Save the Date!

Final pre-election fundraiser and auction to support Mike Engelhart for Judge at Pearl Bar on Washington Street on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Event is hosted by Mike Doyle and Jeff Raizner, Thomas Barnes, and City Councilmember Jolanda Jones.

There will be incredible items in the auction to bid on. Come support Mike and win some really cool items!

More info to come.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Early Voting is Underway

Here are a few quick hits about Mike's experience getting ready for and during early voting:

1. On Sunday night, after the big GOTV rally at Discovery Green, Mike and a volunteer and fellow blogger picked up about infinity signs and loaded them into Mike's wife's truck and drove to far west Harris County. The two placed Democratic yard signs at the Bear Creek voting location and at a second location at Fry Road even further west than the first. It was a late night, and the two worked under the headlights putting together signs and placing them in what was unusually hard ground. It took a while, but it was fun.

2. In the first four days of early voting, turnout has been up more than 100% overall. It's amazing, and bodes well, but you never know what tomorrow will bring.

3. A woman had a funny zinger for Mike while he was greeting voters at the polls. A young African American woman in a bright yellow top was leaving her car and headed for the entrance to the West Gray early voting location. She was exceedingly pregnant -- about 9.5 months pregnant, at least. Mike asked if she got to vote twice. (Har!). She didn't miss a beat, and said, "What, are you with ACORN?" Touche!

4. This guy got out of his car, and had on a University of Wisconsin t-shirt. He was one of those "walking with a sense of purpose" voters. Head down, and not wanting to be bothered. Mike offered a "Go Badgers!" cheer (in a normal speaking tone). The man said something like, "that's the smartest thing any of you has ever said at one of these places!" Growling. On the way out, as he drove in front of the row of us who were holding signs and asking for votes, he quite obviously extended a certain finger and pretended to be scratching his right cheek with it. He flipped them the bird! We here at engelhart4judge.com just don't get it. What's so terrible about being asked for your vote at a polling place? Someone please explain it to us.

5. Mike is feeling optimistic. He's getting a ton of winks, thumbs up, and you-got-my-votes while working the polls. It's a lot of fun. The best part of the campaign. The weather has been beautiful, too.

6. At night, Mike has been volunteering to make calls at HCDP headquarters. They are terrifically organized down there, and Mike's made hundreds of calls this week, and will keep doing so through the election.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Mike Quoted in Houston Chronicle

Mike was interviewed by phone by Houston Chronicle reporter Mary Flood last week. On Monday morning, his quote was included in her article about the upcoming election.

Mike was asked why he identified himself as a Democrat on his billboard that is located between Shepherd and Greenbriar on US-59 inside the Loop. Here's Mike's portion of the article

Michael Engelhart, a Democratic challenger for a civil bench, included his affiliation on his billboard.

"I'm a Democrat, and I think it will be a good year for Democrats," he said. "I'm proud to be a Democrat."

Mike loves Mary, but he's told her it's "Mike" like a zillion times. Beggars can't be choosers, though. The flip side of the issue is that Republicans, including Mike's opponent, are afraid to put "Republican" on their signs. Yet, they say "Republican" in their TV ads. Which is it? We here at engelhart4judge.com are so confused.

This article was published on the first morning of early voting. Timing, as they say, is everything.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Precinct 182 Blockwalking a Success!

Mike took on an additional role in his spare time to serve as Volunteer Precinct Coordinator for Precinct 182. The Precinct is located inside the loop in Bellaire, bordered by I-610 on the west, Bellaire Blvd. on the north, the rail line on the east, and Beechnut to the south.

Mike and several volunteers gathered in Mike's garage in the southern end of the Precinct and prepared packets to give to our voters. We covered most of the Precinct on Saturday morning, and will work this weekend to complete the walk.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Baptist Ministers Endorse Mike Engelhart for Judge!

Today Mike was informed that he has received the very valuable and meaningful endorsement of the Baptist Ministers PAC. As a result, Mike will be included on their organization's slate card that will be given out to thousands of Harris County voters. Mike greatly appreciates this wonderful honor and looks forward to serving these community leaders and their flocks as the next Judge of the 151st Civil District Court.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Another Endorsement! Jewish Herald Voice Endorses Mike Engelhart!

The Jewish Herald Voice newspaper, a very influential subscription-only paper in the Houston area, endorsed Mike Engelhart for Judge of the 151st Civil District Court yesterday! Mike is exceedingly proud to have received this influential endorsement. It, too, was a hotly contested endorsement race between Mike and his opponent. And, it follows closely on the heels of Mike's endorsement by the Mexican American Bar Association-Houston (MABAH).

Mike's parents were absolutely kvelling about this endorsement, too, it is reported.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Engelhart Beats Out Opponent for Hotly Contested Endorsement!

The Mike Engelhart for Judge Campaign is very (!) excited to announce that Mike has won the endorsement of the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston (MABAH). Mike and his opponent actively sought this very important endorsement by this influential group of attorneys. They both interviewed with the screening committee, and they both addressed the entire group at a meeting on Monday night, October 13, 2008.

Here is a LINK to the list of endorsements for the 2008 General Election.

Mike believes his vision of actively working to create a level playing field for Hispanic litigants in his courtroom, should he be elected, resonated with the members of MABAH. Moreover, he believes that they saw that level playing field lacking in the 12 years Mike's opponent has held this office.

This is a real feather in the campaign's cap, and Mike looks forward to welcoming MABAH members to his courtroom next year.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Engelhart Receives Prestigious Endorsement

Mike Engelhart for Judge is very proud to announce that his candidacy for the 151st Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas was endorsed on October 7, 2008 by the Pakistani American Council of Texas (PACT)!

Some of you may have read the earlier entry HERE about Mike's visit with PACT and the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee. Well, the announcement came through, and we are very proud to announce that we received this endorsement over our incumbent opponent.

This endorsement is very important to Mike as he continues to talk about the necessity of Judges being open and welcoming to litigants of all backgrounds. Mike intends to ensure fairness, respect and dignity for all members of the Harris County community and all others who appear in the 151st. Mike is very very grateful for this coveted endorsement.

UPDATE:

So, for those keeping score at home, some of Mike's most prestigious endorsements include:

Houston Police Patrolmen's Union
HGLBTPC
AFL-CIO
Ambassador Arthur Schechter
Barbara Ann Radnofsky (former US Senate Candidate from Texas)
PACT
Houston City Councilmember Melissa Noriega

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Mike Visits with Mexican American Bar Association of Houston

On Monday night, Mike met with representatives of the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston to screen for their important endorsement. This group and this endorsement would be of great significance to Mike because Mike came to Houston in the first place to go to law school because he speaks fluent Spanish and wanted very badly to work with the large Hispanic community of Houston in his law career.

Moreover, Mike has largely worked with Hispanic clients in his small law firm career, and his courtroom would gladly welcome Hispanic attorneys and litigants, and have great understanding of their needs and particular issues.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Engelhart Visits with Houston Pakistani Leaders

On Sunday, September 28, 2008, the engelhart4judge.com 2008 green hybrid coasted silently in electric-only mode over to Hillcroft in southwest Houston to meet with the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee. Mike got a chance to speak to the members of the organization. There were more than 40 Democratic candidates in attendance, and only a handful of Republicans. Mike's opponent did not show up to meet with this important constituency, without explanation.

Mike related the story of his grandmother to the people in attendance. She came to this country as a little girl. She had to journey thousands of miles, hidden under blankets in carts and wagons by her older brothers, to escape the Soviet Pogroms. A 1992 book was written about her experiences. When she arrived, she came through Ellis Island, and later married a Union organizer. So not only does Mike descend from a woman who risked her life to come to the United States, he also descends from a man who fought for basic worker's rights in this country from the 1930s on. This seemed to resonate with the room full of immigrants who have come to the US to make a better life for themselves and their families. This would be a terrific endorsement for Mike and he would be deeply honored to receive it.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

Engelhart Visits with Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Mike Engelhart met with representatives of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mike is seeking their endorsement in his campaign for the 151st Civil District Court, and would be grateful to have it.

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Political advertising paid for by Mike Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.