I like to wait to vote on Election Day because it gives me more time to get to know the candidates. This year I haven’t spent much time doing that, mostly observing from the outside via the various social media platforms, the candidate websites, the campaign finance reports and the reports in the mainstream media outlets. I’m close to finalizing my choices and this is how my ballot looks thus far, starting from top to bottom for contested races.
Governor – Don Huffines
While I don’t think that Gov. Abbott has been as bad as some R’s think, I do believe that he is a reactive politician and I don’t much like that. I have no doubt that he will win the primary and I’ll vote for him in November but for now I’ll do a “protest” vote and hope that Abbott chooses to use his next four years wisely.
As for Huffines himself, it’s basically a process of elimination for me. I’m not going to vote for Florida Man (Allen West) or for the comedian (Chad Prather), so Huffines it is. Although it’d be fun to vote for Rick Perry.
Lt. Governor – Dan Patrick
This really isn’t a contested race but it’s on my ballot, so there you go. Dan has done far better than I thought he would when he first ran, so it’s an enthusiastic vote.
Attorney General – Ken Paxton
This one was a bit harder than it should have been. If it weren’t for Paxton’s ethical problems it’d be a slam dunk because he has been a good conservative AG. And I’d probably vote for Eva Guzman if it weren’t for the sources of her campaign cash. Ain’t no way in Hades I’m voting for P Bush and Gohmert is too far out there for me.
Comptroller – Glenn Hegar
Another one that’s not really contested but on my ballot. Hegar has run the office with efficiency and proficiency and this is an enthusiastic vote.
Commissioner of the General Land Office – Ben Armenta
In a crowded field there are some good choices and any of them will be an improvement over P Bush. Mr. Armenta gets my vote because of a clear vision and an ability to communicate it. On my ballot he barely edges out Dr. Jon Spiers. I assume that Dawn Buckingham will be in the runoff but she’s a professional politician at this point and to top it off, she hired a guy in Houston that works for Democrats to defeat Harris County Republicans.
Commissioner of Agriculture – Sid Miller
Truth is, I just like Sid Miller. He’s personable, affable and very conservative. Another enthusiastic vote. James White has become just another politician, spending his time attacking Miller instead of telling us why he has better ideas and policies.
Railroad Commissioner – undecided
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 9 – David J. Schenck
Seems like a good judge with lots of experience. The incumbent was appointed by Abbott for reasons other than being a good judge and if you get a chance, take a look at his campaign finance reports (filer id 00086069). No thanks.
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5 – Clint Morgan
The guy has gotten every endorsement that matters to me and the incumbent was elected solely on the basis of his name.
State Senator, District 11 – Mayes Middleton
Mayes is young, got a good conservative head on his shoulders, has a stellar record as a State Representative and is a leader. Dr. Armstrong is also a good candidate but doesn’t have the record Mayes has. And Bob Mitchell lost me completely with the way he highlighted the Houston Chronicle’s endorsement of him. No Republican in their right mind would do that.
Family District Judge, 308th Judicial District – undecided
Family District Judge, 311th Judicial District – undecided
Family District Judge, 313th Judicial District – undecided
County Judge – undecided Alexandra del Moral Mealer (click here to find out why)
Leaning towards Vidal Martinez but could go with Alexandra del Moral Mealer. Ruled out Martina Dixon based on her school board experience and campaign finance reports. Like Randy Kubosh but this isn’t the job for him.
County Treasurer – Kyle Scott
An enthusiastic vote because Kyle is a solid conservative. Eric Dick is a joke, he basically single-handedly turned the Harris County Department of Education into a Democratic controlled, Critical Race Theory pushing liberal institution. At this point it appears that he is using political campaigns to pick up clients that want to sue insurance companies. Just for fun ask him if he is going to close or suspend his law practice if he is elected. He’ll probably win based upon spending and name recognition and if he does, I’ll skip the box in November.
County Commissioner, Precinct 2 – Jack Morman
Another enthusiastic vote. Jack did great in his previous terms as commissioner and would be even better now that he has a different perspective.
And there you have it, as it stands today. Another good thing about waiting until Election Day is that you continue to get mailers from candidates and see them getting shriller and shriller every day. Dixon is now claiming that she cut school taxes 15% in Humble. Just ludicrous.
My suggestion is that you vote for Alex to be our new county judge. She is tough and dedicated to fairness regardless of politics or the other varieties of favoritism typically seen in political people.
I may very well do that. My concern is her lack of real world experience. Her military service, while admirable, isn’t the same as leading people that you have to persuade rather than order. Her life after the military has not included that exp as best as I can tell. But no doubt she is a very impressive candidate and I know a lot of solid conservatives share your view. Thanks for chiming in.
I understand the point you’re trying to make but, respectfully, I think you might be oversimplifying the idea of military leadership. It’s not all “Private go clean the latrine”, especially not for EOD officers, who typically has to find ways to advise and persuade the Infantry commanders that they support on the battlefield. Additionally, it’s not like Alex has been coasting since she left the service. She worked her way up to VP in the energy finance sector. That probably took some collaborative leadership as well.
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I agree. Military experience is admirable and that experience is helpful in many positions. BUT when it comes to leading a county on the verge of hitting 5M people experience as decision-maker is helpful.
The biggest knock on LH in 2018 was the same thing- a lack of real-world leadership.
(not saying I agree with LH on issues or voted for her… not saying Emmett didn’t deserve another quadrennium as County Judge… but we can’t only apply those concerns to people of 1 party)
I’m going with Alexandra del Moral Mealer for County Judge a variety of reasons.:
1. She knows and understands leadership and management…it is something that is taught to officers in all branches of the service from day one. They learn how and when to lead, how and when to let someone else lead, how to coach and mentor, how to manage, how to build active and engaged partnerships, and how and when to compromise. As a retired military officer, I can say with certainty that while serving, you meet and work with people from all walks of life, every gender, race, religion, etc. You learn to work with every one of these fine service members. Few professions have that breadth of diversity and inclusion. You work as a team and you succeed as a team. Alex understands that all leadership and much of management is situational and is often modified by a host of external factors. She knows that successful leaders and managers talk and work WITH people, not TO people. She has applied all of that in both the public sector with the Army as well as in the private sector with the Rowan Companies, Credit Suisse, and Wells Fargo. We need a real leader as our County Judge.
2. Graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point is no easy accomplishment. It takes, grit, resolve, and determination. It puts you in a position very quickly where you learn to prioritize activities, focus your resources, and learn what is really important. She then served in one of the most non-traditional roles for an officer (note…not a female officer, but ANY officer). Explosive Ordnance Disposal duty is not for the faint of heart–I sure as hell didn’t want to do it in the Army and this Infantry officer was thrilled there were others who dedicated their careers to it. As if West Point was not enough of a challenge, she then pursued both law degree and an MBA from Harvard! This is a lady who sets challenging goals and puts in the hard work to achieve them. We need a County Judge who understands the challenges we face, can establish priorities and effectively use available resources, and successfully meet these goals.
3. Alex understands the problems our county faces over the next 10-20 years, from escalating criminal activity, flood control issues, cybersecurity, rising budgets and fewer resources to relationships with the City of Houston, other counties, and the state. She knows we are in this together as a community, and that we need to work together for the benefit of all. I have not seen that in any of the other candidates. Alex is a “make it happen” person, one who knows how to work with others, how to be a good steward of our tax dollars, and how to confidently employ our county resources effectively and efficiently.
Harris County doesn’t need a repeat of the last four years of unfocussed leadership and mismanagement of resources. I’m voting for Alex del Moral Mealer for Harris County Judge, and I hope you consider doing so as well.
Thank you.