The Chronicle endorses Annise Parker for Mayor in the Sunday edition. In the first round, they dual endorsed Parker and Locke. The endorsement for Parker is strong. It touts her experience and encourages voters to select her. It does not bash Gene Locke, though.
Parker is clearly winning the endorsement game in the run-off. She has been picking them up at a rapid rate. From Peter Brown to the Houston Contractors Association, she clearly has the momentum on her side.
In the first round of campaigning, Gene Locke secured most of the major endorsements. We commented that he secured the big 3 – the Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU), the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association (HPFFA) and the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). These are considered important endorsements because they provide support in addition to money. In fact, in the first round, HPOU sent out mail pieces for Locke and they recently held a press conference unabashedly attacking Parker.
We always question if these endorsements make a difference. I think Locke’s endorsements may have been critical to securing his position in the run-off. Without the vast backing of many business and trade groups, he would have struggled. The mail pieces sent by HPOU clearly made a difference in the outcome.
A number of groups remained neutral in the first round hoping that their decision might be easier in the run-off. These organizations all hope for the tea leaves to tell them who might win. Business and trade groups do not like to support a losing campaign – as their reason for involvement in the first place is to protect their interests at City Hall.
Unfortunately, the tea leaves are no clearer – polls are showing the race remains close – and they still have two good friends to select. Choosing just one of them is tough.
Endorsements – First round – Locke wins.
Second Round – Parker is winning.
[...] I agree with all of that. As Nancy Sims points out, the Chron isn’t alone in coming to this conclusion for the runoff. If there is [...]