Austin Chronicle Democratic Run-Off Endorsements

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:19 PM CDT

Please vote - encouraged by the knowledge that the relative importance of your single vote increases in inverse proportion to diminishing run-off turnout.

Railroad Commissioner: Dale Henry

... Henry is our preferred candidate because of his extensive oil-and-gas experience and his familiarity with how the commission operates. That's the type of knowledge he'll need if he expects to conquer long odds and oust the incumbent Republican chairman, Michael Williams, in November.

District Attorney: Rosemary Lehmberg

We are impressed by Lehmberg's experience in building the office, in developing and expanding innovative and progressive programs, and in her broad sense of the office's wide-ranging responsibilities, as well as the nuances of addressing high-profile political cases. ... The campaign has noticeably strengthened Lehmberg's public profile and her comprehension that the D.A.'s job is not just administrative, not just prosecutorial, but a communitywide engagement. We believe she will be a better public official because of it.

Constable Precinct 1: Danny Thomas

Although we've had our differences with him on specific issues, Thomas' professionalism and knowledge of the community would be excellent assets in this eastern Travis Co. precinct.

Early voting is next week, March 31- April 4. Election Day is April 8.