Josh Goodman is a former staff writer for GOVERNING..
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The Bell Tolls for Chris Bell?
Republican Joan Huffman defeated Democrat Chris Bell in the Texas state Senate special election that I mentioned yesterday. Huffman's comfortable margin was a surprise (to me anyway). She took 56% of the vote.
By my count, Bell's electoral record over the past 14 years now stands at 4-5.
-In 1995, he lost a Houston City Council race.
-In 1997, he won a special election for the remainder of a City Council term.
-Later that year, he won a full term on the City Council.
-In 1999, he was reelected to the City Council.
-In 2001, he ran for mayor of Houston and lost.
-In 2002, he ran for Congress and won.
-In 2004, he lost a congressional race, thanks to the Republican-led redistricting that occurred mid-decade.
-In 2006, he was the Democratic nominee for governor, but lost.
-Yesterday, he lost the race for state Senate.
Nine elections since 1995 is a whirlwind pace. Bell's only 49, but a three-election losing streak may mean it will be a while before he runs for something again. Perhaps he could start a consulting firm with Kevin Mannix.
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