Texas Monthly ignores Bonnen but gives Dan Patrick something to stick in his pipe and puff on

Texas Monthly gave Our Man in Austin the worst of all possible insults in its annual best & worst legislators issue.

It ignored him.

Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, we presume, will try harder next time, though from this far outpost, it appears he has been quite a visible lawmaker this past year, garnering attention for everything from his ever-present facial stubble to his campaign against innoculating young girls against a fatal sexually transmitted disease. He's also stood tall for polluters, but that goes without saying.

State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, on the other hand, made the worst legislator list, which we're sure will become a major campaign plank in his expected run for lieutenant governor.
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TM's List

THE BEST

Rafael Anchia, Democrat, Dallas
Sen. John Carona, Republican, Dallas
Byron Cook, Republican, Corsicana
Sen. Bob Deuell, Republican, Mesquite
Scott Hochberg, Democrat, Houston
Lois Kolkhorst, Republican, Brenham
Jerry Madden, Republican, Plano
Sen. Steve Ogden, Republican, Bryan
Sylvester Turner, Democrat, Houston
Sen. Tommy Williams, Republican, The Woodlands

THE WORST

Lon Burnam, Democrat, Fort Worth
Warren Chisum, Republican, Pampa
Speaker Tom Craddick, Republican, Midland
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Republican
Sen. Troy Fraser, Republican, Marble Falls
Charlie Howard, Republican, Sugar Land
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Democrat, Brownsville
Sen. Dan Patrick, Republican, Houston
Gov. Rick Perry, Republican
Debbie Riddle, Republican, Houston

Honorable Mention

Rob Eissler Republican, The Woodlands

Senator Kevin Eltife Republican, Tyler

Dan Gattis Republican, Georgetown

Fred Hill Republican, Richardson

Senator Juan Hinojosa Democrat, McAllen

“The Insurgency” Jim Dunnam, Robert Talton, et al.

John Smithee Republican, Amarillo

Burt Solomons Republican, Carrollton

Mark Strama Democrat, Austin

Senfronia Thompson Democrat, Houston

Senator John Whitmire Democrat, Houston

Dishonorable Mention

Kino Flores Democrat, Mission

Pat Haggerty Republican, El Paso

Linda Harper-Brown Republican, Irving

Sid Miller Republican, Stephenville

Mike O’Day Republican, Pearland

Chente Quintanilla Democrat, El Paso

Bill Zedler Republican, Arlington

Rookie of the Year

Senator Kirk Watson Democrat, Austin

The former Austin mayor (and once and future statewide candidate) instantly earned respect for his intellect and diplomacy—and for knowing enough to let his elders take credit for his accomplishments.

Furniture

The concept of “furniture” originated in the early years of the Legislature to describe members who were no more consequential than their desks, chairs, inkwells, and spittoons—the equivalent of backbenchers in Parliament. Today the term is only mildly pejorative; the sin lies not in being furniture but in failing to recognize it. Here is the furniture for the eightieth session:

Alma Allen Democrat, Houston

Roberto Alonzo Democrat, Dallas

Wayne Christian Republican, Center

Senator Craig Estes Republican, Wichita Falls

Joe Farias Democrat, San Antonio

Jim Jackson Republican, Carrollton

Senator Mike Jackson Republican, League City

Nathan Macias Republican, Bulverde

Armando Martinez Democrat, Weslaco