Posted on 02/14/2004 12:10:44 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
YCT Releases State Legislative, SBOE and Courts of Appeals Endorsements in Republican Primary and Special Run-off Elections.
Austin, TX - The Young Conservatives of Texas today announced its endorsements for the Texas Legislature, State Board of Education, and Texas courts of appeals in the March 9th Republican primary for which early voting begins February 23. YCT also announced its endorsements in the February 17 special run-off elections for State Senate Districts 1 and 31. A full list of all endorsements in these races is enclosed below.
David Rushing, YCT State Chairman, stated, "We are pleased to endorse former Amarillo Mayor Kel Seliger for State Senate in District 31. A longtime leader in civic and charitable causes, Seliger supports reducing taxes, imposing the death penalty on violent criminals, and keeping the concealed handgun law. He opposes a state income tax and homosexual marriage. YCT has been a pro-life organization for over two decades and we are confident that Kel Seliger will fight to protect unborn children."
YCT also reiterated its prior endorsement of Kevin Eltife in the initial special election. YCT Vice Chairman of Communications Mark McCaig stated, "Kevin Eltife has an outstanding record of cutting taxes and reducing the size of government as Mayor of Tyler. Eltife supports Second Amendment rights and the right to life, and will be a great conservative Senator for Northeast Texas."
YCT also endorsed challenger Jason Moore in House District 81. Rushing stated, "We are pleased to endorse Jason Moore. Moore has built a successful masonry business and is solidly grounded in conservative principles. He is challenging Rep. Buddy West, who scored only 65 in YCT's 2003 Legislative Ratings. Moore will oppose a state income tax and wasteful spending, bringing the new conservative leadership Odessa needs to the Texas House."
In the race for State Board of Education in Houston's District 6, YCT is pleased to endorse Terri Leo. McCaig commented, "Terri Leo is a shining light for conservatives throughout the state. Like Gail Lowe, who we are also endorsing, Leo has courageously fought to correct textbooks containing errors that negatively misrepresent American history and substitute environmental alarmism for sound science."
YCT has also endorsed candidates in selected court of appeals races. Rushing stated, "We are delighted to endorse former judge and accomplished attorney Ernest Garcia for the 3rd Court of Appeals based in Austin. Garcia is a highly principled conservative who will never legislate from the bench."
Comments from YCT regarding our endorsements in the other races listed below are available upon request.
Contact: David Rushing, YCT State Chairman, (713) 408-3606 Mark McCaig, YCT Communications Director, (281) 222-0585
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STATE SENATE
District 1 Kevin Eltife District 31 Kel Seliger
STATE HOUSE
District 1 Mark Graves District 3 Jeff Cunningham District 7 Dave Alford District 9 Roy Blake District 12 No Endorsement District 16 Monte Lane District 17 Jay Yates District 28 No Endorsement District 35 Eric Opiela District 45 Alan Askew District 50 No Endorsement District 53 Harvey Hilderbran District 56 Charles "Doc" Anderson District 58 Sam Walls District 71 Bob Hunter District 78 No Endorsement District 81 Jason Moore District 93 No Endorsement District 96 Bill Zedler District.132 Bill Callegari District 133 Joe Nixon District 137 Pending
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
District 6 Terri Leo (Houston and surrounding areas) District 8 Barbara Cargill (Longview and surrounding areas) District 14 Gail Lowe (Waco and surrouding areas)
SELECTED TEXAS COURTS OF APPEALS* *YCT endorses in those courts of appeals races in which we are able to gather sufficient information about the candidates. After doing additional research, YCT may announce endorsements in other courts of appeals races.
Fmr. Judge Ernest Garcia, 3rd Court of Appeals, Place 4 (Austin, San Angelo, Temple) Justice Bob Pemberton, 3rd Court of Appeals, Place 6 (Austin, San Angelo, Temple) Justice Felipe Reyna, 10th Court of Appeals, Place 3 (Waco and surrounding areas)
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Voters who are not sure which district they live in can visit the Vote-Smart website and enter their nine digit zip code to find out who represents them at all levels of government. This site also features biographical data, voting records, and ratings of elected officials by YCT and other groups, as well as information on candidates.
YCT has posted online its endorsements in the statewide and congressional races, which were announced earlier this week.
YCT endorsements reflect a consensus of the organization. This year, over 30 YCT members participated in our endorsements process, interviewing candidates at locations throughout the state, reviewing candidates' answers to our detailed questionnaire on policy issues, and deliberating for many hours to make informed choices.
YCT only endorses in contested primary races. YCT members who work for elected officials do not participate in the endorsement decisions in their races.
The Young Conservatives of Texas, a non-partisan conservative youth organization, has been fighting for conservative values for more than two decades in the Lone Star State and publishes the most respected ratings of the Texas Legislature. In the past year, YCT's conservative student activism has been featured on Good Morning America, Nightline and CNN, and in The Washington Post and The New York Times.
YCT will hold its annual statewide convention Feb. 20-22 in Fort Worth, which will be attended by over 100 members, alumni, and conservative leaders. Speakers include Congressman Joe Barton, Congressman Pete Sessions, State Senator Dr. Bob Deuell, and former State Rep. Rick Green. For more information on the convention, please contact YCT Vice Chairman for Events Jon Gimble at (254) 498-7995.
YCT has chapters at Texas A&M University, West Texas A&M University, Baylor University, University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas, Hardin-Simmons University, and Stephen F. Austin University.
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