Following the recent Houston Chronicle endorsement in the Texas District 27 race of one of Texas Monthly’s worst legislators of 2013, a source with intimate knowledge of the joint David Hamilton – Ron Reynolds appearance before the Chronicle Editorial Board gives us a glimpse inside the “side-by-side” style debate.
Incumbent Reynolds and challenger Hamilton were each afforded the opportunity to make an opening statement, were asked questions by the Editorial Board and provided a chance to pose questions to & respond to the other.
Here’s the Houston Chronicle recommendation:
District 27: Ron Reynolds
Incumbent Ron Reynolds is awaiting trial for barratry while Republican challenger and anti-abortion activist David Hamilton was arrested in 2010 for disorderly conduct at a Kentucky abortion clinic. Hamilton was also later charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Both blame their legal problems on politics, which may be true, but it makes for an odd race. With reservations, we endorse the Democrat Reynolds, 41, because he strongly supports public education. Hamilton points out the underperforming schools in the district, but offers little in the way of solutions beyond his advocacy of home schooling. Reynolds, whose southwest district includes Stafford and Missouri City, also consistently votes for the environment and gay rights.
My source divulged that Reynolds informed the Chron Board his number 1 priority in the next session is local control of education—specifically passage of a single-member district “sneak-a-bill” that applies only to Fort Bend Independent School District.
Haha—-News flash, Ron.
Local control of education through passage of a State law isn’t local control.
Especially when the State law ORDERS trustees of the district be elected from single-member trustee districts, in part to avenge your wife’s LOSS in the May 2011 Fort Bend ISD Trustee race.
And in the ultimate of all ironies—my dearest Ron—did you forget you voted YES for the very law you now find yourself under indictment for breaking?
Here you have it, folks—a look inside the Chronicle’s endorsement of a 2013 worst legislator—who won’t even advertise his Democrat party affiliation on his campaign signs.
*This author happily donated to the David Hamilton campaign.