News
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.
Dale Henry To Address Gregg County Democratic Women
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Vince Leibowitz, Campaign Director
(903) 705-2792
(903) 759-5555
Dale Henry To
Will Outline The Railroad Commission’s Failures To Protect
Dale Henry, Democratic Candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner in the April 8 runoff election, will address the Texas Democratic Women of Gregg County at Johnny Carino’s in
WHO: Dale Henry, Democratic Candidate for
WHAT: Henry will address the
WHERE: Johnny Carino’s, 411 East Loop 281,
WHEN: Thursday, April 3, 2008, 12 Noon
Print media, radio, and television can be easily accommodated. For interviews with the candidate aside from his speech, please contact the campaign at (903) 705-2792 for scheduling information.
For additional information about Dale Henry and the campaign, please contact Vince Leibowitz, Campaign Director, at (903) 705-2792, or visit the campaign website at ElectDaleHenry.com. For additional information about the Texas Democratic Women of Gregg County, contact Juneau Embry at (903) 759-5555.
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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.
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.
Henry Says Railroad Commissioner’s Acceptance Of Gift From Lobbyist Highlights Need For Campaign Finance Reform
AUSTIN–Following revelations by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams accepted free Super Bowl tickets from a lobbyist for CenterPoint Energy in 2004, the Dale Henry Campaign released the following statement:
“This episode highlights the need for real campaign finance reform for the Texas Railroad Commission,” said Dale Henry (D-Lampasas).
“The Texas Railroad Commissioners should not have such a cozy relationship with the industries they regulate. It just promotes the continued rubber-stamp culture of the Commission. Of course, given the culture of the Texas Railroad Commission, I suppose it should come as no surprise to us that a sitting Railroad Commissioner would take Super Bowl tickets from a CenterPoint Energy Lobbyist and then turn around and vote on cost-of-service rate increases that are passed on directly to consumers,” said Vince Leibowitz, Campaign Director.
“This is exactly why I’ve proposed my “Texans First Campaign Finance Reform” package,” said Henry. “The members of the Texas Railroad Commission should not take money from–and should not be beholden to–the industries they regulate. This is why I plan to, as Railroad Commissioner, ask the Texas Legislature to pass a campaign finance bill that will prohibit the practice of Railroad Commissioners accepting money from the industries they regulate,” Henry said.
Dale Henry, a petroleum engineer with more than four decades of experience in the oil and gas service industry, is the most experienced candidate in the race for Texas Railroad Commission. Henry is endorsed by State Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, The Harris County Democrats, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, The Austin GLBT Political Caucus, Stonewall Democrats of Austin, longtime progressive leader David Van Os and other individuals listed on his campaign website.
Henry faces Art Hall of San Antonio and Mark Thompson of Hamilton in the March 4 Democratic Primary. The winner of the March 4 Democratic Primary will face Commissioner Michael L. Williams in the general election. Photos of the press conference suitable for reprint may be obtained from the campaign by emailing media@electdalehenry.com.
Downloadable Campaign Literature
The Dale Henry Campaign has several fliers which you can download, print, and distribute at campaign and political events:
Deliver A Knockout Punch For Texas Families (ENGLISH). A full-page flier you can download and print to remind voters about the April 8 runoff election. This is a great flier to use to hand out at Democratic County and Senate District Conventions on March 29!
Deliver A Knockout Punch For Texas Families (SPANISH). A full-page flier in Spanish you can download and print to remind voters about the April 8 runoff election. This is a great flier to use to hand out at Democratic County and Senate District Conventions on March 29!.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Dale Henry Speaks Out Cost-Of-Service Gas Rate Increases
FORT WORTH–Railroad Commission Candidate Dale Henry has been quoted in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram with regard to cost-of-service rate increases for natural gas consumers:
The Texas Railroad Commission, an agency little-understood by the public, regulates the oil and gas industry and is charged with ensuring pipeline safety. It also makes environmental decisions regarding oil wells and authorizes cost-of-service rates for natural gas utilities.
Each of the Democrats gave the commission poor marks when it came to protecting ratepayers.
[…]
Henry, the retired petroleum engineer, said, “The Railroad Commission of Texas should not sit idly by as energy companies stick bills for hotel rooms and cases of wine to their ratepayers through cost-of-service rate increases” — a reference to various luxury items put in a recent rate case by Atmos Energy.
The North Texas utility removed the items after reports appeared in the Star-Telegram.
Henry also said the commissioner has not done enough to ensure that Texans pay only the appropriate commodity price of natural gas and has “not done a credible job in reviewing and approving cost-of-service rate increases for natural gas companies.”
A recent analysis by the Star-Telegram found that annual home heating bills are about the same now as they were in 2005, even though the commodity price of natural gas has come down dramatically since two hurricanes disrupted supplies that year.
The reason that bills remain high is related, in part, to repeated cost-of-service increases authorized by the commission.
Dale Henry Earns Endorsement Of The South’s Oldest GLBT Civil Rights Organization
HOUSTON–Dale Henry, candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, has been endorsed by the Houston GLBT Political Caucus following their endorsement vote on Wednesday night.
“I’m thrilled to have earned this key Harris County endorsement,” said Henry (D-Lampasas). “I appreciate the opportunity to share my views with this important group,” he said.
“The Houston GLBT Political Caucus is among the most sought-after endorsements in Harris County, and comes with statewide, progressive recognition. In recent election cycles, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus’ endorsement and work has recognized across the state as having made a difference in key races, such as the House District 134 race in the 2006 General Election cycle,” said Campaign Director Vince Leibowitz.
The Houston GLBT Political Caucus is the South’s oldest gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender civil rights organization. The HGLBTPC is dedicated to eliminating prejudice, violence, and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people through education, activism, and political advocacy.
Henry, the most experienced candidate in the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner with more than 40 years of experience in the oil and gas service industry, is campaigning on a platform of environmental protection and public safety. In addition, Henry’s “Texans First” campaign finance reform proposal would prohibit members of the Texas Railroad Commission from taking campaign contributions from the industries they regulate.
Henry is also endorsed by State Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, The Harris County Democrats, The Austin GLBT Political Caucus, Stonewall Democrats of Austin, longtime progressive leader David Van Os and other individuals listed on his campaign website.
Henry faces Art Hall of San Antonio and Mark Thompson of Hamilton in the March 4 Democratic Primary. The winner of the March 4 Democratic Primary will face Commissioner Michael L. Williams in the general election.
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:
