American-Statesman Editorial Board| Austin American-Statesman
Austin area voters have one more chance tohelp shape general election races in November as candidates square off in primary runoff contests up and down the ballot this month.
Election Day is Tuesday, May 24. Early voting starts today and ends on Friday.
Below is a recap of the Statesmans endorsements.Welll make a new round of recommendations for the November election.
Voters unsure what district they're incan find that information here:wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home.
Lieutenant Governor, Democratic runoff:Mike Collier
Collier,amoderateDemocrat and clean energy consultant from Houston, came within five points of defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in 2018. With his command of the issues and appeal to rural voters, Collier has a better chance of unseating Patrick this year than his liberal Democraticprimary opponent, state Rep. Michelle Buckley.The winnerfaces Patrick in the general election.
Attorney General, Democratic runoff: Rochelle Garza
Anaccomplished civil rights attorney with experience in immigration, family, criminaland constitutional law, Garza is an outstanding candidate. She is running against Galveston trial lawyer Joe Jaworski; the winner faces either Ken Paxton or George P. Bush in November.
Attorney General, Republican runoff: George P. Bush
Two-term Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush offers Republicans achance to vote forintegrity in the Attorney General's office after eight years of scandal duringKen Paxton's tenure. The winner faces either Rochelle Garza or Joe Jaworski.
U.S. House District 37, Republican runoff:Jenny Garcia Sharon
A longtime party activist,Sharonis the best choice for Republicans supporting a standard GOP platform. Sheopposes abortion rights, supports taxpayer-funded school vouchers and wants the federal government to build a border wall. Sharon's runoff opponent isSan Antonio pilot Rod Lingsch. The winner will facelongtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, running in the newly created 37th district, in the general election.
U.S. House District 21, Democratic runoff: Claudia Zapata
An Austin community activist and formerTexas Health and Human Services Commission budget analyst, Zapata has a strong record of public service. She would prioritize immigration reform centered on due process for asylum seekers and oversight ofU.S. Customs and Border Protection. She is running against Ricardo Villareal in the runoff; the winner faces incumbent Republican Chip Roy in November.
Comptroller, Democratic runoff: Janet T. Dudding.A certified public accountant and budget manager for the city of College Station,Dudding vowsto make corporations pay moreproperty taxes to reduce the burden on individuals, improvethe state retirement plan for teachers and expandbroadband internet service. Shefaces Angel Luis Vega in the runoff; the winner will runagainstincumbent Republican Glenn Hegar in the general election.
Land Commissioner, Republican runoff:Tim Westley
Westley offers a more detailed and moderate policy platform than his primary opponent, state Sen. Dawn Buckingham. He wants to use Land Office resources to improve state-run nursing homes for veterans, invest inpublic education and create a natural disaster recovery plan for Texas. The winnerwill compete in the general election againstthe winner of the Democratic runoff between Jay Kleberg andSandragrace Martinez.
Land Commissioner, Democratic runoff: Jay Kleberg.
Kleberg, who grew up working cattle on the legendary King Ranch, says theland commissioner's job is an environmental oneand "the urgency of climate change is real."He says thatoil and gas lease royalties are important to Texas, but vows to alsochampion cleanenergysources. He faces former parole officer Sandragrace Martinez in the runoff; the winner will square off in November against the winner of the Republican runoff betweenTim Westley and Dawn Buckingham.
Railroad Commissioner, Republican runoff:Sarah Stogner
Stogner, an oil and gasattorney, says she will hold the industry accountable for environmental infractions and force natural gas operators to protect their infrastructure to prevent electricity blackouts like the one that resulted in the death of hundreds of Texans during the winter freeze of 2021. Stognerhas refused oil and gas industry contributions incontrast withher runoff opponent, incumbent Wayne Christian. The winner faces Democrat Luke Warford in the general election.
Texas House 19, Republican runoff:Ellen Troxclair
A conservative former Austin City council member who has demonstrated an ability to work with Democrats, Republican Ellen Troxclair is the clear choice for GOP voters. Heropponent, Austin police officer Justin Berry, was among 19 Austin police officers indictedon felony assault charges for their conduct during the May 2020 racial justice protests. Thewinner will face off against Democrat Pam Baggett in November.
See the original post:
Statesman endorsements in the May 24 runoff elections - Austin American-Statesman
