Among the Democratic losses in today’s Republican surge was state Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco, leader of the House Democratic Caucus and a strong supporter of the public schools and teachers. According to final, but unofficial returns, he lost by a margin of about 52 percent to 46 percent to GOP challenger Marva Beck.
Until a few days ago, Dunnam wasn’t even considered endangered.
Quorum Report now reporting that as many as 22 incumbent Democratic members of the Texas House may be washed out of office by the time all the counting is done.
Veteran Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin lost his bid for a fourth term to a Republican challenger, bringing the Democrats’ total loss of Senate seats to four. But they are still hanging on to their majority. In Nevada, at least so far, Harry Reid, the Democrats’ Senate leader, is hanging on to his own Senate seat against a challenge from Republican Sharron Angle. With about half the votes counted in Nevada, Reid had an 8point lead.
Probably the closest race out there tonight involves my state representative, TSTAbacked Donna Howard of Austin. According to final but unofficial returns from the secretary of state, she beat her Republican challenger, Dan Neil, by 15 (that is fifteen) votes out of more than 51,000 cast. That was 24,997 votes for Howard to 24,982 for Neil. A Libertarian got 1,517.
Neil, of course, may ask for a recount if this result holds up.
Howard was one of 22 incumbent Democrats in the Texas House listed as endangered by Quorum Report. Some have lost, and others are losing, although final votes haven’t been tallied yet.
The other 21 are Stephen Frost, Mark Homer, Jim McReynolds, Abel Herrero, Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, Diana Maldonado, Joe Heflin, Kirk England, Allen Vaught, Kristi Thibaut, Solomon Ortiz Jr., Paula Pierson, Chris Turner, Robert Miklos, Liebowitz, Ellen Cohen, Hubert Vo, Jim Dunnam, Joe Moody, Carol Kent and Patrick Rose.
Some, but not many, were close enough to pull out a win. If all go down, the Republicans will be very close to a 100 vote supermajority in the 150member House.
