With the 2010 primaries coming up, the TWM wanted to let everyone know where we stand. While it will be tough year in an already tough state, we believe the Democratic side has some of its best candidates in years. Below we offer our endorsements in the contested statewide races (the attorney general’s race is uncontested with 2006 U.S. Senate candidate and Houston lawyer Barbara Ann Radnofsky running. Unfortunately, no Democratic candidates filed to run for the comptroller’s office), along with each endorsed candidate’s websites so that you can read about their background, issue stances, etc. in detail. Primary day is March 2nd (first day of early voting is Feburary 16th). Don’t forget to vote!

Governor: Bill White

Former Houston governor Bill White is by far the most promising candidate running on the gubernatorial side. Hands down he has the most experience with his three terms as governor of what is one of Texas’s largest cities. There he gained popularity and was known as being able to work with Democrats and Republicans. In the governor’s race, he offers the clearest chance (as supported by polling) that Democrats have of beating whomever wins the Republican primary with his popularity, name recognition, common sense ideas, and ability to organize and fundraise. There’s a real shot for Democrats to win the governorship this time around and the choice is clear.

http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/

Lt. Governor: Ronnie Earle

Unlike the other contested races where I feel there is clearly a best candidate, this race features two solid candidates: former DA for Travis County Ronnie Earle (who has gone after Kay Bailey Hutchison and Tom Delay for corruption charges) and ex-VP of the AFL-CIO and vice chair of the DNC, Linda Chavez-Thompson. Both have proud credentials that will excite the base, but I believe Ronnie Earle edges out as the toughest challenger to someone like David Dewhurst. Chavez-Thompson would too easily be painted as an out-of-step liberal with this state, while Earle knows how to fight off charges that he’s a partisan hack (he’s prosecuted just as many Democrats, if not more).

http://www.ronnieearle.com/

Ag. Commissioner: Hank Gilbert

Gilbert is running again and his opposition is Kinky Friedman. Given that information, I almost feel I don’t need to say much more. Hank is the only real Democrat and this race, but he’s also a good candidate. When he ran back in 2006, he carried 46 counties in Texas, many of which had not been carried by a Democratic candidate in years.

http://hankgilbert.com/

Land Commissioner:  Hector Uribe

Former State Senator Hector Uribe is the best choice over Bill Burton, who served as a JP in Henderson County. I give Burton props for being elected in that part of the state (where my parents live actually), but Uribe has the edge on experience and would be the most likely to pull out a victory.

http://hectoruribe.com/