NEWS & INFORMATION
Helpful Info for Potential Candidates & Registered Voters in Houston, TX
READER ENDORSEMENTS WILL BE POSTED ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 AT: WWW.AUBREYRTAYLOR.BLOGSPOT.COM
The Seats for Mayor, Controller, City Council At-Large #1, #4, G and H Will Be Open in the City of Houston in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Election
H
By Aubrey R. Taylor Houston Business Connections Newspaper
ave you ever thought about running for Mayor of Houston, City of Houston Controller, or Houston City Council? Well there’s no better time than the present to hop to it. What’s stopping you from throwing your hat into the ring? Look, Houston is a vibrant City. Houston is a City of opportunity and limitless possibilities. Houston’s also a City where dreams come true for those who are willing, and brave enough to go after their dreams. So what are you waiting for?
NOT SURE WHAT TO DO?
Okay, we’re going to make it easy for you. The information on pages 4 (this page) and 16 should help -- but if not, you can call us at: (832)212-8735 to discuss what your next move should be.
STEP #1: Pray and ask God whether (or not) He wants you to serve your community as a "Public Servant" at Houston's City Hall or in some other “ELECTED” capacity.
STEP #2: Wait on God to give you the answer to your prayer. If the answer is “NO” don’t proceed forward. However, if the answer is “YES” you will need to then start thinking about who you can appoint as your campaign treasurer. But do not go out and raise any money, or do anything else campaign related until after you have a campaign treasurer in place.
STEP #3: Determine whether you’re going to run for Mayor, City of Houston Controller, or City Council. If you feel compelled to run for City Council you will need to decide whether you are going to run for an “AT-LARGE” or “SINGLE-MEMBER” district seat. You can find your Council Member via calling 3-1-1. If you are calling from outside the City Limits, the number is 713.837.0311. STEP #4: Take a moment to visit the website for the TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION to learn more about campaign rules and procedures.
STEP #5: Take a moment to download the form to designate your “Campaign Treasurer”. Then follow the directions on the form. If you have problems locating the form you can call Aubrey R. Taylor Communications and we will walk you through the process (FREE OF CHARGE). The number to call is (832)2128735. Also, please note that you (the candidate) -- not the campaign treasurer, is responsible for filing this form and all candidate/officeholder reports of contributions, expenditures, and loans. Failing to file a report on time or filing an incomplete report may subject you to criminal or civil penalties.
STEP #6: You want to take a moment and hand-deliver your form to the City of Houston Secretary. The current City Secretary for Houston is Anna Russell, and she’s been on the job for more than 60 years. The City Secretary’s Office is located at: 900 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002. The phone number is (832) 393-1100.
STEP #7: Go open up your bank account and schedule yourself a campaign fundraiser. You want to invite everybody you know to come out and support your campaign.
STEP #8: Get a good consultant. However, you should try to get someone who believes in you and your candidacy. If possible, try to avoid any consultant who’ll suggest that you fork over everything you have (from your fundraiser) to get them to come on board to assist you. If you need a good proven consultant give us a call at: (832)212-8735 and we will give you the names of two or three consultants who just may be able to help you achieve your goal of winning on Election Day. STEP #9: Let your consultant go to work for you. A good consultant should come armed with some great connections. These connections should prove to be invaluable. One of the biggest mistakes I see viable campaigns make is that they have too many consultants on board. Sometimes, it almost looks like they’re just playing some sort of shell game with the donations that are being donated to the campaign. STEP #10: Promote your campaign. But don’t just go out and purchase television and radio commercials in the blind. Make sure to develop a good media mix for your campaign. If possible, try to find yourself a few print and electronic media partners as well. DON'T FORGET: You have the money and the power – so negotiate, negotiate, and then do some more negotiating to get the best bang for your buck. Again, if you’re not sure how to get this done give us a call at (832)212-8735 and we will give you the names of two or three individuals who are experienced in this area.
THE RACE FOR MAYOR
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “Mayor Annise Parker is currently serving her third and final term. She is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. A few of the key candidates running for Mayor of Houston in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is as follows: Chris Bell, Bill King, Adrian Garcia, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Sylvester Turner, Demetria Smith, Ben Hall, Victoria Lane, Marty McVey, and Stephen C. Costello. Early voting begins on Monday, October 19, 2015 and ends on Friday, October 30, 2015. THIS SEAT IS OPEN in the upcoming election.”
THE RACE FOR CONTROLLER
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “The current City of Houston Controller Ronald C. Green is currently serving his third and final term. He is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. A few of the key candidates running for City of Houston Controller in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is as follows: Carroll G. Robinson, Bill Fraser, Chris Brown, Jew Don Boney, and Dwight Jefferson. Early voting begins on Monday, October 19, 2015 and ends on Friday, October 30, 2015. THIS SEAT IS OPEN in the upcoming election.”
HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT A
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “Council Member Brenda Stardig is currently serving her second term in office. We don’t know of any viable opponents who are seeking to unseat Council Member Brenda Stardig in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election – check back periodically for updates. Early voting begins on Monday, October 19, 2015 and ends on Friday, October 30, 2015. STARDIG IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELEC-
TION in the upcoming election.” *The District A Houston City Council Member pretty much serves areas in northwestern Houston which includes communities north of Interstate 10 along the Katy Freeway. It also covers Spring Branch as well.
HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT B
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “Council Member Jerry Davis is currently serving his second term in office. We don’t know of any viable opponents who are seeking to unseat Council Member Jerry Davis in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election – check back periodically for updates. Early voting begins on Monday, October 19, 2015 and ends on Friday, October 30, 2015. DAVIS IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION in the upcoming election.” *The District B Houston City Council District is widely considered to be an African American stronghold based on the way this district is drawn. District B pretty much serves the north and northeastern sides of Houston.
HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT C
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “Council Member Ellen Cohen is currently serving her second term in office. We don’t know of any viable opponents who are seeking to unseat Council Member Ellen Cohen in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election – check back periodically for updates. Early voting begins on Monday, October 19, 2015 and ends on Friday, October 30, 2015. COHEN IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION in the upcoming election.” *The Houston City Council District C district encompasses areas north of the 610 Loop, which overlaps into the Heights and Braeswood areas. District C also covers some parts of Montrose, the Houston Museum District and a few of the communities that surround Rice University.
HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT D
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “Council Member Dwight Boykins is currently serving his first term in office. We don’t know of any viable opponents who are seeking to unseat Council Member Dwight Boykins in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election – check back periodically for updates. Early voting begins on Monday, October 19, 2015 and ends on Friday, October 30, 2015. BOYKINS IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION in the upcoming election.” *The Houston City Council District D is widely considered to be an African American stronghold district. Texas Southern University and University of Houston both fall within the boundaries of this single-member district. This district also covers a large portion of the northernmost part of Houston encompassing Midtown; but also covers areas such as Sunnyside.
HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT E
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “Council Member Dave Martin is currently serving his first term in office. We don’t know of any viable opponents who are seeking to unseat Council Member Dave Martin in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election – check back periodically for updates. Early voting begins on Monday, October 19, 2015 and ends on Friday, October 30, 2015. MARTIN IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION in the upcoming election.”
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04 n HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER - www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com