Burnt Orange Report

National Delegate Race

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

I have probably promised Byron 5 times this past week that I would write a post about the state of the National Delegate Race in my District (24). So here it is, at 4:20 in the morning!

First off, so you have a handle of the district, here is map of SD 24 in .pdf format. The Senate District is anchored by Bell County (Temple, Killeen) and Taylor County (Abilene). It goes all the way south to Kerrville/Fredericksburg. The district is huge: 21 counties; but half of the delegates come from just two of those (Bell- 51, and Taylor-24) There are only about 140 odd delegates total.

As for my race to be the Kerry Male National Delegate. Fortunate for me, there are only 7 people officially filed. Me, down in Gillespie County, the Clark State Organizer, Bob Gammage in Llano (though he's running for an at large spot as far as I know), and 5 people from Abilene.

Most of them are Clark people, which is not surprising. There is only young challenger to me from Abilene and he is the only one I have seen mail-outs from. So that's my main opponent (deamed by me). Slight problem in his letter though, he didn't actually mention what he was running for and didn't officially ask for anyone vote.

I had the first piece of mail out to the delegates. In addition, e-mails were sent about every 4 days from myself. They included the endorsement of Young Texas County Chair Vince L. from Van de Zandt County, and my own County Chair. All of these pointed back to my campaign website at www.musselmanforamerica.com. (I'd also appreciate any donations if you want to send some my way.)

Just the other day, I called a lot of the smaller counties in the district as well as county chairs. I now have 8 of the 21 Chairs in my column pubicly, though I did not reach all of them. Postcards were sent out today to all delegates as well.

I do know that I have the full support of about 4 Hill Country delegations, which isn't much, but it's enough to offset Abilene. The big mystery prize in this race is Bell County. I've made friends with the County Chair, as well as their candidate to the SDEC. They don't have a dog in the race, so hopefully that will help.

So at this point I guess I'm the favorite in the race with the Abilene student being second.

Now, for the SDEC race... Bill Perkison from Bell County is challenging incumbant Jesse Martin. This past week saw some blistering letters come out on Jesse's behalf, one of which probably harmed him more than helped. Writing in support of Jesse were Jim Mattox (old friends), Clara Lou Sawyer (past SDEC Committeewomen) and past Burnet County Chair. Notice the "Past" in all of those. The current Burnet County Chair is for Perkison, as is the entire delegations of Gillespie and Kerr and I know others as well. Even half of Taylor County is for Perkison I'm told and with that, he should have more than enough votes to take our Mr. Martin.

Part of the reason for this is style and professionalism, both of which Perkison has more of than Jesse in this round. That, and the fact that the small counties felt ignored by Mr. Martin, and Bell County has 51 delegates and has the muscle to change things if they please.