Brownwood & Big Country Independents to sign Kinky Petition

For voters, it's decision time
They can cast ballots in Tuesday's primaries or wait to sign petitions
08:52 AM CST on Tuesday, March 7, 2006
By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / Staff Writer
Pablo Pascal considered Kinky Friedman a joke, until he heard him speak recently at Richland Community College.
"I thought he was running for governor just for the publicity," said Mr. Pascal, an academic adviser at the college. "But he was even-tempered and had a lot of good ideas. I was impressed with him."
So Mr. Pascal, a Dallas resident who describes himself as an independent, and millions of voters like him face a tough decision in Tuesday's party primaries.
They can exercise their right to vote and support the party faithful, or skip the primaries to be eligible to sign the petitions of independent gubernatorial hopefuls Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Mr. Friedman and more than a dozen other assorted nonaffiliated candidates who could line the statewide ballot.
Their decisions could have significant political ramifications. If they skip the primaries, they can't participate in several races down the ballot that could be close, such as the Dallas County clash for district attorney and statehouse races where education is a big issue, such as the Kent Grusendorf-Diane Patrick tilt in Arlington.
But voting in the primary would mean not being able to help the independents get on the ballot, as state election laws dictate that they must gather 45,540 signatures from registered voters who skipped the primaries in 60 days in order to be considered in the November general election. If there is a runoff, the signatures must be gathered in 30 days.

CHERYL DIAZ MEYER / DMN
Pablo Pascal, an academic adviser at Richland Community College, will sit out Tuesday's primaries and sign the petition to put Kinky Friedman on the ballot for governor.
Mr. Pascal said he had been planning to vote in the Republican primary because of the district attorney's race. But the lure of Mr. Friedman's quirky campaign was too strong.
"I'm kind of upset there are no other options that would allow us to vote and sign a petition," Mr. Pascal said. "I'm upset that I don't have more of a choice."
Make or break
Individual decisions such as the one Mr. Pascal faces could make or break the independents' campaigns. Turnout is expected to be low in the two party primaries, leaving millions of registered voters eligible to sign petitions. But finding those people could be a challenge, so the campaigns prize motivated voters who typically cast ballots in primaries.
The campaigns are planning accordingly. Mrs. Strayhorn's team will track supporters through an expansive database.
"It's going to be such a low turnout statewide that we want people to exercise their rights even though it hurts us to some extent," said Strayhorn campaign manager Brad McClellan.
Even some strong supporters, lured by the more competitive races elsewhere on the ballot, have taken themselves out of the running for signing petitions.
"I've already voted," said Dallas County Commissioner Ken Mayfield, a Strayhorn supporter who wanted to vote for former Criminal Court Judge Dan Wyde in the race for district attorney. "She [Mrs. Strayhorn] knew there would be people who needed to vote in the primaries, and she doesn't want them to skip it."
Democrats theorize that Mrs. Strayhorn's run could help their party's nominee pull a shocker in the governor's race by splitting the Republican vote against Gov. Rick Perry. But one party stalwart, former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk, said he never considered not voting.
Mr. Kirk, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate four years ago, supports former congressman Chris Bell over former Texas Supreme Court Justice Bob Gammage.
"It would be the biggest slap in the face to all the people who worked hard for me in 2002," he said of not voting in a primary.
Party politics in other races could drive voters to the polls. In heavily Republican Tarrant County, voters in Mr. Grusendorf's district have arguably the most interesting and important state House primary in Texas to consider.
"There won't be a lot of folks sitting home waiting to sign petitions," said Tarrant County Republican Party Chairwoman Stephanie Klick.
Ms. Klick said she expects turnout in her county to nearly double over 2002, when more than 30,000 people voted in the GOP primary.
But that total won't include Alton Roberts, a 59-year-old retired salesman from Fort Worth who said he's fed up with local and state government.
"I want to shake things up," he said. "If that means sitting this one out and signing a Strayhorn petition, I'll do it."
Independent thinking
For some, the candidates themselves are the deciding factor. Fort Worth street preacher Lucious Green said he distrusts Mrs. Strayhorn's reasons for running as an independent and isn't inclined to help her.
"It seems to me that Mrs. Strayhorn is in the race for revenge. That's not a good reason to ignore everybody else and sign a petition," said Mr. Green, 50.
Other voters will stay home today not because they want to help Mrs. Strayhorn or Mr. Friedman, but because they don't think the campaign is addressing what they care about – no matter how many candidates are involved.
"None of them are talking about my issues," said Ann Harrison, a 49-year-old Arlington resident who says she was hurt in a workplace accident. "None of them are talking about the workers and workers compensation. If I do anything, I'll vote for a Democrat."
E-mail gjeffers@dallasnews.com

PETITION SIGNING
A look at the rules for signing a petition to put an independent candidate on the ballot:
When does it start?
As soon as the Democratic and Republican primaries are over. That means Wednesday, unless one of the parties has a runoff in the governor's race. Then, the independents have to wait until April 12, the day after the runoff.
Who can sign?
Only registered voters who did not cast a ballot in the Democratic or Republican primaries.
Do I have to skip all primary races or just the governor's race?
All of them – statewide, congressional, legislative and local races.
Can I sign for both Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn?
No. Petitions are dated, and if a voter signs both, only the first one signed will count.
How long do I have?
Candidates must gather all signatures by May 11.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
Right up until the petition drive ends May 11.
Can I register and sign the same day?
Yes. Once the registration is on record with a voter's home county, he or she may sign a petition. If a voter has registered in person, he or she can sign a petition the same day.
How can I reach the candidates if I want to sign a petition?
Mrs. Strayhorn's petition will be available online at www.carolestrayhorn.com or by calling 512-469-9393. Information about Mr. Friedman's petition is available at www.kinkyfriedman.com or by calling 512-326-5465.
From Staff Reports
source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/030706dntexvoteornot.d0d1c39.html
-----------
Tom Green County
Signing Stations

Petition Kick-Off
Thursday, March 8, 2006
12:01 am
Blaines Pub
10 W. Harris
San Angelo, TX 76901

Thursday, March 8, 2006
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wholesome Foods
412 W. Washington
San Angelo, TX 76901

Saturday, March 11th
The Original Henry's Mexican Food Restaurant
3015 Sherwood Way
San Angelo, TX 76901

For more information on this event and for other volunteer opportunities in Tom Green County, please contact Brenda James at toobie03@yahoo.com or (325) 224-4643.
source: http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/klocal/Hill_Country_North/