Statewide Offices
Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick vs. David Dewhurst (I)
The Texas Lt. Governor fills a role in both the executive and legislative branches of the Texas government. In the executive branch, the Lt. Governor becomes the acting governor Governor be incapable of fulfilling his duties, either temporarily or permanently. The Lt. Governor is also President of the Senate, and has extensive control over the workings of that body and thus state policy in general. In Texas, the Lt. Governor is often considered more powerful than the Governor.
David Dewhurst (I) is an experienced and competent candidate. In the fight over SB 5 (the bill later passed as HB 2), the Democrats started the climax of the fight by using procedural measures to get the gavel out of Dewhurst’s hand to prevent him from restoring order, indicating their respect for his abilities. Although at heart he appears to be a moderate, he knows enough to know that he needs to toe the line for conservatives in the state, and has done so since his encounter with Ted Cruz. In addition, he ran the cleanest campaign of any of the three, running on his own merits without tearing down his opponents (up until the later part of the campaign, when he started hitting back at Patrick).
On the other hand, Dan Patrick talks an excellent talk, and has been one of the most conservative members of the state senate. The trouble is, he has also been exceptionally dishonest and infantile in his campaign tactics, and, according to those who work with him, has been hindered in managing his committee (Education) by his high opinion of his own self-worth. Combined with the fact that he jumped into the race after three solidly conservative candidates had already declared, a picture emerges of an egomaniac concerned with his own advancement, using pretended principles as a means rather than an end.
Patrick says everything you could ask of him, but his actions paint an ugly picture. David Dewhurst certainly isn’t perfect, but right now he’s what we need to get things done.
Attorney General
Ken Paxton vs. Dan Branch
The Texas Attorney General is the chief lawyer for the state of Texas, and is required to defend the laws and Constitution of Texas, represent Texas in litigation, and oversee public bond issues.
Ken Paxton has been a staunch conservative, consistently ranking among the most conservative state representatives and then, in his single term in the state senate, among the most conservative state senators. During his time in the state house, he put his career on the line to challenge Joe Straus, a liberal who draws most of his base of support from the Democrat members of the state house, for Speaker of the House. Paxton, an attorney by trade, is one of the most articulate and reliable conservatives in Texas politics, and has been spoken favorably of by Ted Cruz and endorsed by Tim Lambert, David Barton, and a who’s who of the most conservative state representatives.
The Republican establishment’s candidate, Dan Branch, is more than willing to use conservative rhetoric, but his record is less impressive. His ratings from conservative groups place him as the forty-second most conservative state representative out of only ninety-five Republicans. He has been described variously as a “mainstream” or “moderate” Republican, and a number of the more liberal commentators on state politics expressed dismay as he moved toward the right in preparation for running for Attorney General as a conservative. Perhaps most troubling, though, is that Branch attempted to weaken a bill banning third trimester abortions by attaching an amendment expanding the exceptions allowed in the bill.
Branch may talk a good talk while he’s running for Attorney General, but he hasn’t walked the walk as a state representative. Ken Paxton will be an excellent Attorney General, with the courage and ability to stand for conservative principles.
Branch may talk a good talk while he’s running for Attorney General, but he hasn’t walked the walk as a state representative. Ken Paxton will be an excellent Attorney General, with the courage and ability to stand for conservative principles.
Commissioner of Railroads
Wayne Christian vs. Ryan Sitton
The Railroad Commission, composed of three members, has primary regulatory jurisdiction over oil and natural gas extraction and transport, natural gas utilities, and coal and uranium surface mining operations.Wayne Christian vs. Ryan Sitton
Wayne Christian is the choice of most conservatives in this race, and with good reason. Christian was one of the most conservative members of the Texas House of Representatives during his terms, and was finally unseated through redistricting for opposing Joe Straus. He was also one of the first of very few people to recognize Ted Cruz’s potential and endorse him for US Senate, and he has been recognized not just as a reliable conservative vote, but as a reliable conservative leader. His experience in the oil and gas industry is not as extensive as might be desired, but the Railroad Commission does not dictate the minutia of the regulatory process, and Christian shows enough of a grasp of the issues to guide the process effectively.
His opponent, Ryan Sitton, is also an appealing candidate, but for different reasons. Sitton is very familiar with the workings of the oil and gas industry in Texas, having been trained as a petroleum engineer, and would likely be a steady voice for good sense on the Commission. Unfortunately, although he makes the necessary lip-service to conservatism, he does not appear to have Christian’s deep-seated principles. For example, several years ago Sitton ran against Greg Bonnen in the Republican primary for Bonnen’s Texas House district, despite the fact that Bonnen was one of the most conservative members of the Texas House at the time.
His opponent, Ryan Sitton, is also an appealing candidate, but for different reasons. Sitton is very familiar with the workings of the oil and gas industry in Texas, having been trained as a petroleum engineer, and would likely be a steady voice for good sense on the Commission. Unfortunately, although he makes the necessary lip-service to conservatism, he does not appear to have Christian’s deep-seated principles. For example, several years ago Sitton ran against Greg Bonnen in the Republican primary for Bonnen’s Texas House district, despite the fact that Bonnen was one of the most conservative members of the Texas House at the time.
Sitton may have a grasp of the particulars of the job, but it would be unwise to advance someone in state politics who lacks a view of the overarching picture and whose principles seem to matter so little in his decision-making. Wayne Christian is a far more reliable choice for Railroad Commissioner.
Commissioner of Agriculture
Sid Miller vs. Tommy Merritt
The Commissioner of Agriculture enforces state laws relating to agriculture and within the boundaries set by the legislature is in charge of the regulation of agriculture in Texas.
Sid Miller, a rancher, was also one of the most conservative state representatives during his twelve years in the Texas House. He authored the sonogram bill that limited abortion and was a well-regarded defender of the 2nd Amendment. Like Christian, he is inexperienced, but appears to have a grasp of the issues facing the Commissioner of Agriculture.
Tommy Merritt is almost precisely the opposite of Miller. Miller was one of the most conservative Republicans; Merritt one of the least conservative Republicans. Up until he was unseated by conservative State Representative David Simpson, Merritt was a strong supporter of Joe Straus, and actively worked to hamstring conservatives in Austin.
Merritt’s rhetoric may claim the mantle of conservatism, but his actions are thoroughly liberal. The real conservative in the race, with a record to back it up, is Sid Miller.
Local Offices
State Senator, District 10
Konni Burton vs. Mark Shelton
State senators are elected to four year terms. The Texas State Senate, together with the Texas House of Representatives, is responsible for passing a balanced budget every two years and may also pass other legislation.
Konni Burton is the obvious choice in this race. A conservative activist, she is solid on every important issue, and shows the knowledge and enthusiasm necessary to make a mark in the Texas Senate. She is one of only five candidates who Ted Cruz endorsed, and has also gained the endorsement of his father, Rafael Cruz, and every conservative leader who has endorsed in the race (Jonathan Stickland, Matt Krause, Bill Zedler, Michael Quinn Sullivan, and Tim Lambert, among others). Of the five candidates who started the race, Burton stood out as the most conservative and most reliable.
If Burton stood out from the original field on one side, Shelton stood out on the other. Shelton was easily the most liberal of the original five, a consistently moderate vote in the Texas House up until he left his seat to run for state senate. When conservatives challenged Joe Straus for the speakership, Shelton was one of a handful of Republicans who first joined with every Democrat state representative in supporting Straus and squelching the conservative resistance. The isn’t Shelton’s first run for SD 10, either - in his last attempt, he ran a perfectly lackluster campaign, refusing to focus on the issues and essentially handing the race to Wendy Davis, a liberal Democrat far out of step with SD 10.
Not only is Shelton a moderate himself, his issue-less campaign style risks handing SD 10 back to the Democrats. Konni Burton presents the clear conservative alternative, and is the easy choice for all SD 10 conservatives.
Member, State Board of Education, District 11
Pat Hardy (I) vs. Eric Mahroum
The Texas State Board of Education is a fifteen-member committee which oversees education in Texas, including academic standards, curriculum frameworks, assessment, charter schools, and funding allocation.
Eric Mahroum is by far the more conservative choice here. He advocates more local control of schools and more transparency in curricula. He also supports taking a balanced approach to origins, teaching the flaws as well as the strengths of the prevailing model, and using free market-based competition to improve the school system.
Pat Hardy (I) has been a vocal proponent of the status quo in the educational system. She opposes using market-based solutions to make the education system more efficient, opposes a balanced approach to origins, supported CSCOPE, and has stated that the state, not parents, has the primary responsibility for educating children.
SBOE races may not seem important, but the Texas SBOE has massive influence both inside and outside Texas, and Pat Hardy would be yet another voice pulling our education system towards its failed liberal stasis. Eric Mahroum could be part of a change for the better in education in Texas.
Pat Hardy (I) has been a vocal proponent of the status quo in the educational system. She opposes using market-based solutions to make the education system more efficient, opposes a balanced approach to origins, supported CSCOPE, and has stated that the state, not parents, has the primary responsibility for educating children.
SBOE races may not seem important, but the Texas SBOE has massive influence both inside and outside Texas, and Pat Hardy would be yet another voice pulling our education system towards its failed liberal stasis. Eric Mahroum could be part of a change for the better in education in Texas.
County Criminal Court, Place 2
Atticus Gill vs. Carey Walker
County Criminal Courts are a system of courts established within a county to relieve the county judge from hearing criminal cases so that he can focus on his other duties.
Atticus Gill has a slight edge here. Both he and Carey Walker appear likely to be good judges who value the true role of the judiciary; however, we have to pick someone, and Gill was endorsed by THSC and conservative state representative Matt Krause.
County Criminal Court, Place 3
Bob McCoy vs. Alexander Kim
County Criminal Courts are a system of courts established within a county to relieve the county judge from hearing criminal cases so that he can focus on his other duties.
Labels: Election 2014, Politics
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