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Gov. Gina Hinojosa with Linda Curtis, October 17, 2026 Please accept our apologies for being AWOL yesterday, with technical problems on our end -- and exhaustion. Hope to see you tonight, Thursday, November 5 at 8 pm for a discussion about what just happened to Texas, including us independent voters. RSVP NOW! We mostly agree with today's Quorum Report article by Harvey Kronberg, the best in the business of understanding the Texas legislative and political process. Read Harvey's article entitled, "Some not-so-self evident takeaways from the 2026 election in Texas" But Harvey does not look at what we are looking at. We will visit on what happened to the independent for Hays County Judge, Liz "Sumter" Gajdos, who ran an exceptionally well-organized effort, but lost with a poor showing at just 4%. What happened is something that cannot be fully explained by only the "blue wave". It's got something to do with one-party rule on the other foot. We'll explain our theory tonight. Then there's there's the mess of the Austin's city election, with three of the five seats going into a runoff. Read this Austin Free Press article for the discussion. Essentially, the Watson machine had a good night. Austin voters -- who are very independent -- are not getting the full story. For those of you following Bastrop County elections, there were three important races that went well for ending GOP one-party rule. Only one Democrat was elected, but it's a doozy with longtime Democrat, Dock Jackson's victory as the new Bastrop County Judge. As well, Dr. Beth Klenz, won two of the 5 counties in House District 17 -- Bastop and Caldwell counties -- though Rep. Stan Gerdes did prevail, Klenz came in with a strong 44%. Then, there is the one and only Kat Hammer, running as a write-in for Bastrop County Commissioner, Precinct 4. Write-ins are nearly impossible due to how the voting machines are designed to try to eliminate so-called "under-voting", that is voters refraining from voting in races with only one candidate. Yet, Kat was able to garner 25% of the vote against David Glass, an amazing feat. There needs to be a case study on how Kat's team was able to pull this off. Last, we will talk about the future of LIV and the independent Texas voter. Because, if this new administration stands a chance, a house-cleaning in both parties is now on the table.

Do we want Elon Musk's attorney to purchase the district he gerrymandered for himself? Chris Gober's political career can be ended on November 3, with veteran mom, Caitlin Rourk, in Congressional District 10. Remember, we wrote about the Rourk v. Gober race. All you need to do is share the article and/or the video and talk to neighbors who live in Congressional District 10. (The article has the map and description of the worst rural gerrymander we've ever seen...and we pay attention!) The world already knows about Elon's $158 million backing for Paxton. We trust it will backfire and help Talarico. Bankrolling Gober is another Musk attempt to control Texas. The industry captured TCEQ's (Texas Commission for Environmental Quality) "failed," all the way up the line to the Governor's office to implement a real "pause" in AI data center permitting. They just had to "shut down their permit filing system," in the news thanks to Public Citizen and the Texas Tribune. LIV's released endorsements are getting some notice to bust one-party GOP rule in state races. In Austin, we want to bust the Watson Council (all dutiful Democrats) with some great challengers who are independent-minded civic leaders with varying political leanings running for these nonpartisan seats. We also want to see a YES on Proposition I (for independent audits) pass with all other props (especially G) defeated. (See IndyTexans.org too) We promised it was short. Now, help us reach more people. Thank you! PS Come see us at the Elgin Hogeye Festival this Saturday. Visit this page again before you look for us. We will try to post our location.

League of Independent Voters of Texas calls for end of one-party rule to secure this election and the rights of independent voters and minor parties in 2028 Texas independent voters are already beginning to swing this election, to settle the score between red and blue, ensure a fair election and turn Texas purple. BASTROP, TEXAS — The League of Independent Voters of Texas (LIV), a nonpartisan membership association representing nonaligned independent voters, issued an endorsement for Democratic challengers in top ticket Texas races, while urging voters to pick carefully down ballot for insurgents, including independent candidates, Republicans, Libertarians and Greens. LIV’s litmus test is: Clean campaigns and a focus on saving the Texas economy from the ravages of feckless war fueled by out-of-control AI. Otherwise, it’s time to THRO: Throw the Hypocritical Rascals Out, in the words of term limits champion, Jack Gargan (deceased). “There are few things I hate more than feckless war. One is rigged elections, the surest sign of corruption. Elon Musk can use his money and AI to try to purchase a Texas U.S. Senate seat for crooked Ken, and a Congressional seat (CD10) for his gerrymandering lawyer, Chris Gober, but there’s one thing money cannot buy. It’s called a mouth. They can’t stop us from talking to our neighbors,” said LIV Board Member, Arlan Foster, a three-tour Vietnam Veteran, former Union President of Texas Correctional Officers and retired Texas peace officer. “It’s blowback time for dirty tricks heaped on Ross Perot 33 years ago and now the same tactics against James Talarico; lies about Gina Hinojosa’s record; and bullying Clayton Tucker’s parents at their home. Texas independents are already splitting their tickets.” said LIV co-founder Linda Curtis, one of the early leaders in the modern day independent political movement. “The Texas Secretary of State and DPS have already made a mess with election irregularities like holding 500,000 voter registrations (Texas Tribune) that Musk and Gober could use to call this election into question. Texas independent voters can give the Democratic ticket enough of a margin for a solid and secure election,” said LIV Board Member, Debbie Russell, a former leader of the Green Party of Texas. The nonpartisan membership association for nonaligned voting Texans, the League of Independent Voters of Texas, proudly endorses: James Talarico for United States Senate Gina Hinojosa for Governor Vikki Goodwin for Lt. Governor Clayton Tucker for Commissioner of Agriculture Caitlin Rourk, Congressional District 10, to deny Elon Musk attorney, Chris Gober, the seat he gerrymandered for himself. (LIV article) Nathan Johnson for Texas Attorney General, a supporter of fair ballot access for independents, not multi-millionaire “MAGA Mayes” Middleton who tried to make ballot access for independents and minor parties near impossible (2023 session). Sarah Eckhardt for Texas Comptroller, also a supporter of fair ballot access for independents and for calling out Don Huffines (R) current $3M Comptroller’s office renovation, as AI data centers and Big Tech push for tax abatements. Jon Rosenthal for Texas Railroad Commissioner as Texans desperately need a very capable energy regulator to protect our water and property rights and an end to division. Paul Thomasson, State Senate District 5, to defeat incumbent Sen. Charles Schwertner, who has failed to protect his constituents from the AI data center craze and mass industrialization in Bastrop County, the home of Musk industries. Dr. Beth Klenz, Texas House District 17, to defeat Rep. Stan Gerdes, whose deep ties to Rick Perry and big energy compromise his ability to fight for guardrails for the AI data industry, including power plants plopped on rural Texans. Foster, Curtis and Russell also urged "careful split-ticket voting" to support independent, Republican, Libertarian and Green and write-in candidates down ballot: · Local Republicans who stood up to AI data centers, thanks to the shameful attacks and lobby tactics by the data center industry. · Local crossover efforts to "bust one-party rule" in Bastrop County by Democrat Dock Jackson (video) for County Judge and write-in candidate, Kat Hammer in a pivotal Bastrop Precinct 4 County Commissioner race against pro-data center Commissioner David Glass. (video) · In a few down ballot races, there are independents taking on corruption in both parties. Liz Sumter Gajdos for Hays County Judge is one of the few. (Liz2026.com) · LIV also supports local nonpartisan Austin City Council candidates Brown, Shah, Weinberg, Bowen and Kam, and urges Austinites to vote Yes on Prop I, No on Prop G. Visit Independent Texans PAC at IndyTexans.org. # LIV, a nonpartisan organization is the only membership association in Texas for nonaligned voters. For more information: Debbie Russell 512.573.6194 or Linda Curtis, 512.360.8754

Veteran Caitlin Rourk is running for Congress in CD 10 against Chris Gober, who gerrymandered the district for himself, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Greg Abbott and a host of advocates for perpetual war at our expense. Gober's new CD10 includes: parts of northwest Austin, parts of Pflugerville, all of Rollingwood, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Lago Vista and half of Huntsville. These entire counties are in CD10: Brazos, Polk, Grimes, San Jacinto, Houston, Burleson, Leon, Trinity, Lee and Madison. There's even a teeny tiny part near Elgin, Bastrop County. Former US Army Intelligence Officer Caitlin Rourk has been vocal for years as an advocate for "diplomacy first". She is a breath of fresh air in transparency. At the top of her ISSUES page -- Reform Government and Restore Accountability, says it all for us at LIV. LIV endorsed Rourk in the primary and proudly endorses her again in the general election in November. Early voting begins on October 19. Election Day is November 3. "Rourk is the answer to ending two wars we don't need to be in -- the war in Iran and the Legendary joke teller and former labor leader, Arlan Foster, LIV Board gerrymandering war. We are lucky to have a uniquely qualified advocate for diplomacy first, something I hoped Vietnam taught us. Besides that, her opponent apparently doesn't know how to safely shoot that AR-15." said LIV Board member, Arlan Foster, Vietnam combat veteran (3 tours), former sheriff, ardent gun collector and safety expert, and so much more. Rourk's opponent, Chris Gober, led the gerrymandering war on Texas districts for this mid-term election. Gober is the reason millions of Texans have no idea what district of Congress they're in, despite the fact that all US House of Representatives districts are on the ballot in November. How Chris Gober won the Republican nomination for Congressional District 10 (retiring Michael McCaul's seat) in a 9-way primary is a true story to be told. The short story in this article lays out a brilliant funding scheme tied to Gober's years working for Elon Musk, Ken Paxton, and with the biggest names in business and politics including Donald Trump and Greg Abbott. To boot, Gober is knee-deep in the AI industry, and firms he founded have lobbied for energy, advanced manufacturing, and defense technology, including start-ups seeking to infuse machine learning into weapons of war. In other words, Big Tech owns Gober. Gerrymandering and dark money carry real consequences to real people in the former and current CD 10. Gober locked and "unloaded" on us in Bastrop, the home of Musk's many industrial projects and LIV. Most of us are no longer in CD10. Meanwhile, Bastrop is facing mass industrialization in western Bastrop County by AI data centers (EdgeConneX and Black Chamber), gas plants (Pacifico) and Musk's almost daily new plans for facilities in residential areas and near soon-to-be extinct farms in the blackland prairie, one of the richest farm soils in the world. Grimes County (CD10) is Elon's new stomping grounds for his SpaceX Terafab multi-phase semiconductor manufacturing, power generation and advanced computing facility near Gibbons Creek Reservoir. This project is raising a serious alarm about the facilities' need for masses of water. How much? Good lucking getting that information. SpaceX is currently suing both Grimes County and AG Paxton to maintain maximum secrecy from a well-organized citizen's organization, Grimes County Citizens for Responsible Development. And there's so much more citizen strife in CD10 -- see Additional Notes below. This is Gober's new CD10. Gober reportedly lives in Austin in the little nub on the far left of CD10. Now, check out LIV's CD10 as part of our plan for compact districts submitted to the Legislature precisely when Gober was waging, and winning, his gerrymandering war. This is what a compact district (LIV's CD10) looks like and what most voters, especially independents, want to end the gerrymandering wars. Kudos to James Talarico for opposing gerrymandering and for currently running ads targeting dark money. LIV also wants to end dark money, the likes of which paid for this mailer to hit households in key districts across the state, including CD10, for the March primary. LIV cannot verify who paid for this mailer or if Gober was involved. That's the point of dark money. It's possible it helped him with his 1.2% margin in the 9-way March GOP primary. Disclosure: LIV co-founder, Linda Curtis, played a key role in the voter approved independent citizens redistricting commission in Texas. It's the only one in existence so far in Texas and is for Austin city elections only. ______________________________ Additional Notes for CD10 Projects that we know of: Lee County citizens (CD10) fought hard against Sandow Lakes Ranch, to move a massive gas plant from beautiful, rural Blue, to the already contaminated land at the old ALCOA smelter. The TCEQ said residents weren't close enough to protest -- they needed to be within 526 feet! Japanese investment firm Softbank now owns the gas plant, reportedly with plans for two co-located hyperscale data centers. See MovetheGasPlant.org. In Grimes County, Millennium Power/Atlas Power data center project is planned at Gibbons Creek Reservoir (near Terafab). And Geronimo Power has leased land for a data center development near Iola. A battery storage project owned by Flexen USA LLC still has a proposed completion date in October 28 despite being currently listed as suspended in an ERCOT database. In Leon County, the "Kahla Project”, a 1500 MW data center is proposed near Marquez by Belltown Power.

People are going to have to learn what's real. It's in the conversation between real people. The conversation in this video between Bastrop residents, Republican Don Loucks, Democrat Kat Hammer (write-in candidate for Bastrop Commissioners Court, Pct. 4) and longtime independent Linda Curtis is hitting notes with local residents, because voters are worried. We're also sick of the partisan wars that have let big donors receive big perks; while we stand there scratching our heads because no one told us about the major demolition derby that's going on in western Bastrop County! Here's what you can do about this: Use the Independent Texans PAC website to inform yourself and others around you. Plan to vote early. Early voting starts on Monday, October 19th. Are you on Facebook? Go to the Independent Texans PAC Facebook page. Like, comment and SHARE (most important) these low budget, but well-done video ads help reach people. Get with our recommended candidates and measures (or us) for planned activities between now and Election Day, November 3. Our recommendations: Caitlin Rourk, Congressional District 10 HERE. Warn voters to stop Musk attorney, Chris Gober! Austin City Council Candidates: Brown, Shah, Weinberg, Bowen and Kam HERE Austin Ballot Propositions: YES only on I, all others (C thru J) NOPE! Liz Sumter Gajdos, independent for Hays County Judge (Facebook includes her own townhall.) Dr. Beth Klenz, Texas House District 17: Share the fun video "Klenz" the District" from Stan Gerdes. Bastrop Commissioners Court Candidates: Dock Jackson for County Judge ("What's Up Dock" video), Kat Hammer for Precinct 4 ("Hammer Breaks Glass" video). Have fun, y'all. Democracy is a not a spectator sport! Got ideas? Visit Independent Texans PAC: IndyTexans.org

Data centers in space might be as real as Elon's move to DOGE the Pentagon after 8 failed audits, somehow he missed a mere $500B. That said, do your homework and get ready to THRO! Hot off the De Jure press this morning is this article, "Nine State Filings Put Cedar Creek's Buildout at $$5.48B" on the real (documented) status of Bastrop County's wild, wild, western mass industrialization plans where thousands of residents, farms, livestock and wildlife live...for the moment. Also, hot off the press is this from Lost Pines Watch is about Monday's Bastrop Commissioners Court. Keep scrolling down for their next meeting on October 20th. What is real and what is not, just like AI slop, is driving people mad, especially the ones with chain saws. As SpaceX raves about data centers in space, China is way ahead with its feet on planet earth, submerging data centers in water! That is why, for the next few weeks, your most powerful tool to get the action you want is this: In the words of Jack Gargan, father of the US term limits movement, let's all "THRO -- throw the hypocritical rascals out." SpaceX TCEQ Permit Demand Meeting Thursday, October 15, 7 pm, BISD Performing Arts Center Can we stop pretending at this TCEQ meeting? In and of itself, an aluminum furnace (not a big bad boy belcher smelter) may not be as bad as it may sound. It depends. It depends on many factors which should be discussed at this meeting. The furnace appears to qualify as a minor rather than a major source of emissions, but it still will need to have controls on its emissions. It also appears to us, the public hasn’t been given enough information to know what that will --- or should--- entail We have prepared this document for you -- TCEQ Overview Use it to get your comments and questions together to have a sane and serious discussion with the TCEQ (Texas Commission for Environmental Quality), as well as with SpaceX. Here’s a summary of our takeaways if you want to preserve your legal rights after October 15: Summary Rule of Thumb · • Public Comments = October 15, 2026: All technical concerns, questions, and arguments must be submitted by this date to be included in the legal record. · • Contested Case Hearing Request = 30 Days After RTC: Affected neighbors have until 30 days after TCEQ mails its response to public comments (RTC) to formally request a “contested case hearing” (CCH). · • Best Practice may be to submit comments on or before October 15, include a protective statement requesting a CCH if you live nearby, and then refine/amend your formal CCH request during the 30-day window after the RTC is mailed. We will discuss this more at our regular Monday Night LIV online meeting. RSVP __________________________ We warned you on May 26th before the Bastrop Commissioners Court folded like a cheap suit for SpaceX subsidies, the Court was getting ready to signal to the world-over that Bastrop is wide-open for business...aka BIDNESS. Choose wisley! See IndyTexans.org

Why do you think at 53.34, Commissioner Beckett tries to put words in Linda's mouth? Some well established, longtime loyal Republican Texans are moving in not-so-mysterious ways to work across party lines in this extraordinary election. Current Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Former State Rep. Glenn Rogers, U.S. Congressman, east Texas Nathaniel Moran and even our own local "RINO" hunter, former Bastrop Commissioner Don Loucks, are moving "independent." Notice the small. "i". They haven't left their party, but their parties are leaving them with no choice. Today's Bastrop Commissioners Court meeting was the worst we've seen yet. It was full of hypocritical talk that put Linda in rare form urging them to "Find a Backbone." It took all of 2-minutes to say. Or watch it at 18:29 on the video. Clara Beckett’s response comes at 53:34. (Note: Unlike Commissioner David Glass and Judge Gregory Klaus, she is unopposed in November.) OK, folks. Get ready to attend this event next Sunday in Bastrop! Hop on Zoom tonight at 8 pm for more. Get a Backbone Voter Event Sunday, October 4, 4 to 7 pm Southside Market and BBQ (Bastrop, not Elgin) In the words of Jack Gargan, the father of the term limits movement, get ready to "THRO -- throw the hypocritical rascals out!"

From Quorum Report, September 23, 2026: Texas Senate District 5, Charles Schwertner's seat includes all of Bastrop, Brazos, Freestone, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, San Jacinto, and Walker counties and parts of Williamson County. Lt. Gov. Patrick tells supporters that some of his senators and GOP candidates for Texas Senate are trailing democrats, per sources Patrick also apparently said he and Abbott are both in tight races while Paxton is tied with Talarico Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told supporters on Wednesday afternoon gathered for a fundraiser upstairs at the Austin Club that two of his GOP senators are in tough races and his candidate in Tarrant County is trailing the Democrat. That’s according to some in attendance today along with some Texas Senate sources who told Quorum Report yesterday about some polling leaking out from the Senate GOP Caucus in the last 48 hours. Patrick also talked about his own race as well as Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign against Rep. Gina Hinojosa, per attendees, telling the crowd that if the election were held today both he and Gov. Abbott would win their races “as long as everything goes right.” He also said AG Ken Paxton is essentially tied with Rep. James Talarico. During the fundraiser, we’re told Patrick focused on three Texas Senate races as well. Here’s the breakdown: · Chairman Charles Schwertner is leading his race but only by 1 point. · GOP candidate Leigh Wambsganss is down 5 points. · Sen. Bob Hall is down by 2.

A picture if worth thousands of words that go into the every 5 year task of Texas groundwater districts developing their "DFCs" -- desired future conditions, defined by the Texas Water Development Board as, "the desired, quantified condition of groundwater resources (such as water levels, spring flows, or volumes) within a management area at one or more specified future times as defined by participating groundwater conservation districts within a groundwater management area as part of the joint planning process” Public Hearing on the Proposed Desired Future Conditions in GMA-12 There is one remaining Public Hearing on the Proposed Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) for aquifers within Groundwater Management Area 12 [GMA-12]: Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Falls, Fayette, Freeston, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Navarro, Robertson and Williamson counties. • Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District, Milano, Texas: Tuesday, September 30, 2026 @ 5:30pm Click here for the full SAWDF Report

LIV's Luke Hayes, Bastrop pecan farmer with Liz Sumter Gajdos, independent candidate for Hays County Judge, August 5, Texas State University Family Farm Conference, San Marcos Though it's true that most everyone these days complains about politics and politicians, they -- we -- do little about it. How come? There's no place for voters to come together on the things we agree on. And, the parties simply won't allow it...until now, at least. LIV Hubs are a place for people from across party lines to discuss, debate and solve problems. LIV Hubs are being seeded as Texas is now in play between the major parties. Former Hays County Judge Liz Sumpter Gajdos (once elected as a Democrat) is running again, this time as an independent. Luke Hayes, a LIV active member, and Liz are planting seeds for LIV Hubs. What are voters considering splitting their tickets actually looking for?: people who won't play party politics and with big money donors with strings attached. Yesterday, Quorum Report reported the bitter split in the top brass of the Texas GOP (by a 29/28 vote) resulting in a failure to condemn two major Republican leaders -- John Cornyn and Sid Miller for not supporting the full GOP ticket. LIV is not a party or a PAC, but we are allowed as a 501(c)(4) nonpartisan organization to endorse candidates we believe are independent, regardless of their party. So far, with more to come, LIV has proudly endorsed! Trust Liz HAYS COUNTY: Liz Sumter Gajdos for Hays County Judge. We already know all about Liz's independence and principles. Years ago, she fought for Bastrop, Lee, Burleson and Milam county's water alongside her own in Hays County. What's more, her Democratic opponent in this election is on a roll to raise more than $60,000 from the AI data center and development industries. LIV has also endorsed 5 Austin City Council Candidates District 1 candidate, Steven Brown is holding this small donor fundraiser this Thursday. He's one of the best candidates we've seen in District 1 since Ora Houston, who also endorses Brown. See our full endorsement article with all their sites here. See the Visit home page for Katie's events today and tomorrow. We hope to see you in Austin on Sunday, September 27 for this Forward Party Event! Most of these City Council candidates and the very special Congressional District 10 Candidate, Caitlyn Rourk* will be speaking at the -- People v. Politics Film Screening and panels -- next Sunday. Reserve a free seat, as seating is limited. *LIV's interest in the CD10 race is the stark contrast between Caitlin Rourk, a veteran and "diplomacy first" advocate and her opponent, Chris Gober, Elon's Musk attorney for Ameria PAC that gerrmandered CD10 for himself!

Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa: Photo Credit: Texas Observer We love political coincidences. We love political consequences even more. What we love the most is a horse race! Why? Sometimes ordinary people win something even before the votes are counted. On September 17, the top-tier pollsters at the ReconMR Texas Poll released this poll conducted between September 8 - 11, 2026. The results make plain there is a dead heat in the Governor's race with State Representative Gina Hinojosa's numbers on the uptick against Governor Greg Abbott. The very same day the poll was released, the Texas Tribune reported the HUGE news, $12 billion in Medicaid funds restored to Texas hospitals, ending impasse with the feds. We can't wait to see what else gets thrown on the table by the Abbott (Trump) administration before election day, Tuesday, November 3rd. How about some local control? Abbott's pay-to-play regime ripped local control from Republican resistors to education vouchers. The control local governments need to keep AI data centers and gas plants galore from running amok. Did you know the people trying to live in beautiful Blue, Texas, a rural community in Lee County, were told they weren’t “affected parties” by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) unless they were within 526 feet of a 1200 megawatt gas plant? Thanks to the kit and kaboodle of legislators and statewide officials who work for "the lobby," while pretending to represent Texans, Texas is finally in play. Democrats would be wise to pay strict attention to what engaged independent voters want most. It’s very simple because most Democrats support this -- electoral competition that rests on fair petition access to the ballot. Texas is a festering mess of muck that won’t be cleaned up easily without the full enfranchisement of nonaligned, independent voters.

That's Lee Marvin drinking with his horse in the 1965 film Cat Ballou We are postponing our discussion with SAWDF's Andy Wier on water and industrialization to next Monday. We were a bit taken aback this morning when the Bastrop County Commissioners Court appeaed to violate the Texas Open Meetings Act after our warning. Then again, maybe we missed something. Tonight at 8 pm, we'll talk about what happened today at the Bastrop Commissioners Court. We will also share with your more about our testimony today focused on a number of open government -- or lack thereof -- practices of the County and what we can do about it. Are you asking, just who is steering this poor old horse to drink? Here's an excerpt from the Austin Business Journal's senior writer, Justin Sayers from his September 12 article entitled, Data centers swarm rural Cedar Creek, leaving neighbors on edge: Boom go the data centers in a woodsy part of Central Texas: "Perhaps no area is being hit harder by Texas' data center boom than Cedar Creek in Bastrop County. The Austin Business Journal has tabulated more than 5,500 acres of data center projects in the area. Some are nearing completion, others are just starting and the rest are in the planning stages – and it's widely believed other data center developers are circling." All of Texas is in this together, folks! Hope to see you at 8! RSVP