FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Vince Leibowitz, Campaign Director
(903) 705-2792
vince.leibowitz@gmail.com
RRC Candidate Thompson Last Voted In 1996
HAMILTON–Democratic Candidate for Texas Railroad Commission Mark Thompson did not cast a single vote between November 1996 and the March 4 Democratic Primary election in which he was a candidate, according to a review conducted of Thompson’s voting record by his opponent’s campaign.
According to the voter history for Mark Thompson, a public record obtained from the Hamilton County Tax Assessor’s Office, prior to the March 2008 Democratic Primary, Thompson last voted in 1996–when he cast votes in the 1996 GOP Primary and the 1996 General Election. According to the Hamilton County Tax Assessor’s Office, Thompson first registered to vote on December 6, 1989.
“It is very curious that someone who is now running for statewide office has not bothered to vote in an election for more than a decade,” said Vince Leibowitz, Campaign Director for Dale Henry’s campaign for Texas Railroad Commissioner. “Between November 1996 and March 2008, Texas had several statewide elections for positions–including Texas Railroad Commissioner–and some very important statewide constitutional amendments. Based upon the public record, it appears that Mark Thompson didn’t bother to cast a single vote in any of those elections. The last time Mr. Thompson participated in an election prior to his own, Bob Dole and Phil Gramm were on the ballot. Between 1996 and 2008 there were some very important elections from the race for President on down, plus constitutional amendment elections that literally changed the face of Texas. Mark Thompson didn’t think any of those were important enough to bother to show up and make his voice heard,” Leibowitz said.
In light of these facts, it is unsurprising that, on Primary Election Night, Thompson didn’t even know what a runoff election was, Leibowitz noted. “He didn’t know until a newspaper reporter explained it to him,” Leibowitz said.
“Democratic Primary voters need to be aware that one of the two candidates in this race has not bothered to vote since 1996,” Leibowitz said. “Earlier this week, Thompson told the Texas Observer that Dale Henry wasn’t fighting for the people and that was why he did so well on March 4. Not only is that a complete fallacy based upon the fact that Thompson barely campaigned and most voters didn’t have a clue who he was, but the idea that someone who hadn’t voted in a decade is out fighting for the people in an election is utterly laughable,” Leibowitz continued.
“It is one thing to stand up and run for office because you are mad or want to see something changed, but, to have failed to vote for over 10 years and then stand up and cry that it is time for a change is hypocritical. Thompson could have voted for change before, and he didn’t bother to do so,” Leibowitz concluded.
LINKS: Mark Thompson’s Voting History; Texas Observer Blog Article.
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Dale Henry faces Mark Thompson of Hamilton in the April 8 Democratic Primary Runoff. The winner of the runoff will face Commissioner Michael L. Williams in the general election.
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Geez! That dumbass just woke up one day and decided to run for office without knowing one damn thing about it.