It’s official — Wendy Davis is a viable and threatening challenger for the Texas State Senate seat currently held by Republican Kim Brimer.

Today (just before the holiday weekend, a date certainly chosen to minimize news coverage) it was announced that Brimer is suing Davis, essentially claiming the exact same thing that those three firefighters claimed way back in December. (Both the firefighters and Brimer are employing the services of Republican strategist Bryan Eppstein. Coincidence?)

Why sue, and why now?

Well, a couple of weeks ago, two different groups released poll results showing that despite holding this office for 5 years (and being IN office for nearly 20), Brimer has no greater name recognition than Davis across the district. That’s nearly unheard of for an incumbent.

Earlier this year, Brimer was implicated in a scandal around a home he purchased then rented back to himself in Austin, and recently it’s come out that Brimer over-repaid himself for a couple of loans he made to his campaign way back in 1987.

Davis has been garnering tons (or what passes for tons in a State Senate race) of press coverage, she was a VERY popular City Council member in Fort Worth, and she is definitely benefiting (in the form of “throw da bums out!” sentiment toward incumbents) from the momentum created during the raucous primary season the Democrats have been having.

If anyone doubted her chances of winning against Brimer, then this lawsuit and its timing (which smacks of desperation, no matter what side you’re on) is proof that her opponent is definitely taking her seriously.

If you’re not going to be in Houston for the Green Party Convention this weekend, you’ll still have a chance to get some hot 3rd party action right here in good old Fort Worth.

The Texas Libertarian Party will be holding their state convention this weekend at the Radisson hotel Fossil Creek, where Libertarian Party Presidential nominee Bob Barr (man, his website looks really similar to Obama’s) will be speaking.

If you feel like your voice isn’t heard or your views aren’t represented by the two major parties, you’ve always got alternatives!

During her speech to the Texas State Democratic Convention, Chelsea Clinton confirmed that her mother, Sen. Hillary Clinton, will formally endorse Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in a speech tomorrow.

Okay, so it’s obvious that I’m not a professional journalist, because I obviously didn’t explain what the heck I was talking about with all the “convention” talk.

Regular readers of the blog probably know that Bernie Scheffler and I were elected delegates to the Texas State Democratic Convention in Austin, which is going on right now. (Actually, as I type this, U.S. Representative Al Green (D-Houston) is giving a speech introducing and in praise of U.S. Senate Candidate Rick Noriega.)

SO, now that I can post from my iPhone (and annoy you all wirelesly from wherever I am), you’ll be getting updates occasionally from me and Bernie. Hopefully it’ll be almost like you’re here with us!

(If you ARE here with us, we hope you have a great time and that we get a chance to meet you!)

Bernie and I leave the hotel to find breakfast after a night of drinking with my brother-in-law, and who do we run into? Our Fort Worth City Councilman, Joel Burns, his partner, J. D. Angle, and Fort Worth’s own ink-stained journo, Bud Kennedy, sharing a table but not their migas con hongos, at Las Manitas on Congress.

Okay, so I actually don’t have any proof to back up the headline… but how else do you explain the fact that the Arlington City Council is actually considering passing a very forward-thinking law?

It’s the largest city in the U.S. with no public transportation system. It gives huge handouts to rich folks who want to build stadiums. And let’s not forget our very own Steve-o’s personal jihad against Arlington. And these guys want to pass a law that’s good for the environment? A law that started in, [gasp], San Francisco? 

To be fair to the council, the death of mass transit and the gifts to Jerry Jones were moves given the stamp of approval by Arlington voters in elections. I hope the council can pass the plastic bag ban without having to put it on the ballot!

And if the ban is enacted, I hope Fort Worth is brave enough to follow in Arlington’s footsteps. (That has to be number one on my all-time list of things I never thought I’d say.)

My neighbor and friend of West and Clear Mike Lee reported in the Star-Telegram this week that the city delayed its decision on transportation impact fees. Quite naturally, developers don’t want to pay the fees and are lobbying hard to lower the price.

I think the city staff’s original proposal, which would have encouraged growth in areas that already have sufficient infrastructure, was an excellent plan. The proposed compromises, which would levy a much lower fee across the city, including areas that already have good roads (!?), would be an unfortunate example of the citizens’ best interest being ignored in favor of corporate developers.

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Come raise your spirits as you raise a pint as America’s network of progressive drinking clubs arrives in Fort Worth.

Drinking Liberally is an informal, non-programmatic gathering of like-minded left-leaners, an opportunity to share you ideas while you share a pitcher. You don’t need to be a seasoned activist or policy wonk to join us in meeting new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and enjoying a stiff mix of socializing with a dash of politics.

PeteW and I will be hosting Fort Worth’s inaugural DL gathering at Buffalo Bros. (3015 S. University Dr.) this Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m.

America was born in the taverns…and now we’re returning to promote democracy one pint a time.

The Revolution begins at Happy Hour; we’ll see you there.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the record turnout in this year’s primary elections. Well, it turns out the voting isn’t quite over yet… there are runoffs in a few key elections. Yay!

The Democratic runoff includes a race we here at West and Clear really care about: Texas Railroad Commission. For the uninitiated: the TRC doesn’t have anything to do with railroads anymore. Instead, they are mostly charged with regulating the oil and gas industry.

We encourage you to vote for Dale Henry for railroad commissioner. If you’re concerned about “saltwater” (read: carcinogenic-chemical-water) injection wells and what they mean for our long-term groundwater safety, Mr. Henry is your candidate.

Mr. Henry is also the only candidate who seems to realize that we can’t drill our way out of an energy shortage, and he plans to focus on a sound renewable energy policy as Railroad commissioner.

Please note: if you voted in the Republican primary on March 4th, you cannot vote in the Democratic runoff. If you voted in the Democratic Primary OR if you voted in neither party’s primary, you can vote in the runoff. Look up your polling place, and vote for Dale Henry!

After nearly 21 hours of waiting and deliberation, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has won the State Senate District 10 Convention with 66% of the total delegation.

Both Bernie Scheffler and yours truly were elected as delegates to the State Convention in Austin this June.

I’m going to bed.