American Statesman endorses Strama & White

[NoPasaran]

Republican state Rep. Jack Stick, from District 50 in North Austin, has had a difficult freshman year and is facing a stiff test in his bid for reelection.

Democrat Mark Strama, 37, a former staff member in the state Senate who started and sold an Internet company, is challenging Stick in this GOP stronghold. Strama is a smart, accomplished and experienced candidate and receives the American-Statesman's endorsement in the Nov. 2 election.

-snip-

Stick, who supported the redistricting plan that ripped Travis County into three disparate congressional districts, has refused to return any of the money. And in a clear ethical breach, he sought campaign contributions from members of the insurance industry meeting in a state office building to discuss insurance legislation last month.

Stick's first term should be his last. He let down his constituents and failed the people of Texas. Strama promises a much better future for the residents of District 50, and voters should send him to the Capitol on Nov. 2.

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/endorsements/2004/20strama_edit.html

Incumbent Todd Baxter, a former Republican member of the Travis County Commissioner's Court, defeated incumbent Democrat Ann Kitchen to take over the GOP-leaning legislative district in 2002. Instead of relaxing in a Republican district, Baxter is in a spirited fight with Democrat Kelly White, former executive director of SafePlace Family Shelter. White is the better candidate to represent District 48, and she gets the American-Statesman's endorsement.

Baxter is inundating the community with attack ads, but White is getting traction making an issue of Baxter's campaign contributions from political action committees and corporations under indictment by a Travis County grand jury. Baxter received money in 2002 from a business group now under investigation for soliciting secret corporate donations in a campaign effort on behalf of Baxter and other Republicans.

-snip-

White, 51, is a popular candidate who has raised more than half a million dollars to challenge Baxter. She says the top three issues are school finance, school finance and school finance. The district includes both the Austin and Eanes school districts, which send millions of dollars to the state under the Robin Hood school finance plan recently struck down by a state district judge.

But White also speaks about the important issue of adequate funding for children's health care, mental health and other social problems. She is right in saying that the Legislature spent too much time in a partisan redistricting fight orchestrated by DeLay and not enough solving the state's many ills.

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/endorsements/2004/20white_edit.html

[amber dog democrat]

1. If only they would come out against Lamar Smith.

I would still vote for Dogget if only I could.
Just voted 2 days ago and .... chose the Democratic Ticket option.
If Stick and Baxter are in my district, ( I don't think they are ) then I voted against them. I am surprised the AAS endorsed them - most of them time I don't agree with their choices.

[sonias]

2. Super news, the tide is turning at least in Travis

Not that I think an AAS endorsement is really a great help but it doesn't hurt to get it. I think it shows that a business , (I still call it the Austin RealEstatesman) thinks Stick and Baxter suck for business too. Breaking up Travis county was opposed even by the Chamber of Commerce. We have to hold those bastards accountable.

I feel a big pink slip coming for "I don't know Jack" Stick and his partner in crime "Toss" Baxter.

Vote Travis, Vote!!!

This Friday 10/22 meet us at high noon at the scene of the crime.

Still got the signs you made for the DeLay protest that didn’t happen because he slithered in and out of town so we would't have the chance? We need to remind the voters of Travis County about the redistricting mess before they go to the polls this weekend. Join fellow protesters on Friday at noon at the point where Travis County is stupidly divided into 3 Congressional districts — 38th and Guadalupe. "Vote This Weekend" signs will be provided. Or make your own!

Sonia