Did You Order The Code Red?!!!
Today’s joint endorsement by Austin’s three leading public safety associations could alter the political landscape of the May city council elections, giving Lee Leffingwell, Randi Shade, and Cid Galindo a leg up over their opponents.
The Austin Police Association, Austin Fire Fighters, and Austin-Travis County EMS workers put aside their usual historic differences to endorse the three candidates and pledge money and manpower to their campaigns between now and the May 10 election.
With Leffingwell officially opposed only by “Austin original” “Allen” “Demling” but expecting a challenge from RG4N spokesman Jason Meeker, the endorsement pairs him with living younger candidates promising change. That can’t hurt.
For Shade, the endorsement gives her campaign a push against incumbent Jennifer Kim, who was strongly backed by the firefighters in this race three years ago.
Does this make Galindo the instant frontrunner in his three-way race against neighborhood activist Laura Morrison and ex-City Hall staffer Robin Cravey?
But more importantly, we really need to know who ordered the Code Red. That many uniforms in one room makes us nervous!
Posted on January 22, 2008 – 4:53 pm by APR
One Response to “Did You Order The Code Red?!!!”
I’d say Morrison is the front-runner since she’s out-fund-raised him $40k-$11k (as of Dec. 31) and she has a built-in grassroots advantage as former prez of the ANC. The only question is whether or not (or how much!) Cravey and Morrison split the traditional liberal vote (this race seems headed for a run-off — can Galindo make the cut?). Granted, I’d also expect Galindo to narrow the fundraising gap with time, given his business contacts and help from the above unions.
By Kedron Jerome Touvell on Jan 22, 2008