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February 1, 2002

Election focus centers on state court benches...

Statewide and legislative races dominate the political conversation of most Texans during election season. This year, though, Democrats and Republicans are focusing a lot of attention on the state's highest court benches after resignations and retirements have left the largest number of openings in years.

Fourteen candidates are vying for five of the nine seats on the Texas Supreme Court and another 14 candidates are seeking three of the nine seats on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Republicans took majority control of the Supreme Court in 1992. The last two Democrats to serve on the bench—Raul Gonzales and Rose Spector—left office in 1999. Two years ago, Democrats did not run any Supreme Court candidates.

This election cycle, both political parties are fielding candidates for every available statewide judicial post. Consultants believe it's going to take more than just candidates on the ballot to be successful. It's going to take money. Each Supreme Court candidate will have to raise up to $2 million to be competitive, according to campaign organizers.

The reason is the cost of creating name identification. Texas has some of the largest television markets in the nation and, therefore, some of the most expensive air time. Dallas is the seventh-largest market, followed by Houston at number 11, San Antonio at number 37, and Austin at number 54.

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The Executive Committee of the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) has named Robert J. "Sam" Tessen as the agency's first executive director. Prior to assuming his position at ORCA, Tessen served as executive director of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board and had also served as the director of the Center for Rural Health Initiatives, one of the three program divisions comprising ORCA. Tessen as sumed the new position on January 1, 2002.

Charlie Stone, former Chief of Staff to Rep. Judy Hawley, will go to work for ORCA in the Local Service Division.

Texas Farm Bureau strongly supported the creation of ORCA to address rural health care and economic development needs.

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A complete list of candidates seeking statewide posts, statewide judicial positions, and seats in the U.S. House, Texas House, and Texas Senate is available on our Texas Farm Bureau web page at www.txfb.org. Once Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture, Inc. (AGFUND) endorsements are announced for the March 12 Primary Election and the General Election in November, we will update the list to reflect the AGFUND designation.

Also, be sure to check the Legislative Updates link on the web site to see the schedule of upcoming interim committee meetings in the Texas House or Texas Senate that may be of interest.