Editorial board recommendation list

Over the past fewmonths, the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board has interviewed and researched scores of candidates, weighing such factors as incumbency, experience and accomplishments, to assemble a list of recommendations we hope will guide voters through some tough choices. As always, in making these decisions the editorial board operated with complete independence from the Chronicle newsroom.

To read the full endorsements for the races below, please see our Voter Guide at houstonchronicle.com. President

We recommend Joe Biden (D): His character and experience are needed to repair the damage of President Donald Trump’s deadly ineptitude, restore Americans’ trust in our institutions and re-establish our standing in the world.

U.S. Senate

We recommend MJ Hegar (D): Hegar brings passion, pragmatism and a dose of new thinking to an office that after 18 years with the same incumbent needs all three.

Congress

TX-1: Hank Gilbert (D). His robust fundraising, high name recognition and a powerful critique of the incumbent give Texans their best shot at ending Rep. Louie Gohmert’s congressional career in years.

TX-2: Dan Crenshaw (R). With his national following, Crenshaw has the potential to rebuild the Republican Party around respect, ideas and principles and wield power in service of Texans.

TX-7: Lizzie Fletcher (D). She has delivered for her district, including a bill to cut federal red tape and speed disaster recovery funding to the Houston area.

TX-9: Al Green (D). Neither of his opponents can beat the eight-term incumbent on knowledge of the district or alignment with his constituents’ concerns.

TX-10: Michael McCaul (R).

The eight-term congressman has emerged as a key player in foreign affairs and national security and built a reputation for bipartisanship in a polarized landscape.

TX-18: Sheila Jackson Lee (D). In 25 years in Congress, she has never been shy about expressing her opinion, battling for her causes or delivering for constituents.

TX-22: Sri Kulkarni (D). The former foreign service officer is positioned to use his diplomatic experience to serve a diverse district with bipartisan outreach at home and inWashington.

TX-29: Sylvia Garcia (D).

The former Texas state senator, who has a knack for forming alliances, is focused on bringing jobs and health care to the 29th District.

TX-39: Brian Babin (R). The three-term incumbent aligns with the views of his conservative district while using his status as ranking member of a key subcommittee to support NASA.

Railroad Commission

Chrysta Castañeda (D): She has the knowledge and experience to help shepherd the crucial oil and gas industry through one of the most challenging economies in decades.

Supreme Court

Chief justice: Nathan Hecht (R). His deep experience, legal mastery and willingness to push to make justice accessible to all Texans earn our support.

Place 6: Jane Bland (R). With a stellar reputation as a Harris County appellate judge, she’s served her short time on the top court with distinction.

Place 7: StaciWilliams (D). A veteran Dallas-area judge with experience at nearly every level, we like her experience, background and legal perspective.

Place 8: Brett Busby (R). A former Houston appeals court judge, he has a nimble legal mind, solid reputation and a productive first year on the high court.

Criminal Court of Appeals

Place 3: Bert Richardson (R). We like his experience, proven competence, fairness and willingness to make unpopular rulings when the law requires it.

Place 4: Tina Yoo Clinton (D).

With 14 years’ experience as a judge and 10 as a prosecutor, her promise to see justice done is persuasive.

Place 9: Brandon Birmingham (D).

Before becoming a judge, he helped pioneer the use of DNA evidence to free the wrongfully convicted — right from the prosecutor’s office.

State Board of Education

Michelle Palmer (D): The Aldine ISD history teacher wants to expand the history curriculum to include more diverse perspectives and would bring classroom experience to the board.

Texas House of Representatives

126th: Natali Hurtado (D). Her combination of policy experience, grit and savvy will help her navigate the legislative process to the benefit of the constituents of the district.

127th: Dan Huberty (R). In his decade in the Legislature, Huberty’s expertise and influence on education issues have served his district well.

128th: MaryWilliams (D).

The former Houston Police Department civilian employee vows to put constituents first. That would be a refreshing change of pace for the district.

129th: Dennis Paul (R). Paul helped pass legislation to create a state flood plan with a down payment from the rainy day fund for coastal barriers.

130th: TomOliverson (R). His conservative stances are often divisive, but he has had success working across party lines on surprise medical billing and drug prices.

132nd: Gina Calanni (D). In just her first term, she shepherded more bills on their way to becoming laws than many more veteran lawmakers.

133rd: SandraMoore (D). A longtime licensed professional counselor, her platform focuses on flood protection, small businesses and access to health care for all residents.

134th: Sarah Davis (R). The five-term incumbent has an admirable record of independence, leadership and effectiveness including chairing a panel that helps craft the state’s health care budget.

135th: Jon Rosenthal (D). The first-term lawmaker proved to be an able legislator, willing to work across party lines to get things done for his district and the state.

137th: GeneWu (D).

The energetic and dedicated lawmaker’s push for criminal justice reform and change at Child Protective Services is noteworthy. 138th: Akilah Bacy (D). Bacy plans to focus on education, making affordable health care available to more Texans and ensuring big businesses pay their fair share.

139th: Jarvis Johnson (D). Expanding Medicaid and continuing to address air quality concerns in his district, including regulation of concrete batch plants in Acres Homes, top his list of priorities.

142nd: Harold Dutton (D). A seasoned and experienced lawmaker, he continues to fight for his largely minority district.

144th: Mary Ann Perez (D). She’s served well over three terms and has a record of legislative accomplishments.

145th: Christina Morales (D).

Elected last year to fill an open seat, she’s brought passion, grassroots connections and hard work to the job.

146th: Shawn Thierry (D). Opposed only by a Libertarian candidate, the incumbent is a safe choice for Texas voters.

148th: PennyMorales Shaw (D). Her deep knowledge of the district, concern for education and health care, and multitasking skills honed as a single mom and lawyer make her the best choice.

149th: Hubert Vo (D). Vo has toiled behind the scenes to create an International Management District, ensure quality health insurance plans, warn potential buyers about flooded vehicles and has stood with the Black Lives Matter movement despite withering criticism.

150th: Valoree Swanson (R). Swanson knows the legislative process better than her novice opponents and has worked across the aisle to help expand affordable housing in multifamily apartments.

Texas Senate

6th: Carol Alvarado (D). Alvarado has been effective in her freshman term, sponsoring 32 bills, 29 of which became law, and working with Republicans to get legislation passed.

11th: Larry Taylor (R). He still believes in compromise, and in his long legislative career, he’s built savvy and a reputation for fairness that earned him the education chairmanship and helped pass bills overhauling school funding and enhancing campus safety.

13th: Borris Miles (D).

A history of inappropriate behavior doesn’t entirely undermine the incumbent’s solid track record in the Legislature.

Local judges

Chief justice, 14th Court of Appeals District: Tracy Christopher (R). With her experience and smarts, she can easily transition to chief justice, where she would add court administration to her legal work.

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3: Russell Lloyd (R). Lloyd is a solid, hardworking presence on the court who brings 40 years of varied legal experience to the job.

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5: Terry Adams (R). His broad experience and reputation for being an evenhanded, accomplished attorney go a long way.

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7: KenWise (R).

He is a solid, amiable presence on the bench who draws praise for fair rulings from Democratic and Republican lawyers who practice before him.

District judges

61st Judicial District: Erin Lunceford (R). Lunceford seems the stronger choice in this race, so she gets our endorsement.

80th Judicial District: We make no recommendation in this race.

127th Judicial District: R.K. Sandill (D). He can be brusque from the bench and sometimes is accused of playing favorites, but overall he works hard and is highly respected.

129th Judicial District: Michael Gomez (D).

Gomez, a lifelong Houston resident, has a reputation for being deliberative, thoughtful and fair.

133rd Judicial District: Jaclanel McFarland (D). We don’t see a compelling reason for change in the 133rd, so we endorse McFarland for re-election.

164th Judicial District: Michael Landrum (R).

Lawyers said he was one of the best in the courthouse and known for being nonpartisan and careful.

165th Judicial District: Bruce Bain (R). He has 35 years of legal experience, has run for judge twice before and promises things will be different in the 165th if he wins.

215th Judicial District: Fred Shuchart (R). He has a solid record as a lawyer and would replace a judge who was sanctioned by the Texas Ethics Commission in 2016.

334th Judicial District: Dawn DeShea Rogers (D).

Her experience as an administrative judge for the Texas Education Agency and as an arbiter for the Texas Comptroller help give us confidence she’ll make a strong judge.

339th Judicial District: Te’iva Bell (D). Bell, having worked as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and public defender, has broad, diverse experience and an excellent reputation in trial.

351st Judicial District: Natalia Cornelio (D).

Cornelio played a substantial role in moving Harris County toward reduced incarceration. She thinks our justice system can do better. We agree.

507th Judicial District: Alyssa Lemkuil (R). Despite her loss in 2016, she got very high marks from lawyers in the family law courthouse who praised her deep knowledge of the subject.

Harris County

District Attorney: KimOgg (D). Ogg hasmade it her priority to ensure a fair legal process that engenders trust in the system, supporting both reform and law enforcement with eyes open to potential flaws.

Sheriff: Ed Gonzalez (D). He improved operations at the troubled Harris County jail, backed bail reform and has been a thoughtful leader pushing a nuanced and nimble approach to broader police reform.

County Attorney: Christian Menefee (D).

The civil litigator, who wants to “hold polluters accountable,” brings attention to detail and determination to make the county attorney office as effective as possible.

Tax Assessor Collector: Chris Daniel (R). The former two-term Harris County district clerk offers the administrative experience and tech savvy needed to enhance customer service and continue modernizing the office.

County Clerk: Teneshia Hudspeth (D).

Over a 15-year career, Hudspeth has acquired a ground-level view of many of the office’s responsibilities that will come in handy.

County Commissioner Precinct 3: Tom Ramsey (R).

A civil engineer, he knows infrastructure, and as a former mayor of Spring Valley Village, he earned a reputation for fairness and pragmatism that will provide balance on a left-leaning court.