Endorsements in the Texas Lt. Governor’s race

Back in April, I thought that the most interesting race on the statewide ballot would be the race for Texas Lt. Governor between incumbent Dan Patrick and challenger Mike Collier. It hasn’t worked out that way, mostly because Patrick has run a flawless campaign in appealing to his base. Seems like the state’s political media agreed with me for a bit, then were swooned by Beta, then changed their focus to defeating Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. After all, most of the state’s political media are rooting for a Democrat to win statewide and even though none of the Democrats seem to be setting the table for a win, it simply doesn’t matter who it is to the Texas political media, they just want a Democrat to win. Of course, we can’t say never until the fat lady sings, so the Texas political media remains hopeful.

That doesn’t mean that Collier has given up or that I’ve changed my mind. It is still the most interesting race to me for a variety of reasons. So when this email came across this morning, I was curious about endorsements:

COLLIER SWEEPS TEXAS NEWSPAPER ENDORSEMENTS

Unanimous Endorsement Shows Collier is Only Choice to Lead Texas

Houston, TX — TODAY, Democrat for Lt. Governor, Mike Collier, is honored to have received the unanimous endorsements of every major endorsing newspaper in the state of Texas. Collier was endorsed by: The Dallas Morning News, The Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, and The San Angelo Standard-Times. In addition, The Beaumont Enterprise refused to endorse any Republican incumbent that refused to debate their opponent, as has Dan Patrick, calling that refusal, “(a) blatant insult to voters”.

To the best knowledge of the Collier Campaign, incumbent Dan Patrick received not a single endorsement from a newspaper in Texas.

Quotes from some of Collier’s endorsements include:

“Collier has ideas. Patrick’s tenure has been marked by divisiveness and punting — particularly on school finance.” (San Antonio Express-News)

“Collier could provide strong fiscal leadership and a collaborative tone conducive to addressing the state’s complex challenges.” (Dallas Morning News)

“We give our full-throated endorsement to Mike Collier for lieutenant governor, not just because we oppose Patrick’s petty, divisive and cynical approach to the job, but because we refuse to accept that in just 20 years, Texas’ most powerful legislative office can’t be won by a person who puts people before politics, a statesman.” (The Houston Chronicle)

“He’s sensible, education-focused, an experienced success in private business and a conservative pragmatist who has chosen to call himself a Democrat. Incumbent Dan Patrick, champion of the mean-spirited bathroom bill, is an example of the worst that the Republican Party has to offer. Unlike Patrick, Collier would not let wedge issues get in the way of education funding reform and meaningful property tax relief.” (Corpus Christi Caller-Times)

“Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s policies are well known. It appears to us Collier, who is challenging Patrick in the Nov. 6 midterm elections, has a better alternative (San Angelo Standard-Times)

Per Collier: “These endorsements reflect what Texans all over the state are thinking. My opponent cannot defend his record on school funding, property taxes, nor anything else over his 4 years in office. He will be fired this coming November, and these endorsements are a reflection of why. Texas supports me and wants Dan Patrick out of office as soon as possible.”

I’m thinking to myself, Collier is touting newspaper editorial board endorsements? And, in the case of The Beaumont Enterprise, a non-endorsement? Sheesh. So I reached out to both campaigns for an updated list of their endorsements on the whole. Here is what I came up with:

One of these is not like the other one. In addition, for all of the talk about the “business community” running away from Lt. Gov. Patrick, there is this (click to expand):

Perhaps this race hinges on those voters that take their marching orders from editorial boards, prefer progressive wing thoughts on schools and think that increased government spending is good versus those voters that prefer traditional Texas values, low taxes and the booming economy of the state.

Regardless of which side you are on, this is still the race I’m watching.