Kristi Thibaut: Former State Rep Announces for At-Large Council Seat

Kristi Thibaut: Running for council.

​Kristi Thibaut, the Democrat who rode the 2008 Obama surge into a single term in the state legislature representing Memorial and the west side of town, has announced she is running for the at-large City Council seat being vacated by term-limited Sue Lovell.

That makes her the second ousted state rep to run for council -- Ellen Cohen has already announced for District C.

Thibault barely squeaked out a win in 2008 in the normally Republican District 133, but was beaten pretty soundly in 2010 by Jim Murphy in a rematch.

The city of Houston, of course, is a more Democratic-friendly place.

"The city of Houston, like virtually all government entities today, faces challenging financial circumstances," she said in her announcement. "If elected, I will work constructively with Mayor Parker and my City Council colleagues to meet our current fiscal challenges without sacrificing core services, and to continue moving Houston forward as a great city to work, live and raise a family."

Rumors that she would be entering the race bgan to surface recently when a prominent fund-raising group announced it was dropping Jenifer Rene Pool as its candidate in the at-large District 2 race.

Isn't city councilmember a step down from state rep? If Thibault and Cohen win, they'll join Melissa Noriega as former reps on council.

We're guessing it has to do with limited slots available in Texas for Democrats.