The first time I voted was in 1990, and I voted for Ann Richards.

My introduction to political awareness came when I was a freshman at UT and I decided to go to a rally for her. Among other groups, the university lesbian club was there to demonstrate their support, and a bunch of them were dancing around topless, a breast fest as my roommate called it.

We stuck around.

I was impressed by her quick wit, her tell-it-like-it-is honesty and her desire to make Texas truly great. The last time I voted for her, was also the first of many opportunities I had to vote against Bush. It was truly sad to see her torn down by the Bush machine.

Late one spring night in 1995, a few months after the start of the Bush era, a buddy of mine and I were sitting in my car outside the 7-11 on Lamar and 9th. It was probably about 10:30 or so and my then-girlfriend, now wife, was inside.

While waiting in the car we saw the 7-11 door open and out walked Governor Ann with a super giant big ultra double gulp (you thought I was going to say hairdo, didn’t you) and a bag of Doritos.

We waved frantically like a couple of idiots until she glanced over. She grinned and waved back at us. We already missed our old governor even after only a few months.

Ann Richards was the last of the great Texas Democrats, the last decent governor we had.

Here was a governor. When comes such another? 

More tributes at: Capitol Annex (plus a good round up), Firedoglake, In The Pink Texas (and another one), I’m Not One to Blog, but…, and Burnt Orange Report.