Sunday, October 18, 1998

Bush, Perry lead statewide ballot lineup

Early voting for the Nov. 3 election begins Monday and runs through Oct. 30. For your consideration, here are the Abilene Reporter-News editorial board's list of endorsements in contested statewide races. Endorsements for area and Taylor County contested races will be printed on Monday. Individual editorials will appear during the two weeks of early voting.

State executives

Governor -- Republican Gov. George W. Bush has shown vigorous leadership in setting the agenda for Texas. Let's elect him to another four-year term.

Lieutenant governor -- Republican Rick Perry is a native of the Big Country and has been a friend of West Texas while serving in state government. In this powerful position, he could do a lot of good for our area of the state.

Attorney general -- A former district judge and state Supreme Court jurist, Republican John Cornyn has top-drawer legal credentials to be the state's top attorney.

Comptroller -- One of the rising stars to emerge in this year's campaign, Democrat Paul Hobby has the business expertise, the political savvy and the desire for public service to manage this sprawling state agency.

Land commissioner -- Republican David Dewhurst has a comprehensive plan for making this agency more efficient and more effective and the business know-how to do it.

Agriculture commissioner -- Republican Susan Combs has an encyclopedic knowledge of Texas agriculture, a grasp of the key issues and an enthusiastic approach to finding solutions that are right for Texas.

Railroad commissioner -- As Bush's Secretary of State, Republican Tony Garza demonstrated he can run a large state agency. His active intelligence will serve him well in handling the complexities of regulating the oil and gas industry.

Texas Supreme Court

Place 1 -- Incumbent Republican Justice Craig Enoch has established a sound record on the state's highest civil court.

Place 2 -- A highly rated appeals judge from Houston, Republican Harriet O'Neill is a strict constructionist who would be an appropriate addition to this bench.

Place 3 -- A Bush appointee who won election to the last two years of an unexpired term in 1996, incumbent Republican Justice Greg Abbott is an outstanding jurist who epitomizes the evenhandedness Texans need throughout the judiciary.

Place 4 -- Incumbent Republican Justice Deborah Hankinson is another Bush appointee who has scored high marks. She deserves a full term.

Court of Criminal Appeals

Place 1 -- Incumbent Democrat Charles Baird is a fair-minded judge who votes with the majority most of the time and doesn't deserve the "liberal" epithets from his political foes. His judicial experience and knowledge of criminal law make him a valuable member of the court.

Place 2 -- An Austin attorney married to a former policeman, Republican Cheryl Johnson would add diversity to a court dominated by former prosecutors from Houston and Dallas.

Place 3 -- Incumbent Republican Larry Meyers is so highly thought of that he has no Democratic opponent, only a Libertarian one.