South Texas Expands to Wichita Falls
Just another example of that supposedly slipshod Mikal Watts media operation. Maybe if they just somehow managed to get outside of traveling outside of the South Texas ...
Wichita Falls Times Record: Democrat Watts vs. Cornyn
Senate hopeful has ties to Wichita Falls
By Trish Choate/Scripps Howard News ServiceDemocrat Mikal Watts has warred in Wichita County courtrooms, and now he's gone statewide in a battle to oust Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Put aside an injection of millions from Watts' personal fortune - perhaps including dollars earned in Wichita Falls - and it's campaign contributions that will indicate support or lack of it for the San Antonio lawyer.
"Response has been incredible," Watts, formerly of Corpus Christi, said. "We will have the resources to compete."
His name became familiar to Wichitans in late 2002 and early 2003.
He was among three attorneys representing some of the plaintiffs in a case sparked by a local tragedy.
Twelve women from the First Assembly of God of Burkburnett set out on a shopping trip to Gainesville, Texas, in the church's 1993 Dodge Ram van May 8, 2001. Investigators believe a tire blew out on the 15-passenger van, causing it to swerve out of control on U.S. 287 east of Wichita Falls between Jolly and Henrietta.
Four women were killed and eight were injured in the wreck.
A lawsuit against defendants including Michelin and DaimlerChrysler went to court in October 2002 in Wichita Falls. Watts was among the 21 attorneys present.
Lawyers reached a "confidential" settlement during jury selection.
"Those people who died and were injured did not have to die," Watts said this week. "The truth is what got those people justice."
...
It's also $3.8 million of his own money that Watts decided to ante up for the primary.
He wanted to match what John Cornyn had on hand to start with an even playing field, Watts said.
His campaign raised $1.14 million in the first 30 days, he said.
Records from the Federal Election Commission also show that he stands ready to kick in more than $6 million for the general election.
Watts' campaign has received hundreds of individual contributions, many from Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Houston, according to the FEC.
Contributions from individuals and committees added up to about $1.13 million by June 30, the date of the latest FEC report.
His campaign's latest cash on hand is nearly $5 million. It's nearly $2 million in debt.
"I think both sides will raise all the money they need," Watts said. "The race will not be decided by money. It will be decided by a contest of ideas."
Watts raised money from Houston? Funny, from the sound of the TexRoots(tm) blogosphere, I'd swear he was practically running a front porch campaign.
Back in reality-land, hats off to the Watts camp for a great locally-framed story.
You are so right Greg. Watts is the only Democrat with the money to win this campaign. It's about time one of the major blogs started supporting the Watts campaign. Keep up the good work.
Watts might have money but has none of the stances of a Real Democrat. His pro-life stance and his comments about "lifestyle choice", and clean stem cells leave many Democrats wondering why they should elect someone who spits the same crap as Cornyn.
Speaking of money...
Did Watts give $25,000 to Rick Perry? Did Watts give $15,000 to AG Abbott? Did Watts give $20,000 to LG Dewhurst? I read that on a blog so its' may not be correct. Is that correct? Someone please correct me if it isn't true.
So I'm supposed to work to elect someone who gave 25k to Perry? That calls being Gay a choice? This is a Democrat? He sounds like Mr. Sanchez (another socially Conservative rich trial lawyer from South Texas) who showed how much love he had for the Dems in the last election. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice....
I've had enought of disloyal/anti-Gay South Texas "democrats" like Sanchez, Raymond, Rose, and Cuellar. Unfortunately, Watts to me right now sounds like a piping hot plate of "more of the same". Please tell me Watts is different.