Burnt Orange Report

Shane Sklar for Congress

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

As I dig through the archives of my e-mail I wanted to make a quick post on a couple of candidates who I've forgotten to give some Blog links to that have stepped to run for office.

Shane Sklar for CD-14, a fourth generation rancher who grew up in the 14th District. From his bio...

For the last four years, Sklar has served as the Executive Director of the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA) and has earned a reputation for innovation and hard work.

Under his leadership, ICA's membership doubled at a time when most agricultural groups saw their numbers shrink. Sklar also played a key role in making sure the 2002 federal Farm Bill required country-of-origin labeling for retail beef.

Recently, news reporters from across the country turned to Sklar for accurate information and knowledgeable opinions regarding the outbreak of mad cow disease in Texas.

Prior to joining ICA, Sklar was a key member of the staff of Congressman Chet Edwards, who represents a Central Texas district. As Edwards' Field Representative, Sklar traveled throughout the district updating constituents about important issues and representing the Congressman at district events.

Sklar also served as the Field Director for Edwards' 2000 successful re-election campaign.

Also, though mentioned already here, a BOR reader Ivan Espinosa (who has been very active over on the Step Up Texas boards) sent a short letter from Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Maria Alvarado which I have included in the extended entry.

I am Maria Alvarado. As a native Texan, and military veteran, I have a right to expect that our state government act and enact positively in the interests of all Texans. Like you and many other Texans, I see that all the current state leadership has delivered are broken promises and false assurances. As a witness of the latest debacle of the 79th legislative session, I declare to have sufficient cause to seek the elected office for Texas Lieutenant Governor as a Democrat. I look forward to an honest discourse with other candidates and all Texans that are like-minded to establish a more fair and effective state government.

I am a retired Texas Air National Guard master sergeant with 21 years of experience in the military. More recently, I have spent my time as a research project coordinator at the University of Texas in Austin. I look forward to meeting you to earn your trust and confidence as we move forward to helping restore Democratic leadership in Texas. Whereas I personally can identify myself with several groups: Woman, Hispanic, Native Texan, Veteran, & Catholic. I could not choose to represent any one of them more than the others. The lowest common denominator between us all then must be our humanity. This common thread can not fail us and such the 2006 election will not pass us by without significant gains of Democratic leadership in Texas.

I invite you to visit my campaign website to follow my campaign over the next few months. Or, you may email my campaign of events in your area that I can attend in order to meet & talk to you & your group personally.

Thanks,

Maria Alvarado
Democratic Candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor
227 South Congress Avenue, Box 123
Austin, Texas 78701