Texas Dems Have Some Great Down-Ballot Candidates

The Democratic candidate for governor, Wendy Davis, and senator, David Alameel, has gotten most of the press coverage regarding the 2014 election in Texas, and that is normal. But Texas Democrats have nominated some great down-ballot candidates also. Four of them are pictured above -- Leticia Van De Putte (for Lt. Governor), Mike Collier (for Comptroller), Sam Houston (for Attorney General), and Steve Brown (for Railroad Commissioner).

Leticia Van De Putte is an experienced and very capable state senator, who would make an excellent Lt. Governor. She would represent all of the citizens of the Lone Star State -- not just the corporations. Her opponent is the most extremist Republican on the ballot (making even many die-hard teabaggers look moderate by comparison).

Mike Collier is a conservative "blue dog" Democrat, but in the position he is running for that might actually be a good thing. The comptroller is the person who collects the taxes and keeps the financial books for the state -- and Collier is imminently qualified for the position.

Sam Houston is a capable attorney who was born in small-town Texas. He understands the needs of both rural and urban Texans, and would defend the legal rights of all Texans. But he wouldn't waste taxpayer money and the time of both federal and state courts with frivolous lawsuits -- as our current Attorney General has done. Houston's opponent has admitted breaking the law by committing more than one felonious act, and is probably going to be indicted in the near future. We really don't need an Attorney General who will soon be going on trial for criminal misdeeds.

Steve Brown is running for Railroad Commissioner. In Texas, the Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry -- and the current members of that commission were bought and paid for by the giant oil and gas companies long ago. We need an independent voice who will speak up for the rights of ordinary Texans -- and Brown would fill that role nicely.

I haven't pictured the Democratic candidate for Land Commissioner, John Cook, but he is also an excellent candidate. Cook understands the value of state-owned lands to all the citizens of Texas -- and he won't try to sell them off as the current Land Commissioner tried to do. Cook's opponent is George P. Bush (Jeb's son), who is trying to get his political start with this race. The last thing Texas needs is another Bush holding state-wide office.

THE EXCEPTION

There is one exception to the quality of the Democratic statewide candidates. It is the candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. That candidate has refused to campaign, refused to take a stand on the issues, and refused to support the state-wide ticket for the Democratic Party. In fact, he admits that he only ran as a Democrat because the Republican Party (his preference) already had too many candidates running for the office.

Fortunately, their is a great alternative on the ballot. It is Kenneth Kendrick (pictured), who is the Green Party candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. Mr. Kendrick is honest, accessible, capable, and courageous (having exposed the health problems existing in the peanut industry in West Texas). He is a progressive who will run that agency for the benefit of the people of Texas.

I urge all Democrats to forgo voting a straight ticket this year -- and cast a vote for Kenneth Kendrick as Agriculture Commissioner. I will certainly do so.