GOP continues sweep of statewide offices in Texas

Houston Chronicle:

Republicans continued their dominance of statewide offices Tuesday, as members of the Railroad Commission, Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals beat back Democratic challengers.

Two Republican incumbents who represent Harris County districts on the State Board of Education also won re-election. Democrats have not won a statewide office since 1994. This year they mounted a full slate of candidates for the Texas Supreme Court.

Incumbent Michael Willliams defeated Democrat Mark Thompson, 49, a therapist for the blind who lives in Garland. Williams, 55, has been on three-member commission for nine years. He wants Texas to be a leader in the development of new technologies to burn coal for electricity generation.

Thompson said his race for the commission was sparked by difficulties he had getting information about a 2007 gas explosion in Wylie. Libertarian David Floyd, a 33-year-old Austin businessman, also sought the seat.

Republican incumbent Wallace Jefferson withstood a strong challenge from Democrat Jim Jordan, a state district judge in Dallas County. Libertarian Tom Oxford, a 52-year-old Beaumont attorney, trailed.

Jefferson, 45, has been on the court since 2001 and chief justice since 2004. Jordan, 56, had criticized Jefferson, saying he failed to exert his authority to make sure cases are handled in a timely fashion.

"I'm very grateful that the voters have retained me in office," Jefferson said.

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There is more.

What is interesting with these two races is that both candidates are black and they won their races with mostly white voters. They had both won earlier elections. Williams is a dynamic personality. I think he has a future beyond just the Railroad Commission. He is very good on the energy issues and I look for him to having a growing voice in the national debate on that issue. With the Democrats' hatred of energy he will have an opportunity to speak out as never before.