Lee's Campaign Diary:
Since I'm the one who designed and regularly updates this web-site, I thought I would keep a
running commentary on the campaign and other related issues and thoughts. I guess I should say
at the outset, as I am an attorney and all, that these comments are solely mine and do not reflect the
opinion or thoughts of any other person or persons included on this web-site.
"Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same
place." --Lewis Carroll, from Through the Looking Glass
November 1, 2008: Just a quick note...
We are almost there. Tuesday is fast approaching, but there is still so much to do.
Looks like I will have to record the Texas-Texas Tech game, but I will watch it if I
have to stay up half the night. Colin is so excited about it. It is all he talks about!
Please vote if you haven't yet! And please remind your friends and family. All
this pain (dog bites, twisted ankles) and hard-work (endless campaign reports, ads,
appearances) will be for nought without your vote for Tommy. And please join us
after the polls close as we watch the results come in. We will have great food and,
believe me--after a year of nerves, we can't wait to finally relax with our friends and
family. I only wish Billie could be there, but I know she will be in spirit. And her
cheese ball will be there--I'm making it this weekend!
Thank you to everyone who has given us your love and support this year,
especially after our loss. And thank you for voting for Tommy. I know he will do a
great job as Liberty County Attorney. Let's get him elected this Tuesday!
Lee Haidusek Chambers
October 23, 2008: Don't forget to vote!
It is hard to believe, but almost a year has passed since Jack Hartel decided not to seek
re-election and retire from the County Attorney's Office. I remember when Tommy and I sat down to
decide whether or not he should run for County Attorney. I had him list the pros and cons on a
sheet of paper. After he finished, I picked up the list and under pros wrote, "everybody knows
you", then under cons wrote, "everybody knows you"! But seriously, it takes a lot of courage to
put your name on a ballot. Running for office is fun yet exhausting, scary yet life-affirming. Now
that we are nearing the end, though, I can say unequivocally that it has been one of the best
experiences of our life. We have met so many people and had so much fun at all the different
events around the county. Even though I grew up here and thought I knew everything about
Liberty County, I have now been down county roads I never knew existed before! We cannot thank
Liberty County residents enough for all the support and encouragement we have received. It has
truly been an honor.
Tommy and I have voted. It looks like we will have record numbers voting in this election. I
know it is frustrating to try to find a place to park and then stand in line, but please don't be
discouraged. Voting is a precious privilege that so many in this world don't even have. Your vote
is your voice in your government, and they need to hear from you. I've had many people ask about
Tommy's party affiliation. Tommy is on the ballot as a Democrat, and many Republican supporters
don't understand why. The truth is that it actually doesn't matter what party affiliation he has,
because his office, just like that of the district attorneys and judges, is not a policy-making office.
When you vote for County Attorney, you are essentially hiring an attorney for the county. What
matters is the experience and ethics of that attorney and whether he will provide zealous
representation in court for the citizens of Liberty County. One woman said that she only votes for
Republicans because she only votes for Christian values. I was actually hurt by that, because it
suggests that we cannot be good Christians or devoted to our children because Tommy is on the
Democratic ticket, and that could not be further from the truth! Both candidates for County
Attorney are good, devout, religious men. The election for Liberty County Attorney is and should
be about who will make the best County Attorney. I hope the voters in this election will cast their
votes accordingly. I know I did!
On a quick note for my fellow football fans, Colin's team (Texas Tech) and Tommy's team
(Texas) are certainly having a great season, but I'm sorely disappointed in my Aggies so far.
However, we still have the Texas versus Texas Tech game to look forward to, as well as the Aggies
versus the Longhorns. My Broncos are doing very well, but our Liberty Panthers have had some
tough losses. Andrew had a great game last week, including a fumble recovery and a big sack, but
his team lost by one point! We'll see how they do against Shepherd today! Everyone have fun and
be safe! And don't forget to vote!
Lee Haidusek Chambers
October 6, 2008: The clock is ticking...
So many of us have lost so much! It is heartbreaking to see what devastation an act of nature
can cause. For everyone recovering and rebuilding after Hurricane Ike, our thoughts and prayers
are with you. It is so hard to believe that the election is now less than a month away. Early voting
begins October 20th. Please take the time to go vote, and don't forget to turn the ballot over and
vote in the local elections, including Tommy's race for Liberty County Attorney!
Andrew finally got to play football last week, after putting off the games for so long. His team lost
to Cleveland, but they played well. Texas and Texas Tech had big games last weekend, but I won't
comment on my Aggies. The big Texas-Oklahoma game is this weekend, and it should be a good
one. I can't wait until the Texas schools play each other!
I wish I could describe how strange it feels to go on with everything-- the election, football
games, life in general-- without the presence of my mother-in-law, Billie Chambers. There is such
an odd void in our lives. Over and over, I want to pick up the phone to call her or walk over to see
her. This election will be such a bittersweet experience without her.
During the aftermath of the hurricane, my husband had to deal with the daily expectation of
losing his mother, as well as the county's need to contract out for debris pick-up. He would drive
to the hospital in Bryan where his mother had been evacuated, spend time with her, drive back to
Liberty, work on the contracts, come home and clean up, and head back to Bryan. Over and over
again, he went without sleep to take care of his family and this county, and showed incredible
strength and determination through it all. I tell you this because I think it is important for the voters
in this county to know the level of commitment he has to his job, and isn't that the kind of person
you want for your county attorney? I know that I am very proud of him, and I know how very proud
his mother was, too.
LHC
September 7, 2008: I don't like Ike!
We are finally close to getting all the large signs up again, and here comes Ike! As much as I love
this county and like to see lots of visitors, I would prefer Hurricane Ike find another place to drop in
on. Sorry, Ike, but you are simply not welcome here! Try the middle of the North Atlantic! You'll
love it there!
Well, it was a tough week for our various high school alma maters' football teams. Liberty, Dayton,
and even Westlake lost their games. However, our college alma maters' teams softened the blow
and all brought home wins. It is going to be a fun and interesting year for high school and college
football. I know all our high school teams will rebound and get back on the winning track this
week! You've got the talent, so stay focused and keep the faith! Andrew plays in his first game this
week, and we are all looking forward to seeing them play.
The campaign is going very well. The t-shirts and new signs are in! Let me know if you would like
one! I should have more campaign items coming in this week, also. The support we are receiving
is overwhelming. Thank you so much for putting up signs and sending in donations. It means the
world to us! Your support is appreciated more than words can say!
On a personal note, I've noticed the national media talking about the Republican VP nominee's
experience with her local school parent-teacher organization as though it were something
extraordinary. Whether extraordinary or not, all I know is that it shouldn't be. Every parent should
be part of the parent-teacher and booster organizations for their child's school. It is a fact that
active parental involvement makes a school system better. Plus, it is fun! You meet other parents
and their kids and learn so much about the school and your community. There are so many
different things you can do to help out. Believe me, there is something for everybody! So join up
and get involved! Let's all be extraordinary!
LHC
September 1, 2008: Happy Labor Day!
As I'm sure everyone knows by now, a hurricane named Gustav decided to drop in on our part of
the country. All our prayers are with those who were hit hardest by this storm. In considering the
possible impact on our immediate area, Tommy and I talked about it and decided that we should go
ahead and take down the larger campaign signs until the bad weather has passed us by. Those
large signs act like sails and will bend and even break in a gusty wind. Last spring, during the
primary race, we had to go out several times after thunderstorms and re-position large signs and
even track down some that had blown away. We felt it was not worth the risk with the effects of
Gustav, so we took down most of the large campaign signs until the weather has passed. We will
have them all back up by the weekend. Also, we will have a new shipment of the smaller yard signs
ready to be distributed and put up. So please let us know if you would like one. You can email me
at lee@chambers08.com.
We watched the first Varsity game at Liberty High School with the new coaching staff on Friday
night. It was a fun, close, exciting game, and I think this team has a great season ahead. We are
looking forward to seeing the other county high school football teams play in the near future.
Dayton had a big season opener last Friday night. All those years cheering for Dayton High School
(though they were so many, many moons ago) put the Broncos first in my heart, even though Colin
was a Westlake Chaparral and Andrew is an up-and-coming Liberty Panther! Thank goodness
Liberty and Dayton don't play each other any more.
Our moms are on the mend, but still have a way to go. Thank you for your calls and prayers for
my mom, Shirley Haidusek, and Tommy's mom, Billie Chambers. They are both such special
ladies, and we want them to continue to be part of all of our lives for years and years to come. Your
thoughts and prayers help make sure they will. Thank you again and again!
LHC
August 27, 2008: Sign, sign, everywhere a sign...
Okay, I'm a little behind on this campaign, I know. Sorry! I'm working hard, though, to catch up.
As some of you may already know, my mom had emergency surgery last week,but she is home
now and well on the road to recovery. My aunt Paula flew in from Arizona to help out, and we are
all glad to have her here. Thanks, Aunt Paula!
If you have traveled any of the highways in this county recently, you have probably seen a few
campaign signs here and there. We still have a few more to put up and many yard signs to deliver,
but we've made a good start. I have some big orders pending for campaign items -- t-shirts, cards,
door hangers, even more yard signs. We received more wonderful contributions this week as well,
and I can't say thank you enough to everyone who has contributed to this campaign! I can
honestly say I never realized how unbelievably expensive running an election campaign is
(gasoline prices are obscene!) and we would have no chance at all without our contributors! God
Bless You!
Tommy and I wish all our local football teams a safe and successful season. Andrew will be
playing for the Liberty Middle School 8th grade Cubs team this year, so that is where we will be
most Thursday nights. Our goal, though, is to make a football game at each of our county's six
high schools this fall--and have a tailgate party, too, so join us if you can! I can't wait to see all our
hard-working players, coaches, cheerleaders, and bands! I hope everyone will get out and cheer
on their favorite team under the Friday night lights this year! As a former high school cheerleader
and a parent of football players, I can promise you that having you there means the world to these
kids. Besides that, it's FUN! LHC
This website is a political advertisement paid for by the Thomas A. Chambers Campaign--Lee H.
Chambers, treasurer.