There are five candidates in the 2006 primary for House District 63. I've gotten several mailers now (including at least one from every candidate). I've read their websites. I've kept up with the local papers. And I have no clue who I'm voting for.
Let me try to break this down for myself, and see if I can write my way toward a choice. I'll put this in the form of a wish list.
I really want the next District 63 representative to come from Flower Mound.I've said this before in my blog (October 26). Flower Mound represents at least a third of the District 63 population. Add in neighbors from western Lewisville and Highland Village, and altogether we account for two-thirds of the District 63 population. Everyone else, from Roanoke to Northlake to Argyle to Aubrey, makes up the final third.
Anne Lakusta and Tan Parker are Flower Mounders, though Parker appears to be a newcomer. I have no idea how long he's lived here, but he's never been active in local politics before. Bill Lawrence is the former Highland Village mayor, which is close enough to understand the specific needs in our area. Remember, Highland Village is also part of the Lewisville ISD. Ricky Grunden is from Krum, way to the north, and in the country. Mike Savoie is former mayor of Northlake, way to the west. Points then for Lakusta, Parker and Lawrence. Bigger points for Lakusta and Lawrence, since each has served in the public arena.
My biggest concern this year and next is school finance. Our current legislature has failed us. We need representatives and leaders who will put politics aside and make hard choices. We need local control of our tax money. We may even need a wholesale change of our tax code. I want our next representative to be a visionary leader in the area of school finance -- to find and mold a creative solution to benefit students and taxpayers for the next generation.
Not an easy proposition, is it. This is a tough job, and I don't have much faith that our current legislature will fix school finance before the court-mandated summer date. I expect we'll still be seeking answers when the next regular session convenes in 2007.
Anne Lakusta is a long-time Lewisville ISD trustee, and the only candidate in this race with real experience in managing school finances. Big points for Anne. But I'm surprised she's not running hard on this one issue that would separate her from the rest of the pack. It makes me wonder if she has her hands around the complexities of restructuring a school-finance and a state tax system. I'm not sure if any one person (particularly a legislative newcomer) is up to this task. I wish Anne would be more specific in what she would do.
I want the next District 63 representative to be a leader in the State House.
Granted this won't happen overnight. House rookies get the scraps -- the smallest offices, the lower-profile committee assignments. There's a steep curve to learn how things work. There's a steeper curve to work your way into the various centers of power and influence. So, who's got the best chance to make the biggest impact these next two years? This is a very hard question to answer. It's even more difficult since I've yet to have an opportunity to meet these candidates face to face. So I'll use what I've got to work with, namely campaign literature. So this will be a pretty superficial exercise, I'm afraid.
Tan Parker looks like the perfect candidate. Good-looking guy, nice-looking family. A long resume' of political this and that. I don't doubt he has some connections, but I wonder if those connections show he's a better candidate for GOP "rush chairman", than for a candidate for public office in these tough times. I wish he had a resume that included a term in public office.
Anne Lakusta has good local public experience. She's even been president of the local school board. But I wonder if she's a strong enough personality to be a force in the House. I'd really like to see her in action, and I haven't had the chance to do that.
Ricky Grunden seems to have great experience, and his campaign piece on his 2040 plan is the best attempt to demonstrate a handle on the specific issues. But he has no political experience.
Any former mayor of Highland Village has political experience. That little city has issues. Bill Lawrence has fought all kinds of battles in his tenure, so he's used to a good scrape. The Wal-Mart plan there is not popular with a lot of HV folks, but he managed to get it passed. Is he ready for the daily scrapes in the Legislature? Maybe so.
Mike Savoie may have the most relevant experience, both business and political. Being mayor of Northlake (pop 1200 people) may not be the same as being mayor of HV or FM, but it counts for something. Like Grunden, Savoie speaks more in specifics compared to the other candidates.
Biggest points to Grunden and Savoie.
Endorsements are useful to a point. Sometimes they can actually work against you. I'm looking for a candidate who demonstrates a strong backing from the most relevant and most discerning people.
Savoie has a list of local mayors supporting him. That's OK. It's good to have a wide range of support, and it boosts Savoie's claim that he can work with other political folks to get something done.
Grunden claims Chad Hennings as his big catch. I have high respect for Hennings as a football player and a citizen. His endorsement doesn't help me with Grunden though. Grunden also gets a nod from the mayor of Shady Shores, but is that even in our District 63?
Lawrence has endorsements from the mayors of Lewisville and Double Oak -- it's good to be liked by your neighbors. (Wonder who Jody Smith is endorsing?)
Tan Parker is endorsed by Dick Armey, but I don't see any others standing up for him. Dick's not doing it for me. It just bolsters my growing belief that Tan wants to be in the system, but doesn't have the stuff to change the system.
Has Anne Lakusta been endorsed by anyone? She should be as connected with anyone here in Flower Mound. Even if she had names of prominent Flower Mounders on her site, that would be a big plus.
Points to Savoie and Lawrence. Negative points to Parker and Lakusta for not taking advantage of seeking public support from local Flower Mounders.
The best candidate will demonstrate a broad base of campaign financial support. More gifts from more local donors is best.
It's hard to find real separation here. All the candidates have raised about the same amount of money, though some are depending on personal loans to pay the bills. Relying on personal loans is the sign of a weaker candidate. A new candidate should be shaking hands with as many people as possible, and asking for their financial support too. I'd love to see a candidate with a hundred people giving $25 each. But there's no such candidate in this list.
No points here. Negative points to Parker and Savoie for large loans.
So where are we? Just as confused as before. I hope to meet the candidates soon. Perhaps that will seal the deal. That's the way it should be.
