Kinky Disputes 'Ballot Name'

Austin attorney, Blake Rocap, has sent a letter to the Texas Secretary of State regarding the way Kinky Friedman will be listed on the November ballot. This letter is in response to a letter received last month from the Secretary of State, telling Kinky that he would be listed on the ballot as Richard "Kinky" Friedman. Attorney Rocap has asked that Kinky be listed on the ballot simply as Kinky Friedman.

The crux of the matter is competing interpretations of current Texas election law. Secretary of State Roger Williams says a nickname must be used in conjunction with a real name. Kinky's attorney believes this is wrong. He says that according to the election code, a nickname "may be used in combination with a candidate's name", but the nickname doesn't have to be used with a first name. A spokesman for the Secretary of State, Scott Haywood, says the matter is still under review.

Rocap said Kinky has been known only by his nickname since the early 1960's. This is true. I have been familiar with Kinky, his music, and his books for over 30 years, but until he started to run for governor I had no idea what his first name was. To me, and his other fans, he is simply Kinky. It makes no sense to make him use a name that no one would recognize him by.

Carole Strayhorn is also appealing the way she will be listed on the ballot. She had wanted to use the term "grandma" in addition to her name. The Secretary of State denied this request, saying it was more of a slogan than a nickname.

I hope the Secretary of State makes a final decision soon, so we can move on to weightier matters. Let these candidates be listed as they want to be listed. Their requests are not outrageous and not out-of-line.