| With runoff elections just over a month away, endorsements are playing an intriguing role in several races across the state. To what extent these endorsements translate into votes is debatable. The schisms in support however shed light on the divides within the parties and the enormity of the stakes in these runoffs.
CD-14: In Congressional District 14, we are graced with a contest between city councilwoman Felicia Harris and Rick Perry lapdog and small businessman, State Rep. Randy Weber. They have each earned prominent GOP support. Ms. Harris was endorsed by Congressmen Ted Poe, Pete Olsen, Bill Flores, and Quico Canseco. To his own credit, Weber has earned the support of Governor Rick Perry, Arizona's nut-job Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Todd Staples, and the current occupant of the seat, sort-of Presidential candidate Ron Paul. In Congressman Poe's enthusiastic endorsement of Harris, he emphasized "I normally do not endorse candidates in a Republican Primary," but stated that he believed she is "the most committed conservative and best candidate to take on Nick Lampson in the November Election. Lampson formerly represented the 22nd Congressional district and will face off with either Harris or Weber in the general election. In Perry's endorsement of Weber he declared, "If anyone can fight to repeal Obamacare, stand up to the Obama agenda, defend state's rights, and turn Washington around, it's a rock solid conservative like Randy Weber." Paul was quoted on Weber's site saying, "I am pleased to endorse Randy Weber." So it's Rick Perry, Ron Paul, and Sheriff Joe versus four prominent Texas Republican Congressmen. Clearly Weber gets the edge here. Paul is hugely popular in the district and his endorsement will go a long way in widening the almost nine point victory he achieved the first time.
CD-25: The race between Roger Williams and Wes Riddle is characterized by the back and fourth challenges over who is actually a Republican. Williams has received the support of former opponents Chad Wilbanks, Bill Burch, and Ernie Beltz Jr, while Riddle has been endorsed by Dave Garrison and Brian Matthews. Dianne Costa, who also ran in CD-25 before her sixth place finish, has refused to endorse in the runoff because she does not live in the district. It is odd that someone who ran for a seat doesn't feel qualified to offer an endorsement in the same race. Regardless of the endorsements or lack thereof, the crazy meter is off the charts in this race. Riddle has called for the impeachment of President Obama for "giving away" seven Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea islands near Siberia to Russia that were actually "given away" under George Bush in 1991. Yeah, that crazy. Not to be outdone, Williams has waged war with the Austin American-Statesman over comments Williams made about the President being a "socialist." The endorsements will not prevail as the deciding factor in CD-25. Any future and current endorsements will be overshadowed by the outrageous rhetoric and inflammatory charges that has characterized the race so far.
CD-33: State Rep. Marc Veasey has received another set of valuable endorsements in his runoff against former State Rep. Domingo Garcia for this newly created seat. Veasey announced the endorsements of the Texas State Teachers Association and the National Education Association on his website. Rita Haecker, President of the Texas State Teachers Association said in their endorsement, "Representative Veasey has been an outstanding advocate for public education, educators and students in Austin, and we know he will continue to work for us effectively in Washington." These important endorsements add to Veasey's already impressive list of supporters that includes State Senator Wendy Davis, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, and State Reps. Rafael Anchia and Robert Alonso.
SD-25: Former Railroad commissioner and candidate in SD-25 Elizabeth Ames Jones has bizarrely remained tight lipped about her support in the runoff. After engaging in a vicious Primary battle with incumbent Jeff Wentworth in the first round, it seemed inevitable that she would be quick to endorse rival Donna Campbell in the runoff. After all, Tea Party favorite Dr. Donna would certainly be an improvement over the corrupt big government liberal Jeff Wentworth, right? Jones's silence proves that her attacks (as valid as some were) of Wentworth were only valuable in the form of votes on election day.
Below the jump, check out Burnt Orange Report's Updated Texas primary endorsement tracker, and keep on top of who's picked whom so far. |
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