Just A Few Days Left To File For the March Primary

January 2, 2008. That’s the deadline to file for candidacy for any office that will be on the March 5th Texas Primary ballot. That’s just days away, and that means it is crunch time for all the campaigns who have yet to have filed.

Four out of nine? Well Eight. Apparently Alan “The Kid” Steinberg withdrew, sending all of his supporters over to the camp of Pete “I’ve got a sailor suit” Olson. In his farewell announcement, entitled “So long and thanks for all the fish”, Steinberg writes:

“I feel strongly that Pete Olson would be the best person to serve our district in Congress, and have decided to step aside in order to focus on encouraging a greater public involvement in the system as a whole.”

So Alan stepped aside. I’m sure I just heard the Olson camp breathe a sigh of relief.

By the way, if you are still scratching your head about the title of his piece, it comes from the title of the fourth of five books that make up Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe Trilogy. Hey, at least the guy is well-read.

Whose missing here? Dean Hrbacek? Bob Talton? Where’d ya go, guys? Bob: worried about losing that House seat of yours to a Democrat? Dean, worried about . . . oh, that’s right, David Wallace already DID that.

And then there is Brian and Ryan, Klock and Rowley, respectively. Dark horses that make the campaign of Alan Steinberg credible.

Full Blog Posting

- Half Empty (12/26/2007)

District 22 Candidate Backs Olson

A 25-year-old Sugar Land Republican who had been seeking the 22nd congressional seat held by Democrat Nick Lampson has dropped out of the race and endorsed one of his former Republican opponents.

Alan Steinberg, whose youth sometimes made him the subject of lampoon on local political Web sites, announced Tuesday he will no longer be running in the March primary for the four-county Congressional District 22. Steinberg said he will now support Pete Olson, a fellow Republican who had been working as a staff member to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas as well as Cornyn's predecessor, Phil Gramm.

“Pete will bring a fresh perspective to solving issues of national security and fiscal policy,” said Steinberg. “His vast experience working with both Senators Gramm and Cornyn, in combination with his military service, give him the background needed to be an effective leader on the issues and priorities of the 22nd District.”

In addition to his youth, Steinberg had been known throughout his candidacy for living with his parents, which he said was a fiscally conservative choice on his part, and his ownership of a distinct purple Corvette, around which he themed his Web site.

Steinberg's announcement doesn't do much to pare down the crowded race, which still features eight candidates seeking the Republican nomination.

- Steven Palkot, Fort Bend Herald (12/19/07)

I'm out... but here is what the public is saying about it...

“Alan is to be commended for the energy and passion he brought as a candidate. We need more folks like him to engage younger voters and get them interested in our country’s government"

- Pete from Sugar Land, TX

"I am sorry that you are not continuing your run for the 22nd CD. I was impressed with you and will keep my eye out for you in the future. "

- AR from Beach City, TX

"Please run for State Rep"

- Burt from Houston, TX

"Great Effort on your Part. Your Race is in the Future"

- John from Houston, TX

"You should be very proud of your accomplishments. I think you have a future in this business."

- Gary from Richmond, TX

"It's not too late to run for a state seat. I'm in if you are."

- Dan from College Station, TX

"Please continue running! We want Alan!!"

- Marshall from Houston, TX

"You did a hell of a good job. Take care buddie and I hope to see you on the trail again real soon."

- Shannon from Galveston, TX

Calling it Quits

Alan Steinberg has ended his foray as the youngest candidate by far in the race for the Republican nomination to face U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Stafford, in the November general election.

Steinberg, 25, is dropping out and endorsing candidate Pete Olson for the 22nd Congressional District seat in the March primary.

Steinberg had not yet filed an official application for a place on the ballot. He had established a presence, however, on Myspace.com and other social networking web sites that are thought to attract young voters.

- Alan Bernstein, Chron.com (12/18/07)

Congressional District 22

Alan Steinberg, the young man campaigning for the 22nd Congressional District, has decided to withdraw from the race. Steinberg had two goals he wanted to achieve in the 22nd Congressional District: (1) to ensure that the 22nd has strong, conservative leadership; and (2) to energize young voters. Alan has done a remarkable job of campaigning on a shoe string and has displayed incredible youthful energy in his efforts. I hope Alan remains active in the Fort Bend political scene and I wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors.

- Gary L. Gillen, Friends of Gary Gillen Weekly E-mail (12/18/07)

So long and thanks for all the fish...

As many of you know, my primary focus during the course of this race has been to reach out to the younger voters, to work to reduce political apathy and ignorance, and to promote a greater understanding of the political environment. This has been a great success, as I have undoubtedly inspired a greater youth involvement in the political process.

However, the job is far from finished. When I got involved in this race it was in order to ensure we here in the 22nd District of Texas had solid representation in U.S. Congress. Since this time I have gotten to know people across the district as well as the other candidates running for this position. I feel strongly that Pete Olson would be the best person to serve our district in Congress, and have decided to step aside in order to focus on encouraging a greater public involvement in the system as a whole.

Pete Olson represents a new generation of congressional leadership, and will be able to bring fresh perspectives to long term issues. With over a decade of experience working with Congress, time serving in the military, and a solid educational background, Pete will be able to serve us well in Washington D.C. I am supporting Pete Olson for U.S. Congress, and I hope that you will do the same.

Please join us as we race to victory!

AlanSteinberg

How do you feel about gay marriage. Should Homosexuals be treated the same as heterosexuals. If you were elected, would you forget about "my" people?

- Matt from Houston, TX

I feel that the federal government should not be involved in the issue. People should be treated the same way and have the same rights and benefits regardless of sexual preferences. I know that some feel strongly about the term "marriage" and its definition... so rather than look to change that, the government should just get out of the marriage business.

Interview By: Nicole Perry (Purepolitics.com)

With Tom DeLay having represented the district before, what is your opinion on him - positive or negative?

Tom DeLay was a strong leader who was able to bring home money to the district. He was able to get the job done for people in the district, and there was an overall strong approval of him as seen by the number of terms he served.

For those who disliked DeLay, what would you tell them about how you would be if elected?

I am public servant in the truest sense. I care about serving the needs of the public rather rather than personal goals. I look to be a statesman, not a politician.

On your website, you mention the phrase, "Despite my youth..." Is this a common negative point to make about your candidacy - how many people use it? What do you tell them?

People bring up my youth all the time. While many members of the public see it as a positive aspect, some do not. I get attention due to my youth, but there is more to me than being young. As a benefit of youth, I am politically unencumbered, not owing anyone any favors, and untainted by politics.

What are your top issues, if elected?

Smart spending, and putting the people first. I'm tired of government inefficiency and wasteful spending, and believe that if there is money to earmark with then we are taxing to much. There is also an issue of Congress not demanding results. In the private and non-profit sectors, when a program does not work it is cut, when people do not produce results they are fired, and when spending is under budget it is a good thing. Congress needs to stop throwing money at problems and use the power of the purse to demand change.

Who is someone you disagree with in Congress right now?

I do not disagree with members but rather with issues. Think of it this way... I am not looking to unseat the incumbent as much as I am looking to provide a better representation for the people of the 22nd District of Texas in Congress. I rather not link my self to a particular member as I can not be sure that they would vote exactly the way I would. But you can be sure it would be in line with Republican principals.

Who is an example of a member of Conress you might vote similarly to?

My uncommon diversity of experience despite my young age. If I have accomplished this much by 25, just imagine what I can do in 2 years in congress.

With nine people in the race, what is the best reason why should people vote for you?

"Setting a New Pace" We need change, fresh ideas, and someone that we can trust who is untainted by politics

Above anything, what is the main message of your campaign?

We have had the same problems for years, we need to have a new way of thinking about them in order to solve them. Politics as usual will end up as usual... with nothing solved.

What is something about you that most people don't know?

I have a stuffed duck on my dashboard, and often people ask what the story is regarding it. I tell people that it's my campaign strategist. Rumor has it that the Stuffed Duck will have a book deal soon that will let loose all of the behind the scenes drama.

Quote of the month: "We are a county of the people, by the people and for the people, but if we are not careful we will become a country of the uninformed, run by politicians, for the special interest groups. I'm not gonna take it, and neither should you"

Unofficial Campaign Song: "We're not gonna take it" by Twisted Sister (see the mario video on his myspace)

Link to Interview

Not Your Traditional Candidate

Alan "Doogie" Steinberg (as at least one blog has taken up the nickname for the 25 year old) is not your traditional candidate. Alan is redefining what it means to run for U.S. Congress.

Driving a fast car and using his quick wit, Alan jokes that the stuffed duck which sits on his dash of his 1998 Corvette Pace Car is his campaign strategist. Alan says "Members of Congress are elected to be public servants, stewards of tax dollars and as the people's 'go-to' man in Washington DC. I am tired of wasteful spending, government inefficiency, and elected officials who care more about being re-elected than serving the public. It all starts with campaigning and goes down hill from there. I will not spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on this primary, and I will use my time and energy to benefit the public rather than myself."

Refusing to be participate in typical politics, Alan spends time volunteering and has been seen working with the MS Society, Alzheimer's Association, Sheltering Arms, and Stand Up for Kids. He still makes rounds to Republican Clubs, Civic Events and other related functions, but says "I can't help people if I'm spending my days at meetings where people have already met me."

If there was ever a regular person trying to accomplish some extra-ordinary things, Alan has what it takes. Educated in Psychology, International Affairs and National Security issues, he has worked for government, academia, non-profits and the private sector. He proudly admits he's never ran for any elected position, "not even student council."

Fed up with politics as usual, Alan is looking to encourage more people to be aware and get involved. "We used to be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but we are becoming a government of the apathetic, by the politicians, and for the special interest groups. I am not going to take it and you should not either."

Join Alan as he continues to Set a New Pace in the 22nd District of Texas!

- Steinberg For Congress (12/1/07)