Moving Commentary: Dora's Opponent

OK locals, spot the unintended humor of this blurb (via Quorum Report):

Vice president of public advocacy for the American Heart Association, Steve Brown has returned home to Missouri City to launch a challenge to state Rep. Dora Olivo (D-Rosenberg).

Brown, 30, said he?s been encouraged by many both in the district and in Austin to enter the Democratic contest for House District 27. An official announcement will likely happen within a couple of weeks.

"I?ve been encouraged to replace Dora?.After a lot of analysis, it became pretty clear there is a great need for change and some fresh, new ideas with the ability to get things done," he said.

Brown said in some ways, his views are probably not much different from those of Olivo. Economic development, improving education, water and natural resources are clearly important issues for the district, he said. However, Brown described himself as a pro-choice Democrat and said Olivo has not been one. On issues of same-sex marriage and gay foster parents, he said the two wouldn?t agree. Olivo voted for House Joint Resolution 6, which will put a ban on gay marriage in the Constitution if a majority of voters support it this fall.

His experience as a lobbyist would enable him to be effective in the Legislature, Brown said. He lobbied for the Texas Medical Association for two years prior to his work with the heart association, tackling Medicaid and Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues.

Brown also has campaign experience under his belt. He directed the Houston office for former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk?s campaign for the U.S. Senate; and worked on the campaigns of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston). He said he studied these leaders while he worked for them, and hopes to have learned from the proximity to their talent. He said he may ask for their insight, but not their endorsement because it could put them in an awkward position.

Brown is married and has a 20-month-old son. He will take a leave of absence from work to campaign full-time. He said Marc Campos will consult on the race.

HD 27 includes a portion of Fort Bend County. Olivo was unchallenged in both the 2004 Democratic primary and general election.

OK, so I helped. I guess we'll find out if Campos can advise candidates on real issues for a change.