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Campaign Statement On April 8 Runoff Election Results
Statement from Campaign Director Vince Leibowitz:
“While the results are not what we had hoped for, Dale is very appreciative of the support he has received throughout this election cycle, and in today’s election.”
“I believe, in 2010, when Democrats elect a candidate in the Democratic Primary who can defeat an incumbent Railroad Commissioner, they will have Dale Henry to thank for igniting the debate–this year and in 2006–that will fuel that race. Without Dale and his experience and efforts, this race would not have made the headlines it has. Texas Democrats owe a debt of gratitude to Dale Henry for his efforts on behalf of the people of Texas.
“To Dale’s supporters around the state, he extends a resounding ‘thank you.’ He and Ruth are, as always, humbled by the support they have continuously received from grassroots Democrats across Texas.”
“For me personally, it has been an honor and a privilege to work for a candidate who has so much knowledge about the office he was seeking. Dale is truly one-of-a-kind, and a decent and honorable man whom I believe Texans would have been proud to call their Railroad Commissioner.”
Dale Captures Endorsements From All Of The State’s Major Daily Newspapers
Dale Henry has now officially captured endorsements from all of the state’s major newspapers (that do endorsements in primary elections):
San Antonio Express News: Henry wants to use his oilfield expertise to push for stronger environmental protections. He also touts the need for pipeline safety…Democrats would be better served with Henry on the ballot.
Houston Chronicle: A petroleum engineer, Henry has four decades of experience in the oil and gas industry — the primary object of the Railroad Commission’s interest. Henry also has government experience as Lampasas city manager and Mills County commissioner.
Austin American-Statesman: Of the two, Henry has the technical experience and background to serve on the commission that regulates the oil and gas industry in the state.
Dallas Morning News: Democrats should go with petroleum engineer Dale Henry as their nominee….He’s very conversant about the commission’s duties, such as ensuring that wells are plugged correctly so they don’t contaminate nearby water supplies.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: A wealth of experience makes Dale Henry the wisest choice for voters in the April 8 Democratic primary runoff election for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, the chief regulator of the state’s oil and natural gas industry.
Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News Pick Dale!
Dale has earned several endorsements this morning:
The Austin American-Statesman: “Henry has the technical experience and background to serve on the commission that regulates the oil and gas industry in the state.” {link}
The Dallas Morning News: ” Democrats should go with petroleum engineer Dale Henry as their nominee….He’s very conversant about the commission’s duties, such as ensuring that wells are plugged correctly so they don’t contaminate nearby water supplies.” {link}
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram also reinforced their earlier endorsement: “A wealth of experience makes Dale Henry the wisest choice for voters in the April 8 Democratic primary runoff election for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, the chief regulator of the state’s oil and natural gas industry.” {link}
Mark Thompson Last Voted In 1996
HAMILTON–Democratic Candidate for Texas Railroad Commission Mark Thompson did not cast a single vote between November 1996 and the March 4 Democratic Primary election in which he was a candidate, according to a review conducted of Thompson’s voting record by his opponent’s campaign.
According to the voter history for Mark Thompson, a public record obtained from the Hamilton County Tax Assessor’s Office, prior to the March 2008 Democratic Primary, Thompson last voted in 1996–when he cast votes in the 1996 GOP Primary and the 1996 General Election. According to the Hamilton County Tax Assessor’s Office, Thompson first registered to vote on December 6, 1989.
“It is very curious that someone who is now running for statewide office has not bothered to vote in an election for more than a decade,” said Vince Leibowitz, Campaign Director for Dale Henry’s campaign for Texas Railroad Commissioner. “Between November 1996 and March 2008, Texas had several statewide elections for positions–including Texas Railroad Commissioner–and some very important statewide constitutional amendments. Based upon the public record, it appears that Mark Thompson didn’t bother to cast a single vote in any of those elections. The last time Mr. Thompson participated in an election prior to his own, Bob Dole and Phil Gramm were on the ballot. Between 1996 and 2008 there were some very important elections from the race for President on down, plus constitutional amendment elections that literally changed the face of Texas. Mark Thompson didn’t think any of those were important enough to bother to show up and make his voice heard,” Leibowitz said.
In light of these facts, it is unsurprising that, on Primary Election Night, Thompson didn’t even know what a runoff election was, Leibowitz noted. “He didn’t know until a newspaper reporter explained it to him,” Leibowitz said.
“Democratic Primary voters need to be aware that one of the two candidates in this race has not bothered to vote since 1996,” Leibowitz said. “Earlier this week, Thompson told the Texas Observer that Dale Henry wasn’t fighting for the people and that was why he did so well on March 4. Not only is that a complete fallacy based upon the fact that Thompson barely campaigned and most voters didn’t have a clue who he was, but the idea that someone who hadn’t voted in a decade is out fighting for the people in an election is utterly laughable,” Leibowitz continued.
“It is one thing to stand up and run for office because you are mad or want to see something changed, but, to have failed to vote for over 10 years and then stand up and cry that it is time for a change is hypocritical. Thompson could have voted for change before, and he didn’t bother to do so,” Leibowitz concluded.
LINKS: Mark Thompson’s Voting History; Texas Observer Blog Article.
Volunteer Opportunities For Dale’s Campaign
Volunteer Opportunities: Here the campaign will list opportunities for citizen activists to volunteer with the campaign. Check back often for updates!
Make Phone Calls To Remind People To Vote For Dale In The Runoff: Via the excellent web-based tool, True Blue Action, you can “phone bank for Dale” from the comfort of your own home! You can call voters in your county or in other counties. The script for you to use, numbers for you to use, and all the information you will need is all online. Just go to True Blue Action and click on “Click here to start phonebanking for statewide and local candidates” and you’ll be directed to exactly what you need to do.
County & Senate District Convention Volunteers Needed: If you will be attending your County or Senatorial District Convention on Saturday, March 29, please email the campaign at info@electdalehenry.com to learn more about what you can do to help Dale!
Gather Supporters For Dale At Democratic Meetings: At your county or senate district conventions, or at any Democratic meeting, help us gather supporters for Dale Henry. Use the handy form we’ve developed and mail or fax it back to the campaign (instructions are on the form) after the event:
Sign-Up Sheet (.pdf)
Sign-Up Sheet (.doc)
Campaign Statement On Error In League Of Women Voters’ Guide
The Dale Henry campaign has issued the following statement on the errors in the Texas League of Women Voters’ 2008 Voter’s Guide:
“We are disappointed that the League of Women Voter’s 2008 Primary Voter’s Guide that has been distributed across Texas has an error in it that makes it appear as though Dale Henry failed to answer one of the League’s questions,” said campaign director Vince Leibowitz.
“The only way we can explain this is through letting the voters know that, through an evident error, we received a different question from from the LWV’s website than did other candidates. The form we downoladed from the LVW’s website early this year contained only three questions in the RRC race. We have uploaded that form and Dale’s answers (the English version) to the campaign website so voters can view this. I am not certain if the LVW changed the form before the filing period or if there was a separate form we were not advised of with the additional question about qualifications,” Leibowitz continued.
“I will be in touch with the LWV first thing in the morning and willtry to determing if anything can be done to rectify this situation,” he continued.
Daily Texan Endorses Dale Henry
One of the most influential collegiate student newspapers in the nation–and one with a reach far beyond its own campus–the Daily Texan of the University of Texas at Austin has endorsed Dale Henry for Texas Railroad Commissioner:
Candidate Mark Thompson has said the Texas Legislature should change the agency’s name because the public has so many misconceptions about it, and we agree. Apparently, Thompson’s opponent Art Hall doesn’t even understand the office he’s vying for: According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the former San Antonio City Councilman listed on his Web site “railroad safety” as one of the “issues important to the Railroad Commission of Texas,” further noting that “rail derailment is a major issue in Texas.” He later removed the misinformed reference from his Web site, but had to cope with a rash of ridicule from political bloggers. We can rest assured Hall at least knows a thing or two about serving the best interests of the oil and gas industry; his wife is an attorney for San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corp.
Our endorsee Henry, however, seems to have the best interests of the public in mind. This is the 76-year-old Lampassas man’s third attempt running for a commission seat, and in 2006, he lost to a new Gov. Rick Perry appointee who got the privilege of running as a GOP incumbent. He still managed to earn 1.7 million votes (42 percent of the turnout), and, even more impressive, he spent less than $50,000 on that race, most of which came out of his own pocket.
Bryan-College Station Eagle Endorses Dale Henry
The Bryan-College Station Eagle has endorsed Dale Henry in the race for Texas Railroad Commission:
Like many Texans, some of the candidates in this race have a basic misunderstanding about the functions of the Railroad Commission, which, despite its name, does not regulate railroads in Texas. Instead, the three-member commission regulates the oil and gas industry and is in charging of ensuring that the pipelines that carry petroleum products are safe — a job it has not done particularly well in recent years. It also has some environmental responsibility for the oil wells it authorizes. And, despite what Thompson, an advocate for the blind, says, it does have a say in the natural gas rates charged Texans since it must approve cost-of-service rate increases sought by the natural gas industry. In fact, commissioners recently approved rate increases greater than what their staff recommended.
Henry, 75, has run for the Railroad Commission twice before, once as a Republican and then as a Democrat. He is the only candidate in the race — and would be the only one on the commission — with a lifetime of experience working in the oil fields. He knows how to drill an oil well properly, and when the time comes, how to plug in correctly so that it doesn’t endanger the environment in the years to come.
Both Hall and Henry correctly say the commission must do more to protect ground water from oil wells drilled through it. While Hall can address the issue in theory, Henry has done it in practice. Henry isn’t the most polished candidate in the race, but commissioners don’t need designer suits and expensive shoes to do their job well.
The Eagle recommends a vote for Dale Henry for Railroad Commission in the Democratic Primary.
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Great Coverage In Brenham!
From the Brenham Banner-Press:
Henry said what makes him different from other would-be commissioners is his experience in the industry, which makes him familiar with oil and gas exploration and recovery techniques, as well as common industry practices that occur with waste material as a result of drilling.
Many commissioners have very little knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the energy industry, and in fact got their job though as a political appointment to the position by the governor, or see it as a stepping stone to other offices, he said.
Consequently, “the net result is the oil companies get their way, and you and me get contaminated water,” he said.
Henry has a petroleum engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and has worked in various areas of the oil industry for over forty years, most recently as a private contractor for the railroad commission plugging abandoned oil wells.
Printable version here.
Fort Worth Star Telegram Endorsed Dale Henry
Dale Henry has earned the endorsement of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Henry, 76, of Lampasas speaks from extensive experience. He spent 40-plus years in the oil and gas industry, including contracting with the state for the cleanup and plugging of abandoned wells. A petroleum engineering graduate of the University of Texas, he also has been a small-town city manager and possesses considerable knowledge of water issues.
The Star-Telegram Editorial Board urges that voters in the March 4 Democratic primary election cast their ballots for Henry in the three-candidate race for the Railroad Commission seat held by Republican Michael Williams. The primary winner is to face Williams, who has no GOP opponent, in November.
Printable version here.
While beneficial to the Texas economy, the oil and gas industry, if left unchecked, poses a significant danger to our environment.
Read about how Dale Henry will make protecting the environment his number one priority.
Endorsements:
