Antone's Nightclub
Time for a Change in SD 25
RECEIVED Thu., April 6, 2006
Dear Editor,
Why is it that so few newspapers inform the public of alternate political candidates, e.g., that Kathi Thomas is a senatorial candidate in SD 25 against longtime incumbent Sen. Jeff Wentworth? After years of stagnation in the Senate and House, a freshman candidate like Ms. Thomas is a welcome sight.
Kathi Thomas is a true "people's candidate" who believes in working hard to provide the long-awaiting resolution for financing public education and decreasing sky-high property taxes. In addition, Ms. Thomas is against toll roads because there are alternate options that better suit the needs of the community.
When I've asked hundreds of residents of SD 25 – the counties of Travis, Hays, Bexar, Kendall, Comal, and Guadalupe – who their senator is, relatively few have even heard of Sen. Wentworth. Surely there must be a reason for this. While it's true that Wentworth has done some good for his constituents, certainly he could have done a lot more if he wanted to. Sometimes longtime incumbents get "stuck" in their positions and in their perspectives of what the community really needs.
It's time for a change and voters need to consider whether Wentworth has earned another re-election, or whether it's time for "new blood" to work harder for the community in the 21st century. The same may be said for incumbents in other districts.
Therefore it is essential that newspapers let the community know about Kathi Thomas' run for state senator, that finally there is a positive option to Wentworth. Information is power and newspaper editors have the responsibility to enable the community to have that power.
Why is it that so few newspapers inform the public of alternate political candidates, e.g., that Kathi Thomas is a senatorial candidate in SD 25 against longtime incumbent Sen. Jeff Wentworth? After years of stagnation in the Senate and House, a freshman candidate like Ms. Thomas is a welcome sight.
Kathi Thomas is a true "people's candidate" who believes in working hard to provide the long-awaiting resolution for financing public education and decreasing sky-high property taxes. In addition, Ms. Thomas is against toll roads because there are alternate options that better suit the needs of the community.
When I've asked hundreds of residents of SD 25 – the counties of Travis, Hays, Bexar, Kendall, Comal, and Guadalupe – who their senator is, relatively few have even heard of Sen. Wentworth. Surely there must be a reason for this. While it's true that Wentworth has done some good for his constituents, certainly he could have done a lot more if he wanted to. Sometimes longtime incumbents get "stuck" in their positions and in their perspectives of what the community really needs.
It's time for a change and voters need to consider whether Wentworth has earned another re-election, or whether it's time for "new blood" to work harder for the community in the 21st century. The same may be said for incumbents in other districts.
Therefore it is essential that newspapers let the community know about Kathi Thomas' run for state senator, that finally there is a positive option to Wentworth. Information is power and newspaper editors have the responsibility to enable the community to have that power.
Tony Prito
[News Editor Michael King responds: Kathi Thomas is a Democratic candidate against Republican incumbent Sen. Jeff Wentworth, and as might seem rational to most readers, we do not cover fall campaigns in April, especially in the middle of primary and municipal campaigns – if for no other reason, for fear of being burned in effigy. And even if the Chronicle wished to do so, we do not have the redundant resources.]