Capitol Annex Endorsements: Texas Democratic Primary Races

In the March 4 Texas Democratic Primary, Democrats across Texas have important choices to make. There are a number of candidates in contested Democratic Primary races across the state where Democrats’ choices are exceedingly important. In some cases, Democrats’ votes will help determine control of the Texas House of Representatives (or, at least the 2009 Speaker’s race). In other cases, Democrats’ votes will help ensure that voter registration is carried out properly. And, in one race, a small number of Texas voters are privileged to actually be able to cast the only votes in this election cycle which can be considered a mandate against the ignoring of longstanding corruption at the Texas Youth Commission.

Capitol Annex is proud, after much research and thought, to offer our endorsements in the following races.

President of the United States: Hillary Clinton. Please see our previous endorsement in this race.

United States Senate: Rick Noriega. In the race for United States Senate, there is only one clear choice for Texas Democrats: Rick Noriega. Rep. Noriega brings to the race unique qualifications, both as a legislator and as a soldier, which no other candidate in the race offers. Noriega is the only candidate in this race who can and will defeat John Cornyn in November. Rick Noriega has both the grassroots support and appeal to truly make him the people’s candidate. Noriega’s record as a legislator stands out as well, and he has the qualifications and experience necessary for this race.

Texas Railroad Commission: Dale Henry. Even if we did not work for Mr. Henry, he would be the clear choice in this race. He possesses far more than the minimum experience necessary to do this job and do it well. In addition, he is the only candidate in this race who proposes real reform and change for the Texas Railroad Commission. His principal opponent, Art Hall has, as the Dallas Morning News noted, a “forum shopping” aspect to his candidacy and clearly is seeking the position merely so that he can use it as a stepping-stone to higher office. Additionally, he has no experience in the oil and gas industry although he does have some worrying ties to the industry.

Supreme Court of Texas, Place 7: Sam Houston. In this race, Houston, a longtime litigator and appellate attorney, is the clear choice. His credentials and qualifications are superior to those of his opponent. Houston will also help bring balance to a court that is sorely lacking and is presently dominated by right-wing justices who are looking out more for corporate interests than anything else.

Supreme Court of Texas, Place 8: Susan Criss. Again, there is a clear choice in a statewide judicial race. Susan Criss is by far the candidate best suited to this position. Although some major newspaper editorial boards have cited her opponent’s experience on an appellate court as a major factor in making their decision, we believe that is not necessarily an asset for Yanez. The Texas Supreme Court, with its significant backlog and seemingly institutionalized pro-corporate, anti-consumer mindset, needs genuine change. Criss, a state district judge who has held major corporations like British Petroleum accountable to Texas law in her courtroom by ensuring justice is done in accordance with state law when it comes to corporate abuses, is the right choice for Texas Supreme Court and exemplifies that change. Criss will provide a stark contrast to the typical appellate justices and appellate lawyers who often seek seats on the Texas Supreme Court. She has, in all areas, truly qualified for this post. For those who still believe that a justice with “appellate court experience” is a requirement on the state’s highest civil court, we remind readers that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren, one of the most revered jurists in the nation if not the world, actually had no judicial experience when he took the job.

Congressional District 3: Tom Daley. Daley, an attorney who retired from the financial and software industry after selling a company he owned, is the clear choice in this race. Specifically, we like his desire to see Congress stop “coddling” major corporations and do more for small business and average Texans. Daley is the only candidate in this primary who can stand up to the winner of the GOP Primary in the November general election.

Congressional District 4: Valinda Hathcox. This was a difficult race but, in the end, we believe Hathcox is better qualified for this position. Although we like Melancon’s ideas and supported his run in 2006, Hathcox’s wealth of experience in government makes her better suited and a better choice for voters. Although the admittedly lackluster campaign she waged for Land Commissioner of Texas in 2006 was a consideration not in her favor, her resume, issue positions, and vision are, we believe, the best–especially in light of the fact that there is more than a small chance that the winner of the GOP Primary in CD 4 (likely Congressman Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall) could emerge from the primary bruised enough to be significantly threatened by a Democrat.

Congressional District 6: Steve Bush. The only Bush we’re likely to see on the Texas ballot for the foreseeable future that Democrats can support, Steve Bush, in spite of the famous name, is no relation to the Bushes that have worked to destroy state and federal government. Bush, a DFW metroplex criminal defense attorney, is the best qualified candidate in this race.

Congressional District 10: Dan Grant. There is perhaps no one race on the ballot in the Houston/Austin area where the choice could be more clear for Democrats. Dan Grant brings immense qualifications and far more to offer voters than his television personality opponent. Grant has a true vision for his district and our nation, and has a resume and credentials that any set of voters would be fortunate to find in a candidate. Too, Grant is the only candidate in this race who can–and will–beat the Republican incumbent in November. We urge readers to support Dan Grant.

Congressional District 19: Dwight Fullingim. Again, in the Democratic Primary, there is a clear choice. Fullingim, a retired communications and public affairs professional knows the importance of the ag economy to this district, and is well aware of the need for economic development in the district. He is best suited to take on the do-nothing Republican incumbent in November.

Congressional District 32: Eric Roberson. Roberson, an attorney, is the only candidate in the Democratic Primary who is both qualified and waging a legitimate campaign for the office. In a district that remains a tough win for a Democrat, Roberson is best suited to be able to capitalize on Dallas County’s bluing trend and provide a credible choice against the GOP incumbent in November.
Senate District 11: Joe Jaworski. Joe Jaworski is the clear choice in the Democratic Primary. He is qualified, credible, and has already shown that his issues will win over voters in the November general election against the GOP incumbent. We have said much about Jaworski in the past, and echo our sentiments that he has perhaps one of the best senate candidates we have seen in a decade to run in a contested race.

Texas House, District 17: Donnie Dippel. Although Mr. Dipple is a fairly recent convert to our side, his conversion is genuine, and he is the best choice for voters in House District 17.

Texas House District 20: Leonard Surratt. Surratt, a previous candidate for public office in California, is far and away the best choice for primary voters in this district. His opponent is literally a joke and a whack-job.

Texas House District 27: NO ENDORSEMENT. Capitol Annex, after much thoughtful consideration, declines to endorse either candidate in the Democratic Primary in this race. While Dora Olivo has a long-established record in the Texas House, it fails on key progressive issues, such as stem cell research, and has led many Progressives in the House to either support her opponent or remain neutral. Nevertheless, her opponent, Ron Reynolds, has baggage of his own, as we have noted on this blog before. While Mr. Reynolds has offered an explanation for his troubles with the state bar and promises to be more progressive on issues than Olivo, we simply cannot bring ourselves to offer him–or Rep. Olivo–our full support. We urge voters in the district to meet these candidates for themselves and make their own decisions.

Texas House District 36: Sandra Rodriguez. Sandra Rodriguez is the clear choice in this district. Craddick Democrat Kino Flores has, more than being a “Craddick D,” has simply failed to amass a voting record that is actually in the best interest of his district. It is time for Flores to go, and Sandra Rodriguez offers a fresh, new vision for this district.

Texas House District 37: Rene Oliveria. This race is a no-brainer. HD 37: Oliveria is the right candidate for voters in this district.

Texas House District 40: Aaron Pena. While we disagree with Rep. Pena’s votes for Tom Craddick as Speaker, we firmly believe that he remains the best choice for his district. See our previous endorsement.

Texas House District 43: Juan Escobar. Escobar is running against a pure plant of Tom Craddick and his allies (who also happens to be a tool of the uranium mines in the area and Texans for Lawsuit Reform).

Texas House District 46: Brian Thompson. In this district, State Rep. Dawnna Dukes faces her first credible challenge in years from attorney Brian Thompson. Dukes has been AWOL for key votes, and is a staunch ally of House Speaker Tom Craddick, to the detriment of the citizens in her district (and her own voting record). Thompson deserves and should receive the votes of Democrats in HD 46.

Texas House District 77: Paul Moreno. State Rep. Paul Moreno, the “Dean of the Texas House,” deserves re-election in this district against GOP-backed faux Democrat Marisa Marquez. Moreno has a decades-long record of accomplishment for the people of El Paso, and he is sorely needed in the Texas House.

Texas House District 104: Roberto Alonzo. Alonzo deserves re-election in this district.

Texas House District 105: Jim Rea. Rea is the better qualified person in this two-person primary to vie to see who will attempt to unseat one of the Texas Legislature’s worst pieces of GOP furniture in November.

Texas House, District 140: Armando Walle: Craddick D Kevin Bailey (D-Houston) faces a challenge from longtime Congressional staffer Armando Walle. Walle is not only qualified for this post, but is the better choice for voters as his ideals and positions are more in tune with the district.

Texas House, District 145: Carol Alvarado Former Houston City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado is far and away the best choice to take over from State Rep. Rick Noriega.

Texas House District 147: Garnet Coleman. There should be no question in voters’ minds that Coleman is far and away the best choice over the Craddick plant he is running against.

Texas House District 148: Jessica Christina Farrar. In this race, again, the choice is a no-brainer for voters. Farrar is not only eminently qualified, but her representation of this district far exceeds what her opponent could even hope to provide.

ADDITIONAL ENDORSEMENTS:

Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector: Diane Trautman

Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector: Glen Maxey

Dallas County Tax Assessor-Collector: Diana Lackey

Travis County District Attorney: Rosemary Lehmberg

District Attorney, 143rd Judicial District: Ron Acker

Dallas County Sheriff: Lupe Valdez

Popularity: 30% [?]

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