Gromer Jeffers Jr., Dallas Morning News, May 16, 2018

Texas Democrats are faced with a vexing choice: Pick a candidate for governor who on paper matches up better against incumbent Republican Greg Abbott? Or stick with a rebuilding plan and nominate the progressive candidate who could better appeal to the Hispanic voters seen as the key to sustainable success?

That’s the backdrop of Tuesday’s Democratic runoff for governor between former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston investor Andrew White, the son of former Gov. Mark White.

White is telling Democrats he’s the best hope for defeating Abbott, but many progressive primary voters see Valdez as more reflective of their liberal leanings. They don’t care if she’s shaky on the issues and that Abbott is giddy over the prospect of running against her.

{snip}

Unlike Beto O’Rourke, the party’s U.S. Senate nominee against incumbent Republican Ted Cruz, Valdez and White have not raised much money or captured the excitement of Democrats looking for a way out of the harsh political wilderness.

{snip}

The race for governor, arguably the biggest, most prestigious prize in Texas politics, reveals that Texas Democrats are still stuck in a perpetual rebuilding mode. {snip}

At stake for Democrats is more than winning. They are reshaping the face, makeup and message of the party. Thirty years ago, white Democrats, especially men, were the dominant force statewide. And the party’s ideology was diverse, with conservatives, moderates and progressives all having a place.

{snip}

Andrew White entered the race with a goal of bringing conservatives and moderate Democrats like his father back into the fold. Even some of his detractors concede he has a better chance of beating Abbott than Valdez does. And it’s clear that Abbott wants to run against Valdez. He’s brazenly tried to influence the Democratic race by declaring her the winner of Tuesday’s contest and developing a website that points to her liberal stances on issues.

{snip}

Valdez embodies, in ideology, where the party wants to be. {snip}

{snip}

When White got into the race, the field was devoid of major candidates. He could have been the party’s standard-bearer and Abbott’s punching bag. {snip}

But party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa badly wanted a Hispanic candidate near the top of the ticket. Hispanic voters hold the key to the party’s future success, and he believes that Valdez is a building block in that direction.

When bigger names and more polished candidates like former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, his twin brother and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, and state Rep. Rafael Anchia of Dallas opted against being sacrificed in November, Valdez became the favorite of party insiders.

{snip} Laredo oilman Tony Sanchez could have been a vehicle to attract Hispanic voters, but instead became a cash cow for Democratic consultants who milked $60 million of his fortune for his unsuccessful campaign against Republican Rick Perry.

{snip}

The problem for Democrats is that they haven’t been successful in doing the hard work of registering Hispanic voters and getting them accustomed to showing up at the polls. So they are sending Valdez into a mission impossible situation.

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidates Andrew White and Lupe Valdez took part in a debate May 11. White says he’s the Democrats’ best hope for defeating Gov. Greg Abbott, but many progressive primary voters see Valdez as more reflective of their liberal leanings.

{snip}