I've been to a lot of "meet and greets" for political candidates but I don't recall one that was more fun than the one that the HCRP held for Texas State Rep District 134 candidate Sarah Davis. Even if I did have to get to Goode's Armadillo Palace via an ark!

Maybe it was fun because that's just the type of person Sarah Davis is. Maybe it was fun because Randy Kubosh just plain cracks me up. Maybe it was fun because Jared Woodfill was in full carnival barker mode. Or because Ed Hubbard kept telling everyone goodbye just so he could get extra hugs. Or because Jennifer Naedler puts on a good show. Or because we all had to slog through a deluge to get there. Who knows? Who cares? Bottom line is that this is how all meet and greets should be.

Okay, so it was fun, but what about the candidate? How did she handle the event? After all, that was the purpose of the event, right?

Ms. Davis did very well. She was outgoing without being too outgoing, if you know what I mean. If you don't, well, lets just say that there isn't much fake about Sarah. Not much at all. She's what we in the hood would call "real". And she also handled her short speech with a good mix of confidence, self-deprecation, humility (in a politician?), and touched on the "right" issues without going off on talk show hot points. In short, well done. As with the fun atmosphere, her speech was just right for a meet and greet.

So what about the district? 134 includes a good portion of Bellaire, West U., Montrose, River Oaks, Meyerland, parts of Memorial, and Washington Ave. It is split between two US House Districts, the majority being in Rep. John Culberson's District 7, with a few in Rep. Al Green's District 9. The 2000 Census showed it to be overwhelmingly white, per capita income almost 3 times the state average, college graduates 3 times the state average, high school dropouts half of the state average - are you getting the picture here? This should be a solid Republican district and it is represented by a very liberal Democrate. Odd that.

In fact, in the 2008 election, the district actually went for John McCain over Barack Obama (49.8 - 49.1) and Sen. John Cornyn over his latest challenger, Rick Noriega (51.7 - 46.1). Interestingly, the district went against Rep. Culberson in his race against Michael Skelly (46.8 - 51.3). But if you look further down ballot, Republicans won almost every race. Except this one. Ms. Cohen does have a strong presence in the homosexual community, as indicated by this diary on the Burnt Orange Report from her initial victory in 2006 when she defeated Martha Wong, so perhaps that explains some of it but certainly not all. There should be an opportunity here for Ms. Davis, if she plays her cards right and if the Republican establishment gives her strong backing. You can read more about the district on the Texas Tribune's page or on Rep. Cohen's official page.

A few of the current crop of Republican candidates sloshed through the rain to attend. Judge Lynn Bradshaw-Hull was there, probably commenting on my fashion again. John Clinton was early and stayed late. Don and Lydia Smyth made it. I missed him but saw a photo of Jack O'Connor there. Mary Lynn McKeown-Faulk stopped by to represent John.

Other notables included Paul Simpson, Ed Hubbard, Helena Brown. Mary Jane Smith, Jessica Colon (fresh off her successful campaign to elect Steve Munisteri), Randy Kubosh (a one man party), Rhonda Omberg, Joe Dotson with the Houston Young Republicans, Fric, Frac, the Liar, Bellaire City Councilman Will Hickman, and former State Rep. Martha Wong. Hey, if I didn't list all those names, Melissa Rowell, latest HCRP true believer, wouldn't call me a gossip columnist! When you get a title, you gotta keep it.

Hopefully, all these people will realize what a tremendous opportunity Republicans have in District 134 and convince others to support Ms. Davis. I promise you this: she would be a refreshing change, both for the district and for the good ol' boys in Austin that are strangling us.

Website: SarahDavis134.com

Facebook: Sarah Davis for State Representative 134