John,

With just a week until early voting starts, and three weeks until the primary election, I wanted to make sure you knew about some of the resources Texas Scorecard has available for you in this Extra Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Monday, February 7, 2022
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But first… it has been 24 years since a Democrat held statewide office in Texas – and 28 years since one was elected. In statewide races, the only election that matters is the GOP primary. For this cycle and the foreseeable future, whoever wins the Republican primary election – whether as governor or ag commissioner – will be elected in November.

• The top of the statewide ticket is, without a doubt, the most consequential for the state – and possibly the nation. For that reason, Texas Scorecard’s new Decision Texas section is focused exclusively on the gubernatorial race with daily updates on the issues and candidates.

Land Commissioner Conversations

• Its one of the oldest agencies of Texas government, overseeing vast holdings of land, documents, and even historical treasures… and yet precious few voters know much about those Republicans seeking to lead the General Land Office of Texas.
      
• As with the other statewide races featured, Texas Scorecard’s managing editor Brandon Waltens invited all of the Republican candidates to sit down for uncut and unedited interviews in the 1836 Studios. (The incumbent, George P. Bush, is not seeking re-election.)
      
• This morning we premiered the conversations with candidates for Land Commissioner:
  Dawn Buckingham
  Jon Spiers
  Victor Avila
  Weston Martinez
  Ben Armenta

Ag Commissioner Conversations

• Agriculture remains a key component in Texas’ economy, and the role of the Commissioner of Agriculture cannot be overstated. Last week, Texas Scorecard released the Uncut Conversations with the Republican candidates, including:
  Incumbent Sid Miller
  James White
  Carey Counsil
        
• Of note, Commissioner Miller said working with Gov. Greg Abbott was “kind of like working with sasquatch.” Miller explained that he has not been able to get a meeting or phone call with Gov. Abbott in the eight years both men have held their respective positions.
      
• “Everybody knows he’s real and some people have seen him, but I’ve never seen him. I can’t get a meeting with him.”

Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor

• The Uncut Conversations series began with the gubernatorial contest, though incumbent Greg Abbott declined the invitation to participate. Those videos are available at Decision Texas.
     
• The series will continue Wednesday, featuring the race for Attorney General. Incumbent Ken Paxton and challenger Louie Gohmert answered tough questions about the office and the issues.
      
• And then, on Friday, the spotlight will be on the candidates for Lieutenant Governor. Following the lead of his boss, incumbent Dan Patrick refused to participate – but his challengers were eager to do so.

And Just A Reminder…

• Texas Scorecard does not offer endorsements or make specific candidate recommendations. We do, however, try to report on the endorsements made by local groups and citizen-focused grassroots organizations.

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