Published: September 29, 2006 01:05 pm         

State candidates turn up heat at forum

PALESTINE — Political forums in Palestine have been relatively bland in recent years, but Thursday’s event at the Ben E. Keith Hospitality Room saw a handful of Democratic challengers take dead aim at their Republican opponents.

The general election is set for Nov. 7, with early voting scheduled to begin Oct. 23.

Both candidates in the races for Anderson County judge (Republican Susan Perryman Evans and Democrat Linda Bostick Ray) and Anderson County treasurer (Democrat incumbent Sharon Peterson and Republican Judd Quarles) were in attendance Thursday, in addition to Rashad Mims I, the Democratic nominee for Anderson County precinct 2 commissioner, and Gary Thomas, the Democratic nominee for Anderson County precinct 1 justice of the peace.

It was some of the other attendees, however, who raised the crowd’s eyebrows, most notably former state representative Fred Head of Athens, a Democrat who is opposing Republican and current State Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs in the race for state comptroller.

In his opening remarks, Head, who grew up in Troup and served in the Texas House from 1967 through 1981, immediately referenced what he has characterized as “a pornographic book” written by Combs.

In 1990, Combs, then 45, wrote a 222-page paperback romance novel titled “A Perfect Match” which she has said earned her $6,000. In recent months, Head has criticized her for writing such a book, which vividly describes a physical relationship between a man and woman, while also once voting for an amendment to legislation encouraging teen abstinence.

Head also took verbal jabs at “this Cook fellow here,” referring to State Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, who attended Thursday’s forum, and State Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine, for their efforts relating to funding for the Texas State Railroad.

Staples, who is seeking Combs’ current post of state ag commissioner, did not attend Thursday’s forum.

Later in the forum, Cook defended his work — and that of Staples — to help keep the historic railroad on the tracks. Some have estimated the Texas State Railroad currently is losing roughly $1 million a year and organized efforts are underway to help identify a potential private buyer.

“We are working very hard to create a better opportunity for the railroad,” Cook said. “I’m committed to that.”

Sharon Cade Davis, a Palestine Democrat who is opposing Cook, said that as a career educator she believed “no one deserves a worse grade than Byron Cook in the House of Representatives.

“Byron Cook and the Texas House put college education out of reach for many Texas families” by voting to deregulate tuition costs, Davis said. She also chided Cook and other legislators for increasing their own pension outside public scrutiny “by hiding behind a voice vote.

“Here in East Texas, we don’t play politics with our children...and we don’t put party bosses over our own neighbors,” Davis said.

Cook, who has been a state representative for almost four years, however, told the gathering that his experience would prove valuable to residents of District 8 if elected to another term.

“After spending four years there, I’ve come to believe strong representation in rural Texas is more important than ever,” Cook said.

Large cities such as Dallas, Houston and San Antonio each have “15-to-17 or 18 representatives,” Cook said, while the District 8 state representative represents four counties.

“The rural initiative is becoming harder and harder to defend and that’s something I’m very committed to,” Cook said.

Democrat Charlie Thompson, a retired U.S. Navy commander who now resides in Athens, is challenging incumbent Jeb Hensarling, D-Dallas, in the race to represent the Fifth Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives.

Thompson, who served in the military for 19 years before his retirement in 1989, roundly criticized the U.S.’ current military presence in Iraq.

“What we have is an occupation force, we need to be out of there,” Thompson said. “We’re causing more problems than we're solving.”

Thompson encouraged anyone who was “unhappy” with national politics and business as usual to support his candidacy.

“I’m here to tell you, the check’s not in the mail, the government’s not here to help you and it hasn’t been for the last four years,” Thompson said.

Hensarling was in Washington, D.C. Thursday and did not attend the forum, but was represented by Richard Sanders, who works in the congressman’s office.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com

     

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