Garza has skill to serve on oil, gas panel
If the Texas Democratic Party is encouraged by the emergence during this political campaign of a rising, young star in the person of comptroller candidate Paul Hobby, the state Republican Party has its counterpart in Tony Garza, who is running for the place on the Railroad Commission being vacated by Barry Williamson.
At 39, Garza has a bright future ahead of him. He earned high marks for his performance as county judge in Cameron County and drew some favorable statewide attention during a bid in 1994 for his party's attorney general nomination. Although Garza lost that race, he apparently attracted the notice of Gov. George W. Bush because the new governor's first appointment upon taking office was to name Garza as secretary of state.
In that post, Garza picked up valuable experience managing a sizeable state agency. And although he did not have an extensive background in oil and gas before announcing to run for the Railroad Commission that regulates that industry, he has already proved himself during this year's campaign to be a quick study. He has an active intelligence that he is applying to the task, and he has a desire for public service that Texas voters should welcome.
If elected, Garza would be the third Hispanic elected to statewide office in Texas and the first as a Republican. By his candidacy, the Texas GOP is sending a message that it wants to open the doors to minorities and be a more inclusive party. That wouldn't matter so much in itself if Garza weren't qualified. He is.
For now, Garza insists he'll be concentrating on being the best railroad commissioner he can be. But it will be surprising if that's as high an office as he will aspire to some day.