican Alexandra Guio in HD114. Significant in that race is Guio’s appointment to the City Redistricting Commission she was appointed to shortly before ghosting her appointing authority Paula Blackmon.

The full TEC report for Sommerman can be viewed below.

Sommerman Download

One Democratic Precinct Chair in Commissioners Court 2 said, “Andrew Sommerman looks more and more like the used car salesman who sells you a defective car, but then turns into the ambulance chasing lawyer once that car causes an accident.”

That Precinct Chair continued, “Buyer beware. Do we really need another old white guy representing Dallas County? Sommerman is half a step away from Joe Manchin in his dealings with GOP.”

It is unclear if Sommerman is trying to knock on doors to win the race or simply buy the office.

May 16, 2022May 16, 2022

Explosive New Jasmine Crockett Website

An explosive new website launched sometime this weekend and it airs all the dirty laundry about Jasmine Crockett we knew and thought we knew and then a lot more. This happens as voters go to the polls today for the start of early voting in the primary runoff.

Crockett was not a supporter of President Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. Crockett also attacked Eddie Bernice Johnson prior to winning her endorsement and insinuated she had somehow received inappropriate benefits of office.

There are a number of topics, but chief among them seem to be her support for disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo, offshore fundraising, not voting against the Republican “Jim Crow” voting law passed in special session last summer, and abandoning legal clients while only working for “the dollar signs.”

Jasmine Crokett: Offshore Fundraising

Crockett has received millions in shadowy contributions from offshore accounts – some funneled through supporters of Donald Trump.

Per the website, Crockett welcomed the “investment” of more than $2M into her campaign and later said “that’s how campaigns go.”

Jasmine Crockett: No Show On Voter Suppression Bill

Crockett who made multiple national airwaves during state Democrats visit to Washington DC to deny the Texas legislature a quorum did not bother to show up to vote no against Republican voter suppression bills as we reported earlier this year.

Jasmine Crockett: No District 100 Office

Crockett also never opened a Disrict 100 office leaving constituents without local service on matters of importance including dropping the ball on legislation she was asked to carry to the floor for local businesses and nonprofits.

There are numerous other issues brought up by the website whose owner is unclear, but it is fair to say that Jasmine Crockett is not beloved in her own district.

While Jasmine Crockett nearly won the TX30 primary outright, her opponent, Jane Hope Hamilton has been quietly receiveing multiple endorsements from city council members like Chad West, members of the Texas legislature including Senator Royce West, Representative Rafael Anchia, and Representative Chris Turner, and local Congressman Marc Veasey.

Hamilton has also been noted to have an aggressive ground game knocking on doors and earning votes through retail campaigning that it appears Crockett has so far avoided.

May 8, 2022May 8, 2022

Camille White Wins In Dallas ISD District 4

In a shock to the local political ecosystem, Camille White wins in Dallas Independent School District‘s District 4 Board of Trustee election beating education reform movement darling Karla Garcia.

The Dallas Morning News endorsed Garcia in her previous election despite issues with her filing affidavit that appeared at the time to be potentially criminal.

One issue that may have motivated turnout for Camille White was the recent report of moldy and spoilt food being served by Dallas ISD kitchens to children in low income areas.

Camille White Wins – The Data

In another low turnout local election with less than 1000 votes cast, White won 51.65% of the vote beating Garcia by 2.5 points.

The lack of intensity in the race may be a precursor of things to come in 2023 city council races.

April 28, 2022April 28, 2022

Jasmine Crockett Supporter Donald Trump

A new wrinkle in the Texas 30 runoff election: Jasmine Crockett supporter Donald Trump. The wrinkle happens as the runoff election is now less than a month away.

Yesterday, Crockett received another $250,000 Super PAC donation from the Washington, DC based Web3 group per FEC records.

This group was formed in February 2022 and has offices at the same location as a PR firm that took in hundreds of thousands of dollars to rehabilitate the image of former Trump Centers for Medicare Services Director Seema Verma.

Published reports in Politico and The Washington Post detail how Trump and his defenders directed payments of more than $3M dollars away from programs for the elderly and poor towards image rehabilitation for his CMS administrator. Those same dollars are now flowing to the TX30 candidate Jasmine Crockett.

In addition to the millions of out of district Super PAC dollars flowing to Crockett to rehabilitate her image, she has not found the time to open a constituent office since being elected or passing any legislation.

This despite the fact she accused Mayor Eric Johnson and former State Representative Terri Hodge of not passing any legislation either – lies that were easly proven untrue.

State legislative bills can be reviewed online.

SuperPAC Dollars Tie Jasmine Crockett Supporter Donald Trump To TX30

It is unclear how many more out of state dollars will flow into the TX30 race, but local endorsements continue for Jane Hope Hamilton.

Crockett nearly won the TX30 Democratic primary outright. It is unclear if runoff voters will continue to vote for her after voting against Donald Trump four to one, but it is clear supporters of Donald Trump are now lining up quietly to support Crockett.

Additionally, some of the same financial supporters of the current State Representative for District 100 appear to have been providing financial assistance to QAnon leader and former Trump cabinet pick General Mike Flynn. In June 2021, Flynn called for a coup while here in Dallas at the For God and Country Patriot Roundup.

Crockett’s office would not return a call on this topic and she has yet to accept an invitation to a debate with her opponent Hamilton.

April 26, 2022April 26, 2022

Sommerman Sinks Supporters

Andrew Sommerman sinks supporters in a number of emails released to Facebook by community activist Avi Adelman.

After the March 1 Democratic primary vote, Philip Kingston announced his endorsement of Andrew Sommerman.

Sommerman seeks the endorsement of individuals in public and then trashes them in private.

The move was a surprise to many, but for some activists, a bridge too far and it appears the benefactor of Kingston’s decision thinks it is bad too.

In an email to Avi Adelman, the Sommerman campaign called Kingston “offensive and a bad actor…” in the public sphere.

The campaign which appears to be seeking Adelman’s endorsement then goes on to send a message to its team about Adelman calling him a “loud person.” Unfortunately for the campaign, the private message made its way to Adelma who published it.

If Andrew Sommerman will attack his own supporters, do you think he cares about individual voters?

Kingston, who finished in what D Magazine called a “distant third” does not seem to have the support of voters or the people he endorses.

Sommerman Sinks Supporters

Sommerman, a local personal injury lawyer, said he chose to run for the County Commission 2 seat because “he doesn’t want political theater to drive public health policymaking.”

But he later won the Dallas Morning News primary endorsement on a platform of arguing for criminals to be released into the community to lower jail costs despite a long recent history of Dallas criminal judges lowering bail to allow dangerous defendants to be out on bond and Dallas police unable or unwilling to respond to local crime.

It is unclear based on Sommerman’s private conversations what he believes.

Adelman’s emails show Sommerman seeks the endorsement of individuals in public and then trashes them in private.

This endorsement controversy makes some Democrats nervous about the newly gerrymandered seat.

One local community person said, “I’ve talked to a dozen people like Avi – people who work the polls, precinct chairs, donors – and they all say the same thing. They will vote for JJ Koch in November if Andrew Sommerman beats Michelle Ocker in May.”

“Sommerman is the worst kind of insider. He sells out his supporters without thinking about it as long as it advances Andrew Sommerman,” she continued. “He is also playing a good old boy club with he and Kingston and Tom Ervin lining up against Michelle [Ocker] who has held elective office and served constituents.”

Another unaffiliated campaign volunteer noted this shows how bad Democratic Party politics is right now.

“If Andrew Sommerman will attack his own supporters, do you think he cares about individual voters?”

In the other major Dallas race, endorsements continue to come in for Jane Hope Hamilton who is hoping to beat Jasmine Crockett in their runoff.

April 21, 2022April 21, 2022

Beto In Dallas

Dallas Democrats had what they wanted. Beto in Dallas yesterday and the press conference was as expected: free drugs, new casinos, and Medicaid expansion.

The Democratic nominee for Governor came out swinging against Governor Abbott on marijuana legalization, opening casinos in Texas, and expanding Medicaid.

He was joined by State Senator Nathan Johnson and City Council District 7 member Adam Bazaldua. The trio addressed local economics, but not the rising crime rate.

Bazaldua has been part of rising taxes since he joined Dallas city council was also a proponent of defunding the police – which has led to more police leaving the job and higher crime rates.

Governor Abbott’s campaign was quick to respond.

“Serial flip-flopper Beto O’Rourke is once again misleading the public,” said Abbott campaign communications director Mark Miner. “Gov. Abbott has reduced property taxes for Texans by over $18 billion since taking office, while Beto O’Rourke has an established track record of increasing property taxes while serving on the City Council in El Paso.”

Beto In Dallas: Another Change In Direction?

O’Rourke who has not spoken openly about legalizing gambling in Texas plans to introduce the plan to lower property taxes which are quickly rising given the influx of new residents seeking Texas’ positive economic outlook.

O’Rourke is not only fighting the national headwinds which show President Biden polling lower than former President Trump at the same time in his administration, but is also facing a Texas Republican Party which has a strong edge in data analytics, messaging, and voter communication efforts that many Democrats refuse to admit.

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022

No Representation 100

“No representation 100” is the new phrase being bandied about by Democratic Precinct chairs who recently learned that State Representative Jasmine Crockett did not show up to vote against SB7 in the Texas legislature.

Crockett is being described by a Washington consultant as dangerous. She is the “poster child for Republicans to run against,” he said.

“Crockett loves being a show horse, but has no stomach for being a work horse,” he continued. “She loves hearing herself speak on CNN about SB1 (Senate Bill 1), but couldn’t show up to vote no.”

In August 2021, Crockett went on CNN saying, “Texas is the hardest state to vote.” It is unclear if she meant for ordinary voters getting to the polls or if she meant elected representatives who don’t show up to work.

The transcript is here.

Texas House of Representatives Journal Download

More To No Representation 100

Crockett is the only state representative to not have a district level office providing constituent service.

Her Chief of Staff Karol Rimmal has openly used the N word which several pastors in South Dallas have said they find offensive.

In addition to the news above it has been revealed that Democrats in Austin found Crockett hard to work with day to day.

Meanwhile her opponent in the May primary run off, Jane Hope Hamilton, has been steadily gathering endorsements from local elected officials. One of the more prominent endorsements came from Senator Royce West.

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022

Endorsement Rumor True

Endorsement rumor true per multiple emails and comments that came to Other Side Dallas after we posted Texas State Senator Royce West might endorse Jane Hope Hamilton in Texas’ 30th Congressional District Democratic Primary runoff.

Endorsement Rumor True

In a Twitter release, the Hamilton campaign notes endorsements from numerous North Texas leaders including Congressman Marc Veasey, the Honorable Ron Kirk, State Senator Beverly Powell, State Representative Chris Turner, State Representative Rafael Anchía, and Commissioner John Wiley Price.

JUST IN: Endorsed by Senator ⁦⁦⁦@RoyceWestTX⁩ ! HOPE is on the Ballot for Congressional District 30 https://t.co/8UQEqktwMl
— Jane Hope Hamilton (@JaneHopeTX) March 25, 2022

Hamilton is widely recognized as a strong leader and trusted voice among Democrats and the broader civic community in Dallas and throughout our state. Hamilton was a Strategic Advisor to the Biden-Harris campaign and was Campaign Manager for Clay Jenkins’ reelection run.

Jane has deep and broad experience in public policy, in competitive campaigns, working within the Texas State legislature, and as a Chief of Staff in the United States Congress. Jane has been asked by respected leaders across the community to consider running for Congress.

Hamilton is a graduate of Lake Forest College, where she double majored in Political Science and Mass Communications. She lives and works in Dallas, Texas. She, her husband, and their two children are members of the Dallas West Church of Christ.

There are less than sixty days left until the primary runoff election.

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022

Royce West Endorsing Jane Hope Hamilton

A rumor is circulating that Royce West is endorsing Jane Hope Hamilton as early as this weekend. This would be another significant endorsement in the Democratic Primary runoff in Texas Congressional District 30.

Jane Hope Hamilton previously announced multiple endorsements from both current office holders and former opponents.

It is not clear if thes endorsements help, but Crockett’s campaign was hit by allegations of inappropriate behavior by her Chief of Staff Karrol Rimal earlier in the campaign. The Youtube video below includes some of his comments.

Royce West Endorsing Jane Hope Hamilton: Help or Hurt?

Last year, Senator West endorsed Donald Parish Jr. for City Council in District 7 over incumbent Adam Bazaldua.

March 17, 2022March 22, 2022

New Endorsements For Jane Hope Hamilton

On Wednesday, three new endorsements for Jane Hope Hamilton dropped all from former 2022 Democratic candidates who opposed her in the March primary.

Hamilton’s run off campaign started with the endorsement of State Representative, Chairman Rafael Anchía. She has now added former State Representative Barbara Mallory Caraway, former Councilwoman Vonciel Jones Hill, and former Constable Roy Williams Jr.

The New Endorsements For Jane Hope Hamilton

Congressional District 30 needs a representative in Washington who will work to lower prescription drug costs so families won’t have to make the hard decusion between the high cost of medication and putting food on the table. We need someone who will work for safer neighborhoods by decreasing the escalating gun violence and crime plaguing our district. At the same time we need a representative who will work to ensure we keep our voting rights in this crumbling Democracy. That person is Jane Hope Hamilton.
Former State Representative Barbara Mallory Caraway

Jane Hope Hamilton has my support for Congress. Her history of advocating for our neighborhoods and speaking up for our underserved populations makes her the right choice. I look forward to working with her in Congress as we both continue to serve our communities.
Former Constable Roy Williams Jr.