NORTHEAST HOUSTON After 9 terms in office, State Representative Kevin Bailey lost his bid for re-election in the Democratic Primary last Tuesday. The newly elected candidate, who will face no Republican challenger in the general election in November, is Armando Walle.
Although voter turnout throughout the county was heavy, it was the same 22.6 percent in this district as elsewhere. In total, 8,571 voters went to the polls in District 140, according to the Harris County clerk. Walle received 4,919 votes or 57.4%, and Bailey 3,652 or 42.6%. Although Bailey led in absentee voting and was tied in early voting, Walle and his volunteers worked the polling places on election day very heavily, and came away with 63% of the votes that day. His campaign was a grassroots type, with many street walkers as well as endorsements.
Walle had the support of several prominent local democrats, primarily because Bailey had crossed party lines in the last legislative session to support Republican Tom Craddick as house speaker. On the other hand, Bailey is credited with authoring important legislation creating the improvement districts in Greenspoint, Airline, and Aldine which have proven to be important agencies for delivering services that previously were not available. These include public safety, flood control, water and sewer, environmental quality, nuisance control, education, and healthcare.
Walle is a local Aldine native, who went to MacArthur high school, where he is remembered for playing football. After graduating, he went to the University of Houston. Later he worked for several politicians, including Rodney Ellis, Carol Mims Galloway, and for six years as a staff member for Congressman Gene Green.
His campaign stressed this hometown character, as well as issues such as better public education, improved Childrens Health Care for more children (CHIP), flood prevention, and improved public safety, with an emphasis on eliminating gangs.
Walle is endorsed by many local democrats, including Gene Green, Rodney Ellis, Adrian Garcia, and Carol Galloway. He recently received the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle.
In other races of interest to local voters, one race that will directly impact Northeast Harris County is Precinct 3 constable. Ken Jones, the incumbent, had no trouble dispatching challengers William Norwood and Randy Rush. Jones collected approximately 70% of the vote, avoiding an April runoff. Jones draws Republican Tony Lewis in the fall.
Local Congressmen Gene Green (D-29) and Ted Poe (R-2) had no primary opponents. Green will face Republican Eric Story in the fall while Poe has no Democratic opponent.
State Rep. Joe Crabb of Humble avoiding a runoff by beating fellow Republicans Martin Basaldua and David Davenport with 57% of the vote for the House District 127 seat. Joe Montemayor faces Crabb in the fall.
Diane Trautman,who failed to unseat Crabb in the 2006 race, will be the Democratic candidate for county tax collector/ assessor. She will face Paul Bettencourt in the fall.
In other offices, incumbent Tommy Thomas won a position for sheriff, and Ed Emmett for county judge. The District Attorneys position will require a run-off.