Lone Star Project

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Making an Impact

“The Lone Star Project … hammers Republicans whenever it gets a chance, promoting strong local Democratic candidates and even bringing lawsuits.”
(Roll Call, Stuart Rothenberg,
March 12, 2009)

“Anyone who questions whether [The Lone Star Project] can make life difficult for a Republican legislator should talk to former Sen. Kim Brimer.”
(Austin American Statesman, February 17, 2009)

“[The Lone Star Project] is responsible for the aggressive stance the party has taken toward DeLay and other Lone Star State Republicans since the 2004 election.”
(The Washington Post, March 6, 2006)

"David Dewhurst has said most Texans don't have much sympathy "for someone who that can't fill out a two page [health insurance] application every six months".

The Democrat-supported Lone Star Project in Washington reported this week that Dewhurst failed to file necessary forms at least six times in recent years.
(San Antonio Expres News,, 4/12/2007)

"The Justice staff memo was obtained by the Lone Star Project ...The story broke the same day the U.S. Supreme Court was considering legal challenges to the plan brought by Democrats and minority groups."
(Houston Chronicle, 12/3/2005)

"The Texas chapter of the NAACP, along with the Lone Star Project, have analyzed the amicus brief filed by the Justice Department and have concluded, justifiably, that the Voting Rights section of the Justice Department is now controlled by partisan political appointees."
(Roll Call - Donna Brazile, 2/28/2006)

DCCC Hits Airwaves in Texas CD23
Texas Democratic Party and DCCC Mobilizing Resources for Rodriguez

Any questions about strong Democratic support at the State and National levels for Ciro Rodriguez’s efforts in Texas CD23 have been put to rest. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) began airing a hard-hitting television ad in two key markets in the runoff election set for December 12th. In Texas, the Texas Democratic Party has already mobilized ground support for Rodriguez and is providing access to its enhanced voter file.

See the Ad Here

The DCCC ad was arranged and authorized by the DCCC’s Independent Expenditure division. The Federal Campaign division of the DCCC has already placed people on the ground for Rodriguez. DCCC's national field director, Adrian Saenz recently confirmed, "It's a competitive enough race that we're going to be involved in it… We're pretty deep into the campaign." (Source: San Antonio Express-News, November 17, 2006) In addition to Saenz being on the ground in District 23, Vanessa Gonzalez has been dispatched from the DCCC to serve as campaign spokeswoman. (Source: San Antonio Express-News, November 22, 2006)

Texas Democratic Party Also In Early

The Texas Democratic Party has also quickly moved to provide the maximum level of support allowed by federal law. The TDP has provided its enhanced voter file and professional ground support to the Rodriguez campaign. In a letter to Democrats, TDP Chairman Boyd Richie said, "I assure you the TDP will do everything possible to help Ciro win this election and increase the Democratic majority in congress." (Source: Letter from Boyd Richie to SDEC Members and County Chairs, November 16, 2006)

Lone Star Project Ad Fact Check

Claim: Henry Bonilla voted to cut billions in veterans’ benefits
TRUE: Henry Bonilla voted for House Concurrent Resolution 95, "that calls for deep cuts in veterans' benefits, including a $15 billion cut in VA programs.” (Source: Philadelphia Daily News, April 2, 2003, House Clerk -Roll Call Vote # 82)

Claim: Henry Bonilla voted against extending health care to the National Guard
TRUE: Henry Bonilla voted against allowing an amendment to House Resolution 1815 that would, “permanently extend health care coverage to National Guard and Reserve members and their families.” (Source: House Clerk -Roll Call Vote #221, Associated Press, May 27, 2006)

Claim: Ciro Rodriguez backed fully funding veterans’ health care
TRUE: Ciro Rodriguez voted yes for a motion on House Joint Resolution 2 that, "urged House conferees to agree to the highest spending possible in HJ Res 2 for veterans and homeland security” (Source: House Clerk- Roll Call Vote #221, The Washington Post, February 6, 2003)

Background
Texas CD23 became highly competitive when the district was redrawn after Hispanic advocacy groups and Texas Democrats, with support from the Lone Star Project, convinced the U.S. Supreme Court that the previous DeLay-drawn district violated the Voting Rights Act. (Read more at the Lone Star Project Redistricting Page) The Court ruled that the DeLay-drawn plan intentionally removed over 100,000 Hispanic voters, thus denying Hispanics the opportunity to elect their candidate of choice. Bonilla has never won significant support from Hispanic voters and protecting him was a prime goal for Republicans in mid-decade redistricting. The current court-drawn CD23 returned the district to its earlier Hispanic population levels and resulted in a highly competitive district with a Democratic performance of approximately 50 percent. (Source: San Antonio Express-News, August 27, 2006)

The Lone Star Project is an activity of the Lone Star Fund.

Contributions to this committee are not tax deductible. Federal law requires political committees to use our best efforts to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. The Lone Star Fund accepts federal contributions from individuals, partnerships, and other federal political committee of up to $5,000 per calendar year.

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