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Te x a s I n f l u e n c e r s

About the author


W. Gardner Selby is editor of the Austin American-Statesman’s
PolitiFact Texas, the first state-level version of the Pulitzer
Prize-winning PolitiFact truth-testing project, created by the
St. Petersburg Times. He’s been around Texas politics since
boyhood and has written about state government and politics
since the early 1980s.
Te x a s I n f l u e n c e r s

T he breakdown that follows of the 50 most influ-


ential Republican and Democratic figures in Texas
politics and government is imperfect, limited by the
unreality that seeps in whenever anyone purports to take in
Texas in one slurpy gulp.
and ideas rather than hatch them. I also tabled my initial in-
clination to focus on 20 super-significant GOP players and
around 10 Democratic counterparts—a take arguably justi-
fied by the uneven, pro-Republican results of jockeying at
the Texas Capitol in recent years, but one failing to account
Can’t. Be. Done. for hot speculation within both parties that changes in pow-
Still, it was a pleasure to try. er and politics are on the way. Such changes will play out, in
This approach is my own, though it draws partly on pri- my view, when a cause or candidate (from either party) stirs
vate suggestions from members of the state’s power-political Latino residents toward greater public involvement. Boiled
intelligencia, their own lists understandably marked with out, this list reflects the shift in Texas from Democratic to
cross-hatches and disagreements. Republican dominance cemented in statewide elections
In the end, I resisted the inclusion of too many officehold- nearly 20 years ago, and expected shifts beyond the immedi-
ers as well as many lively partisans who ably carry out plans ate horizon. Oversights are all mine.

The Top 10 Democrats


Matt Angle Tommy Townsend Karl-Thomas Musselman Ron Kirk
Washington, director, Texas Executive director, Texas Trial Publisher, Burnt Orange U.S. trade representative,
Democratic Trust political Lawyers Association Report, made it a must-see Obama adviser in 2008
committee, master strategist blog Texas primary, former Dallas
for Dems yearning for John Eddie Williams mayor, lost ’02 Senate race
statewide resurgence Houston lawyer, mega- Leland Beatty to John Cornyn; little seen,
donor, among state-retained Austin consultant, strategist, but many, connections
Lisa Blue attorneys in tobacco case of maybe visionary
Dallas lawyer-philanthropist, 1990’s Becky Moeller
widow to John Edwards’ Dan McClung President, Texas AFL-CIO,
confidante Fred Baron, Bill White Houston consultant, poked Perry for living in
pivotal funder of Dem groups Former Houston mayor, remembers when (and taxpayer-funded suburban
including trust gubernatorial nominee why) Texas Democrats won digs by offering trailer near
statewide races the Capitol; what else does
she have in store?

The Top 10 Republicans


Rick Perry James Huffines Joe Straus Deirdre Delisi
Never-beaten, governor for Banker, quiet adviser to Perry Surprise House speaker, Chair, Texas Transportation
life? and other top officeholders so relaxed some forget he Commission, former Perry
overtook predecessor in chief of staff and a campaign
Mike Toomey Bill Hammond 2009, partly thanks to House manager, bolstered by
Lobbyist, presumed frequent President, Texas Association Democrats political consultant-husband,
adviser to pal Perry of Business, former Texas Ted Delisi (they’re rearing
House member David Dewhurst twins)
Dan Patrick Lieutenant governor, capable
Radio stations’ owner, talk Susan Combs of self-funding 2010 re- Dave Carney
show host and state senator State comptroller, former election bid, maybe races to Honorary Texan; New
who exacts sway while state representative; seeks come Hampshire-rooted consultant
speaking up on what’s askew third term in wake of   to Gov. Rick Perry, once
  nudging Formula 1 racing to worked for White House
contemplate Texas (ahem)

30 Campaigns & Elections | August 2010


Te x a s G o v e r n m e n t R e l a t i o n s

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Te x a s I n f l u e n c e r s

The Next 20 Democrats


Rosie Castro Robert Jones Wendy Davis Aimee Boone
San Antonio mother to Political director, Annie’s State senator, former Fort Present development director
wunderkind twins Julian List, committee devoted to Worth City Council member, at Texas Democratic Trust and
Castro, mayor of San Antonio, electing Democratic women to unexpectedly unseated GOP former finance director for the
and Joaquin Castro, state legislature and state offices incumbent in 2008, eyed for Texas Democratic Party.
representative statewide office
Lisa Turner Sylvia Garcia
Ben Barnes Owner-president, the Turner Jack Martin Harris County commissioner,
Federal lobbyist, former Group; wife to state Rep. Chris Founding chairman, Public former Houston city controller;
lieutenant governor after House Turner of Arlington Strategies Inc., home at times statewide next?
speaker, premier networker to consultants Matthew Dowd,
Tom “Smitty” Smith Mark McKinnon and the late David Matthiesen
Kirk Watson Director, Texas office of Public Kelly Fero (whose political spirit Houston lawyer, pivotal in
Austin state senator, 2002 Citizen, respected non-partisan abides) plotting Democratic wins of
nominee for Texas attorney player in Capitol halls local judicial races in 2008
general, former Austin mayor, Katie Naranjo
must-see Central Texas politico Rodney Ellis National president, College Hector Gutierrez
along with U.S. Rep. Lloyd Houston state senator, once Democrats of America, also Semi-retired El Paso lobbyist,
Doggett, D-Austin acting lieutenant governor, business partner with Matt has helped candidates in both
proud protégé of late U.S. Rep. Glazer, GNI Strategies, online parties, senior adviser to Gov.
Scott McCown Mickey Leland messaging and fundraising; Perry when Perry was lieutenant
Executive director, Center for part of party’s youth core governor
Public Policy Priorities, liberal- Trey Martinez Fischer including Rick Cofer, member of
leaning think tank, former state San Antonio state Democratic National Committee Marc Stanley
district judge, ever ready with representative, chairman, Dallas lawyer, former president,
calming advice Mexican American Legislative John Sharp Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Caucus; relentlessly on prowl for Avowed aspirant for U.S.
Leticia Van de Putte his cause Senate in 2012, former state
San Antonio state senator, co- comptroller, member of Texas
chair 2008 Democratic National Garnet Coleman Railroad Commission, state
Convention, stepped back from Houston state representative, lawmaker
statewide run in 2010 wizened budget/policy wonk

32 Campaigns & Elections | August 2010


The Next 20 Republicans
Peggy Venable Dick Weekley Bob Perry
State director, grassroots- Chairman-CEO, Texans for Houston homebuilder, Upstream
stirring Americans for
Prosperity
Lawsuit Reform, tort reform
advocate
reclusive mega-donor
Communications
  Hector De Leon
Kelly Shackelford Greg Abbott Board co-chair, Associated
President-CEO, Liberty Attorney general seeking Republicans of Texas, figures Congratulates
Institute, cause-oriented third term with eye on in GOP bids for legislature
lawyer with political muscle lieutenant governor spot—or
more
 
John Colyandro
Todd Olsen
Brooke Rollins   Executive director, Texas For being named
President/CEO, Texas Public Carol Reed Conservative Coalition, in the...
Policy Foundation, think tank Dallas, founder and CEO, the conservative caucus of
churns material for R-majority Carol Reed Associates, Inc. the Texas state legislature.
Legislature Onetime Tom DeLay Texas
Rusty Kelley
Todd Olsen
Austin direct-mail authority,
aide carrying unresolved
indictment. Influencers
Lobbyist, long-ago roots as teamed with Heather Ray Sullivan List
aide to (now-late) Democratic and Kevin Shuvalov, firm Chief of staff, Governor’s
House Speaker Bill Clayton descended from Karl Rove & Office, also one-time aide to
Company Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
Randy Erben   Upstream wants to wish
Lobbyist, steeped in state, Neal T. “Buddy” Jones Boone Pickens good luck to some of our
federal issues Lobbyist, co-founder, Hillco Energy entrepreneur, shoulda
clients for 2010:
Partners, former state been a contender (for
Reggie Bashur
Lobbyist, studious former
representative
 
governor)
NRSC
Steve Munisteri
underling to GOP Govs. Bill
Clements, George W. Bush Houston lawyer, chairman,
Sarah PAC
Republican Party of Texas.
Among founders in 1980’s
Grassley
of Young Conservatives of
for US Senate
Texas.
  Dan Coats
Cathie Adams for US Senate
Dallas, longtime Eagle Forum
cheerleader, immediate past Joe Straus
state GOP chair Texas Speaker
 
Rob Johnson Pete Olson
Austin, campaign manager for for Congress, TX
Perry, former chief of staff to
Dewhurst, wired in Dee Margo
for Congress, TX
Michael Quinn Sullivan
Austin, President/CEO, Bill Flores
Empower Texans, flair for for Congress, TX
stump, not fearful of tea-
party crowd

www.getupstream.com

August 2010 | Campaigns & Elections 33


Te x a s I n f l u e n c e r s

The Last 20 Democrats The Last 20 Republicans


Senfronia Thompson Nelson Wolff Michael Williams Austin who invites anyone out
Houston, state representative, County judge, Bexar County Member, Texas Railroad for (one) beer.
makes things happen (San Antonio) Commission, riveting speaker
eyeing U.S. Senate prospects Rick Scarborough
Ed Martin Garry Mauro Founder-president, Vision
Former executive director, Texas Austin lawyer, lost to Bush Luis Saenz America, mobilizes pastors
Democratic Party; writer-son for governor in 1998, steered Lobbyist, former assistant  
Philip rising Democratic activist Hillary Clinton’s ’08 near-win secretary of state, past stints James Leininger
in Texas, writer-son David is a with Perry, Hutchison and two- San Antonio mega-donor,
Tom Meredith rising activist term Comptroller Carole Keeton private-school voucher advocate
Austin donor-adviser in Texas Strayhorn  
and beyond, former chief Glenn Smith   Daron Shaw
financial officer, Dell Inc. Consulting manager, Texas Allen Blakemore Austin pollster, professor of
Progress Council, runs research Houston founder, Blakemore & government, University of Texas
Alexa Wesner for progressives alongside Associates, political consultancy,
Austin donor-adviser in Texas Sandra Haverlah, council’s with wife, Elizabeth; once an aide Bryan Eppstein
and beyond executive director to Sens. John Tower and then Dividing his time between
Phil Gramm Ft. Worth and Austin, when
Anna Bennett Rafael Anchia the legislature is in session.
Washington, pollster, Bennett Dallas state representative, Bill Miller Founder, the Eppstein Group,
Petts & Normington, range of already dubbed governor by Lobbyist, co-founder Hillco political consultant with many,
Texas Democratic clients Texas Monthly’s political lion, Partners; every other reporter’s many clients.
Paul Burka confidante  
Bernard Rapoport Joe Pojman
Waco insurance magnate, long- Jim Dunnam Ernest Angelo Founder/executive director,
time Democratic backer Waco state representative, Former RNC member, former Texas Alliance for Life
sometimes wearied chairman, Midland mayor
Eddie Aldrete House Democratic Caucus Tim Lambert
San Antonio banker, kitchen Ted Cruz Lubbock, president, Texas Home
cabinet member for many, Jose Rodriguez Former state solicitor general, School Coalition, former RNC
brother to respected Austin Long-time El Paso County paused on plans to run for state member
consultant James Aldrete county attorney, Democratic attorney general
nominee, Texas Senate   Steve Hotze
Julian Castro Debra Medina Houston, president, Conservative
San Antonio mayor; what next? Marc Campos Plainspoken Libertarian-leaning Republicans of Texas
President, Campos former GOP candidate for  
Cecilia Boone Communications, Houston governor Tom Phillips
Dallas philanthropist, past chair   Former chief justice, Texas
Planned Parenthood of North Gary Bledsoe David Barton Supreme Court, was on leading
Texas Austin lawyer, longtime National president, Wallbuilders, edge of GOP wins of every
powerhouse, Texas NAACP focused on religion in nation’s statewide office in early 1990s
Mark Homer roots; former state party vice
Paris, state representative in Harold Cook chairman John Coppedge
Republican-rich district, holdin’ Former executive director, Texas Longview physician, judicial
party’s conservative flank Democratic Party, humorist Mike Baselice focus
President, Baselice & Associates,
Alonzo Cantu Perry’s spot-on pollster Tom Craddick
Rio Grande Valley mega-donor, Midland, long-time state
gatekeeper Tom Pauken representative, former House
Chairman, Texas Workforce speaker
Commission, former state party
chair, about the last guy in

34 Campaigns & Elections | August 2010


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