Friday, March 26, 2010

We congratulate the candidates in this year’s Republican Party Primary; those who won their race, those who garnered enough votes to continue in a run-off as well as those that offered themselves for public service but were not selected. Collin County voters had excellent candidates to choose from in this years’ primary. We encourage those not chosen by the voters to stay involved, stay engaged and continue to help make Collin County even better.

As this election unfolded we learned more about each candidate; their record of service, what they will/want to do for us and his/her temperament under pressure. A major disappointment to The Coalition was the negative campaigning by some of the candidates. We believe that voters are best served by candidates who tell us about themselves and what they want to do rather than attacking their opponent personally.

This type of negative behavior had an influence in our run-off endorsements.

For the run-off we have upgraded our “RECOMMENDATION” to an “ENDORSEMENT” in all but one race. Below we are presenting brief summaries of our findings. We believe you will find these helpful and ask that you share them with your family, friends and neighbors. You are eligible to vote in the Republican Party Primary run-off as long as you did not vote in a different Party’s Primary.


State Representative House District #66


In the race for Texas House of Representatives House District 66 both candidates are asserting that they are THE conservative candidate. Collin County Voters have to choose which of them truly offers conservative credentials and conservative values that would give Collin County citizens strong conservative representation in Austin.

Van Taylor is a fiscal conservative promoting limited government, lower taxes and safe borders. He has an outstanding and proud military record and is a social conservative with a pro-life businessman's experience under his belt. He actively supports veteran's organizations and protecting the voting rights of members of the military. Mr. Taylor's vision includes advocating for lower taxes, less government and traditional family values.

Mabrie Jackson is married with two sons and has had a business career with EDS and Microsoft Corporations. She has served for 18 months on the Plano City Council and recently resigned from that position to run for the HD #66 seat. She has voted against a Plano tax increase in 2009 and has been active in Conner Harrington Republican Women's club activities. Our concern over this candidate stems from the approximately $160,000.00 cost to the taxpayers of Plano for a special election and run-off election to fill the unexpired term Ms. Jackson created when she resigned to advance her political career by running for this seat in the House of Representatives. In addition the Coalition believes Ms. Jackson’s heavy handed and negative campaign material was excessive and unnecessary.

It is said that you can tell a lot about a person by the friends, in this case supporters, they have. We believe this ole saying particularly applies in this contest. Mr. Taylor’s endorsements include: Texas Right to Life, Collin County Conservative Republicans, the North Texas Party, the Conservative Hispanic Society, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility but most importantly their former opponent, Wayne Richard. Ms. Jackson on the other hand is endorsed by: the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA), affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA) a strong union – TSTA endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 for President and has just endorsed Bill White for Governor, The Texas Parent PAC (a trial lawyer political action committee) and the liberal editorial board of the Dallas Morning News.

Based on all these facts we endorse Mr. Van Taylor for Texas House District #66.


WE ENDORSE: Van Taylor


County Commissioner Pct #2

Another contest that required long deliberation by the Coalition was the Precinct #2 competition, in fact we interviewed both candidates a second time to reconfirm the contestants positions on the issues.

This race pits twenty nine year incumbent Jerry Hoagland against former Plano City Council woman Cheryl Williams. Each has strengths to offer the voters of Precinct #2 (basically the southeastern part of Collin County). The operative word in this year’s election is conservative and it certainly is the main focus in this race.


County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland has a long standing reputation as a conservative – fiscally, socially and emotionally. Mr. Hoagland is strongly pursuing the Inter-modal operation proposed for southeast Collin County and points to that as one of his cornerstone issues in his bid for re-election. The Coalition is concerned about Mr. Hoagland’s working relationship with the Commissioner’s Court. But perhaps the biggest concern the Coalition has is Commissioner Hoagland's lack of tact and his insensitivity when addressing citizens or county matters in Public.

Cheryl Williams says she is the most conservative in the race. Certainly her six years of experience on the Plano City Council would testify to the validity of her claim. Ms. Williams is a small business owner, not a career politician. She believes we need to start running county government like a business, and her background in finance and economics makes her uniquely qualified to do so. Ms Williams says she wants an even more open and honest government in the commissioner’s court. Specifically she wants to change the culture of government by ending what she calls pay-to-play politics where those who make large campaign contributions get special treatment from elected officials. Ms Williams says it is time for a fresh start at the county. In this race we agree.

WE ENDORSE: Cheryl Williams


District Clerk

Patricia Crigger exemplifies the word experience. She has been an active Republican and has worked in the District Clerks office for 23 years. She has been the Chief Deputy for the last 15 years and has actually run the office in the absence of the District Clerk Hanna Kunkle. She is knowledgeable about the current technology being used and has ideas to make the system more efficient for the Court. There is no doubt she enjoys the respect of the fellow workers in the office. She is conscientious and would be a good steward of Collin County taxpayer’s dollars.

Alma Hays is the only candidate who declined to participate in the interview process thereby depriving the Coalition of the opportunity to evaluate her personally and hear her ideas for improving the office she seeks.

After thoughtful consideration the Coalition strongly endorses Patricia Crigger candidacy for District Clerk.

WE ENDORSE: Patricia Crigger


219th District Court

Angela Tucker is a 1996 graduate of the Southern Methodist University School of Law. Since graduation she has practiced both criminal and civil law and has practiced in both the State and federal courts. Angela states that she is the only candidate with experience in all areas handled by this court. Indeed, Angela is a former assistant Collin County district attorney who has ably handled felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, CPS, and mental health cases. She is death penalty certified. She compliments her criminal experience with a private practice resume which has encompassed both criminal and civil experience in these areas of law. She has an expansive resume of involvement with the Republican Party.

Scott Becker is a 1997 graduate of the Southern Methodist University School of Law. Mr. Becker has been employed at the Collin County District Attorney’s Office for the past six years. He is currently a felony prosecutor. Mr. Becker also served in the Crimes Against Children Unit. Prior to his time in the DA’s Office, Mr. Becker had a private practice where he primarily handled criminal matters.

The Coalition appreciates the unique qualifications each of these candidates brings to the table in this race. Each appears bright and knowledgeable. However, we endorse Angela Tucker for the position.

WE ENDORSE: Angela Tucker

County Court at Law #3

Stewart Matthews is a 2002 graduate of the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. Mr. Matthews is currently in private practice as a general practitioner in both State and Federal courts throughout North Texas. He is a member of several bar associations and volunteers and local legal aid clinics.

Lance Baxter is a 1986 graduate of the South Texas College of Law. He is the most experienced and qualified candidate for a judicial bench in Collin County. Lance has spent the last 23 years practicing civil and criminal trial law and has experience as a hearing master for the Collin County Mental Health Court. He formed his current partnership with Baxter, Gibbs, Robison and Henderson in 1999. He has also served on the board of directors for numerous bar associations throughout the county.

Neither one of the candidates have extensive involvement serving the Collin County Republican Party. However, each possesses unique attributes and professionalism. Qualifications that make a good judicial candidate include experience, fairness and temperament. Lance Baxter’s extensive legal experience, record of public service and excellent temperament make him our recommended choice for election to Collin County Court at Law #3.

WE ENDORSE: Lance Baxter


County Court at Law #4

Matthew Goeller has a strong and impressive background in criminal law. He is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has over 20 years of experience as prosecutor and defense attorney. He has handled criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder. He is a veteran (U.S. Marines Corp). He has been involved in his community as well as in the education system having taught constitutional law.

David Rippel is a 1988 graduate of the Louisiana State University with a Business Administration Degree in Economics. He earned his law degree from The Southern University Law School in 1995. David has served in the U.S. Armed forces. David cites his expensive trial experience in civil and criminal law. David is admitted to practice in Texas and Louisiana as well as before the United States Supreme Court, and in the federal court system. He also has been extensively involved with the Republican Party of Collin County.

The Coalition is impressed by the unique range of qualifications of these candidates in this race. Each candidate appears both bright and knowledgeable. Though we believe each are competent to perform the job of judge the deciding factor for us is David Ripple’s long time and extremely active involvement in the Collin County Republican Party.

WE ENDORSE: David Ripple


County Court at Law #6

Jay Bender has a strong educational background: graduating cum laude from Austin College after which he graduated from St. Mary’s Law School. He has worked in the Dallas District Attorney’s office as a prosecutor and been in private practice specializing as a Criminal Defense attorney. When he was asked why he was running he said to give back to the community. We found Mr. Bender is well qualified to serve as Judge in County Court at Law #6.

Terri Green describes herself as a self made woman. Her resume bears that out: she has been a trial lawyer for twenty years in Civil and Family Law; she is licensed to practice law in all Texas courts, the Federal Courts and the United States Supreme Court. She is very involved in community and Republican Party activities. Ms Green believes strongly in the rule of law.

WE ENDORSE: Jay Bender

Early Voting time and locations:
http://public1.co.collin.tx.us/elections/polling_locations/early_voting/default.aspx#PrimaryRunoff

Election Day voting places:
http://public1.co.collin.tx.us/elections/polling_locations/default.aspx#PrimaryRunoff