Democrat Michael Cole Will Challenge Congressman Steve Stockman in East Texas

[TexasTowelie]

An East Texas Democrat has emerged as a challenger in TX-36 to Congressman Steve Stockman's antics on Capitol Hill. The 36th Congressional District is Southern-fried freedom loving country that stretches East from Pasadena through the pine curtain up to Jasper and also includes "Liberty County", the San Jacinto monument, and the Big Thicket National Park. The area isn't known for producing the most progressive candidates, but Democrats in the area are hoping for someone who won't make them the laughing Stock' (pun intended) of Congress.

Michael Cole, an educator for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville school district may be the man they are looking for. His passion for education and personal experience with our healthcare system (he is an amputee) give him the personal platform to run, but he also has a solid grasp on a surprising number of issues facing our current Congress. On Tuesday, he held a Q and A on Facebook with voters to answer questions ranging from his voting history to preserving Medicare and womens' rights. Even Though the bar is set low for improving on the policy positions of Stockman, the queries from participants weren't exactly softballs.

-snip-

The takeaway for Texas Democrats at large is that we need more individuals like Cole to step up and run for their local, state and federal offices, particularly those with unopposed Republican incumbents. Cole is an East Texas man with East Texas values, and for all what the conservative's brand of crazy has done to own that part of our state, he stands unapologetically as a Democrat. His responses weren't generic partyline talking points or copy and pasted from Barack Obama's campaign site, but were thoughtful and tailored to his local audience. Grassroots campaigns like Cole's will be crucial as we work on building the infrastructure to turn Texas blue.

The complete article is available at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13922/democrat-michael-cole-will-challenge-congressman-steve-stockman-in-east-texas .

[font color=green]Stockman at one time was homeless until he became a "born again Christian", but his commitment to Republican values shows his lack of compassion to the unfortunate--contrary to what most people would associate as Christian values. He introduced the "Safe Schools Act" that would repeal federal laws mandating "gun free zones" around schools. He also voted against the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act in February 2013, saying:

"This is a truly bad bill. This is helping the liberals, this is horrible. Unbelievable. What really bothers—it's called a women's act, but then they have men dressed up as women, they count that. Change-gender, or whatever. How is that—how is that a woman?"

The 36th Congressional District includes all of Newton, Jasper, Tyler, Polk, Orange, Hardin, Liberty, and Chambers counties, plus portions of southeastern Harris County. This district was created after the 2010 census is heavily skewed in favor of Republicans. He defeated his Democratic opponent Max Owen Martin, a retired pilot from Clear Lake City by capturing 71% of the electorate compared to 27% for Martin. (paraphrased from Wikipedia) [/font]

[sonias]

1. Yes voters need good choices

Thanks to Michael Cole for stepping up to run!

[kentauros]

2. Wasn't Stockman in the Houston or Sugarland area at one time?

Because I can remember the Houston Press making fun of him and his crazy ideas back in the 1990s. When I stopped hearing his name locally, I thought that maybe because he'd been defeated here that he'd dropped out for good. And then I start seeing his name associated with East Texas. Sometimes recycling doesn't work.

[TexasTowelie]

3. For a brief time he was being considered as the Republican nominee to replace Ron Paul.

He was defeated when he ran for the House in 1990 and 1992 against Jack Brooks. He finally defeated Brooks in 1994 in the Republican wave that swept in Newt Gingrich as speaker. In 1996 there were redistricting issues in several Texas districts and a free-for-all election was held that Nick Lampson eventually won.

He was out of Congress and ran for railroad commissioner in 1998 and lost.

In 2006 he ran for the seat vacated by Tom Delay and came in third out of five in another free-for-all special election.

[kentauros]

4. Thank you

I probably could have looked it up, but didn't have the time to go read something about him (much less the stamina )

[johncoby2]

5. Some history on Stockman

Stockman, backed by the NRA, and solely by the NRA, beat Jack Brooks out of Beaumont in 1992 (or 94). He lasted only one term voted as the dumbest Congressman in history. Nick Lampson took back the 9th for 5 terms (?) but was beated by Ted Poe after redistricting put him in a unwinnable district. Stockman faded from view.

In 2012 hr rand in the primary where State Senator Mike Jackson was the favorite to win. He placed 4th out of 5 in the primary.

Stockman then beat out the other guy using his NRA signs from his first campaign. Prior to running Stockman was homeless at one time and was visiting with Kadafi in Libya for reasons unknown.

Stockman is a 100% basket case but when you have teabaggers voting in the primary, you will get basket cases.