Texas: Independent Texans endorse Strayhorn

Independent Texans, the state’s only organization representing independent voters, today announced its post-Independence Day endorsement of Texas Independent Candidate for Governor Carole Keeton “Grandma” Strayhorn.
“Independent Texans is a ‘fusion outfit’. We support candidates of any party affiliation that we believe will recognize the state’s 4.2 million independent voters and the fastest growing voting block,” said Linda Curtis, founder of the group.
Strayhorn received an overwhelming 87% of Independent Texans’ endorsement vote. “We are with Carole not simply because we like her, but because we like that she is preparing with us for a durable long-term movement to clean up and open up Texas politics,” Curtis said. “What’s more Carole has demonstrated, for several years now, that she knows who we are because she’s one of us. We are not just ‘swing voters’ with no particular overriding concerns. In fact we are united to put an end to the petty partisanship which is killing American democracy.”
Strayhorn simultaneously released her own statement on July 5th about the independent endorsement stating, “I am honored to receive the endorsement of Independent Texans. I pledge to put principles above politics and people before parties and to help Texans win their most powerful political reform tool -- statewide initiative and referendum. In addition, as an independent, I continue to challenge all the candidates running, in all races, to support I&R along with an independent redistricting commission. Our political leaders need to be independent and to focus on the state’s real critical issues of our children, our elderly, education, health care, and fiscal responsibility rather than partisan power struggles. For too long, Texans have made it clear they want real concerns solved not studied, and they want the opportunity to make them the law of the land,” Strayhorn said. “I say politicians should not fear, but should embrace, the will of the people. Let the people vote. I&R, through a deliberative and careful process, is the best way to involve people in their government and to stop this regime of special interests and DC lobbyists.”

“Independent Texans leaders have been traveling the state to build our organization as we campaign for One Tough Grandma,” Curtis said. “The Texas gubernatorial race is in the eyes of the nation, as political pundits have begun predicting the emergence of a major independent presidential candidate or party in 2008. Independent Texans hopes to make clear, through Grandma’s candidacy, that you have to work for political reform to get our support, and we are here to stay this course.”
Initiative and referendum, the right of the citizenry to override their legislature through petitioning for a vote of the people, has been enjoyed by citizens in 24 mostly western states for over a century. Texans have I&R rights, but only at the municipal level. Redistricting reform is becoming more popular with voters across the country, particularly in states which have statewide I&R. Most Texas daily newspaper editors stated their support for a redistricting commission when the Governor called three special sessions on redistricting in 2003.
Kinky Friedman received 9%, of the support of Independent Texans. Libertarian James Werner received 2% and the remaining 2% abstained in the endorsement vote. Although Rick Perry and the Democratic nominee, Chris Bell were on our ballot, neither received any support.


For more information contact:
Linda Curtis
Independent Texans
512-535-0989 http://indytexans.org
PO Box 14294
Austin, TX 78761