The Party Has Just Begun

When Travis Co. Democratic Party chairman Chris Elliott announced last week that he won’t run again, longtime local Democrat Andy Brown was quick out of the shoot with his own announcement and an extensive list of heavy-hitting supporters. But Austin being the party town it is, we all know the festivities have just begun…

Among the prominent names on Brown’s list was ex-State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos. Now, veteran Democrat Rosie Mendoza says she also plans to run — encouraged by current State Senator Kirk Watson. Everyone knows there is little affection lost between Barrientos and Watson.

An additional complicating factor may be the whispers put out by the Mendoza camp that Brown is the candidate of Glen Maxey, the former state representative currently running for Texas Assessor-Collector against incumbent Nelda Wells Spears.

Maxey, who is Anglo, has raised the ire of some in the African American and Hispanic communities by running against Spears, who is African-American.

Is it all just a larger proxy war between the Barrientos and Watson camps? Hard to tell just yet, but we do love parties!

The “Latesman” has the story too- with comment from the outgoing chair.

Posted on September 5, 2007 – 1:34 pm by APR

  1. 5 Responses to “The Party Has Just Begun”

  2. Oh, please. That rumor had been going around since Andy Brown jumped in the race. Its a natural assumption on many insiders’ parts, considering Brown cut his political teeth under Glen Maxey. Sounds like there is no basis for rumor, nor that starting from the Senator’s camp.

    I heard Senator Barrientos was looking for a third candidate.

    By Annabelle on Sep 5, 2007

  3. Maybe, just maybe - Andy is running for Chair on his own and Glen is running for TAC on his own. Maybe they have nothing to do with each other. Glen has been running for almost 6 months. Andy has been running for 6 days.

    Maybe some people just want to stir shit up for the sake of stirring up shit.

    By Bubba on Sep 5, 2007

  4. That’s not exactly true, Bubba. Andy has been running for almost a month. I had a conversation with him about this several weeks ago where he said he was in.

    By Out of the Office on Sep 6, 2007

  5. I’ve known Andy Brown since he was in college. I supported Andy for State Representative until he decided to withdraw.

    I’ve known and seen Rosie Mendoza involved in politics and campaigns for as long as I’ve been in Austin.

    I’ve been on the same side and opposite sides with both in past races.

    I’m running for Tax Assessor-Collector. I won’t be taking sides in a race for County Chair. I plan to be a Democratic nominee this fall working with either of these folks as Chair, and BOTH of these folks to sweep Travis County for our local and statewide ticket.

    To that end, I’m putting together a volunteer effort to register 100,000 new voters by the November, 2008 election. And I invite both candidates for Chair to be a part of that UNITY effort.

    I recruited no one. I have my own race to run.

    Rumors are ugly things, especially when people are making it up just to stir things up.

    If you have questions, my cell is 512-656-6337. Anyone want the straight answer about me, my campaign, or my involvement, please give me a call. And I’m usually still working past midnight, so anytime is fine with me.

    Glen

    By Glen Maxey on Sep 6, 2007

  6. didn’t I say there was no basis to either rumor? wow, folks are touchy!

    By Annabelle on Sep 6, 2007

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