Thread: TX Early returns favor incumbents in cities where immigratio

Early returns favor incumbents in cities where immigration is hot issue

08:19 PM CDT on Saturday, May 10, 2008

By STEPHANIE SANDOVAL and BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News
ssandoval@dallasnews.com; eegarcia@dallasnews.com

Incumbent mayors and city council members are leading in early election returns tonight in Irving and Carrollton – where local efforts against illegal immigration have been a hot issue.

And in Farmers Branch, Tim O'Hare, leader of the city's efforts to drive out illegal immigrants, has a large lead the mayoral race, while one of his supporters is comfortably ahead in a four-way race for the City Council seat Mr. O'Hare is vacating.

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Link: Election results
Early voting turnout in the three cities topped that elsewhere in Dallas County – including in the $1.35 billion Dallas school district bond election. County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet projected earlier this week that about 35 percent of Farmers Branch voters would turnout. He said turnout in Carrollton and Irving could reach 15 to 20 percent.

Farmers Branch

In early voting results released after polls closed at 7 p.m., Mr. O'Hare was beating challenger and political newcomer Gene Bledsoe by about 2-to-1

During early voting, more than 2,600 Farmers Branch residents – about 18 percent of registered voters – hit the polls.

Mr. Bledsoe last year was treasurer of a political action committee that opposed a ballot measure Mr. O'Hare led to ban apartment rentals to illegal immigrants. The measure passed overwhelmingly but has been tied up by legal challenges.

Mr. Bledsoe has said his concern was largely with the legal costs of defending the ordinance. He has also said the city acted without analyzing illegal immigrants' effects on the city. But he has said he favors enforcing the rental ban if it is upheld in court.

In the race for the Place 2 council seat, Harold Froehlich was leading with more than 64 percent of early voting ballots. His closest competitor was Ruben Rendon, with more than 32 percent.

Irving

Irving Mayor Herbert A. Gears is handily beating two opponents and so far avoiding a runoff. Mr. Gears had more than 53 percent of the early votes while former council member Roland Jeter had more than 38 percent and former building inspector Rigo Reza had more than 8 percent.

In Irving, more than 4,800 people – nearly 6 percent of registered voters – voted early.

In the contentious and sometimes personal Place 5 race, incumbent Rose Cannaday is leading Sue Richardson. Ms. Cannaday garnered more than 55 percent of the early votes to Ms. Richardson's 45 percent.

And in Irving's least contentious race, Place 3 incumbent Allan E. Meagher is handily beating Nancy Rivera. Mr. Meagher had more than 76 percent of the early vote, to Ms. Rivera's 23 percent.

Mr. Jeter and Ms. Richardson have accused Mr. Gears and Ms. Cannaday of not taking a hard enough line against illegal immigration. Ms. Richardson wants the city to apply for the 287(g) program, which allows police officers special training to enforce federal immigration law. She also supports ordinances similar to those in Farmers Branch. Mr. Jeter said he supports more discussion and investigation into such tougher measures.

Mr. Gears, Ms. Cannaday and Mr. Meagher have said they support enforcement through the city's use of the 24/7 Criminal Alien Program. Under CAP, law enforcement authorities refer suspects who are believed to be illegal immigrants to federal authorities for a determination and possible deportation.

Mr. Reza and Ms. Rivera oppose 287(g) and anti-illegal immigration ordinances. They say CAP should be used only on criminals with serious charges, not common traffic infractions. And they say illegal immigration is not a focus of their campaigns.

In addition to illegal immigration, several of the candidates have sparred throughout the campaign over such issues as beer and wine sales, apartment construction and economic development.

Carrollton

In Carrollton, Mayor Becky Miller is leading challenger Ron Branson, a former council member, with about 55 percent of the early vote to Mr. Branson's 45 percent.

Early voting in Carrollton ended before Thursday's Dallas Morning News story that raised questions about Mrs. Miller's statements about her past. More than 2,200 Carrollton voters – about 3.6 percent of those registered – cast early ballots.

Mr. Branson has accused Mrs. Miller of making the city a safe haven for illegal immigrants. He wants the city to work with Farmers Branch and Irving to come up with viable ideas for the cities to take more active stances against illegal immigrants.

Mrs. Miller has denied Mr. Branson's charge. She has said she supports city police participation in federal programs aimed at illegal immigration but doesn't think it's wise to pursue ordinances like those in Farmers Branch until the legal issues are resolved in court.

Carrollton City Council members Matthew Marchant and Terry Simons were unopposed in their bids for re-election .


http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/n ... 08dnmetimm
igmayors.e9ebdfc7.html

When its local people get it when they see their cities being torn down. They want them back and they want them the way they use to be.

PRECINCTS REPORTING: 19 Of 19 100%
*TIM O'HARE 2,918 64%
GENE BLEDSOE 1,669 36%



PRECINCTS REPORTING: 69 Of 69 100%
*HERBERT GEARS 5,319 54%
ROLAND JETER 3,737 38%
RIGO REZA 781 8%

Originally Posted by jamesw62

PRECINCTS REPORTING: 19 Of 19 100%
*TIM O'HARE 2,918 64%
GENE BLEDSOE 1,669 36%



PRECINCTS REPORTING: 69 Of 69 100%
*HERBERT GEARS 5,319 54%
ROLAND JETER 3,737 38%
RIGO REZA 781 8%

OK break that down for me. Who is who?