Here are the Chronicle editorial board’s endorsements for the May 27 party primary run-offs. There are only two races on the Democratic side, and we’re between a rock and a hard place on one of those. We make no recommendations on the GOP side; when David Dewhurst starts looking good by comparison, it’s time to punt. See more info at austinchronicle.com/election.
U.S. Senate: David Alameel
Taking out incumbent Republican John Cornyn will be a tough challenge. While in the first round we felt that El Paso-based civil rights attorney Maxey Scherr had the better political skills, on the differing battleground of the primary we endorse Dallas-based dental tycoon and philanthropist David Alameel. While relatively politically inexperienced, he has the deep pockets to take on Cornyn. And he’s far better than opponent Kesha Rogers, a Houston-based DINO (Democrat in Name Only), Lyndon LaRouche supporter whose constant comparisons of President Obama to Hitler are tasteless, demeaning to the electoral process, and just plain nuts.
Agriculture Commissioner: No Endorsement
Sad times for Democrats. Finally, they have two solid candidates – Sens. Wendy Davis and Leticia Van de Putte – at the top of the ticket, but that’s counterbalanced by raw incompetence in this race. On one side, huckster and self-publicist Kinky Friedman. On the other, insurance agent Jim Hogan. Neither has any political skills or actual experience. Both seem to be in this race either as hobbyists, or for pure ego. There’s an argument (see below) that Friedman is a useful idiot, who will at least keep the discussion of pot legalization alive in the upcoming months. But the Dems need real candidates for this vital office, not one-note placard wavers. It’s a wash, and one more Dem cycle in the wilderness. – News Staff
Agriculture Commissioner: Kinky Friedman
The fact of the matter is, a Republican (Sid Miller or Tommy Merritt) will be elected in the fall. Also running will be either Kinky or Jim Hogan, who’s declining to campaign at all. If Kinky is nominated, he’ll travel around the state for five months, talking about our failed pot prohibition policy, apparently his chosen issue, and because he’s Kinky, it’ll get press, and response. And if Hogan is nominated, there won’t be a campaign at all. I don’t have to be a big admirer of Kinky Friedman to prefer one outcome to the other. – Nick Barbaro
Joint Primary Run-Off Election
Early Voting: Mon.-Fri., May 19-23; Election Day: Tue., May 27
Early Voting: You may vote at any early voting location in the county in which you are registered. On election day, you may vote at any precinct polling place in Travis County.
Voter ID: Texas law now requires registered voters to show a current photo ID issued by either the Texas
Dept. of Public Safety or U.S. government. For more info on obtaining a photo ID, contact DPS: 512/424-2600 or www.txdps.state.tx.us.
No photo ID is required when voting by mail.
More election info: Travis County: www.votetravis.com, www.traviscountyelections.org, or 512/238-VOTE (8683).
Williamson Co.: www.wilco.org/elections or 512/943-1630.
Hays Co.: www.co.hays.tx.us/elections.aspx or 512/393-7310.
Early Voting Locations
Open Mon.-Fri., 7am-7pm, unless noted.
CENTRAL
Fiesta Mart, 3909 N. I-35
Howson Library, 2500 Exposition (Mon.-Wed., 10am-7pm; Fri., 10am-5:30pm; closed Thu.)
Travis Co. Offices, 5501 Airport
EAST
Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina (Mon.-Thu., 10am-7pm; closed Fri.)
Parque Zaragoza Rec. Ctr., 2608 Gonzales (Mon.-Thu., 11am-7pm;
Fri., 11am-6pm)
NORTHEAST
County Tax Office, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop, Pflugerville
Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg, (Mon.-Thu., 9am-7pm; Fri., 9am-6pm)
NORTHWEST
Randalls, 10900-D Research
Randalls, 5145-A RR 620 N., Steiner Ranch
NORTH
Ben Hur Shrine Center, 7811 Rockwood
SOUTH
H-E-B, 2400 S. Congress
Randalls, 2025 W. Ben White
SOUTHEAST
Daniel Ruiz Library, 1600 Grove (Mon.-Thu., 11am-7pm; closed Fri.)
Fiesta Mart, 5510 S. I-35
SOUTHWEST
Randalls, 6600 S. MoPac
Randalls, 9911 Brodie
Wheatsville Co-op, 4001 S. Lamar (Mon.-Fri., 8am-7pm)
WEST
Randalls, 3300 Bee Caves Rd., West Lake Hills
Randalls, 2301 RR 620 S., Lakeway
Mobile Voting
Monday, May 19
Central Services Bldg., 1711 San Jacinto, 8am-noon
Northwest YMCA, 5807 McNeil, 8am-noon
Heritage Pointe, 1950 Webberville Rd., 8-10am
Manor ISD Admin., 10335 US 290 E., noon-5pm
Stephen F. Austin Bldg., 1700 Congress, 2-6pm
Westminster Manor, 4100 Jackson, 4-6pm
Tuesday, May 20
Town Lake Ctr., 721 Barton Springs Rd., 8-10am
Lakeside Senior Center, 85 Trinity, 8-10am
Briarcliff POA Comm Ctr, 22801 Briarcliff, 8am-noon
St. Edwards Univ., 3001 S. Congress, noon-2pm
Huston-Tillotson Univ., 900 Chicon, noon-2pm
Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria, 2-6pm
RBJ Residential Tower, 21 Waller, 4-6pm
Continental Ret. Community, 4604 S. Lamar, 4-6pm
Wednesday, May 21
Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second, 8am-5pm
Sam Houston Bldg., 201 E. 14th, 8am-noon
Parsons House, 1130 Camino La Costa, 8-10am
Cambridge Villas, 15711 Dessau, noon-2pm
Southwest Key Program, 6002 Jain, 2-5pm
Heritage Park Center, 2806 Real, 4-6pm
Thursday, May 22
Comm. Ctr. at Jonestown, 18649 FM 1431, 8am-noon
Del Valle ISD Admin., 5301 Ross, 9am-noon
Summit @ West Lake Hills, 1034 Liberty Pk., 9-11am
Travis Building, 1701 Congress, 2-6pm
Lost Creek MUD, 1305 Quaker Ridge, 1-6pm
Lago Vista City Hall, 5803 Thunderbird, 2-6pm
Friday, May 23
Travis Co. Courthouse, 1000 Guadalupe, 8am-5pm
LBJ Building, 111 E. 17th, 9am-5pm
UT Flawn Center, 8am-5pm
This article appears in May 16 • 2014.