News Alerts

The runoff election for Senate District 17 will be held on Dec. 16, according to an announcement from Gov. Rick Perry's office.
The early voting period will be from Dec. 8 through Dec. 12.

A statement from Chris Bell, candidate for Texas Senate District 17, on the announcement that 3,800 employees at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (UTMB) will lose their jobs:

"The loss of 3,800 jobs at UTMB - nearly one third of the institution's workforce - is a devastating blow to the Galveston economy, which is already suffering from the crippling effects of Hurricane Ike. Far too many Texas families are still trying to piece their lives and their homes back together, and these job losses place are a huge roadblock to recovery.

Texas State Employees Union backs Bell for Texas Senate
On Labor Day, the Chris Bell for Texas Senate campaign announced that it won the endorsement of the Texas State Employees Union.

“I am honored to have the support of the Texas State Employees Union as I stand with my brothers and sisters in the organized labor movement today,” said Chris Bell. “They know we need new leadership in the state legislature, and I’m happy that the state employees want me to provide it.”

The Chris Bell for Texas Senate campaign today announced that it has swept the endorsements of the Texas State Teachers Association and the Texas AFT's Committee on Political Education.

“I always tell my kids to listen to their teachers. I just hope the voters of Senate District 17 hold Texas teachers in the same regard,” said Chris Bell. “Texas teachers know firsthand what’s going on in the classrooms. They know vouchers are a cop-out.

Memo from Cooper & Secrest Associates:

Between Aug. 14 and Aug. 18, 2008, Cooper & Secrest Associates conducted a survey of 404 likely general election voters in Texas Senate District 17 (error margin: plus or minus 4.9 points).

The results make plain the excellent opportunity Democrats have to convert this open seat.

Dozens of local officials, precinct chairs join Team Bell

In a sign of gathering momentum with only 11 weeks until Election Day, Chris Bell today announced dozens of endorsements from federal, state and local elected officials, as well as the support of 79 precinct chairs in Senate District 17.

In a sign of gathering momentum with only 11 weeks until Election Day, Chris Bell met his online fundraising goal a day early.

Initially hoping to raise $10,000 in 10 days, the Bell campaign reached that mark in three days, so they doubled the goal to $20,000 in 20 days.

On Day 19, the Bell campaign broke that barrier.

The $20,000 in 20 Days online fundraising campaign has now raised $22,057 from 130 individual donors.

Today Democrat Chris Bell announced that he had received the endorsement of the Texas AFL-CIO COPE in the special election for Texas Senate District 17.

Democrat Chris Bell today formally announced his candidacy for the special election to fill the vacancy in Texas Senate District 17.

“I am running for the state senate because it is a golden opportunity to make progress toward the same goals I’ve worked for my entire career: public schools, access to health care, and ethics reform,” said Chris Bell.