“A lot of partisan politicians in Washington are asking Kay Bailey Hutchison to do what is best for her political party instead of what may be best for her family or Texas. That is the whole problem with Washington, they all think - both sides - that their party is more important than individuals or their country. We should all respect her enough to step back and allow her make this decision.”
John Sharp
Read more from Ross Ramsey with The Texas Tribune:
"In the fantasy special election to replace Hutchison in the Senate — she has said she plans to resign before her term ends, no matter how the gubernatorial race turns out — Democrat John Sharp leads, with 29 percent, followed by Dewhurst at 15 percent and five more Republicans clustered in low single digits, with each at 3 percent or less."
Sharp has lots of room to grow. As is typical of early polls, the Democrat traditionally will receive much higher numbers among Hispanics and African American Texans. The poll has Sharp at 29%.
“Texas faces big challenges, and we wish all the candidates for Governor the best.
I will continue to seek the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated next year.” — John Sharp
“I said when I got into this process last December that I would be a candidate when the seat becomes available, whether that is in 2012 or anytime before then. I’m campaigning full time and will continue to.” — John Sharp
John and Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte are visiting with students at the University of Texas-San Antonio this morning to discuss the value of public service and answer questions about jobs and the economy, the looming federal budget deficit, and the need for a national energy policy, and other critical challenges.
11:20 AM
Harris Room 2.212, UC Building (near parking lot 6 and South Parking Garage)
Second floor above Subway Sandwich Shop
1604 Main Campus
If you're in the neighborhood, drop by and join the conversation.
LEADING RIO GRANDE VALLEY LAWMAKERS JOIN JOHN IN CALLING FOR VETERAN HEALTH CARE FUNDS
As the nation remembered the victims of the Ft. Hood shooting, John was joined by leading Texas House members Veronica Gonzales and Ryan Guillen this week to ask Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to use their influence to secure immediate care for the estimated 115,000 military veterans in the Rio Grande Valley who lack access to comprehensive local medical treatment.
The three applauded voters for their overwhelming support of Proposition 8 on the statewide ballot a week ago, which will give Texas the authority to more aggressively address the crisis of Valley veterans who are forced to drive hundreds of miles for specialized care.
"While Proposition 8 is a positive step forward for the future of veterans' health care, many of our Valley veterans continue to need specialized care today," John and the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the Senators. "We ask you to use your influence to find resources within the current federal budget to help existing South Texas medical facilities get our Valley veterans the immediate care they deserve."
John and Reps. Gonzales and Guillen pledged to help bring together other Valley leaders and medical professionals to guarantee that the broadest array of specialty care is available as soon as possible.
To read their letter, click here.
SOUTH TEXAS SENATORS SAY SOUTH TEXAS SHOULD STAY SHARP!
Influential State Senators Eddie Lucio, Jr. and Juan 'Chuy' Hinojosa this week endorsed John Sharp as Texas' next United States Senator, saying that Rio Grande Valley families need a 'son of South Texas' working for them in Washington.
"John Sharp is uniting South Texas behind his call for positive change," Senators Lucio and Hinojosa said in a joint statement. "From health care to jobs, John's mainstream agenda is a perfect match for our communities."
Lucio and Hinojosa together represent the area from McAllen to Brownsville to Corpus Christi, one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the country. Their endorsement, along with the strong support of State Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, immediately added to John's growing momentum in the yet-to-be-scheduled special election to replace U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
SURVEY BY LEADING BUSINESS GROUP SHOWS JOHN COMING ON STRONG!
According to top political newsletter Quorum Report, the Texas Association of Business polled its members this week with an online preference survey. Although unscientific, the results indicated which candidates might have broad appeal in a special election to replace U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison - and which candidates might not.
Total 935 votes cast.
David Dewhurst 22.46%
John Sharp 20.86%
Roger Willliams 17.75%
Elizabeth Ames Jones 14.76%
Michael Williams 11.02%
Florence Shapiro 6.63%
Bill White 6.52%
Check out the complete Quorum Report story here: http://www.quorumreport.com/
A special message from John Sharp, "The opportunity to choose new leaders in Houston and San Marcos will drive turnout in those cities, but elsewhere turnout is expected to be low yet critical. Please make your voices heard on the 11 proposed constitutional amendments today, especially Prop 8, which will give Texas the authority to provide our military veterans with the kind of high-quality health care they have earned."
(HOUSTON) — A group of volunteers from John Sharp’s United States Senate campaign will be out in full force Saturday morning to rebuild a sports field and bleachers at a Houston high school serving students of limited-income families.
The volunteers will be at Christo Rey Jesuit from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 24. The school is located at 6700 Mount Carmel Street.
Sharp said the school, which opened its doors in August for its first semester, has a long list of equipment and other needs. His campaign volunteers will focus on the school’s soccer field, preparing the grass, lining the field, and tearing down the old bleachers and putting up new ones. The volunteers are also trying to arrange for new goals and nets to be donated.
State Rep. Robert Miklos: 'Sharp Uniquely Qualified To Help Middle-Class Families'
State Representative Robert Miklos this week endorsed John, saying that he is uniquely qualified to help meet the challenges facing middle-class families in the fast-growing East Dallas County communities that Rep. Miklos represents.
"John understands how to balance budgets without sacrificing the vital public services our families demand and deserve," Rep. Miklos (D-Mesquite) said.
A former prosecutor and member of the Criminal Jurisprudence and Urban Affairs Committees, Rep. Miklos said John's record of finding ways for government to do more and cost less is exactly what Washington needs.
"John has helped public school districts keep their doors opened and local police departments streamline their operations, and prior to college tuition deregulation, his prepaid college tuition plan made college more affordable for thousands of Texas families," Miklos said. "We know we can count on him to go to work each day and do his very best to make our communities stronger."
HOUSTON BLACK AMERICAN DEMOCRATS ENDORSE JOHN!
One of the state's most respected community groups, the Houston Black American Democrats, gave its enthusiastic support to John by a more than two-to-one margin over the runner-up during the group's endorsement meeting week before last.
"Even though we don't know yet when this special election will take place, we do know one thing - John Sharp is the best candidate for our community and for Texas," said Ms. Doris Hubbard, the group's legendary godmother. "If there were more people like John in public office, I believe the city and state we love so much would be in better shape."
John said he was deeply honored by the group's strong show of support.
"Like the members of the Houston Black American Democrats, I will show up every day in the United States Senate and do my very best to make a positive difference," John said.
The Houston Black American Democrats, one of the state's most respected groups of community leaders, last night endorsed John Sharp as the next U.S. Senator from Texas.
"Even though we don't know yet when this special election will take place, we do know one thing - John Sharp is the best candidate for our community and for Texas," said Ms. Doris Hubbard, the group's legendary godmother. "If there were more people like John in public office, I believe the city and state we love so much would be in better shape."
