U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is up for re-election in 2014, and Texas Democrats are feeling more optimistic than usual after candidates in their party won five U.S. House seats last year.
So, how does Cornyn stack up against challengers? Apparently he leads the all, but would face a tight race against Bill White, a former Democratic Houston mayor who lost a gubernatorial challenge to Gov. Rick Perry in 2010. A Cornyn-White matchup would result with the incumbent winning by a 45-42 percentage point margin, according to pollsters at Public Policy Polling, a Democratic polling firm.Also tested against Cornyn was state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, whom Cornyn beats 48-37. Davis is an unknown quantity statewide, according to the poll, which found that 66 percent of respondents had an "unsure" opinion of her.San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro would lose to Cornyn 48-41."Even after 10 years in the Senate, a lot of Texans are unfamiliar with John Cornyn," said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling. "But the Republican lean of the state should make him a clear favorite for re-election anyway."The company, which uses robocalls, surveyed 500 Texas voters from Jan. 24 to Jan. 27. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.New titlesMembers of the Tarrant County legislative delegation have chosen freshman state Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, as the delegation chairwoman and state Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington, as vice chairman.Klick, former chairwoman of the Tarrant County Republican Party, was elected in November to represent District 91 in central and Northeast Tarrant County. Zedler, R-Arlington, is in his fifth term in the House and represents District 96 in south central Tarrant.The bipartisan delegation is made of up of lawmakers whose districts are solely within Tarrant County.New voting cardsMore than 100,000 Fort Worth residents should have already gotten new voter registration cards.County election officials have mailed new certificates to registered voters who find themselves in new districts or voting precincts because of last year's redistricting."Voters receiving replacement certificates should destroy their old voter registration certificate. The new certificate may be used for voting in all elections held during 2013," according to a statement. Officials encourage voters to check their cards and make sure information is accurate. If not, call the Tarrant County Elections Office at 817-831-6480.Nelson honoredState Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, was recognized as a Champion of Texas Children recently by Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates.She picked up the honor for being a longtime CASA "champion and friend," as well as through her legislative work heading the Senate Health and Human Services Committee."Sen. Nelson has long given a voice to children who through no fault of their own end up in the foster care system," said Texas CASA Chief Executive Officer Vicki Spriggs.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
