Due to an editing error, this week’s paper version of the Chronicle accidentally cut Mary Beth Harrell’s name off of our list of endorsements. So, lest anyone think we’ve retracted it: The Austin Chronicle enthusiastically endorses Mary Beth Harrell for Congressional District 31, which stretches from the Williamson County portion of North Austin, through Fort Hood, and up to Erath County. She is the best choice over that district’s current wretched excuse for a congressman, John Carter. For the full-length text of our endorsements, click here.
Speaking of District 31’s endorsements, may I just say that the Waco Tribune-Herald‘s endorsement of Carter was nothing short of pathetic? While they noted that Harrell was a “qualified candidate,” the sadly short write-up (a mere 105 words) could only offer support for the incumbent because he is “well-established in his second term,” his endorsements from the “Texas Farm Bureau, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups,” and his “connections to his district” – vague, to say the least. The endorsement saddened me all the more because the paper’s opinion editor is the fiery liberal John Young, who confirmed to me over the phone that he did indeed participate in the decision. (Although, to his credit, our conversation left me with the impression that he wasn’t exactly out hammering “Carter for Congress” signs in the ground. Maybe he got confused and thought the endorsement was for Jimmy Carter.)
May I suggest that, as a longtime military wife and mother of two soldiers, including one in Iraq, that Harrell’s “connections to the district” are a lot stronger to this military-heavy district than the incumbent, who enthusiastically promotes Bush’s war ambitions but has never served a day in uniform?
This article appears in Chris Bell.