HD 48 Results, 39 precints reporting. Donna Howard 57.6% (12,618) Ben Bentzin 42.3% (9,281)
Just going to show sometimes you can't buy a vote. Good work Team Donna.
Ben Bentzin. Losing Douchebag. (We now officially retire the term douchebag from PinkDome as we've completely worn it out on this one race. Thank you for your patience.)
Just to compare. The vote on January 20 was:
Ben Bentzin (R): 5,124 (37.8%) / 33.8% / 45.8%
Donna Howard (D): 6,705 (49.5%) / 54.3% / 40.0%
Kathy Rider (D): 1,416 (10.5%) / 9.6% / 12.1%
Ben Easton (L): 310 (2.3%) / 2.3% / 2.2%
TOTAL VOTES: 13,555 (100%) / 8,992 / 4,563
[via Austin Chron]
Since we're retiring Douchebag from the site, frequent commenter Fine Bottled Water sent us a send-off photoshop for our viewing pleasure.
On a somewhat serious note, I thought that was a Republican leaning district for some reason. (Perhaps not?)
But how is it that Bentzin and GOP PACS couldn't buy the election? Did the leadership just shitcan him, or was the campaign truly that inept?
And I noticed that the only ads that ran since the Jan 20th vote for Bentzin were TX GOP attack ads. (Which I guess, technically, aren't *for* Bentzin.) Does anyone know if there was a direct mail campaign?
Of course, as someone said, it could always be that the electorate was tired of the same old gang and same old BS at the Statehouse. I'll listen more closely to that someone from now on.
It is a Republican leaning district. It's drawn that way. Bentzin spent nearly $500,000 to Howard's $170,000'ish. There was direct mail, letters from current Republican leaders and mean ads on TV in Austin. Fact was, and is...Howard was the better candidate. Now it's on to the Ray Allen seat up a bit north of Austin.
Kronberg sez there's gonna be a re-match... maybe we can retire the moniker til the fall.
So where's the victory party?
So does anyone have copies of Bentzin's direct mail pieces? Those ought to go online.
As what? Examples of how NOT to get elected? BURRRRRRN
The gang at the Capital just got a wake up call. We'll see if they are smart enough to recognize it. They may, however, just ignore it as Bentzin being dick.
Being a dick!
Or, a dwe, dick with ears.
That Photoshop job is one of the more disturbing images I've ever seen. Well done!
I know. It's awesome. Clearly any one of our reader's can handle all photoshop projects from now on!
Let the liberal ejaculation begin.
Thanks Wonk. Best. orgasm. ever.
Paul? Is Paul still here? Hellooooo, Paul? Newswatching? Anyone? Anyone? At least Wonk had the decency to acknowledge us (in classic, snarky, PD-appropriate fashion, I might add).
Wonk, don't worry... you'll have plenty of time over the next year to explain why Ben isn't a loser and why he'll finally pull off a win in November.
Fourth time's the charm and all.
You give Donna Howard rim jobs for taco's.
There's nothing much to say wizard. Let's see how she does in the special session.
Oh, Wonk. I see you try to hit the target but you always end up just a bit short. Kinda like sex, no? Everyone knows I hate tacos!
By the way, you really need to stop felching Bentzin. That's just gross and you can catch amoebas.
Thanks, PD. Being in H-town, I was looking for the results. Wooo Hooo! Happy Valentine's Day, and Congratulations Donna!