Dean A. Hrbacek
Dean A. Hrbacek, CPA is an American attorney and Republican politician who served as the mayor of Sugar Land, Texas from 1996 to 2002. Before serving in that capacity, he served as a city council member. In 2008, he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in Texas's 22nd congressional district.
Personal life
Hrbacek attended the
Mayor of Sugar Land
In 1996, while serving as a City Council member for Sugar Land's affluent District Four, which included a large part of the First Colony master-planned community including
Hrbacek won the election and was re-elected for two subsequent terms. During the time that Hrbacek served as mayor and on City Council, Sugar Land was recognized and
The development of the Sugar Land Town Square, seen as a strong economic engine for Sugar Land, began during the late 1990s with Hrbacek playing a major role in the development of the project.[2] The establishment of the University of Houston System at Sugar Land, the creation of several regional parks, major economic growth, and the lowering the city property tax rate by over 30% were all highlights of his time in office.[3]
2002 mayoral campaign
In 2002, Hrbacek faced a tough re-election campaign for a fourth term against City Council member David Wallace, a businessman who had built up a base of support and had just been elected to the same City Council district Hrbacek held before becoming mayor. Wallace won the election after receiving the backing of several Republican leaders with whom he was allied in Fort Bend County and a local newspaper.
"Mayor Osama" controversy
Hrbacek's re-election bid was damaged by former conservative Houston radio talk show host Jon Matthews. Matthews hosted a radio talk show on KSEV. He endorsed Wallace and attacked Hrbacek through weekly newspaper columns in a local paper.
Matthews referred to Hrbacek as "Mayor Osama" and "Dean Osama Hrbacek", a reference to terrorist,
Post-mayoral life
Hrbacek has served as a precinct chair for the
Hrbacek was approached in 2006 by community leaders to consider running for the heavily Republican 26th District in the Texas House of Representatives, which comprises Sugar Land and several immediate areas such as the portion of the First Colony planned community in Missouri City. He decided that he would run at that time only if the incumbent Republican, Charlie Howard, chose not to run. When Howard indicated he would run in 2006,[5] Hrbacek dropped out of the race.
Influence in 2006 congressional race (for Texas's 22nd congressional district)
Hrbacek served as a Precinct Chair delegate representing Fort Bend in the nomination process for the Republican write-in candidate to challenge Democratic ex-Congressman
Hrbacek was among the majority of Fort Bend Precinct Chairs who rejected efforts by Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace to become the Republican nominee in 2006. Republican precinct chairs from four counties, including Harris, Brazoria, and Galveston in addition to Fort Bend, later nominated dermatologist and Houston city councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs as a candidate in 2006. She won a special election to fill the remainder of DeLay's term but lost in the write in campaign for the general election by 10 points to Lampson who was on the ballot.
2008 Congressional race (Texas's 22nd District)
Following Nick Lampson's 2006 victory, Hrbacek was strongly encouraged to run against Lampson, given the latter's vulnerability in a heavily Republican district due to its strongly conservative nature. In fact, it was the most conservative district in the country that fell to a Democrat, having given George W. Bush a 2-to-1 margin of victory over Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004.
On October 4, 2007, Hrbacek formally announced his candidacy for Congress.[6]
Media endorsements
Hrbacek has been endorsed by the Houston Chronicle, which praised his record as mayor and his support for expanded rail transit.[7] He was also endorsed by the Fort Bend Independent.[8]
Grassroots endorsements
Hrbacek's campaign has also been endorsed by a large number of grassroots leaders including over 40 precinct chairs and current and former elected officials across the district. Included among them are: State Republican Executive Committeewoman (SREC) District 17 - Terese Raia, Former SREC District 17 Committeeman - Tim Turner, Former Republican Party of
Financial filings
As of February 29, 2008, Hrbacek's campaign is fourth with total fundraising at $266,086.[10] This total includes a loan from Hrbacek to his campaign of $113,000.[11]
In the October 2007 filing,[12] the Hrbacek Campaign reported net contributions of $109,195 ranking his campaign fourth in 3rd quarter contributions. In the 2007 Year End filing,[13] the Hrbacek campaign reported net contributions of $37,592 which was sixth most for the quarter. In the Pre-Primary filing[14] covering 1 January through February 13, the Hrbacek campaign collected $6,299, which ranked eighth among all candidates filing.
The Hrbacek Campaign has made an effort to collect contributions from within the boundaries of Texas Congressional District 22 and with the exception of Political Action Committees,[15] did not accept or solicit large contributions from lobbyists, D.C. insiders and special interests outside of CD 22.[citation needed]
Photoshop controversy
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On January 19, 2008 a mailer containing a photo that was presented as a true image of Hrbacek was in reality a computerized composite of Hrbacek's face and someone else's slimmer figure, in suit and tie, from neck to knee. It made international news.[16]
Election results
In the 2008 Republican primary, Hrbacek collected 10.5 percent of the vote to finish in fifth place.[17]
References
- ^ Sugarlandtx.gov Archived 2007-12-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Abouthechoices.com
- ^ Aboutechoices.com
- ^ a b Texnews.com Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Fortbendnow.com Archived 2006-09-04 at the Wayback Machine [broken link]
- ^ "All Extensions: Photoshop and GIMP Extensions Installer". Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
- ^ Editorial (February 25, 2008). "Primary endorsements". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ Seshadri Kumar (February 27, 2008). "Hrbacek, Howard and Wright". Fort Bend Independent in Stafford, Texas. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013.
- ^ Republican Leaders And Former Elected Officials Endorsing Dean Hrbacek for Congress Archived 2008-01-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Federal Election Commission (February 13, 2008). "House Candidates -- TX District : 22". 2008 House and Senate Campaign Finance. Archived from the original on 2009-01-18. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
- ^ Federal Election Commission (January 1 – February 13, 2008). "Hrbacek, Dean Allen: Candidate Details". 2008 House and Senate Campaign Finance. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^ F.E.C. IMAGE 27991065077 (Page 1 of 66) Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ F.E.C. IMAGE 28990247225 (Page 1 of 55) Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ F.E.C. IMAGE 28990514127 (Page 1 of 23) Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "House and Senate Candidate List". Archived from the original on 2009-01-18. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
- ^ "Candidate's photo puts his head on skinnier body". CNN. Associated Press. January 19, 2008. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008.
- ^ 2008 Republican Party Primary Election – Results[permanent dead link]