Our endorsements for March 3 primaries

It’s here. Early voting in the March 3 Texas primaries begins today and ends Feb. 28. Over the past few weeks, the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board has interviewed and researched dozens 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. We are the only nonpartisan group in the Houston area to provide this service.

Here’s a one-page summary of our picks so far. Take it into the voting booth with you, or print out our PDF online; you can’t take your cellphone. The list will be updated daily at houstonchronicle.com as remaining races are published. As in past years, the process has been challenging, with some decisions clear and others requiring substantial debate. Why recommend candidates at all? The editorial board, a team of opinion journalists separate from the newsroom, believes it is an essential part of our duty to inform readers. We know voters want to make responsible choices in the voting booth, but that can be daunting, given the number of candidates. We invest the time and resources for the benefit of voters and for our democracy. We skipped some races — those for justice of peace and county courts of law — but not many. As always, feel free to shoot us a note and let us know how we did: www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/submit.

President DEMOCRAT

Sen. Amy Klobuchar Being a progressive, she says, means you should make progress. The thirdterm senator from Minnesota has done so through pragmatism and bipartisanship, making her one of the most effective members of Congress. She doesn’t just have strong stances on guns, climate change and economic opportunity; she can get them done. Her secret sauce: electability in November.

U.S. House of Representatives REPUBLICAN

U.S. House District 7:

Cindy Siegel. As former mayor, she led Bellaire through the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Ike and said she decided to stay on for a fourth term to deal with the issues surrounding the police shooting of unarmed Robbie Tolan.

U.S. House District 8:

Kevin Brady. He has a level of influence that Republicans would be unwise to cast aside.

U.S. House District 18:

Wendell Champion, who went from welfare recipient to West Point graduate, has an impressive résumé that includes experience as a lawyer, corporate manager, youth minister and community volunteer.

U.S. House District 22:

Pierce Bush. In a crowded primary race, we believe that the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush and nephew of President George W. Bush, has an advantage in making important connections in Washington. As CEO, he showed organizational skill in turning around the financially troubled Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star.

Supreme Court DEMOCRAT

Justice, Place 6: Larry Praeger. Praeger brings substantial experience as an appellate attorney.

Justice, Place 8: Peter Kelly. Kelly expertly grasps the nuances of how Texas’ top civil court works and how a new justice can influence the law in Texas.

Court of Criminal Appeals REPUBLICAN

Criminal Court of Appeals, Place 3: Bert Richardson. Voters should reward, not punish, a judge willing to stick to the law even if it meant bucking a powerful governor.

DEMOCRAT

Criminal Court of Appeals,

Place 3: Elizabeth Frizell. A criminal defense attorney, Frizell has also served as a municipal court judge and county family court judge.

Criminal Court of Appeals, Place 4: Tina Clinton. Clinton calls for more transparency and educational efforts to better inform the public about the decisions and workings of the courts.

Railroad Commissioner REPUBLICAN

Ryan Sitton: His willingness to buck the status quo, even in limited cases, is worth supporting. At times, he’s an important dissenting voice.

Texas Senate REPUBLICANS

District 13: Milinda Morris. As a medical professional, Morris has shown commitment, compassion and maturity that should serve her constituents well in the Legislature. DEMOCRATS

District 11: Susan Criss. She is full of ideas for criminal justice reform, mitigating flood damage and making the workings of the Legislature more transparent.

Texas House of Representatives REPUBLICANS

House District 129: Dennis Paul. First elected in 2014, he has focused on bringing his experience and clear thinking to the Legislature on issues such as pension reform and support for NASA.

House District 132: Mike Schofield. He championed lawsuit reform in the Legislature and as an adviser to former Gov. Rick Perry.

House District 135: Justin Ray. His practical experience will be key in connecting with suburban voters who share his conservative values.

DEMOCRATS

House District 126: Natali Hurtado. By building on lessons learned in the two years since her first campaign for this seat, Hurtado is well-positioned to give Democrats a chance of flipping it.

House District 128: Josh Markle. Markle was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, and his platform includes the full gamut of core Democratic issues — healthcare, education, jobs and criminal justice reform.

House District 131: Alma Allen. Allen demonstrated deep knowledge of the Legislature where friendships across the aisle and mastery of procedures matter at least as much as passion.

House District 134: Ann Johnson. She speaks with authority about a broad range of issues and with the persuasive power of a former prosecutor.

House District 138: Akilah Bacy. Her focus is on core issues important to the voters in her district: education, health care, flooding, climate, employment rights, restorative justice.

House District 139: Jarvis Johnson. He has been effective and busy in his three terms representing this district in the House.

House District 141: Senfronia Thompson. A respected veteran in the Texas House, she has helped raise the state minimum wage, passed hate-crime legislation protecting LGBT communities, and reformed the criminal justice system.

House District 142: Harold V. Dutton Jr. His experience in Austin and willingness to do what he thinks is right, even if unpopular, give him the edge.

House District 146:

Shawn Thierry. In her first two terms, she has learned to navigate effectively within the reality of a Republican-controlled legislature and under a Republican governor.

House District 147: Garnet Coleman. A hardworking veteran lawmaker who has pursued legislation addressing mental health and criminal justice reform, including the Sandra Bland Act requiring jailers to immediately send mentally ill inmates to a mental health facility.

House District 148: Anna Eastman. In eight years on the Houston ISD board of trustees, she proved herself smart and committed to progressive policies.

Harris County Sheriff REPUBLICAN

Randy Rush: Rush is a 40-year veteran of Harris County law enforcement, including 13 years in Precinct 4 and 28 years at the sheriff’s office, where he has worked in nearly every bureau from patrol to internal affairs.

DEMOCRAT

Ed Gonzalez: From taking a bold stance in support of bail reform to minimizing the use of solitary confinement to expanding vocational programs to women in the jail, Gonzalez’s changes big and small have prioritized public safety as well as fairness and the dignity of inmates.

Harris County District Attorney REPUBLICAN

Lori DeAngelo: In her many years as a prosecutor, she has handled every type of case, including capital murder, direct appeals and capital writs.

DEMOCRAT

Kim Ogg: Seeing justice is done while reforming the criminal justice system isn’t easy. Ogg has drawn criticism, including from us, but we believe she’s charted the right course overall. Her experience far surpasses that of her opponents and her integrity is sound.

Harris County Attorney DEMOCRAT

Christian Menefee: Menefee will bring needed energy, attention to detail and fresh perspective to the part of the job that goes beyond serving as a lawyer to county officials and judges.

Harris County Commissioner Precinct 1 DEMOCRAT

Rodney Ellis: His work as commissioner has continued that of his trailblazing Texas Senate career, with a focus on public policy, such as bail reform.

Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3 REPUBLICAN

Brenda Stardig: Stardig has a reputation for connecting with constituents on the ground level and fighting for their needs.

DEMOCRAT

Michael Moore: Moore is well-versed in the intricacies of issues and policies that face county government.

Judges REPUBLICAN

1st Court of Appeals,

Place 5: Terry Adams. He has been a primary lawyer on more than 200 appellate cases.

DEMOCRAT

1st Court of Appeals, Place 3: Dinesh Singhal. He has a strong reputation for being smart and experienced. 1st Court of Appeals,

Place 5: Tim Hootman. A former staffer on this court of appeals, he has handled more than 350 appeals including arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Chief of the 14th Court of Appeals: Jane Robinson. She has a solid reputation and is a significant contributing editor to the O’Connor’s Texas civil court guide.

14th Court of Appeals Place 7: Wally Kronzer. He has extensive appellate court experience in state and federal courts.

80th Harris County District Court: Larry Weiman. Though Weiman has been criticized for stressing docket speed over other issues, his reputation on the bench is that he has integrity and he has done reasonably well in bar polls.

164th Harris County District Court: Grant J. Harvey. He’s a highly regarded litigator who has participated in numerous trials and appeals. He has practiced law for 30 years including at one of the most respected boutique firms in Houston.

165th Harris County District Court: Megan Daic. Daic has varied civil experience, teaches as an adjunct at UH law school and has impressed colleagues as being capable of having the temperament to handle the bench. 176th Harris County District Court: Bryan Acklin. He has been called even-tempered and talented by colleagues on both sides of the criminal cases that this currently under-performing court handles.

179th Harris County District Court: Ana Martinez. Martinez gained a sterling reputation as a human trafficking prosecutor before she became a defense attorney.

333th Harris County District Court: Daryl Moore. He gets wildly high marks on bar polls and his reputation is that he is thoughtful, intelligent, with an even-handed approach to the law and a great temperament. 334th Harris County District Court: Steven Kirkland. His reputation is that he is a good judge with solid bar poll results. 337th Harris County District Court: Colleen Gaido. She has handled more than 50 criminal trials and is known for understanding the realities of all angles of a case. 339th Harris County District Court: Te’iva Bell. Her reputation in trial is superb though not all her opponents have liked going up against her, which can be a good thing. 351th Harris County District Court: George Powell. Lawyers who have practiced in his court say he is thoughtful, respectful and fair on the bench. 507th Harris County District Court: C.C. “Sonny” Phillips. Colleagues expect Phillips will bring fairness, clear policies and organization to a court that has fared poorly in recent bar polls.