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Jason Roberts, Women’s Rights Activist?
Jason Roberts is best-known for his biking advocacy, but the congressional candidate cares about more than two-wheeled transportation. His campaign website carries a disparate list of policy interests. The issues, presumably ranked by priority as there is no alphabetization and Roberts seems unlikely to throw it together willy-nilly, range from jobs to LGBT rights. Women’s rights are third-to-last on the list. But this Facebook ad would make you think Roberts is all about wombs.The fact that this ad popped up while I was browsing Facebook probably has more to do with my pair of X chromosomes than Roberts’ campaign platform. If I was, say, a 35-year-old male DISD teacher, I’d probably see an ad touting Roberts’ support of public education. Is this disingenuous campaigning or just a good example of targeted marketing? You decide. It’s the pro-choice way.
By Claire St. Amant Mar. 29, 2012 | 11:45 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Salazar Campaign Rears Head at Worst Time
The staff of Oak Cliff People had planned to gather at Whitehall Exchange about 24 hours from now to toast a departing member of our staff (more on that later this week). But a few minutes ago, in my attempts to confirm that District 33 candidate Steve Salazar still has no website, I stumbled upon this. Looks like we need to find a new venue for our little going-away party.
By Dan Koller Mar. 28, 2012 | 5:41 pm | 2 Comments | Comments RSS -
Texas Theatre Remains Neutral

Domingo and Elba Garcia (Photo: Facebook)
The Texas Theatre isn’t playing favorites in the race for the 33rd Congressional District. Last Thursday, the historic venue hosted a fundraiser for Domingo Garcia. This Thursday, it’s hosting one for Jason Roberts.
By Dan Koller Mar. 27, 2012 | 12:11 pm | 1 Comment | Comments RSS -
Self-professed Nerd Jason Roberts Builds Street-Level Map of Dist. 33

If you wanted to get a good look at where District 33 begins and ends right down to the block, Jason Roberts has done all of the hard work for you.However, if you want to do this for other districts, or other geographic data altogether, he’s posted a helpful tutorial on his campaign website.
By Joanna England Mar. 26, 2012 | 5:38 pm | 6 Comments | Comments RSS -
Scott Griggs Endorses Domingo Garcia
In today’s Dallas Morning News, there’s a story about state Sen. Royce West endorsing Domingo Garcia‘s bid to represent the 33rd Congressional District. City Councilman Scott Griggs is not mentioned in that story, but he and fellow council member Delia Jasso can be seen standing behind Garcia in a photograph.
That immediately caught my eye, as I assumed Griggs would be in Jason Roberts‘ camp. After all, they’re both members of Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, and they are two of the owners of Oddfellows in the Bishop Arts District. And if you want to talk about politics, Roberts was on hand last May to celebrate Griggs’ victory over Dave Neumann.
“Griggs represents a new, younger energy that is focused on quality of life initiatives for our area,” we quoted Roberts as saying that night.
Yet, there is Griggs’ name on Garcia’s list of endorsements.
When I called Griggs this morning to ask why he was endorsing Garcia over Roberts, he said, “I’m just going to let the comments in the paper and the photo stand.” I assume he meant West’s comments, since he wasn’t quoted. Or maybe Griggs talked to the Morning News reporter but didn’t know that none of his comments made the paper. Either way, Griggs did confirm that he and Roberts are still partners in Oddfellows, and he said he endorsed Garcia “a few days ago.”
By Dan Koller Mar. 23, 2012 | 1:57 pm | 5 Comments | Comments RSS -
David Alameel Campaigns For Commuters
In an apparent attempt to capture the attention of District 33 voters on their commutes home, David Alameel has bought the first billboard of the Congressional campaign — or at least the first one I’ve seen. It sits on the east side of the Trinity, just south of Interstate 35, facing downtown. I spied it last night on my way to dinner at Hattie’s (where I had the knife-and-fork Caesar salad, the pulled pork with greens and grits, and the fried strawberry-rhubarb pie, if you must know). I asked photography director Chris McGathey to snap a picture of it today, and he risked life and limb (and dignity) to bring you this image. So enjoy it.By Dan Koller Mar. 19, 2012 | 1:39 pm | 2 Comments | Comments RSS -
Steve Salazar: One Heck of a ‘Leading Contender’
In yesterday’s Dallas Morning News, politics columnist Gromer Jeffers listed Steve Salazar as one of the “leading contenders” in the District 33 Congressional campaign. I’ll have to take Jeffers’ word for it.
The day after the final borders of District 33 were determined, I got a press release announcing Salazar’s bid from his campaign manager, Germán Trejo. Trejo listed an office phone number and cell phone number at the bottom of the release. When I call those numbers, I get the same recorded message: “This mailbox is full.”
Trejo’s press release was sent from an email address associated with stevesalazarforcongress.com. Check out that site, and tell me what you think of its design.
By Dan Koller Mar. 14, 2012 | 12:26 pm | 1 Comment | Comments RSS -
Jason Roberts Has Already Won The Poster Contest

If the race for Congress was just about campaign posters (can we make it about that, please, and just see what kind of gems we get?), Jason Roberts would be on the first flight to the intersection of Independence Avenue and South Capitol Street.By Bradford Pearson Mar. 13, 2012 | 1:05 pm | 2 Comments | Comments RSS -
District 33 Has 11 Democrats to Choose From
Besides Jason Roberts and the seven from my previous post, today’s Dallas Morning News lists these candidates:
Chrysta Castaneda, a Kessler Park attorney whose name I recognized from her prominent role in Episcopal School of Dallas lawsuit
Carlos Quintanilla, an Arcadia Park resident whom the News identifies as an activist, just as it labeled Roberts
Manuel Valdez, a Fort Worth resident and justice of the peace
By Dan Koller Mar. 10, 2012 | 10:02 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
District 33 Has Several Democrats to Choose From
The Texas and Dallas Democratic parties don’t have lists of District 33 candidates online, but the Tarrant County Democrats do:
David Alameel, a Preston Hollow resident who founded Jefferson Dental Clinics
Domingo Garcia, an East Kessler resident who has served on the City Council and in the Legislature
Kathleen Hicks, a member of the Fort Worth City Council
J.R. Molina, who was identified as a Burleson resident on the state party website until tonight
Steve Salazar, a West Dallas resident who has served on the City Council
Kyev Tatum, a Fort Worth minister who heads the Tarrant County chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Marc Veasey, a state legislator from Fort Worth
By Dan Koller Mar. 9, 2012 | 8:54 pm | 1 Comment | Comments RSS
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