Thread: Insurgent Debra Medina Shakes Up GOP Gov. Race in Texas

Insurgent Debra Medina Shakes Up GOP Governor Race in Texas

Posted:
02/9/10

Following a series of elections where conservative activists, Tea Partiers, disgruntled independents and energized Republicans have shaken things up, a political neophyte in Texas is riding that same kind of wave and may affect the outcome of the race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Debra Medina, who was a former GOP county chairman and runs a medical billing business, has pulled within four points of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who, like Medina, is mounting a primary challenge to Gov. Rick Perry, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Feb. 4-7. (Read the Houston Chronicle's profile of Medina here.)

Perry still holds a big lead, running ahead of Hutchison by 39 percent to 28 percent, with Medina at 24 percent. The margin of error is 4.8 points.

This is the second poll that showed Medina gaining, probably at Hutchison's expense. Rasmussen Reports put support for Medina at 16 percent in a survey conducted Feb. 1, a four-point gain since the previous poll. Hutchison's numbers slipped by the same amount. Last November, Medina's support stood at 4 percent.

Medina made her gains in the PPP survey despite the fact that 51 percent didn't know enough about her to say whether they view her favorably or not. She is drawing her strength from the same kind of Libertarian base that rallied around Texas Rep. Ron Paul's presidential run, as well as the anti-establishment Tea Party movement.

The Houston Chronicle says Medina "has made herself a factor in the race. She could be a spoiler, pulling enough votes to deny Gov. Rick Perry the re-nomination. Or she could force Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison into an expensive runoff that could send a bruised nominee into a potentially tough battle against the probable Democratic nominee, former Houston Mayor Bill White."

PPP finds Medina supporters split about who they would back as a second choice. Forty-three percent chose Perry, 39 percent picked Hutchison and 18 percent were undecided.

A Rasmussen poll conducted Feb. 1 had all three Republicans ahead of White, although Medina's lead was statistically insignificant.

"The big question for Debra Medina is whether there's enough unhappy voters out there for her to get into a runoff with Rick Perry," said PPP's Dean Debnam "That would rank up there with the results of the Massachusetts Senate election as an early shocker in the 2010 political season."

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02/09 ... ?icid=main

This was emailed to me today

We Texans...believe in the Principles of Our Founding Fathers and want leaders who do likewise; restore the US Constitution.

About Debra
Debra Medina for Texas Governor 2010

There's a blatant disconnect between politicians and the people they are elected to represent. This political disregard of what's best for the People of Texas and the profiteering of special interests has fueled a fire that is spreading across this Great State. We Texans now have the opportunity to put the Governor's mansion back in the hands of the people through Debra Medina, a business woman, rancher, wife, mother, homeschooler and person of utmost integrity.

For Debra Medina, politics isn't about party, it's about the people represented by those elected to government office. Debra Medina is the best candidate to put Texas back in the hands of Texans by leading the way to a return of constitutional government.

Both Debra and her husband Noe were born in Beeville, Texas. Raised on a South Texas farm, Debra's hard work and perseverance saw her through nursing school, a bachelor's degree and the start of her own business while homeschooling and raising two children.

Debra Medina will protect the rights of individual Texans to Life, Liberty and Property through the abolition of the property tax and by asserting the Sovereignty of the State of Texas as guaranteed under the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution. She's proven her willingness to take a stand for what is right time and again, and now stands up to fight as David against two political Goliaths.

Debra Medina's commitment to principle and people over big government interests and hollow political rhetoric is the epitome of what it means to be a Texan. Debra Medina is the only real choice for Texans in 2010 for Governor.
Campaign Updates
Public Policy Polling Releases the Medina Factor Results
by Nelda Carrizales Skevington on Feb 09, 2010

WHARTON, TX Tuesday, February 9, 2010 – After surveying likely Republican primary voters from February 4th to 7th, a North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling (PPP) report shows Debra Medina is coming on strong.

According to the report, although Perry is at 39% to Kay Bailey Hutchison's 28%, Debra Medina is now at a whopping 24%! There are major splits within the race along ideological lines according to the poll results. Medina is now outpolling Hutchison with conservatives by a 25-23 margin.

"The big question for Debra Medina is whether there’s enough unhappy voters out there for her to get into a runoff with Rick Perry," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
Read more ... »
Debra Medina Endorsed by Independent Texans
by Nelda Carrizales Skevington on Feb 09, 2010

WHARTON, TX Tuesday, February 9, 2010 – Independent Texans, the only voter association seeking representation and political rights for approximately 5 million non-aligned Texas voters, proudly endorses Debra Medina for Texas Governor in the Republican primary.

"Mrs. Medina met the 60% support threshold of Independent Texans’ members to received our endorsement. Congratulations to Debra Medina and her supporters," said Linda Curtis, founder of Independent Texans.

Curtis continued, "Independent Texans’ members are well aware of Governor Rick Perry’s record which is why he received not one vote of support from our members.
Read more ... »
Medina Campaign Launches a Series of Webcast Town Hall Meetings
by Nelda Carrizales Skevington - Medina Townhall on Feb 09, 2010

WHARTON, TX, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 – In an effort to continue the conversation with Texans across the state, the Medina campaign announces it will launch a series of three webcast town hall meetings prior to the primary. The webcasted We Texans town hall meetings will be held each Monday leading up to the primary, with the first to be held February 15 from 6:30-7:30PM.

"True to my word, I am committed to keeping open lines of communication with the people of Texas," said Debra Medina, Republican candidate for Governor of Texas. "It is important that Texans have access to discuss issues that concern us all.
Read more ... »

http://www.medinafortexas.com/

Kathyet

Any Texans hearing Medina's plan to get rid of property taxes in favor of a %2 hike in sales taxes? I heard this on the radio.