July 31 Primary Run-off: Endorsements

Here are our endorsements for the July 31 Democratic and Republican run-off elections. On the Republican side, we found only a single race and candidate as a potential choice for Chronicle readers; on the rest, you're on your own. As always, read up on our complete election coverage at austinchronicle.com/elections.

Democratic Ballot

U.S. Senate: Paul Sadler. In the Texas House (1991-2003), Sadler was a champion of education and health care, and a budget maven. He's also the only Democrat with even a remote chance to take on whoever emerges as the GOP nominee. (His opponent, Grady Yar­brough, is a political novice and hobbyist with barely a campaign.) Sadler needs Travis County turnout; he's a strong candidate who will make the case for Texas Democratic values.

Constable, Pct. 2: Adan Ballesteros Although we have significant misgivings about incumbent Ballesteros’ record, his opponent Michael Cargill – in his lack of qualifications, his aggressively mud-slinging campaign, and his frank promotion of right-wing gun policy – has demonstrated his complete unacceptability for public office, especially in law enforcement.

Republican Ballot

State Senate, District 25: Jeff Went­worth. Wentworth's a dying breed in the increasingly polarized Republican Party (state and national), to the point that we hesitate to endorse him lest it be used by his opponent to brand him as less than ideologically pure. We've had plenty of differences with the senator over the years, but he's been a solid representative of his party's positions without requiring a scorched-earth approach to public policy; his opponent is a hard-right ideologue who would be an unyielding demagogue and a net subtraction in the senate.