- indicates a known anti-gun
candidate
This document contains all Republican Primary Candidates for Congressional,
State-wide, and appellate court races, organized by district.
Click here to find out what legislative districts
you are in.
Legend:
- indicates a known anti-gun
candidate
- indicates our volunteer's
choice as the most pro-firearm candidate in the race
Note: Candidates with no opponent now or in November are
not covered.
Name: Dennis Boerner
Occupation: Self-Employed
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Brian Babin
Occupation: Dentist
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Sam Johnson
Occupation: US. Congressman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Ray Hall
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Although his questionnaire reflected general support
of the Second Amendment, Mr. Hall, in answer to the question:
" Do you believe that a bullet's ability to penetrate medium
grade kevlar vests should determine whether or not the government
should ban it?", answered "Yes". This indicates
a lack of knowledge concerning one of the antis' favorite Trojan
horses. He is rated "A" by TSRA. Not to worry, however,
as you can vote for a proven good guy in November (the incumbent
Democrat, Ralph Hall). Sorry, but we cannot make a recommendation
in this race as the other candidates will not talk to us.
Name: Douglas Jones
Occupation: Consultant
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Our volunteer noted: "Several calls to his recording
machine. Many attempts to contact, no success." We do not
recommend voting for people who refuse to share information about
themselves.
Name: Jim Lohmeyer
Occupation: Physician
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Our volunteer noted: "Never available to come to
phone despite repeated calls." We do not recommend voting
for people who refuse to share information about themselves.
Name: Geoffrey Fielding Walsh
Occupation: Executive
Incumbent? N
Analysis: He has withdrawn from the race.
Name: Pete Sessions
Occupation: U.S. Congressman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Sessions is a fighter for you gun rights, and a
sorely needed one at that. He came and spoke at a pro-gun rally
at the State Capitol that we organized in 1994; he seems to be
a committed fighter for your gun rights, and is willing to advocate
same whenever he can. He is opposed to gun control in principle,
and has all of the pro-gun endorsements from NRA, TSRA, and GOA.
Name: Joe Barton
Occupation: Member of Congress
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Barton did not respond to our questionnaire in 1996.
However, we checked his record and note that he voted against
the Brady Bill and for all of the pro-gun amendments that were
offered to it. He voted against the semi-auto ban in 1991 and
1994 and against the 1994 Crime Bill at every procedural vote
that could have killed the bill. He voted for both the Chenoweth
and Istook amendments in 1995. He even voted against the recent
re-enactment of the federal "gun-free school zones"
law and the new "misdemeanor gun ban." This is a perfect
voting record. We cannot ask for better than Mr. Barton!
Name: Greg Mullanax
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Our volunteer was able to interview Mr. Mullanax, and
wrote, "I talked to him and actually asked about gun control.
He is against it, and against the Brady Bill. I faxed him the
questionaire." Unfortunately, we have not had the questionnaire
returned.
Name: Bill Archer
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Analysis: Incumbent - Rated "A+" by TSRA,
but C by the more stringent standards of GOA, Mr. Archer in our
opinion has a good voting record on the major bills, but not very
good on the bills that only incidentally affect your gun rights,
like the Chenoweth amendment, Gun Free School Zones Act, and the
misdemeanor gun ban. However, he did vote for the Istook amendment
to defund groups that use tax dollars to push for gun control.
A pretty good voting record all considered. Thus, we think Mr.
Archer deserves to stay in office.
Name: Gene Hsiao
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: It is hard to take this guy seriously because he doesn't
even put down his occupation on the forms to run for office. He
ran in this same race in 1996, and failed to return our questionaire
then. Given the good record of his opponent, we did not waste
our time this year to try to pin him down on firearms issues.
Name: Kevin Brady
Occupation: U.S. Congressman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Andre' Dean
Occupation: Public School Teacher
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Don Beagle
Occupation: Business
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Tom Cottar
Occupation: sales
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Onzelo Markum
Occupation: Police Officer
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Adonn Slone
Occupation: Pres. Slone Lumber Co.
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Kay Granger
Occupation: Congresswoman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Richard Amon
Occupation: Retired Military
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr Amon is a gun rights advocate of the first magnitude.
He organized a rally of gun owners against the 1994 Crime Bill
(containing the ban on semi-automatics) in Wichita Falls. He is
retired military, and he took the military oath seriously, "to
defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
He is running because of the constant attacks on your gun rights.
You cannot expect to find a stronger advocate of your gun rights
to vote for.
Name: Mac Thornberry
Occupation: Rancher/Attorney
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Thornberry has been a rather solid supporter of
your gun rights in Congress, although GOA only rates him with
a "C." However, careful analysis of his voting record
reveals that he has voted very good on bills that were straight
up and down on the gun issue. The problem with Thornberry has
been on the bills that incidentally affect your gun rights, like
increasing the budget and powers of the BATF, and the misdemeanor
gun ban and gun free school zones laws that were added to a 1996
budget bill.
Name: Ron Paul
Occupation: Physician
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Your gun rights are safe with this guy-you don't even
have to worry about keeping an eye on him because he is a man
of principle and commitment to individual rights and limited government,
the way our nation was intended to be. You will not find a more
vocal advocate either. He has sponsored legislation to repeal
the 1994 semi-auto ban, and you can count on him to continue the
fight to repeal the thousands of gun laws that have been enacted
in the past 30 years.
Name: Tom Haughey
Occupation: Author/Broadcaster/Pastor
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Rudy Izzard
Occupation: Dentist-Rancher
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Larry Combest
Occupation: U.S. Representative
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: John Shull
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Analysis:
Name: James Walker
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Lamar Smith
Occupation: Member of Congress
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Tom DeLay
Occupation: Congressman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Henry Bonilla
Occupation: U.S. Representative
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Based on his voting record, Mr. Bonilla has earned the
following approval ratings from civil liberties organizations:
NRA 100%, TSRA A+,
and by GOA's high standards, a D-. We think GOA is too harsh in
this instance. He has a solid pro-gun voting record on the major
gun votes; he voted against Brady, for all pro-gun amendments
to Brady; against the semi-auto ban, against the 1994 Crime Bill;
and for the Istook and Chenoweth Amendments.
Name: Stan C. Penn
Occupation: Banker
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Penn did not return our volunteer's phone call.
Name: Shawn Terry
Occupation: Management Consultant
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Terry did not respond to the questionnaire we mailed
to him.
Name: Bill Brock
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Our volunteer reports he called Mr. Brock twice, and
left messages on a machine, but Mr. Brock did not return the calls.
Name: Beverley Clark
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: John M. Sanchez
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Our volunteer reports he called Mr. Sanchez's clinic,
and later his campaign office, and left a message, but got no
return call.
Name: Dick Armey
Occupation: U.S. Representative
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Erol A. Stone
Occupation: Self-Employed
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Stone did not list a phone number for his campaign
with the Secretary of State. He has not responded to our survey,
which was mailed to him. Our volunteer noted, "No active
campaign in Corpus Christi." It would appear that he did
not start up his campaign before now because he has had no primary
opponent, or else he is not a serious contender.
Name: Carrie Kelliher
Occupation: Program Coordinator
Incumbent? N
Analysis: I spoke with her directly and we had a lively conversation.
She was definitely receptive to my remarks regarding the Second
Amendment. She made an interesting comment about the Constitution.
"It is a living document, that is why the liberals are always
trying to kill it." My gut feeling is Carrie will be a staunch
supporter of the ENTIRE Bill of Rights. I stongly urge you to
vote for CARRIE KELLIHER. Unfortunately, she did not return our
questionaire.
Name: George W. Bush
Occupation: Governor
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Bush is no Second Amendment advocate, but he is
definitely not anti-gun either. He is a very safe choice; he helped
us get a Right-to-Carry Law, we need to support those who support
us.
Name: R. C. Crawford
Occupation: Contractor
Incumbent?
Analysis: With an extremely popular incumbent in the governorship, it is hard to imagine why anyone would run against him in the primary.
Name: Rick Perry
Occupation: Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent?
Analysis:
NOTE: In case you don't think the Attorney General
race is important to protecting your gun rights, please remember
that Bill Clinton launched his political career as Arkansas Attorney
General.
Name: John Cornyn
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Cornyn has served on the Supreme Court of Texas since
1990. When our volunteer called his office, she was told that
the survey had been filled out and mailed on 2/20. When no survey
was received, she called back and faxed another copy of the survey.
Finally an aide called to say that Cornyn would be unable to respond
since he was out of town until several days after the Peaceable
Texans voter guide was due to go to press, (a week before the
primary). The aide explained that Cornyn had authorized no one
in his office to respond for him to such surveys. All we know
of Cornyn is what we said in our 1996 voters guide: he failed
to respond that year too.
Name: Tom Pauken
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Pauken, former Texas GOP chairman, responded readily
to our survey, indicating a strong pro-gun stance: he opposes
waiting periods and the "assault weapons" ban and favors
Vermont-style carry legislation. He understands the intent of
the Second Amendment: "It is primarily designed to protect
the citizenry against an all powerful government. We see what
happens when governments control the weapons in a society. Nazi
Germany and the Communist regimes are the classic examples."
Mr. Pauken also responded to the GOA survey, answering every question
in a pro-gun way. He is rated "A+" by TSRA (Texas State
Rifle Asosciation). Mr. Pauken sounds like a staunch defender
of our gun rights and is actively seeking the pro-gun vote. Don't
let him down.
Name: Barry Williamson
Occupation: Railroad Commissioner
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Williamson is currently on the railroad commission.
Our volunteer called his office three times asking about our survey,
but Mr. Williamson never returned one to us. Finally our volunteer
was able to talk to an aide who claimed that Williamson was "very
supportive" of the Second Amendment and the Texas Right-to-Carry
Law. However, Mr. Butch Cooley wrote to us the following: "I
spent last Saturday with Mr Williamson and asked and verified
to my satisfaction that he will be an asset to the gun owners
of Texas as Attorney General. He grew up in a shooting/hunting
family and my day that I spent with him was shooting sporting
clays and trap, in the rain. Never did put much stock in questionaires,
like to get my info straight from the candidate. I believe Mr
Williamson rates one of your check marks. As far as how I am:
Retired Texas Trooper, Retired Air National Guard, Benefactor
Member NRA, Life Member TSRA."
Name: Carole Keeton Rylander
Occupation: Texas Railroad Commissioner
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: David Dewhurst
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent?
Analysis: We have no information on Mr. Dewhurst, other than that
he is a multi-millionaire. We did not trouble him with a questionnaire
since Don Loucks is in this race, and we know Don personally,
and we know that no one can be a better gun rights candidate than
he.
Name: Don Loucks
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis: This race is where we part company with TSRA. TSRA has
endorsed Mr. Patterson with an A+ rating and only given a grade
of "A" to Don Loucks, despite the fact that he is a
firearms rights advocate of the first order. He has worked many
hours with our organization to fight gun control bills, debated
the issue on TV, spoken at pro-gun rallies, and more. He is a
a retired Air Force major, who took the military oath seriously
(to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic).
He is tired of the attack on our rights, which is why he has now
entered public life to seek political office. GOA has endorsed
Mr. Loucks, as do we, because he is more dependable than Mr. Patterson.
TSRA rated Don an A+ back in 1996; there is no reason he should
have been downgraded to an A, other than to help Patterson.
Name: Jerry Patterson
Occupation: State Senator
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Patterson is rated "A+" by the TSRA. This
is one reason we do not like simple letter "grades"
of candidates--they can be manipulated. This is why Peaceable
Texans goes to the trouble to spell out our reasons for endorsing
candidates. You be the judge of who the better candidate is: Mr.
Patterson co-sponsored
the trigger lock bill in the 1995 session. The bill was pushed
as a "child safety" law by the antis, but that was merely
a ruse to get it passed; it really is a bill that goes far to
limit exposure of kids to guns, and make it difficult to keep
guns accessible for self-defense, because the only way to avoid
breaking the law is to lock your guns up. It is also very vague.
Read it for yourself, and try to answer
these questions: 1) If you give your 16 year old a .22 rifle on
his birthday, and let him keep it in his room, and go hunting
with it unsupervised on your land, have you violated this law?
2) If you have a rifle hung over your fireplace mantel, and you
leave your kids at home, have you violated this law? GOA has endorsed
Don Loucks. We feel TSRA feels overly beholden to Mr. Patterson
for his successful sponsorhip of the new Right-to-Carry Law.
Name: Susan Combs
Occupation: Rancher
Incumbent?
Analysis: Ms. Combs was state representative for District 47 from
1993-1996 (the seat now held by Terry Keel). An aide in her office
told our volunteer that Combs had voted for the Right-to-Carry
Law. Ms. Combs returned the GOA survey answering most questions
in a positive manner. She also returned our survey, answering
most questions favorably. Ms. Combs indicated that she would "absolutely
not" support legislation to limit the number of firearms
or ammo one may possess, nor does she support waiting periods
or the banning of kevlar-penetrating bullets (most any rifle round
will). She supports repeal of the "assault weapons"
ban and believes the Second Amendment "enables citizens to
protect themselves against crime." She would not support
Vermont-style carry laws for Texas (her reason being that Texas
is too "urban") unless such a proposal had public support.
She is rated "A" by TSRA (Texas State Rifle Association).
Name: Hamp Hodges
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Although Mr. Hodges returned niether our survey nor
the GOA (Gun Owners of America) survey, he did make himself available
for a phone interview and our volunteer was able to ask him most
of our survey questions. Hodges is a West Point graduate and appeared
honest and forthright in his answers. He is comfortable around
firearms and was taught gun safety by his granddad, with whom
he hunted as a child. Basically, gun rights is not an issue for
him and thus, he has not given it much thought, describing himself
as a "moderate." He does believe in background checks
(he is concerned about keeping guns out of the hands of the "mentally
ill") before purchase but thinks they should be instant.
Asked about the "assault weapons" ban, he replied that
the definition of "assault weapons" is problematical
and many of the guns so banned are "not that dangerous."
Hodges says he believes the Second Amendment is about an individual
right to bear arms, and that he is not bothered by the Texas Right-to-Carry
Law which, he said, "might even" serve a good purpose.
However, he disapproved of Vermont-style carry laws.
Name: Tony Garza
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: We have no information on Mr. Garza, other than that
Governor Bush appointed him as our Secretary of State. We did
not trouble him with a questionnaire since Steve Stockman is in
this race, and we know Stockman to be a true fighter for your
gun rights, and we know that no one can be a better gun rights
candidate than he.
Name: Steve Stockman
Occupation: Accountant/Banker
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Now, come on. If you do not already know of Mr. Stockman's stand on firearm rights, well, you have been living under a rock. He was a real leader and advocate of gun rights when he was in Congress (representing Beaumont & vicinity). We need more advocates, not just "supporters," because advocates will do more than vote against gun control, they will go further and push our own agenda to repeal some of the 20,000 gun control laws that we already have in this nation--the laws that do not do a damn thing to help stop crime, but that do lots to infringe basic American rights. GOA correctly noted about Stockman, "The survey results cannot possibly tell you of his tireless efforts for the rights of gun owners across the country during his time in Washington DC." Stockman was a top target of HCI in the last election.
Name: Craig T. Enoch
Occupation: Justice, Supreme Court of Texas
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Enoch responded to our judicial candidate survey. His responses indicate that he is essentially unconcerned with firearms issues. We say this because he honestly admits that he does not know the answers to questions #1, 5, and 7. His other responses indicate he was raised with firearms and knows how to use them, so it is pretty clear that he is probably not anti-gun, but just part of the great mass of citizens out there who are rather uninformed on the issue.
Name: Harriet O'Neill
Occupation: Justice, 14th Court of Appeals
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Sorry, neither candidate in this race felt like sharing
information with you voters as they failed to return our judicial
questionnaire.
Name: Candace G. Tyson
Occupation: District Judge
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Sorry, neither candidate in this race felt like sharing information with you voters as they failed to return our judicial questionnaire.
Name: Greg Abbott
Occupation: Justice, Texas Supreme Court
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Abbott responded to our judicial questionnaire and gave very thoughtful and intelligent responses that indicate he is knowledgeable about firearms in general. He grew up around firearms, and has applied for his CHL. He agrees with the statement in question #5, which indicates he is aware of the media handling of gun control issues. He promises not to be a judicial activist, and observes that "criminals aren't the ones who will comply with gun control laws, only the law abiding citizens."
Name: Deborah Hankinson
Occupation: Justice, Supreme Court of Texa
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Sorry, neither candidate in this race felt like sharing
information with you voters as they failed to return our judicial
questionnaire.
Name: Steve Smith
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Sorry, neither candidate in this race felt like sharing
information with you voters as they failed to return our judicial
questionnaire.
Name: David Barron
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Name: Vicki Isaacks
Occupation: Assistant District Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Ms. Isaacks responded to our judicial questionnaire.
Her answers reveal a basic positive attitude toward firearms.
She correctly answers question #1,
and agrees with the statement in question #5.
And she correctly notes on question #7
that, "These 'gun control' laws are highly ineffective in
reducing crime and accidental death. They simply harrass and impede
law abiding citizens . . .."
Name: Mike Keasler
Occupation: State District Judge
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Keasler responded to us in 1996. At that time he
indicated that he was a District Judge and ex-prosecutor, owns
a pistol, and has read "several" law review articles
on the 2d Amendment "over the years." He says he feels
that gun control laws are ineffective. This year, his questionnaire
indicates basic good instincts and positions on gun control issues;
for example, he answered our question #5
"yes," and noted "often the media are caught up
in anti-gun hysteria."
Name: Lloyd W. Oliver
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Oliver did not respond to our judicial questionnaire.
We also note that he did not respond to us in 1996, when he ran
for Congress in District 25. It is hard to understand how someone
can ask for your vote, but refuse to reveal himself to you. It
is hard to take such candidates seriously. We do not recommend
you vote for this guy.
Name: David A. Schulman
Occupation: Lawyer
Incumbent? N
Analysis: We wish Mr. Schulman had responded to our survey. We
know from interviewing him in 1996 that he owns several guns and
supports repeal of the 1994 ban on semi-automatics and believes
the Brady Law "is regulation without benefit." Although
he is not well informed on some gun issues, he is no gun hater,
and he is intellectually honest. Intellectual honesty in appellate
judges is exactly what we need--an honest jurist will side with
the Constitution.
Name: Murff F. Bledsoe
Occupation: Asst. DA - Bell County
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Bledsoe did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Harvey Hudson
Occupation: Justice
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Hudson responded to our judicial questionnaire and
gave very good, thoughtful answers. He clearly demonstrates a
basic, though incomplete, understanding of the gun control issue.
For example, he correctly deduces the correct answer to question #1
from his knowledge that rifles and shotguns are rarely used in
crime. He further demonstrates intimate familiarity with the US
v. Lopez Supreme Court decision striking down the "Gun-Free
School Zones Act." So it is obvious he is paying attention
to the issue. He grew up with firearms, and to question #5
states, "Yes. It appears to me the media is generally opposed
to private ownership of firearms and frequently 'slants' its reporting
to favor any legislation that restricts or prohibits such ownership."
Name: Cheryl Johnson
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Ms. Johnson did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Jeffrey Brian Keck
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Keck did not respond to our judicial candidate questionnaire.
We do not recommend voting for people who refuse to share information
about themselves.
Name: Forrest Lumpkin
Occupation: Staff Attorney - Crt. Criminal
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Lumpkin did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: John C. Moncure
Occupation: Staff Attorney - Ct. Crim. Apps.
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Moncure responded to our judicial questionnaire.
His answers indicate he is somewhat knowledgeable of firearms
issues (e.g., he answered question #1
correctly). He gave a somewhat puzzling answer to question #5,
stating, "No. The media rarely ever gets it right."
We suspect he meant "yes." He states he grew up with
firearms. He also indicates he liked the decision of the US Supreme
Court knocking down the "Gun-Free School Zones Act."
To question #7 he states,
"No. This type of legislation affects mostly law-abiding
citizens. It is not effective in deterring crime."
Name: William Harrison Ray
Occupation: Lawyer
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Ray did not respond to our judicial candidate questionnaire.
We do not recommend voting for people who refuse to share information
about themselves.
Name: Jerry E. Smith
Occupation: Lawyer
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Smith did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Herb Hancock
Occupation: Attorney/Prosecutor
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Hancock did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Lawrence 'Larry' Meyers
Occupation: Judge
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Meyers did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. However, we know of some of his thoughts in his
dissent in the Moosani case. Although
he dissents--which is good--he states at one point that he finds
it "alarming" that people would go about armed while
travelling within a city: "The State urges us . . . to construe
the traveling exemption much as it was in the past, mainly because
a more liberal interpretation could result in people 'regularly
arming themselves as they move about the city.' Admittedly,
this scenario is alarming . . .." (emphasis added). He
apparently is an intellectually honest, but hoplaphobic (i.e.,
scared of guns) judge. He is willing to follow the clear mandate
of the law even though he thinks the result is harmful. Until
we know more about his opponents, we suggest you vote for Mr.
Meyers.
Name: Michael (Mike) Schneider
Occupation: Chief Justice
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Schneider did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Davie L. Wilson
Occupation: Justice
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Wilson did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: William H. Brigham
Occupation: Justice, 2nd Crt of Apls pl 3
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Brigham did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: David Puryear
Occupation: Judge
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Judge Puryear, who is a trial judge in Travis County,
responded to our questionnaire and indicated he is quite knowledgeable
about guns and gun control issues. He was given his first rifle
at age 9, and he agrees with the characterization of media reporting
contained in question #5.
He also believes that gun control laws have been "ineffective
in achieving their stated goals. Those responsible for commiting
crime in our midst are not, and will not, be effected or deterred
by laws such as these." (See our question #7).
Name: Lee Yeakel
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Yeakel was recently appointed by Governor Bush to
another position on this same court; thus, he is no longer a contender
here, but he will still be on the ballot because ballots were
already made at the time Bush made the appointment. Mr. Yeakel
did not respond to our judicial candidate questionnaire.
Name: Tom Rickhoff
Occupation: Justice
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Rickhoff responded to our judicial candidate questionnaire, which revealed that not only is he ignorant of firearms issues, but that he adopts many of the premises of the anti-gun movement. For example to question #7, his answer was, "Effective. Criminals don't have the organizational skills to complete the process," (as if criminals would bother complying with the law!). He fails question #1, and he disagrees with the statement contained in question #5.
Name: Karen Angelini
Occupation: Justice
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Ms. Angelini did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Michael J. (Mike) O'Neill
Occupation: Judge
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. O'Neill did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Carolyn Wright
Occupation: Justice
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Ms. Wright did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: John Roach
Occupation: Justice
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Roach did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Phil Johnson
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Johnson did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Don H. Reavis
Occupation: Justice 7th Court of Appeals
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Reavis did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Jerry Woodard
Occupation: Senior Judge
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Woodard did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Ralph Harrison
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Harrison responded to our judicial questionnaire
and gave what are possibly some of the most thoughtful answers
of any judicial candidate this year. He indicates he is well read
and quite familiar with gun control issues. He answered question #1
correctly, and to question #5
wrote, "I believe the national media has a bias against gun
ownership. Consequently, I am skeptical of much of what I read
in the media on that subject. I prefer to draw conclusions from
more reliable information." He also correctly notes that
gun control "measures can be objectively proven to be ineffective."
Name: Tom Gray
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Gray responded to our judicial candidate questionnaire,
which generally indicated a thoughtful man (a good quality in
an appellate judge), who took some care with his answers. He guessed
correctly the answer to question #1,
stated he grew up around firearms, and generally gave positive,
though cautious responses. He does note that the statistics he
has reviewed "did not bear out a positive correlation between
statutory gun control and the level of violent crime."
Name: Bill Vannatta
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Vannatta did not respond to our judicial candidate
questionnaire. We do not recommend voting for people who refuse
to share information about themselves.
Name: Terry McCall
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Sorry, no candidate in this race felt like sharing information
with you voters as they failed to return our judicial questionnaire.
Name: Robert Pelton
Occupation: Lawyer
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Sorry, no candidate in this race felt like sharing information
with you voters as they failed to return our judicial questionnaire.
Name: Kollin Shadle
Occupation: Assistant District Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Sorry, no candidate in this race felt like sharing information
with you voters as they failed to return our judicial questionnaire.
Name: Charles Holcomb
Occupation: Justice, 12th Court of Appeals
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Sorry, no candidate in this race felt like sharing information
with you voters as they failed to return our judicial questionnaire.
Name: Jim Worthen
Occupation: Attorney-at-law
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Sorry, no candidate in this race felt like sharing information
with you voters as they failed to return our judicial questionnaire.
Name: Don Wittig
Occupation: State District Judge
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Wittig was rated "A" by TSRA in 1994 when
he ran for attorney general against Dan Morales. He is currently
the sitting judge of the 125th District Court. In an interview
that year, Mr. Wittig stated that he would be willing, as Texas'
attorney general, to intervene on behalf of the people of the
State of Texas in litigation pending at that time to challenge
the Brady Act's Constitutionality. If Mr. Wittig was willing to
do this, then we feel he is a good bet for your pro-gun vote.
Name: Leslie Brock Yates
Occupation: Judge
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Donna Ballard
Occupation: Homemaker
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Mary Helen Cantu'
Occupation: Self-Employed
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Shirley Persons Pigott
Occupation: self-employed physician
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Grace Shore
Occupation: Self Employed
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Ms. Shore has failed to respond to our questionaire
and was rather rude to our volunteer when he attempted to interview
her on the phone. Our volunteer wrote: "Her tone of voice
changed from one of frustration when I began asking survey question
to one of anger & it was then she stated 'fax me the survey!'
I have also tried to contact her for the last three days, and
she does not answer the phone." We do not recommend voting
for people who refuse to share information about themselves.
Name: Lee Burch
Occupation: Architect
Incumbent?
Analysis: Although our volunteer stated that Mr. Burch's staff
indicated he was "pro-gun," and "conservative"
and "very friendly," Mr. Burch did not respond to our
questionaire, which was faxed to his office.
Name: Don McLeroy
Occupation: Dentist
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Although our volunteer stated that Mr. McLeroy's staff
indicated he was "pro-gun," he has not responded to
our questionaire, which was faxed to him at his office.
Name: Richard Watson
Occupation: Pharmacist
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Nancy Neal
Occupation: Homemaker/Nurse
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Judy Strickland
Occupation: Farming
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Bill Ratliff
Occupation: Consulting Engineer
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Michael Galloway
Occupation: Oil & Gas Producer
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Bill Leigh
Occupation: Homebuilder
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Steve Ogden
Occupation: Oil & Gas Producer
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Mike Jackson
Occupation: Contractor
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Jackson was sent a letter, with the questionnaire
enclosed, requesting his stance on the second amendment and gun
control issues. He has not responded to the letter.
Name: John Carona
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: J. E. 'Buster' Brown
Occupation: Attorney/Mediator
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Brown's office was telephoned and his aide, Wendy
Taylor, said that the Senator usually does not respond to surveys
or questionnaires. Senator Brown did vote for SB 60, the CCW legislation.
A questionnaire was faxed to him, he has not responded.
Name: Reese Turner
Occupation: VP Sales
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Joe Gardner
Occupation: CPA
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: David Sibley
Occupation: Lawyer
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Robert Duncan
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Tom Haywood
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Teel Bivins
Occupation: Rancher, Investments
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Debe McGuire
Occupation: CPA & Stockbroker
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Stacy Cody
Occupation: Pharmacist
Incumbent?
Analysis: He supports the INDIVIDUAL right to keep and bear arms
and the moral right to protect oneself. He opposes waiting periods
but does not favor repealing the assault weapons ban. He supports
state pre-emption (no local restrictions).
Name: Sue Fancher
Occupation: Financial Services
Incumbent? N
Analysis: This candidate impressed our interviewer as a thoughtful
lady, on our side philosophically but not really knowledgeable
about the specifics of gun-related issues. She opposes waiting
periods but favors an instant-check system for purchases, and
she opposes the assault-weapons ban. She believes in the INDIVIDUAL
right to arms. She is undecided about Vermont-style, no-license
handgun carry and the issue of state pre-emption vs. local control.
Name: Betty Brown
Occupation: Homemaker/Rancher
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Brown has not returned our survey as I write this. However,
she did fill out the GOA survey. Of the 15 questions on the GOA
survey Mrs. Brown gave positive responses to each and every one.
Where Second amendment issues are concerned I do not believe we
could go wrong with Mrs. Brown.
Name: Brad Ghormley
Occupation: Insurance Executive
Incumbent? N
Analysis: While Ghormley did not return our survey he did return
the GOA survey. There were two negative answers on that survey.
1) When asked if he would support legislation to eliminate government
mandated training in order to get a permit he answered no. 2)
He did not answer the question about letting adult (18 and over)
college students carry on campuses.
Name: Dan Flynn
Occupation: Rancher
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Now this is the MAN, he responded yes to all of our survey questions and provided me with the Second amendment voting record of his opponent Rep. Bob Glaze. Bob is one guy that we most definitely want to get voted out of office. Bob has tried at every turn to stop Texan's concealed handgun carry rights. Sounds like we need a change and Dan Flynn could be the answer.
Name: Leo Berman
Occupation: Retired
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Ted Kamel
Occupation: ETMC-EMS
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Tommy Merritt
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Gene Barron
Occupation: Rancher
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Answered all Y to the GOA questionnaire. His Democratic opponent, Paul Sadler has a C rating from TSRA in 1996. This is a definite CHECK for firearms freedoms fans.
Name: Wayne Christian
Occupation: Invest. Sales
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Had TSRA rating of A in 1996; he did not reply to the
GOA survey. Our volunteer did not contact him because he had no
primary opponent; we hope to add information by November.
Name: Jim Pitts
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Todd Staples
Occupation: Real Estate Appraiser
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Jeffrey L. Weinstein
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Charles B. Jones
Occupation: Rancher/Administrator
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Fred Brown
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Bill Roman
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Thomas 'Tommy' Williams
Occupation: Sales/Ins.&Finance
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Ruben Hope
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Real "Ray" Provencher
Occupation: consultant
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Christina Ryan
Occupation: Peace Officer
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Les R. Chambers
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Ben Bius
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Eddie Shauberger
Occupation: Administrator
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Shauberger has an unlisted phone number according
to information. None of his positions are known as he did not
return Gun Owners of America' survey and could not be reached
by our volunteer. It is hard to take a candidate seriously when
he is so difficult to contact.
Name: Kent Adams
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Adams is for the concealed carry law and against
the ban on semi-automatics. He stated he is for tougher laws for
criminals and opposes tighter gun legislation. He did not return
our questionaire
Name: Larry G. LaRousse
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. LaRousse is for the concealed carry law. He does
not have his own permit to carry. He states that he owns guns
and is a member of the NRA, yet supports the ban on semi-automatics
(the "assault weapons ban") and does not want to see
it repealed. He said he would fill out a questionnaire, but it
was not received by the deadline.
Name: Dave Norman
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr Norman was rated A in 1996 by the Texas State Rifle
Association. He runs opposing Patrcia Gray (in November) who is
not gun owner friendly. No other information on this candidate
was found.
Name: Robert Earl Hart
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Hart says he is in favor of concealed carry and
goes one step further in saying Texans should be able to carry
without permits. He is against the ban on semi-automatics and
the Brady Bill and says he is in favor of their repeal. He got
a perfect score on his PTFFR questionaire. Since he is a bit more
pro than his opponent, we recommend him as the best candidate
for your pro-gun vote.
Name: Larry Taylor
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Taylor says he is in favor of the concealed carry
law and has obtained a permit. He states that he is opposed to
the assault weapons ban and is in favor of repealing it. Mr. Taylor
also states that he is against the Brady Bill and earned a perfect
score on his PTFFR questionaire.
Name: Dennis Bonnen
Occupation: Small Business
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Charlie Howard
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Michael Franks
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: This candidate is pretty much an individual-rights and gun-rights "purist." He opposes the assault-weapons ban, waiting periods, etc., and wants to generally minimize government control of citizens. Although a shooter, he does not intend to get a CHL because he doesn't believe in getting a State license to exercise a Constitutional right.
Name: Edward T. (Ed) Garcia
Occupation: Insurance Agent
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Garza did not respond to our survey.
Name: Geanie W. Morrison
Occupation: Homemaker
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mrs. Morrison says she supports a "very literal"
interpretation of the Second Amendment. She seems to be philosophically
on our side but not really knowledgeable about the specifics of
gun-related issues. She opposes waiting periods and local restrictions
on carrying but is undecided about repealing the assault-weapons
ban and Vermont-style "no-license" carry.
Name: J. Taylor Starkey
Occupation: Physician
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Dr. Starkey is a strong gun-rights supporter, who does
not think a citizen should have to take a course and pay for a
license to carry a gun. He opposes waiting periods but feels he
would have to study the issue in more detail before he could voice
an opinion about repealing the federal assault-weapons ban. He
seems to be on our side philosophically but is not extremely knowledgeable
about the specifics of gun-related issues.
Name: Gene Seaman
Occupation: Insurance Sales Manager
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Arturo Granado
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Granado asked that a survey be mailed to him. The survey
was mailed to him on 2/17/98. Apparently Granado does not have
fax or e-mail capability. Granado has not returned our survey
or GOA's survey.
Name: Rene De Alejandro
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Alejandro was contacted and a survey was sent to him
on 2/16/98. Alejandro has not returned our survey or GOA's survey.
Name: Bob Hurley
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Hurley returned our survey as well as the GOA survey.
His responses to both shows a real commitment to your firearms
rights. He indicates he supports virtually every GOA position,
repeal of the semi-auto ban, and opposes waiting periods. When
asked what the Second Amendment means, he wrote, it "was
designed to allow the average man to have weapons in his home
to defend himself and his family against all things, including
tyrannical governments." You can't go wrong with Mr. Hurley.
Name: Edmund Kuempel
Occupation: Salesman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Rick Green
Occupation: Small Business Owner/MGR
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Green did not respond to our survey by mail and
did not respond to a phone call. We do not recommend voting for
people who refuse to share information about themselves.
Name: Terry Keel
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Emil Blomquist
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: While Mr. Blomquist is not exactly a strong advocate
for gun rights, he definitely is not the gun-hater that Mr. Naishtat
is. Blomquist tells he is "Pro-Gun," and he did come
to one of our meetings to meet with us personally, tell us his
views, and enlist our support.
Name: David "Bread Man" Blakely
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: The Bread Man Did not respond to our survey by mail
and did not respond to a phone call.
Name: Fred Ebner
Occupation: Retired
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Ebner did not return our survey but he did send
me a letter with a P.S. " There is no way I am anti gun!"
His website does not mention firearm issues.
Name: Roger Settler
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Settler did not respond to our survey by mail and
would not respond to repeated phone calls.
Name: Mike Krusee
Occupation: small business owner
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Harvey Hilderbran
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Suzanna Gratia Hupp
Occupation: Chiropractor/State Rep.
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: As you may recall, Ms. Hupp has
testified before many state and federal committees about her experience
at the Luby's Massacre in Killeen, Texas, where she lost both
her parents to an armed madman, when she had her own gun sitting
uselessly in her glove compartment in the parking lot, because
Texas law at the time made it illegal to carry it. She states
unequivocally that she had the opportunity to take down the assailant,
and save her parents. You can expect she will be a strong advocate
of your gun rights in the Texas Legislature, where we need her.
Name: Dianne White Delisi
Occupation: self-employed
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Kip Averitt
Occupation: Manufacturing
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Averitt did not respond to our
survey by mail and would not respond to repeated phone calls.
Name: Arlene Wohlgemuth
Occupation: State Representative
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Ms. Wohlgemuth responded to our questionnaire with thoughtful
answers that demonstrate an exceptionally good comprehension of
firearms issues. For example, she correctly pointed out that
the 1994 ban on semi-automatics (the "assault rifle"
ban) was not what the public was led to believe, because the guns
banned were "sporting rifles with a military look instead
of true assault weapons." Regarding the Second Amendment,
she stated, "It also serves as a deterrent for the government's
desire to violate the other Amendments in the Bill of Rights."
She opposes waiting periods, special licensing of guns, ammo,
etc., and supports repeal of the federal ban on semi-automatics.
Name: Becky Farrar
Occupation: Ranching
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Dan Hunter
Occupation: Small Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Jim Keffer
Occupation: Sales
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Phil King
Occupation: Judge/Attorney
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Ron Clark
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Clark received an "A" from TSRA
in 1996. Mr. Clark responded to the Peaceable Texan questionnaire
in 1996 and took the opportunity to expand on the questions asked.
He indicates some knowledge of firearms and the 2nd Amendment.
He supports repeal of the semi-auto ban, and does not support
the Brady Law. He would not support efforts by local governments
to place restrictions on the carrying of handguns in parks and
on busses, but considers limitations appropriate for areas such
as courtrooms, council chambers, and jails where prisoners are
present. Responses appear to be very pro-gun, but he did indicate
that the ability of a bullet to penetrate medium grade kevlar
vests should be used as a basis for the government to ban that
bullet. He is a member of the NRA. This year, he did not respond
to GOA, NPAT, or our survey.
Name: Mary Denny
Occupation: Businesswoman/St. Rep.
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Denny has responded to our survey and has answered all
the questions that would support our cause. She did respond to
the GOA survey by answering Y to all questions (which is very
good). Her response to the NPAT survey was also in our favor.
She co-sponsored Texas' Right to carry legislation and co-authored
of HB601 by Carter. Her response to her opinion on the intent
and meaning of the Second Amendment was... "The Second Amendment
means what it says. 'the right of the people to keep and bear
Arms, shall not be infringed.'". She is endorsed by TSRA.
Name: Mike Lawshe
Occupation: Corp. Finance
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Lawshe was mailed a questionnaire, but he has not
returned it. He was called at least twice by our volunteer, who
noted: "Left a message that he returned once but he did no
respond to additional attempts to talk to him." His web site
does not say a word about firearms.
Name: Ronny Crownover
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Crownover failed to return our questionnaire. Our
volunteered noted, "Crownover returned my first call but
did not return subsequent calls. I never did speak to him."
We do not recommend voting for people who refuse to share information
about themselves.
Name: Tom Jester
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Jester did not respond to our
survey or phone calls. Many people believe that finding out where
a candidate stands is just a simple matter of asking. Not So.
We routinely find it to be very difficult to get candidates to
take a stand. This candidate is one of them. It is incredible
that these people can ask for your vote, but refuse to tell you
anything about themselves. This is what our volunteer wrote about
Mr. Jester: "On February 11 I sent all the candidates a copy
of the survey with a self addressed, stamped envelope and a cover
letter that provided my phone number and a 24 hour, toll free,
voice mail phone number so that they could contact me if they
had any questions or comments. None of the mailings were 'returned
to sender' (so I am sure that they were received). On February
23 I was calling the candidates to be sure that they had received
the survey. Each candidate was called at least twice and was provided
with the same phone numbers and a request for a time and place
that I could call them back." We do not recommend
voting for people who refuse to share information about themselves.
Name: Donna Morris
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Ms. Morris answered "yes" to all the questions
on the GOA survey except that she would not "Support legislation
to eliminate government mandated training to obtain a [carry]
permit." Based on this, she is probably a worthy of our support.
I spoke with her and she said she had not seen the survey I sent
to her and asked me to fax her one, which I did. Because she did
not return it to mein a timely manner, I faxed her another that
she did not respond to either.
Name: Jerry Reagan
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Reagan did not respond to our
survey or phone calls. We do not recommend voting for people
who refuse to share information about themselves
Name: Burt Solomons
Occupation:
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Brian McCall
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Jerry A. Madden
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Rick Hardcastle
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Neither Mr. Hardcastle, nor his
opponent, responded to our survey or phone calls. Many people
believe that finding out where a candidate stands is just a simple
matter of asking. Not So. We routinely find it to be very difficult
to get candidates to take a stand. This candidate is one of them.
It is incredible that these people can ask for your vote, but
refuse to tell you anything about themselves. This is what our
volunteer wrote: "On February 11 I sent all the candidates
a copy of the survey with a self addressed, stamped envelope and
a cover letter that provided my phone number and a 24 hour, toll
free, voice mail phone number so that they could contact me if
they had any questions or comments. None of the mailings were
'returned to sender' (so I am sure that they were received). On
February 23 I was calling the candidates to be sure that they
had received the survey. Each candidate was called at least twice
and was provided with the same phone numbers and a request for
a time and place that I could call them back." We
do not recommend voting for people who refuse to share information
about themselves.
Name: Waco Tabor
Occupation: Business Owner
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Tabor did not respond to our questionnaire or phone
calls, (see the discussion above). We do not recommend voting
for people who refuse to share information about themselves.
Name: Ron Buffum
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Like all too many candidates for
public office, Mr. Buffum did not respond to our questionnaire.
Name: Charles L. "Chip" Hitchcock
Occupation:
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Like all too many candidates for
public office, Mr. Hitchcock did not respond to our questionnaire.
Name: Scott McLaughlin
Occupation: Manager, Wholesale distributor
Incumbent?
Analysis: Like all too many candidates for
public office, Mr. McLaughlin did not respond to our questionnaire.
Name: Bob Hunter
Occupation:
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Russ Duerstine
Occupation: Computer Consultant
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Like all too many candidates for
public office, Mr. Duerstine did not respond to our questionnaire.
Name: Randy C. Leifeste
Occupation: Rancher
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Like all too many candidates for
public office, Mr. Leifeste did not respond to our questionnaire.
Name: Gerard Sanden
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Like all too many candidates for
public office, Mr. Sanden did not respond to our questionnaire.
Name: Pat Haggerty
Occupation:
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: This incumbent had an A rating from TSRA in 1996. Did
not respond to GOA's survey this year. Our volunteer did not contact
him because he had no primary opponent; we hope to add information
by November.
Name: Gary L. Walker
Occupation: Consultant
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: TSRA rated A in 1996. Did not reply to GOA survey. Walker,
as incumbent, has a good chance of winning the primary.
Name: Skeet Workman
Occupation: Farming
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Replied to GOA's questionaire, and gave almost perfect
answers across the board. All she did was fail to answer one.
Ms. Workman is a home schooler. She was not sent a questionaire
by our volunteer, nor contacted by phone, but based on her responses
to GOA's survey, we like her.
Name: G. E. "Buddy" West
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Tom Craddick
Occupation: Investor/Sales
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Delwin Jones
Occupation: Investments
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Carl H. Isett
Occupation: CPA
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Hollis Cain
Occupation: Rancher
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Ran against the Speaker of the House, Pete Laney in
1996 and lost. Did not respond to 1996 TSRA survey, and has not
responded to 1998 GOA survey. Our volunteer did not contact him
because he had no primary opponent; we hope to add information
by November.
Name: John Smithee
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: David Swinford
Occupation: Agribusiness
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Warren Chisum
Occupation: Oil Producer
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Sue Palmer
Occupation: Petroleum Distributor
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: TSRA 1996 rating of A. She did not reply to GOA's 1998
survey. Our volunteer did not contact him because he had no primary
opponent; we hope to add information by November.
Name: Bill G. Carter
Occupation: Insurance agent
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Carter has worked closely with the TSRA to advance
the pro-gun agenda in the legislature. He is a proven quantity.
We wish that he would be a stronger advocate, but hey, we are
realistic. He voted for the 1995 trigger lock bill
in committee, but that may be because that bill was not opposed
by the TSRA, (a sad comment on the TSRA's lobbyists that year).
To his credit, he seemed able to get the bill substantially amended
to make it much less onerous than it was when introduced.
Name: Monte Mitchell
Occupation: Physician
Incumbent? N
Analysis: We have no information on Mr. Mitchell. Unless and until
he comes forward and proves he is an advocate of firearms rights,
we cannot help but endorse the incumbent in this race.
Name: Todd Smith
Occupation: Attorney/ St. Rep
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Toby Goodman
Occupation: Attorney
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Dan Engel
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Engel was telephoned and did not return the call.
A letter was sent requesting his stance on the second amendment
and gun control issues. A second letter was sent with the questionnaire
enclosed. He has not responded to either letter. We do not recommend
voting for people who refuse to share information about themselves.
Name: Kent Grusendorf
Occupation: Bus. Exec.
Incumbent? Y
Analysis: Mr. Grusendorf has maintained an A+ rating from the
TSRA. He filled out the GOA questionnaire, answering Yes to all
questions (that is very good), and in response to our volunteer's
inquiries he wrote a letter to our volunteer (click to see it);
unfortunately, we have not received his questionnaire.
Name: Kenneth Scarborough
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Scarborough was telephoned and did return the call.
A letter, with the questionnaire enclosed, was sent requesting
his stance on the second amendment and gun control issues. He
has not responded to the letter. We do not recommend voting for
people who refuse to share information about themselves.
Name: Kim Brimer
Occupation: Insurance Agent
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Anna Mowery
Occupation: State Representative
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Bill Brandt
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Brandt was telephoned and said that he is pro-gun.
He mentioned that his father is a gunsmith, and that he feels
that gun ownership is essential to citizens. A letter was sent
with the questionnaire enclosed. He has not responded to the letter.
Name: Dave Hart
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Mr. Hart was telephoned and did return the call. A letter,
with the questionnaire enclosed, was sent requesting his stance
on the second amendment and gun control issues. He has not responded
to the letter.
Name: Nancy Moffat
Occupation: Consultant
Incumbent?
Analysis: Ms. Moffatt was telephoned and her aide said to send
the survey. A letter, with the questionnaire enclosed, was sent
requesting her stance on the second amendment and gun control
issues. She has not responded to the letter. She has an A rating
from the TSRA.
Name: Vicki Truitt
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Ms. Truitt was telephoned and said to send the survey.
A letter, with the questionnaire enclosed, was sent requesting
her stance on the second amendment and gun control issues. She
has not responded.
Name: Kenny E. Marchant
Occupation: Investor
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Joe Hicks
Occupation: CPA
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Elvira Reyna
Occupation:
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Tony Goolsby
Occupation: Investments
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Monty Weddell
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Ray Allen
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: John Alvis
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Carolyn Galloway
Occupation: State Representative
Incumbent? Y
Analysis:
Name: Kenn George
Occupation: CEO
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Fred Hill
Occupation: Businessman
Incumbent? N
Analysis:
Name: Joe Driver
Occupation: Insurance Sales
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Will Hartnett
Occupation: Probate Attorney
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Bill Siebert
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: John H. Shields
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Frank J. Corte, Jr.
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Carrie Hammer
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Peggy Hamric
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Joe Crabb
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Dwayne Andries
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: John B. Branch
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Since we so strongly endorse Doug Wood for this race,
we will not pretend to be objective by trying to summarize the
positions of his opponents. Please understand that most candidates
do not respond to questionnaires, and we usually must have a volunteer
expend his own money to call and pester candidates to try to get
them on record about their views. We have limited numbers of volunteers
and limited resources, and we felt that it would be a waste of
these resources to attempt to interview all of the candidates
in this race, when we already know one of them so well.
Name: John Davis
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Since we so strongly endorse Doug Wood for this race,
we will not pretend to be objective by trying to summarize the
positions of his opponents. Please understand that most candidates
do not respond to questionnaires, and we usually must have a volunteer
expend his own money to call and pester candidates to try to get
them on record about their views. We have limited numbers of volunteers
and limited resources, and we felt that it would be a waste of
these resources to attempt to interview all of the candidates
in this race, when we already know one of them so well.
Name: J.J. Isbell
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis: Since we so strongly endorse Doug Wood for this race,
we will not pretend to be objective by trying to summarize the
positions of his opponents. Please understand that most candidates
do not respond to questionnaires, and we usually must have a volunteer
expend his own money to call and pester candidates to try to get
them on record about their views. We have limited numbers of volunteers
and limited resources, and we felt that it would be a waste of
these resources to attempt to interview all of the candidates
in this race, when we already know one of them so well.
Name: Doug Wood
Occupation: Lawyer, Engineer
Incumbent? N
Analysis: Mr. Wood is a graduate of Yale Law School, and not only
is a lawyer, but a practicing mechanical and chemical engineer.
He is also a positive advocate of your firearm rights. He will
not be just a mere "supporter;" like so many other candidates
will tell you. You can count on him to file and push pro-gun bills.
The lack of our own agenda has been one of the problems in the
gun rights arena for 30 years. The antis constantly push their
agenda for more gun control laws, and we constantly give up ground.
There is no place to "compromise" because the antis
never stop at the last compromise, but always push for a new one.
We must begin to push back, if we are ever to regain lost
ground, much less to resist giving up new ground. To do this,
we need more than supporters, we need advocates. Mr. Wood
is someone we know personally, as he helped us organize a pro-gun
rally in Houston in 1994, organized people to show up at Houston
City Council meetings, and trekked door-to-door for pro-gun candidates
in the past. He holds an FFL.
Name: John Culberson
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Joe Nixon
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Kyle Janek
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Gary Elkins
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Beverly Woolley
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Ben Dominguez, II
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Dwayne Bohac
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: K.E. Glucksmann
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Robert E. Talton
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Michael Bunch
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: David Fuson
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Talmadge L. Heflin
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
Name: Paul J. Hilbert
Occupation:
Incumbent?
Analysis:
