Cleburne Times-Review, Cleburne, TX

Local News

April 27, 2008

Wannabe opponent collecting signatures

Malatesta wants a shot against Edwards

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, already faces a Republican and two Libertarian candidates in his Nov. 2 re-election bid. Cleburne resident Bryan Malatesta, a writer and radio host, hopes to become the fourth contestant in the race.

Malatesta filed Jan. 2 to run as a Constitution Party candidate. Although allowed to file, Malatesta must still earn a spot on the ballot by collecting enough signatures by May 27. Malatesta and other Texas candidates hoping to run on the Constitution Party ticket — 12 state candidates hope to run — must collect 47,000 signatures each from registered voters who did not vote in the March 4 Democratic or Republican primary.

It’s “more like 50,000,” Malatesta said, “because we’re expecting the secretary of state to try to throw some out. Things like if someone doesn’t sign exactly as their name appears on their voter registration card.”

Party members intend to collect as many signatures as possible, said Dorothy Pate, a Constitution Party coordinator.

“We’re out and about with the focus right now on signatures,” Pate said. “Because without the signatures, there’s no race. So we’re attending big events throughout the state to gather signatures and tell people who we are.”

Malatesta and Pate both called this year’s effort frustrating and challenging but rewarding as well. Constitution Party candidates’ last successful attempt to get on the ballot in Texas was 1996.

“Doing the petitions, I’ve found that a lot of people don’t know we exist,” Malatesta said. “We tell them our basic beliefs, and some are receptive right away because they’re looking for a change. Others are just not interested, and some think it’s too late.”

Both derailed what they call the impossible and unconstitutional requirements of putting a fourth party on the ballot but also said they remain optimistic.

“It’s been slow [collecting signatures],” Pate said. “Because a lot of conservatives, who might not have voted otherwise, crossed over to vote Democratic [Party] in the primary.

“I’m a little worried, but people have been joining all the time. Some I’m hopeful from that point.”

The party stresses limited government, states’ rights, the sanctity of life, American sovereignty and other principles.

Malatesta, who serves as the Constitution Party of Texas chairman, said a desire to bring government back in line with constitutional principals prompted his run.

“I think the federal government is out of control with regulations and programs,” Malatesta said. “You watch the presidential debates going on now, and they seem to think government is the solution to all our problems, and I don’t think most people believe that.”



On the Net:

www.constitutionparty.com

Text Only
Cleburne
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

  • First team offense, defense features host of area standouts

    The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
    The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain.

    January 29, 2012 2 Photos

  • Second Team Offense.jpg Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense

    The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
    The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks.

    January 29, 2012 2 Photos

  • DSC_0031.JPG Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48

    The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.

    January 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_9414.JPG Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win

    On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.

    January 28, 2012 2 Photos

  • Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney

    Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.

    January 28, 2012

Johnson County
Alvarado
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Burleson
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Godley
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Grandview
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Joshua
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

Keene
Rio Vista
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

Venus
DSC_0283.tif

Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.

Front page
Front page
Front page
Front page
House Ads
Business Spotlight
CTR Sports
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com