My ballot choices in the Texas 2026 General Election
Hello, everyone!
It’s been over six months now since I lost the election for the Democratic Nomination for County Judge here in Presidio County.
For sure that loss was a huge disappointment for me and for my supporters. I thank all of you for the hard work and unending support I’ve received from you over the last 18 years I’ve been in public service. I have left the offices and the political stage, but I will not stop voting in every single election. I hope you feel the same way about voting.
By request from some good friends and colleagues, I am making my choices in the November election public here, mostly to share my picks for the down ballot judge races, which are so very important. It’s very easy to know nothing at all about the candidates- even the incumbents. I am not an attorney and do not aspire to be one, but I am a former Judge (Municipal and Justice of the Peace) and I care deeply that the best Judges are on the bench.
I don’t personally know any of the Judicial candidates on the ballot (excluding local races), and if you are interested in more information about a candidate or race, every statewide candidate has their own website. Also, the Texas Tribune does a great job of running through the basics on past experience, donor lists and political interests of each candidate. I am merely letting you know whom I am voting for based on my own research and beliefs in how the Judicial system can work better.
TEXAS SUPREME COURT RACES
Texas Supreme Court, Place 1 (incumbent is Jimmy Blacklock-R) . I am voting for Maggie Ellis (D), the challenger
Texas Supreme Court, Place 2 (incumbent is James Sullivan-R) . I am voting for Cheri Kelly (D), the challenger
Texas Supreme Court, Place 7 (incumbent is Kyle Hawkins-R) . I am voting for Kristen Hawkins (D), the challenger
Texas Supreme Court, Place 8 (incumbent is Bret Busby-R) . Challenger is Gisela Triana (D) . I am voting for Bret Busby (R)
TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS (this is the highest Criminal Court in the State- The Texas Supreme Court handles civil law, this Court is like the Supreme Court for criminal law)
Texas CCA Place 3 (incumbent is Bert Richardson-R- not running for re-election). Running are Okey Anyiam (D) and Thomas Smith (R) and Mark Ash (Libertarian). I am voting for Anyiam based on his depth of experience as a long-time criminal defense attorney. I’ll admit I knew little about this race before researching it.
Texas CCA Place 4 (incumbent is Kevin Yeary-R) Challenger is Audra Riley (D). I am voting for Kevin Yeary (R)
Texas CCA Place 9 (incumbent is David Newell-R- not running for re-election). Running are John Messinger (R) and Holly Taylor (D). I am voting for Holly Taylor (D) based on her direct experience as a former policy attorney for the CCA and her being Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law. (Messinger is also a good candidate)
Now, on to my other picks in this election….
State Board of Education:
I am voting for Democratic candidates down the line for these races. Recent Republican policies towards book banning in public schools, focus on bringing (one) religion into classrooms, and robbing the public school system of public money through private school vouchers show me that Republicans are more intent on destroying public schools than contributing to their good. Locally you can look at your school tax bill and then the conditions of the Marfa and Fort Davis School districts and see what current Statewide leadership and policy is doing to our schools. Hopefully it’s not too late to reverse the decay and destruction…
Presidio County Races:
County Judge: I won’t be voting for Joe Portillo, Jr. I believe him to be corrupt and incapable of being honest. I will withhold from voting in this category.
County Commissioner PCT 4: My former seat- the best qualified candidate, for multiple reasons is Susan Hays (D). She is an experienced attorney and lobbyist at the State Capitol. She understands how to read statutes and has a great depth of experience in local government legal issues. She has contacts within State government unmatched by any elected official, current or former, in Presidio County. In short, she would be a shining star on Commissioners Court for the genuine interests of Presidio County and its residents. Write-in candidate Ida Dominguez is the wife of Sheriff Danny Dominguez. She will have to recuse herself from many issues that come to Commissioners Court, and likely every single item regarding law enforcement policy and funding. Although I respect her and the Sheriff, it would be another step in the direction of rapidly growing community mistrust of Presidio County government administration to have a married couple controlling two arms of County power.
County Treasurer- Flor Zubia
County and District Clerk- Carolina Catano
Justice of the Peace, PCT 1- (another former position of mine) Dina Jo Losoya-Marquez
STATE AND NATIONAL:
U.S. Senate: James Talarico (D)
Texas Governor: Gina Hinojosa (D)
Texas Attorney General: Nathan Johnson (D)
Texas Lieutenant Governor: Vikki Goodwin (D)
Texas State Comptroller: Sarah Eckhardt (D)
Texas Land Commissioner: Dawn Buckingham (R)
Texas Agriculture Commissioner: Clayton Tucker (D)
Texas Railroad Commissioner: Jon Rosenthal (D)
Thank you for reading; please vote for whomever you choose; it's very important!
Sincerely, David