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Swinford endorses Leal in Texas House race
AMARILLO, TEXAS
(hppr) -
The race for a Texas Panhandle State House of Representatives seat just got a little tighter. On Wednesday, retiring Republican Representative David Swinford endorsed Amarillo businessman Victor Leal in the upcoming Republican primary. Swinford cited Leal's experience as a gubernatorial appointee on several high-profile state commissions. Leal has also been endorsed by longtime state representative Warren Chisum of Pampa. Leal is running against Amarillo attorney Walter Price the Fourth.
Swinford has represented the 87th district for 19 years. The winner of the March 2 primary becomes the favorite to succeed Swinford in the heavily Republican district. The Democratic Party hasn't fielded a candidate in the 87th since 2002. Swinford and Chisum, along with Amarillo Republican John Smithee, have comprised a triumvirate that has represented the Panhandle in the House for almost two decades. Smithee, an unofficial finalist in last session's election of a new Speaker of the House, has stated publicly his intent to endorse neither Price nor Leal.
Price's standing as a successful attorney from a prominent Amarillo family gives him plenty of support. Some voters view Price as a kind of establishment candidate. Leal, a restaurateur originally from Muleshoe, has cultivated a populist image. Swinford alluded to this dynamic in his endorsement, saying, quote, "I respectfully believe we don't need another lawyer in the Legislature."
The 87th District includes most of Amarillo as well as the industrial center of Dumas. Immigration is a key issue for constituents of the 87th, though opinions are divided, owing in part to the large role that migrant labor plays in the regional economy. Tyson operates a major meat-processing plant in Amarillo. Swift and Company's large meat-processing plant north of Dumas was one of six such facilities raided in a massive federal immigration sting operation in December 2006. With High Plains Public Radio, this is Mark Haslett in Amarillo. © Copyright 2010, hppr
(2010-01-14)
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Swinford has represented the 87th district for 19 years. The winner of the March 2 primary becomes the favorite to succeed Swinford in the heavily Republican district. The Democratic Party hasn't fielded a candidate in the 87th since 2002. Swinford and Chisum, along with Amarillo Republican John Smithee, have comprised a triumvirate that has represented the Panhandle in the House for almost two decades. Smithee, an unofficial finalist in last session's election of a new Speaker of the House, has stated publicly his intent to endorse neither Price nor Leal.
Price's standing as a successful attorney from a prominent Amarillo family gives him plenty of support. Some voters view Price as a kind of establishment candidate. Leal, a restaurateur originally from Muleshoe, has cultivated a populist image. Swinford alluded to this dynamic in his endorsement, saying, quote, "I respectfully believe we don't need another lawyer in the Legislature."
The 87th District includes most of Amarillo as well as the industrial center of Dumas. Immigration is a key issue for constituents of the 87th, though opinions are divided, owing in part to the large role that migrant labor plays in the regional economy. Tyson operates a major meat-processing plant in Amarillo. Swift and Company's large meat-processing plant north of Dumas was one of six such facilities raided in a massive federal immigration sting operation in December 2006. With High Plains Public Radio, this is Mark Haslett in Amarillo. © Copyright 2010, hppr
