Chronicle Endorsement Season: County Version

County offices: The Chronicle begins its endorsements of candidates in the November general election

A few surprises here:

District Clerk: Charles Bacarisse ... no surprise. In fact, I'll second that endorsment. The Democratic nominee here isn't even funny enough to qualify as a joke. His rap sheet (ref: here) is far too serious to be taken as such and Democrats would be wise to send the strongest possible signal that he shouldn't be welcomed in this party.

County Clerk: Beverly Kaufman ... I'll disagree on this one, but I also find it hilarious how the Chronicle adds "If she is re-elected, the Chronicle urges Kaufman to take additional steps to insure ballot integrity, such as adding a paper trail to the electronic system." Why is it that I immediately think back to all those Texas newspaper endorsements of George Bush back in 2004 suggesting that, if elected, he'll be more moderate and bipartisan than he was over the prior four years? Screw it, vote for Pierre in this race.

County Treasurer: Orlando Sanchez ... wha??? As if that isn't shocking enough, here's another stunner: "If elected, Sanchez, a Republican, says he will shun involvement in political issues that have little bearing on his office ...." I find it incredibly difficult to not question the intelligence of the people who made this call. Sanchez is well on record for saying that he needs to be in office to rail against illegal immigration. Vote for the ultimate streamlining of this office, elimination ... Richard Garcia promises to fight for just that.

County School trustee #3: Andrew Burks, Jr. ... well, at least this one's a pleasant surprise. Burks' opponent is a fringe activist, who's proudest accomplishment seems to be the number of photos he can have himself taken alongside of Republican officials. How that translates into what he'd do in this relatively insignificant office (I'd be all in favor of letting County Commissioners appoint a board for this). Burks was one of the early riders on the Borris Miles bandwagon, and that alone endears him to me.