Midterms 2006: Results Are In, Amigo. What's Left to Ponder?

The Grand Old Party nearly swept the statewide race yesterday, led by Governor Rick Perry, who after beating Democratic nominee Chris Bell and independent candidates Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn may very well become the longest-serving Governor in Texas. In a press conference this morning, Perry was vague when addressing rumors of a possible vice presidential bid, merely saying it was "up to the good Lord."

Bell, who posted yesterday in his blog that he prophesized the dawn of a new day in Texas, conceded in Houston after garnering only 30 percent of the votes, saying to his camp, "Get off the mat and fight another day because I will be right there with you, if not in body, then in spirit, so help me God."

Meanwhile, Kinky, coming in fourth overall with 12 percent, responded in his trademark fuck-it-all attitude: "I'm ready to form a shadow government," he exclaimed, after refusing to concede.

Locally, all seven bond propositions passed, authorizing an estimated $567.4 million in tax-supported bonds to fund various initiatives, which range from an EMS station to cover the Mueller redevelopment area and first-time homebuyer assistance for low-income Austinites to further development of the arts community and the reconstruction of various streets, sidewalks, and bikeways.

Nationally, we're still waiting to find out whether Jim Webb or George Allen won the Senate seat in Virginia. Democrats regained control of the House.

The breakdown:

• Governor: Rick Perry (R)
• Lieutenant Governor: David Dewhurst (R)
• Attorney General: Greg Abbott (R)
• Comptroller: Susan Combs (R)
• U.S. Senate: Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R)
• U.S. House: Louie Gohmert (R), Ted Poe (R), Sam Johnson (R), Ralph Hall (R),
• Agriculture Commissioner: Todd Staples (R)
• Railroad Commissioner: Elizabeth Jones (R)
• State Board of Education - District 3: Rick Agosto (D)
• State Board of Education - District 5: Ken Mercer (R)
• State Board of Education - District 9: Don McLeroy (R)
• State Board of Education - District 10: Cynthia Dunbar (R)
• State Board of Education - District 12: Tincy Miller (R)
• State Board of Education - District 15: Bob Craig (R)

State results: Congress | Governor/Statewide | Legislature | Judicial (from the Statesman)
More: Stewart and Colbert's "Midterm Midtacular" | PinkDome | InThePinkTexas

Photo by Matt Wright on flickr