TCAN

I am adding my 2 cents worth to what Stewart has already told you about our True Courage Awards event Thursday night. It was truly an exciting event for all the TCAN board members, staff and supporters, and I know especially for our honorees. Much hard work goes into a legislative session by the legislators and their staff. TCAN worked to apply the same amount of energy to fight for and against the bills that impacted our legislative agenda this year. Ethics reform, voting rights, open government and the politics of big money were where we worked tirelessly, found our champions among the legislators, and accomplished much, but much remains to be accomplished.

I want to thank the many members of the legislature and their staff from both the House and the Senate that came and joined us at this fun event, and give another thanks to Ms. Bettie Naylor for hosting this at the Westgate

This event was a time for recognition, celebration and renewed commitment to continue our work together in the future. Everyone was full of smiles and good feelings and that was rewarding for all of us to see.

We heard Friday (May 18) morning that Senator Mario Gallegos had to return to Houston because of his health (he underwent a liver transplant earlier this year). His intention was to remain at the capitol until the end of the session and in fact he stayed in Austin much longer than he probably should […]

Here are the latest results of the True Courage Awards poll as of Friday noon:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
30%

Shapleigh
28%

Gallegos
18%

Watson
14%

Wentworth
10%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
34%

Thompson
21%

Bolton
20%

Anchia
15%

Burnam
9%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
34%

Texas Progressive Blogs
28%

People for the American Way
17%

Advocacy, Inc.
13%

Texas Election Reform Coalition
8%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

Here are the voting percentages for the five finalists in each category, as of Thursday, 2:00pm:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
30%

Shapleigh
27%

Gallegos
18%

Watson
15%

Wentworth
10%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
33%

Thompson
22%

Bolton
20%

Anchia
15%

Burnam
10%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
33%

Texas Progressive Blogs
28%

People for the American Way
17%

Texas Elections Reform Coalition
12%

Advocacy Inc
8%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

We asked around at the Lege for comments about our finalists. From legislative staffers and other sources, here are the responses. We hope this encourages you to vote if you haven’t already.
Nominator comments are posted next to each nominee’s name at the polling website (http://www.truecourageaction.net/True-Courage-Awards/). If you haven’t already, please go VOTE!
In alphabetical order:
.
Rep. Rafael […]

As of Thursday, 8:00am:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
30%

Shapleigh
28%

Gallegos
18%

Watson
15%

Wentworth
10%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
33%

Bolton
22%

Thompson
20%

Anchia
15%

Burnam
10%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
34%

Texas Progressive Blogs
30%

People for the American Way
18%

Texas Elections Reform Coalition
10%

Advocacy Inc
8%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

As of Wednesday, 1:00pm:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
28%

Shapleigh
28%

Gallegos
19%

Watson
15%

Wentworth
10%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
33%

Bolton
23%

Thompson
20%

Anchia
14%

Burnam
10%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
35%

Texas Progressive Blogs
28%

People for the American Way
19%

Texas Elections Reform Coalition
9%

Advocacy Inc
8%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

As of Tuesday, 5:00pm:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
29%

Shapleigh
24%

Gallegos
19%

Watson
16%

Wentworth
12%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
31%

Bolton
26%

Thompson
20%

Anchia
14%

Burnam
9%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
34%

Texas Progressive Blogs
28%

People for the American Way
17%

Texas Elections Reform Coalition
12%

Advocacy Inc
9%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

As of Tuesday, 11:00am:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
28%

Shapleigh
21%

Gallegos
20%

Watson
18%

Wentworth
13%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Bolton
33%

Villarreal
27%

Thompson
20%

Anchia
13%

Burnam
7%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
37%

Texas Progressive Blogs
24%

People for the American Way
18%

Texas Elections Reform Coalition
13%

Advocacy Inc
7%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

From your many nominations, the finalists have been chosen!
Take a look at the list of finalists and what their nominators have said at our polling site: True Courage Awards. Our poll closes May 20th at noon.
Find out who the winners are and celebrate with them at the True Courage Awards Celebration, featuring John Kelso […]