December 7, 2023
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 | Cat DeLaura, Audience producer |
Best of the Bayou
Today we're talking about a different kind of election lawsuit outcome...
If you read one thing: The Republican Party of Texas is suing Elizabeth Alvarez, the lawyer who helped write the state's recent election reform law and who they claim duped several former Republican candidates into believing they could prove election fraud in Harris County.
What is the complaint against Alvarez?
The new complaint alleges she lied to 17 candidates that her firm had prepared a "data model" that would have shown that "more than 40,000 voters were suppressed."
The complaint also alleges that she misrepresented the amount of time it would take for the case to be resolved, her level of expertise in election litigation and her commitment to finishing the case "within an agreed upon budget." The plaintiffs are seeking to recoup at least the $350,000 that the party paid to the firm and up to $1 million in damages, according to one of their attorneys, Steven J. Mitby.
How has Alvarez responded?
Alvarez and her co-counsel, Scott Gray, who was also named in the suit, denied the allegations, saying they never offered a "data model," but instead had explained that they planned to model their approach after the Department of Justice's system for evaluating the impact of poll closures as it relates to the Voting Rights Act.
They blamed the case's lengthier timeline on the courts consolidating a number of the cases.
Alvarez and Gray added that the candidates were their clients, not the party, giving it no right to sue over their representation.
- Read Taylor Goldenstein's full explanation of the lawsuit here.
Stay in the Loop
Photo by: Susan Barber
📰 Need to Know
- Inside the world of Houston's luxury Christmas light installers. The luxury installers know they're pricey. But, they say, they offer guaranteed results — and are a safer bet than the "fly by night" guys.
- New Houston City Council powers shift the 'strong mayor' dyanamic. A new, voter-approved ordinance gives any three council members the ability to band together to place an item on the agenda. Here's what else council members have the power to do.
- Women of Houston City Council unite to back Huffman over Buzbee in runoff. While Tony Buzbee campaigned among the high-profile social circles of Houston, the women of City Council co-hosted a fundraiser for Mary Nan Huffman on the first night of early voting.
- Gov. Abbott moves to usher in election results despite legal challenges. A series of long-shot lawsuits had threatened to delay billions of dollars in property tax relief and raises for retired teachers.
- Turner's attempt to amend billion-dollar airport contracts met with criticism. Mayor Sylvester Turner is seeking City Council approval to amend four lucrative airport concession agreements that would limit the ability of future administrations to terminate the current contracts.
💼 Business
- Luxury ranch community planned for homestead north of Houston. Compass Real Estate's Courtney Robertson and Samantha Medve have launched presales for the ranches, which range from 14 acres to 160 acres. Lot prices range from $600,000 to $4.8 million.
- New Gulf of Mexico 'sheen' found after last month's oil spill. Questions have arisen as to whether the source of the leak could be from something other than a pipeline, including from a subsea well.
🚗 Outside the Loop
- Barbers Hill ISD student again placed in alternative school over hairstyle. After completing a seven-week-long suspension, Barbers Hill High School student Darryl George landed back in in-school suspension Tuesday.
- 10 vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Montgomery County. From Mexican food trucks to fine dining, cafes and bakeries, Claire Partain rounded up 10 vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Montgomery County.
- New batch of Cypress Creek flood projects get underway. The $13.6 million project includes repairs and desilting efforts on approximately four miles of channels.
- Conroe teen takes 'Young Artist of the Year' award at Texas Country Music Awards. In 2022, young Conroe singer-songwriter Payton Riley had a prediction she'd be a Texas Country Music Award winner in 2023. It turns out she was right.
Point of View
Fighting crime means cleaning up crime-ridden Houston apartments.
Apartment inspection reform has struggled to get real support from Mayor Sylvester Turner, but Councilmember Letitia Plummer is hoping that will change come January. She just needs to win first, writes the Editorial Board.
- A concrete crusher near a hospital? Say no. A concrete-crushing plant is proposed roughly 400 yards from Harris County's LBJ Hospital — but it's not too late to stop it, write Christian Menefee and Borris Miles.
Houston vs. All Y'all
Photo by: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer
UH chief reveals 'breaking point' that got Dana Holgorsen fired.
A comment by the former Cougars coach on his radio show convinced Renu Khator the football program had no future hope with him at the helm.
- DeMeco Ryans faces mentor Robert Saleh as Texans take on Jets. Ryans and Saleh, whose relationship goes back to Houston in the 2000s before coaching together in San Francisco, face off as head coaches for the first time in Sunday's Texans-Jets game.
- Rockets 110, Thunder 101: Houston ends skid, stays hot at home. Led by a variety of contributors scoring and rebounding, the Rockets halted their losing streak at three games by beating the Thunder.
- Astros add two players, lose three in minor-league Rule 5 draft. In the minor league phase, the Astros selected righthanded pitchers Railin Perez, from Boston's system, and Carlos Betancourt, from the Phillies' system.
- Walter Nolen, one of Texas A&M's top recruits, to enter transfer portal. Nolen, who's from Tennessee and is one of the top-rated recruits to ever sign with A&M, had 66 tackles and five sacks over the past two seasons, primarily from an interior position.
Get Out
Photo by: Greg Morago
Our guide to Houston's top food halls, from the Post to Lyric Market.
At Houston's food halls, diners can feel like they're crisscrossing the world, sans passport. Here are the Chronicle's downtown favorites in descending order.
- 'Squid Game: The Challenge' a dream come true for this Houston player. Thomas Nguyen is embarrassed to admit it, but he practiced the Red Light, Green Light game "pretty extensively" before leaving Houston to be part of "Squid Game: The Challenge."
What are your weekend plans? I'm excited to experience my first Lights in the Heights.
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