Thread by @bgrumet

1/ So the #StatesmanEndorsements have been coming fast and furious over the past week, and I’m just now catching my breath. Let me catch you up on the @statesman editorial board’s picks on the Nov. 3 ballot. THREAD--->

2/ Perhaps the biggest news is @statesman ed board endorsed Prop A #ProjectConnect. Why?
The typical Austin commuter:
⏳ Wasted 66 hours in congested traffic in 2017
💸 Lost $1,391 in time and fuel
😫 Regularly cites transportation woes as a top concern
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

3/ But we urge Austin voters to reject Austin’s Prop B. In the Austin City Council’s scramble to put this whopping $460 million sidewalks-and-trails package on the November ballot, the public never got a seat at the table:
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

4/ For the open Austin City Council seat in Southeast Austin’s District 2, @statesman editorial board recommends @VanessaForATX, who impressed us with her knowledge of the issues and her candor about City Hall’s shortcomings. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

5/ In North Austin’s District 4, @statesman editorial board endorses Council Member @GregCasar, whose efforts to champion affordable housing and address a wide range of criminal justice issues have made Austin better. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

6/ In NW Austin’s District 6, @statesman editorial board urges voters to keep Council Member @JimmyFlannigan, the fiscal conscience of the dais, who is now leading important discussions on improving policing in Austin. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

7/ We also endorsed @LesliePoolATX in D7 and Alison @AlterforATX in D10 on the strength of the counterpoints they bring to board discussions. Case in point? The MLS deal improved considerably for taxpayers because skeptics like Pool and Alter pushed back.
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

8/ Voters are also picking a new Travis County Judge - akin to the county mayor - and @statesman ed board backs @AndyBrownTX, who is focused on improving access to mental health services and helping homeless people find housing. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

9/ Voters in East/Northeast Travis County should keep Commissioner @JeffTravillion, @statesman editorial board says, on the strength of his record and advocacy for his Precinct 1. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

10/ Voters in West Travis’ Precinct 3 have two strong contenders for Commissioners Court, but @statesman editorial board gave the edge to Becky @BrayElect because of her traffic expertise and fiscal pragmatism. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

11/ In the Travis County district attorney’s race, @JosePGarza’s focus on addressing the imbalances in our judicial system make him the clear choice, @statesman editorial board says. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

12/ Have you thought about the outstanding job the @TravisCoSheriff’s Office has done keeping COVID under control at the jail? That work exemplifies the skills that merit a second term for @SallyTCSheriff Hernandez. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

13/ In Williamson County, @SheriffChody's first term has been sullied by scandals that negate any argument for a second term. @Statesman editorial board endorses @MikeGleason2020. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

14 / It will take a whole other thread (stay tuned!) to unspool all of our #StatesmanEndorsements for the Texas Legislature, but you can find the roundup here:
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

15/ Plus still more to come: Stay tuned for upcoming #StatesmanEndorsements in Austin ISD school board races, the U.S. Senate race and a half-dozen U.S. Congressional seats in our area.

16/ One of the highlights of my job has been meeting with people who are so passionate about improving our communities that they put their regular lives on hold to run for (or continue serving in) political office. Hearing their ideas, seeing their enthusiasm, gives me hope.

17/ All told the @statesman editorial board held 37 interviews with 73 candidates to arrive at our #StatesmanEndorsements. Watch the interviews by going to facebook.com/statesman and clicking on “Videos.” Read our interview with Sen. @JohnCornyn here:
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

18/ #StatesmanEndorsements news: Our AISD picks are out now! @statesman editorial board endorses @LeticiaCab3 for the at-large District 8 seat. She brings a depth of understanding and pragmatic approach to the Austin school district’s challenges. statesman.com/opinion/202010…

19/ In the District 2 Austin school board race, @statesman recommends @JohnMcKiernan2, who struck us as most focused on addressing the racial and economic disparities that plague AISD. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

20/ In the District 5 Austin school board race, @statesman recommends @lynnforaisd, who impressed us with her deep command of the issues and her demonstrated ability to bring improvements for AISD students. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…

21/ And I can’t emphasize enough how impressive all the school board candidates are, and how difficult it was to pick just 1 person per seat. Everyone brought compelling personal experiences, involvement with the district and a real drive to improve AISD. #StatesmanEndorsements

22/ Now for the big one: @statesman editorial board endorses @mjhegar for U.S. Senate. Hegar can shake up the status quo and act in Texans’ interests with a sense of urgency that’s regrettably missing in Congress. #StatesmanEndorsements
statesman.com/opinion/202010…