Listen to Pratt on Texas weekdays at 5pm on 98.7 FM or 1420 AM in Lubbock or across the Big Country and Abilene on 96.1 FM. Miss the on-air program? Listen to a recording of the show (podcast) here.
- If the office is not listed I am not issuing a recommendation.
- I have not included races without opposition.
- Some of races are district, or area, specific and will not apply on all ballots.
PRESIDENT: Donald J. Trump
UNITED STATES SENATOR: Ted Cruz
UNITED STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 19: Jodey C. Arrington
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER: Christi Craddick
JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 4: John Devine
PRESIDING JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS: Sharon Keller*
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 7: Gina Parker
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 8: Michelle Slaughter**
STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 30 (N Texas to Wichita Falls): Carrie de Moore or Jace Yarbrough
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 60 (Breckenridge to Weatherford-area): Mike Olcott
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 68: (Nacona to Lampasas) Kerri Kingsbery
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 71 (Abilene-area): Liz Case
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 72 (San Angelo to Big Spring-area): Stormy Bradley
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 83 (Lubbock-area): _see below__***
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 86 (Amarillo-area): John Smithee
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 87: (Amarillo-area): Caroline Fairly
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 88: (Canadian to Levelland-area): Karen Post
NON-BINDING REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS RESOLUTIONS:
- FOR
- FOR
- FOR
- FOR
- FOR
- AGAINST – I’m sympathetic to the issue but opposed to lack of flexibility such imposes.
- AGAINST – Not fully opposed but unsure of what the move would accomplish.
- FOR
- FOR
- FOR
- FOR
- FOR
- AGAINST – I agree with the policy in general for governments but to ban all “citizens” seems an overreach given that many “citizens” are official permanent residents of the U.S. and often become loyal American citizens.
Lubbock County races:
- COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 1: Terence Kovar – I am not happy with all of Kovar’s decisions but his opponent, in interview after interview, never defines how he will be more conservative.
- COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 3: Mary Hernandez – Mr. Shaw is a fine man I endorsed in a previous race but did not show the ability to beat the Democrat incumbent in November. It is time to give Mary Hernandez, a solid conservative, a chance to take this seat from the Democrats in the November General Election.
Taylor County races:
- TAYLOR COUNTY SHERIFF: Ricky Bishop
* Sharon Keller is an incumbent that the Paxton crowd would like to see removed and someone I have endorsed against in the past – there are plenty of reasons to elect someone else but, beware of whom you choose! Keller will be forced to retire before her term is over (she turns 75 in August of 2028 which will require her to leave office by 31 December 2028) which will allow the governor to appoint someone to the post for the remainder of the six year term. Why oppose challenger David Schenk? Mr. Schenk, already passed over by Abbott for an appointment to the Court, is an acolyte of RINO money-man Salem Abraham‘s quest to make Texas more like many other states in how judicial campaigns are limited.
** Michelle Slaughter is an incumbent that the Paxton crowd would like to see removed. I do not disagree with removing her but, her opponent, Lee Finley, has a serious problem that to me appears to be a major personal ethics failure. No matter how much I have read, his lawsuit against a mortgage company appears to be little more than an attempt to not pay a legitimate debt based upon a paperwork technicality. The best coverage of this comes from The Texan, a subscription site, and you can find it here: https://thetexan.news/elections/2024/court-of-criminal-appeals-candidate-lee-finley-addresses-legal-battle-with-mortgage-company/article_d25a0134-c46b-11ee-bfae-976bf7b04e2a.html
*** HD83: Both candidates, incumbent Dustin Burrows and challenger Wade Cowan, are people I have known for many years. Two of Wade Cowan’s businesses have been major advertisers on Pratt on Texas at various times in the past. Wade and I became well acquainted when I was Lubbock County Republican Party chairman as he was the very active and effective chairman of the Terry County GOP at the time.
Burrows never had to earn the HD83 seat in the brutal and bruising manner his area colleagues earned election to their seats as he was selected by GOP precinct chairmen for his first General Election ballot to fill a Republican nomination vacancy. One would think that having become one of the top members of leadership in the Texas House, Burrows would be past media shyness and avoiding public defense of his performance and record. However in this 2024 race, Burrows has sent surrogates to campaign forums at which Cowan appeared – even the Lubbock Area Republican Women’s forum at which a former state rep. and now lobbyist appeared for him!
I would issue an endorsement for Wade Cowan in this race if not for the importance and quality of Burrow’s work in Austin on select, complex conservative issues such as the bill stopping liberal cities from passing laws that conflict with state law or jurisdiction. But more than that, the top reason I will not argue for replacing Burrows at this time is the massive behind the scenes support he has provided the Pro-Life movement in Lubbock, and elsewhere, as it worked to pass the sanctuary city for the unborn ordinance. Burrows is also helping with other key cultural issues as well.
Countering that is that I have long admonished voters not to take their voting decisions based on who would be the most enjoyable person to have as a buddy, but instead, to vote based upon how someone will vote in office. But in this last session Burrows’ voting record put him with the most liberal, all-out RINOs, in the respected analysis by Mark P. Jones at Rice University’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy.
I personally know Burrows to be very conservative on most all issues from cultural to economic but, what good is that if he doesn’t use his leadership power to move more of the conservative agenda? I’m hoping, maybe foolishly, that this last session was a aberration that will immediately be righted by Burrows.
I get a vote in this race and frankly, I am still not completely certain how I will mark my own ballot. I have many reasons to think Dustin Burrows should be beaten for the seat and I have many reasons why I think his talents are worth keeping. It is painful to not be able to offer a simple endorsement of Wade Cowan – I know he is solidly conservative, plain spoken, and not a man who works with a hidden agenda or in a Machiavellian manner in order to please the Austin insider power crowd.
For those not burdened with personally knowing both candidates, this should be an easier decision than it is for me.
I’m leaving it to you without a recommendation either way. You can call it “wimping out,” but it is not. I do not want my insider personal annoyances and grievances, as well as non-political likes and dislikes, to color such an important recommendation and I have found no way for that to happen other than to pass on this key race.
I have questions about Burrows regarding his relationship with Dade Phelan. Where can I research the following:
Has Phelan appointed Democrats to positions of power on certain committees?
If so, why would a Republican do that? It seems that Democrats ought to have as little say as possible.
Does Burrows give support to Phelan?
If so, is there justification for that support? Or should Burrows be grilled on that and potentially voted out for it?
Yes, I’ve covered it on the show. Burrows is part of the leadership team and in reporting this time around I believe that Phelan has given Burrows $10,000. Phelan made the appointments, as have all Republican speakers, and yes it is something upon which to grill Burrows.
Smart. Very smart action item.
I would appreciate it if you could elaborate on your recommendation concerning John Devine. I have heard some concerning reports of poor attendance and possible personal ethical issues, which gives me pause in voting for him.
Those “ethics” issues are primarily from a campaign of the Houston Chronicle. It’s guilt by association primarily because an old law partner was doing bad things.
Thanks. Appreciate your help.
I truly appreciate your input and knowledge! I await and anticipate your selections and Texan honest discussions ! This is greatly appreciated ! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Sincerely,
Jeff
Very kind Jeff. Thank you very much.
Could you elaborate on picking Karen Post?
Solely that since the day he was first elected, Ken King, is awful. He’s had his time, give Post a chance.
What is strength or purpose of a resolution?
To show the will of the Republican Party.
Yes. By their fruits, they should be judged. Empty RINO rhetoric is worthless compared to facts.
Mr. Pratt, is there any chance we hear you back on the radio in Wichita Falls? My husband and I miss listening to your show.
Thank you so much. There are so few locally owned stations anymore. Please call your favorite and ask them, we’d love to be back on Texoma!
I agree! I wish you were back on here in Wichita Falls! I’ve been waiting on your voting guide before going to vote. Thanks for all you do.
I appreciate your advice and reasoning. You’re a right thinking American.
I’m picking Wade Cowan. He deserves a chance to prove he is willing to stand up to the Rino’s, and prove he is not one.
Good day sir,
I’ve heard over and over about the battle between Liz Case and Stan Lambert. Do you have a reason for your endorsement choice? I guess I’m not as privy to the battle for District 71.
Always enjoy listening to you on KORQ, thanks for your consideration and have a great 2024.
Best,
David Bontke
Well, since Lambert was first elected I have been pointing out why he needs to be beaten. He’s a do nothing backbencher and votes with the most liberal faction of the party. This is hardly new information.
Two issues: there’s a story about Christi Craddick and Tom Craddick being involved in an oil and gas deal and made $10M. She used her office to secure some sweet deal for them. True?
The Dolcefino report on John Devine is disturbing. Read your comments about that. Still seems like an ethical issue on the part of Devine and his wife.
New to Abilene area, so, new to you and your reporting. Need help with your thoughts on above. Thanks for your support for Liz Case. RINO Lambert needs to go!
The Craddick story is an old one trotted out for elections. Of course Tom has made a lot of money in oil and gas.
As to Devine, Dolcefino and others, mainly the Houston Chronicle, rest most of everything on guilt by association. All I will say is that I hope a friend, associate, or family member of yours doesn’t come under indictment for terrible behavior because many people will swear that there is no way you didn’t know.
I once has a close business associate who is alleged by some to have been engaged in serious stalking and sexual harassment of our employees (many of whom I was very friendly with outside of work as well) and yet none of them ever told me, or even hinted, that this was happening. I did learn of any of it until several years after I had parted ways with the firm and one of the employees told me about it over a lunch.
I don’t know if Devine enabled the disgraced Pressler or not, but I do know that this stuff can go on all around you and it not be known.
I’m a concerned voter and am looking for info on some of your suggestions Glen Rogers dvm and Mike O and Stormy over Darby. I have heard that Stormys llc owes property taxes in Tom green county ? I have many friends in education field as well as my self and they think highly of Darby. Also have family that know Glen and think highly of him. Please enlighten me. I’m looking for facts to help me in my voting decisions. Thank you Debbie
Hmmm. Rogers and Darby are well known to be amongst the most liberal Republicans in the legislature. Maybe you should listen to the show so you actually know what is going on in Austin. I’ve covered such constantly for well over a decade and a half.
I’ve just recently found your show and try to listen I certainly agreed with many of your views but I need black and white facts to help in my decision making, not just saying they are the most liberal republicans in Austin. I don’t like that every thing I’m getting in the mail is coming from out of state entities (they need to stay out of our state politics). Is there a website I can access to see how they have voted on passed issues? Thank you for the taking the time to respond I love Texas and my freedom and want the best for all Texans.
Debbie, it is just not possible to wrap-up 20 years of coverage in one small package.
Thank you as always, some of us in Abilene look to you each time for at least your suggestions and most time they fit in well with what we had already decided. We appreciate what you do for us!
Thanks for all you do, Robert ! Long time fan here, and long time friend of the “Marrs boys”.
I applaud your choice of Liz Case. I met her a month ago, saw her yesterday here in Abilene with Greg Abbott, and like her platform. She will serve the Big Country well. Stan Lambert’s very stale, and as you may know he won the Texas Monthly “Furniture Award” – not exactly an honor.
I do question your endorsement of Jodey Arrington, but that’s okay. I am backing Vance Boyd of Anson TX. Have you interviewed him on your show ? If not, would you consider doing so ? https://vancewboyd.com
Thanks, Larry