North Channel Sentinel - News
Historic election ends
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| Voter signs stood outside the Galena Park City Hall Nov. 4 as they did at many polling locations. What many call a historic election ended with Sen. Barack Obama being elected as President of the United States. |
By MATT HOLLIS
Many have called the 2008 election one of the most historic ever, and possibly the most important for the still-young 21st century.
Sen. Barack Obama burst onto the political scene taking the Democratic nomination over Sen. Hillary Clinton, and now has earned himself the most coveted office in the country – President of the United States.
Obama won the presidency with 349 electoral votes while Sen. John McCain was able to net 147 votes. Forty-two electoral votes were still up for grabs by Wednesday morning.
In elections closer to home, the early vote tells the story.
According to harrisvotes.com, U.S. Rep. Gene Green retains his seat as congressional representative of District 29 with 75.6 5 percent of the vote. His Republican opponent, Eric Story, had 23.88 percent of the vote while Joel Grace, the Libertarian candidate, had 1.47 percent.
State Rep. Ana Hernandez was the victor for the seat in District 143 with 70.68 percent of the vote. Dorothy Olmos, the Republican candidate for the seat, had 27.66 percent, while Joe Marcom, a Libertarian candidate, had 1.68 percent.
Incumbent Constable of Precinct 3 Ken Jones had 67.77 percent of the vote while his opponent Tony Lewis had 32.23 percent.
“I am happy with the results and am honored and humbled to be elected to a third term,” Hernandez said. “My constituents are happy with my work and I look forward to serving them. I thank all of them for their support.”
Hernandez also said she plans to continue looking for ways to increase child health care, education and protecting the environment.
The race for trustee positions for Channelview ISD was also on this year’s ballot. Keith Liggett had 62.08 percent of the vote for Position 1 while his opponent Noe A. Benetiz had 37.92 percent. Steven Dennis, running for Position 2, had 54.78 percent while Irene Barfield had 45.22 percent. For Position 3, William “Willie” Hodson had 40.81 percent of the votes while Sandra Weaver Hardy had 34.19 percent. Yvonne Ursin, also running for Position 3, had 25.00 percent of the vote.
Sen. Mario Gallegos defeated Gilbert Pena with 70.01 percent of the vote.
“I thank my constituents in the entire district,” Gallegos said. “I feel humbled by their support. I thank God for giving me a second chance at life. I had to go through a transplant and my constituents stuck with me. They returned the favor by giving me a 70 percent victory.”
Precinct 2 Constable Gary Freeman will remain constable thanks to a 62.10 percent victory.
“It feels good,” Freeman said. “I am fortunate to have the support I have. I am a 20-year incumbent and the community has always supported me. I am very grateful for that support and I look forward to the next four years.”
Election had tough issues
When voters went to the polls Tuesday, they had many thing to consider, especially when choosing the next president.
“I feel like everybody does – the economy, the war in Iraq and healthcare area l important issues,” said Adam Montoya, a Galena Park resident. “History, race and gender should not matter. People should vote for whoever they think can take this country in the right direction.”
Robyn Rashell of Galena Park agreed that race and gender should not play into a voter’s decision.
“It’s who has the morals to get us in the right direction,” she said. “It is about the economy and getting our soldiers back home. The economy is the number one issue. It is so bad it is like the Great Depression. Nothing has been done about it and it is time to start coming back up.”
Andrea Daniel, also a Galena Park resident, all issues should be considered.
“It is important to make your vote count, especially for the younger generation,” she said. “Depending on the outcome, we will see if it will really change.”
Rosa Contreras, a first time voter, said she feels like the country is ready for change.
“We are spending billions on this war and that money could be used for other things like scholarships or healthcare,” she said. “If Sen. Obama does what he really says he is going to do, then he is the right person.”
Sen. Barack Obama burst onto the political scene taking the Democratic nomination over Sen. Hillary Clinton, and now has earned himself the most coveted office in the country – President of the United States.
Obama won the presidency with 349 electoral votes while Sen. John McCain was able to net 147 votes. Forty-two electoral votes were still up for grabs by Wednesday morning.
In elections closer to home, the early vote tells the story.
According to harrisvotes.com, U.S. Rep. Gene Green retains his seat as congressional representative of District 29 with 75.6 5 percent of the vote. His Republican opponent, Eric Story, had 23.88 percent of the vote while Joel Grace, the Libertarian candidate, had 1.47 percent.
State Rep. Ana Hernandez was the victor for the seat in District 143 with 70.68 percent of the vote. Dorothy Olmos, the Republican candidate for the seat, had 27.66 percent, while Joe Marcom, a Libertarian candidate, had 1.68 percent.
Incumbent Constable of Precinct 3 Ken Jones had 67.77 percent of the vote while his opponent Tony Lewis had 32.23 percent.
“I am happy with the results and am honored and humbled to be elected to a third term,” Hernandez said. “My constituents are happy with my work and I look forward to serving them. I thank all of them for their support.”
Hernandez also said she plans to continue looking for ways to increase child health care, education and protecting the environment.
The race for trustee positions for Channelview ISD was also on this year’s ballot. Keith Liggett had 62.08 percent of the vote for Position 1 while his opponent Noe A. Benetiz had 37.92 percent. Steven Dennis, running for Position 2, had 54.78 percent while Irene Barfield had 45.22 percent. For Position 3, William “Willie” Hodson had 40.81 percent of the votes while Sandra Weaver Hardy had 34.19 percent. Yvonne Ursin, also running for Position 3, had 25.00 percent of the vote.
Sen. Mario Gallegos defeated Gilbert Pena with 70.01 percent of the vote.
“I thank my constituents in the entire district,” Gallegos said. “I feel humbled by their support. I thank God for giving me a second chance at life. I had to go through a transplant and my constituents stuck with me. They returned the favor by giving me a 70 percent victory.”
Precinct 2 Constable Gary Freeman will remain constable thanks to a 62.10 percent victory.
“It feels good,” Freeman said. “I am fortunate to have the support I have. I am a 20-year incumbent and the community has always supported me. I am very grateful for that support and I look forward to the next four years.”
Election had tough issues
When voters went to the polls Tuesday, they had many thing to consider, especially when choosing the next president.
“I feel like everybody does – the economy, the war in Iraq and healthcare area l important issues,” said Adam Montoya, a Galena Park resident. “History, race and gender should not matter. People should vote for whoever they think can take this country in the right direction.”
Robyn Rashell of Galena Park agreed that race and gender should not play into a voter’s decision.
“It’s who has the morals to get us in the right direction,” she said. “It is about the economy and getting our soldiers back home. The economy is the number one issue. It is so bad it is like the Great Depression. Nothing has been done about it and it is time to start coming back up.”
Andrea Daniel, also a Galena Park resident, all issues should be considered.
“It is important to make your vote count, especially for the younger generation,” she said. “Depending on the outcome, we will see if it will really change.”
Rosa Contreras, a first time voter, said she feels like the country is ready for change.
“We are spending billions on this war and that money could be used for other things like scholarships or healthcare,” she said. “If Sen. Obama does what he really says he is going to do, then he is the right person.”
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