The election for mayor of Lubbock and three new spots on the newly defined appraisal district board of directors are the major races in Lubbock. I offer recommendations only in contested races and am not offering such in school races other than Lubbock ISD.
Mayor of Lubbock
Mark McBrayer
Upon his filing to run, I immediately endorsed conservative Mark McBrayer for mayor. I have been acquainted with Mark McBrayer since the late 1980’s and know him to live his life according to his Christian values and as a political conservative.
Listen to my recent interview with McBrayer here (2nd half of the show:) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/prattontexas/episodes/2024-04-19T16_00_00-07_00
Despite several hotly contested races for Lubbock city government two years ago, in which candidates were trying to outdo each other as most conservative and against raising taxes, the only council member to vote for a budget that did not raise taxes, the No New Revenue Rate or Effective Rate, was Mark McBrayer and he voted that way in both of the budget years for which he has served on the council.
McBrayer’s main opponent, longtime big spending and tax raising Councilman Steve Massengale, used to go out of way to tell people he was a “Laney Democrat” at heart, and folks, he has governed that way his entire time on the council. Massengale has voted for tax increase after tax increase as well as big spending projects with accompanying debt we must all pay. Certain moneyed interest are funding Massengale’s campaign because they know, from years of experience already, they will get their way with him.
Mark McBrayer, unlike his oppenent, has voted for fiscal restraint and is a conservative. Some moneyed interests are angry with him (they’ve told me such personally) because he has voted to stand up for individual citizens and their property rights over those seeking to make big money on deals which did not meet existing zoning rules and would have harmed other property owners nearby. Remember, the council doesn’t vote to approve private development projects but instead only votes if a developer is requesting a zoning change or variance.
McBrayer has already been tested in the political fire and stood for citizens against over aggressive tax and spending increases as well as against those wanting the rules changed to benefit only their projects. As mayor, McBrayer will work to ensure equitable treatment to all citizens – including to their pocketbooks.
City of Lubbock council District 2
District 2 has a three-candidate race and I fully recommend voting for Anna Menjares. Anna is a Republican and a dynamic woman seeking to replace the same old tired Democrat, stuck-in-the-past leadership with which District 2 has been plagued for years.
City of Lubbock council Districts 4 and 6 have unopposed candidates.
City of Lubbock Proposition A
I recommend AGAINST Proposition A about as strongly as I possibly can. Not only is this pro-marijuana use proposition bad public policy, it contradicts state law.
I recommend you read this: Lubbock’s Pro-Marijuana Proposition A: Texas is watching
Lubbock ISD board of trustees
District 1: I recommend Terri Morris over incumbent Lala Chavez
District 2: If I lived in District 2, I would vote for LaCarl Richardson. His opponent appears to be actively backed by Texas Democratic Women of the South Plains. Granted the race is a toss-up as to quality of leadership but voters in the district defeated Richardson’s opponent, Mary Ann Lawson, last election in 2020 53 to 47 percent.
Lubbock Central Appraisal District Board of Directors
I explained these newly constituted offices in two recent episodes of Pratt on Texas. You can learn more and listen here https://prattontexas.com/2024/04/12/patrick-releases-senate-interim-charges-effrontery-of-texas-dems-new-elections-to-appraisal-boards-pratt-on-texas-4-12-2024/ and here https://prattontexas.com/2024/04/11/texans-now-electing-3-to-local-appraisal-district-boards-review-of-wildfire-hearings-with-ross-aten-pratt-on-texas-4-10-2024/ .
Each county of 75,000, or more, population are electing three non-partisan at-large members to the appraisal district board of directors (future elections will be on November ballots, this is the constituting election to get up and running.)
Place 1: I recommend Jon Bruegel – or as Jon says “Frugal Bruegel.”
Place 2 in Lubbock County is uncontested with Jim Baxa being the sole candidate.
Place 3: I recommend Brant O’Hair.
Voting locations, times, and sample ballots can be found at: https://www.votelubbock.org/
Well, we’re on board with your choice for mayor, which is obviously the most important race up starting tomorrow morning.
I certainly appreciate your recommendations. Your site is the ONLY place I’ve seen that speakes to the Lubbock Central Appraisal District Board of Directors election. With our high property taxes, these offices are extremely important to me! Thank you!
Thank you Mary Fran.
Everything Pratt has written about Mark McBrayer is accurate. Mark McBrayer is the best person to vote for for the Mayor of Lubbock. I have known Mark since the late 70’s – early 80’s. He is aware and understands all the needs of our Lubbock Community. Just read Pratt’s choice for Mayor, he covers all information as to why we need to go vote and elect Mark McBrayer for the next Mayor of Lubbock.
Thank you for the ‘real’ story!!!