Tom Maynard Strongly Endorsed for Texas SBOE 10: UPDATED

UPDATE:  Four more conservative groups, and four additional members of the Texas State Board of Education have now endorsed Tom Maynard for SBOE 10. 

A partial listing of the endorsements for Texas State Board of Education, District 10 candidate Tom Maynard.  While you might have issues with one or two of these names, I think it highly significant that such a large number of Republicans have come forward to unify behind Maynard in what is not exactly a high profile race. 

Early voting starts Monday, July 23, and continues through July 27.  Election Day is July 31. 

• Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner 
• Texas Right to Life PAC
• Texas Alliance for Life
• Texas Homeschool Coalition
• Young Conservatives of Texas 
• Dr. Marsha Farney, State Board of Education Member 
• Pat Hardy, State Board of Education Member, District 11 
• Gail Lowe, State Board of Education Member, District 14
• Barbara Cargill, Chairwoman of the State Board of Education, District 8
• Charles Garza, State Board of Education Member, District 5
• Ken Mercer, State Board of Education Member, District 5
• Terri Leo, State Board of Education Member, District 6
• David Bradley, State Board of Education Member, District 7 
• Rep. Marva Beck 
• Rep. Byron Cook 
• Rep. Larry Gonzales 
• Rep. Lois Kolkhorst 
• Rep. Charles Schwertner 
• Rep. Paul Workman 
• Rep. John Zerwas 
• Rep. Ralph Sheffield
• Russell Martinez, Senate District 5, Republican Committeeman 
• Megan Higginbotham, Senate District 5, Republican Committeewoman 
• Former State Rep. Dan Gattis 
• Jana Duty, Williamson County Attorney 
• Dee Hobbs, Assistant Williamson County Attorney 
• Don Tracy, Cedar Park City Councilman 
• Bobby Gutierrez, Williamson County Constable, Precinct 3 
• George Garver, Mayor of Georgetown 
• Steve Fought, Sun City Community Leader 
• Jim Schwertner, President Schwertner Farms 
• Betty Schleder, Sun City Community Leader 

Cedar Park Early Voting Begins Today

Early voting begins today for the runoff election between Don Tracy and Maria Talamo for Cedar Park City Council.

Early voting:
Tues. June 1 - Sat. June 5 -- 8am to 5pm
(No voting on Sunday)
Mon., June 7 and Tues. June 8 – 7am to 7pm

ELECTION DAY
Sat., June 12 -- 9am to 7pm
Voting at Cedar Park Library only
Maria Talamo or Don Tracy -- For Cedar Park City Council Place 6
Vic Villarreal or David Reiter -- For ACC Board of Trustees Place 5

As I've written previously, Don Tracy has been running a strong campaign based on fiscally sound economic policies. In contrast, Maria Talamo has presented some troubling ideas and a possible conflict of interest in her ever-evolving attitudes toward the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center.

Prior to the original election, Talamo also sought to distract voters by filing an ethics complaint against Tracy. In the complaint, Talamo alleges that Tracy did not report costs for postcards sent by a consulting firm or for in-kind donations from the Williamson County Republican Party and GOP Precinct Chair Jon Jewett. However, the invoicing and payment for the postcards took place after the report filing deadline and are not scheduled for reporting until the next required filing. The letter from Jon Jewett was a personal letter referencing or endorsing 14 different candidates, at a cost to Mr. Jewett of $200. Don Tracy's pro-rata share is $14, far below the $50 reporting threshold. In other words, these charges are bogus, and Talamo only filed them as a desperate attempt to damage Tracy's reputation.

Interestingly enough, Maria Talamo has been trying to quietly convince some voters that she is not really a Democrat. However, she voted Democrat in 2 of the last 5 primaries, and bragged to a local activist that she was "a card-carrying member of the ACLU." She may try to distance herself from the Democrat Party, but her views are certainly much more aligned with the 'big-government' crowd.

Don Tracy has a strong commitment to core principles promoting economic growth and limited government interference. A rapidly growing city like Cedar Park needs strong, fiscally responsible leadership, and will be well served by Don Tracy on the City Council.

Now, go vote!

Republican Run-off Election Tomorrow

The Republican Run-off Election is tomorrow, April 13, 2010. Polls will be open from 7 am to 7 pm, and eligible voters must report to their assigned precinct polling location in order to vote. Even those who did not vote in the March 2 Primary Election are permitted to participate in the run-off, but registered Democrats (those who voted in the 2010 Democrat Primary) are not eligible.

Williamson County voters need to be aware that several precincts have been combined, and thus have a different polling location for this run-off. A complete list of locations is available at the Williamson County Elections Office site here.

Of course the 'hottest' race for part of Wilco is the House District 52 contest between Larry Gonzales and John Gordon. The winner will face Liberal Democrat Diana Maldonado in November, and local Democrats seem to be relishing the possibility of a Gordon win.

Another race that suddenly turned negative last Friday is that between Brian Russell and Marsha Farney for State Board of Education, District 10.

Statewide, Republicans will also choose between Rick Green and Justice Debra Lehrmann for State Supreme Court.

Turnout is forecast to be between 4 and 6% of registered voters.

Early Voting Begins Today

Early Voting for the Primary Run-off Election begins today, April 5, and will continue through Friday, April 9. Polls will be open from 7 am to 7 pm.

Williamson County Early Voting locations are:

Williamson County Inner Loop Annex, 301 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown,
Sun City Social Center, 2 Texas Drive, Georgetown
McConico Building, 301 W. Bagdad St., Round Rock
Kinningham Park, 1000 South Creek Drive, Round Rock
RISD Brushy Creek Complex-Food Service, 16255 Great Oaks Dr. Ste 100, Round Rock
Anderson Mill Limited District, 11500 El Salido Parkway, Austin
Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park
Taylor City Hall, 400 Porter St., Taylor
Round Rock ISD Performing Arts Center, 5800 McNeil Dr., Austin

During Early Voting, eligible voters may vote at any of the County Early Voting Locations. Registered Democrats are not eligible to vote in this GOP Primary. Voters are encouraged to bring their voter registration cards, but a photo ID is not required.

On the ballot are three contests:
House District 52 Representative
Larry Gonzales
John Gordon

State Board of Education
Brian Russell
Marsha Farney

Texas Supreme Court
Debra Lehrmann
Rick Green