News Alerts, Media Reports

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.

The following is the text of a Letter to the Editor written by Ruth Ann Few, president, Brazosport Federation of Teachers & Support Personnel, Lake Jackson.
It was published in Brazoria County's TheFacts.com

Education is a major issue in this election. Texas is facing numerous problems such as inadequate funding, conflicting accountability standards, high-stakes testing (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills), rising drop-out rates and changing curriculum standards. As a lifelong Texas educator and the current president of the Brazosport Federation of Teachers, I care about education.

"The Chronicle endorses Chris Bell in the special election to fill the District 17 state Senate seat."

Bev Carter, the owner/publisher of the widely acclaimed Fort Bend Star, has a terrific article endorsing Chris Bell in the race for Texas Senate District 17:

Hal over at the Half Empty blog has some nice video of Congressman Al Green talking about why people should vote for Chris Bell for Texas Senate.
"Vote Bell first, then vote Democrat," Green told the crowd.

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.

Matt Glazer of the Burnt Orange Report caught up with Chris Bell at the Democratic National Convention in Denver today and posted a video of the conversation "about his great new poll numbers, the convention, and the future of Texas."
Check out the post and the video here.

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.