Tuesday, April 14 is Election Day again, as several candidates meet up in run-offs to decide the major party candidates in the November general election. Following are the Chronicle endorsements, but for the record, there are several GOP races which Republican voters should consider carefully: Barry Williamson and John Cornyn for Attorney General; Hank Gonzalez and Dewayne Naumann for Travis County Judge, Todd Baxter and Rick Schafer for County Commissioner Pct. 3; Mary Hughes-Bass and Jeffrey Casey for Justice of the Peace Pct. 3; and Fred Ebner and Roger Settler for State Rep. District 51. Get more voting info at the County Elections Division, 473-9553, or the county website, http://www.co.travis.tx.us.
Democrats:
County Commissioner Pct. 1:
Ron Davis
As a leader of the East Austin Strategy Team (EAST), Davis successfully fought alongside other neighborhood activists in 1992 to shut down the gasoline tank farms in East Austin. He worked to establish a new Austin Community College campus in East Austin that brought job training facilities and a cultural center to the area, he led affordable housing efforts in the Webberville/Ledesma area, and he was on the forefront of the successful fight for city funding to protect East Austin homes from creek erosion. Clearly, Davis is the right choice to serve this traditionally underserved precinct.
County Court at Law #6:
Jade Meeker
Recognized statewide as a legal scholar and criminal law expert, Meeker is best qualified to handle this court’s criminal docket. In her J.P. post, Meeker has built a reputation for running her court efficiently and responsibly. It seems natural that she would continue this same style of management if elected to the county court. Jan Breland, has been a J.P. in Pct. 2 for 10 years; she’s a good public servant and would make an honorable judge. Meeker, however, has our vote.
Republicans:
Justice of the Peace Pct. 2:
Barbara Bembry
Bembry has done her homework with regards to the demands of the 25,000-case docket, and, as a practicing attorney with both a criminal and civil background, she is best prepared to hit the ground running should she win in November. And her amiable, non-ideological temperament should serve her well on the bench.
This article appears in April 10 • 1998 and April 10 • 1998 (Cover).