Austin Chronicle Endorses Kathi
"State Senator, District 25: Kathi ThomasGrassroots Democrat Thomas is a refreshing challenger to longtime, San Antonio-based GOP incumbent Jeff Wentworth. Her Do-It-Herself campaign emphasizes education, health care, and the suburban anti-toll road movement, which is a mixed bag but has targeted many incumbents. She's also more attuned to the environmental rumblings beginning to build in this urban-to-rural district, and we believe she deserves the voters' support. At campaign time, Wentworth flogs his "moderate" reputation on some social issues, and his perennial proposal for nonpartisan redistricting. But on the floor he mostly votes with the GOP's right wing, and he was among the most vindictive Republicans in reacting to the Democratic quorum break to restore the Senate's bipartisan traditions."
To read all their endorsements, as well as their important intro to the endorsements:
Here's what Kathi's pastor has to say about her:
My name is Greg McDonell, I'm Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas. I write to offer a hearty endorsement for Kathi Thomas for State Senator. I have known Kathi for almost nine years. There is so very much to commend in this candidate.
The very first thing is her incredible work ethic. Kathi, while juggling the many duties of mother and business owner, has still managed to play an active and effective role in her church and community. One would be hard pressed to find a person who is as willing to role up their sleeves and get done what needs to be done. At Central Presbyterian Church alone she serves as a Elder, Thursday NoonDay Concert Director, Co-Team leader of our Christian Education Team, Director of our Hanging of the Greens Service, and volunteer extraordinaire.
But of even greater importance, in my mind, than her work ethic is the ethical way she goes about doing what she does. Kathi is a person of great moral integrity; one might say "stubborn" when it comes to living her life faithfully.
Mrs. Thomas is courageous in the face of what some would say to be overwhelming odds. I can speak personally to the truth that Kathi will confront authority where she feels she must speak.
As a summary endorsement I add this about Kathi: She is a woman who lives a faith that is centered in a progressive understanding of what is good and right for the people. Her business acumen and loving heart makes her suitably qualified for our State Senate.
Greg McDonell
From Sara Hickman:
We can continue to be a state full of dreamers, or we can be a united front of achievers,
people who make things happen for the betterment of children, families and the environment.
To do this, I wholeheartedly endorse Kathi Thomas for Senate---
because I can imagine a better Texas with her at the helm!
From Katy Nail: I've known Kathi since 1972 and can say she plays fair and fights for what's right. And isn't it about time for decent education and honesty in Texas? She's got my support!
My name is Casey Mulcihy. I've been practicing pediatrics in Austin for over 20 years. I've known Kathi for 18 years, and I've been her daughter's pediatrician since she came home from Guatemala.
I was extremely excited to learn that Kathi was running for the Senate. Kathi sat down with me and my office manager, and we've discussed many of the challenges facing doctors today, especially those with a high percentage of Medicaid patients. She is very willing to lend her hand in the Senate to help Texans in improving their health care. Of all the candidates and legislators I've talked to, Kathi is the only one that spent the time needed to see and understand my concerns. With her in the Senate, Texans will have friend to help them in improving health care.
Kathi has a very strong work ethic. She is concerned about people, and believes in working to improve the everyday life of Texans. When Kathi sets her mind to a goal, she works hard till her goal is completed. I'm extremely please Kathi is running for Senate, and would encourage you to support her in her campaign. Kathi believes in taking action to improve this great state. I wholeheartly endorse her, as I believe with her in the Senate, Texas and Texans will be better off.
Casey Mulcihy, MD
(from Kathi- Casey is the kind of doctor of which we all dream- he's more concerned with the health of children than in building a personal fortune/ Approx. 80-85% of his patients are Medicaid, CHIPS, or Military pay- none of whom make a doctor rich. We need more doctors like Casey- the kind of doctors with whom my mom worked when she worked at the hosptial in Woodville as an R.N. so many years ago.)
******************** Recognized by the San Antonio Toll Party as the preferred candidate against incumbent toller Jeff Wentworth
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Kathi Thomas has been endorsed by the following fine folks and organizations:
The Austin Chronicle
The Daily Texan
Texas Toll Party
San Antonio AFL-CIO
Southwest Austin Democrats
Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio
Austin Lesbian/Gay Political Caucus
Black Austin Democrats
Jaston Williams, actor and adoptive parent
Ms. Liz Carpenter
Susan McAfee Raybuck
Thea Pierce, educator
Gabrielle Moore, Lynny Moore, the GLRS
Dinah Guerrero
Jim & Jean Korioth
Francesca Aguilar, Texas State student
Marisol Saucedo, Texas State student
Brain Henretta, Texas State student
Sonia Santana
Gabrielle & Lynny Moore
Rick Svatura
Geroge K. Black
Larry Horton, Former Democratic County Chair, Comal County
Rochelle & Jerry Springfield, educators
Teri Sperry
Marla Camp
Marvin and Melinda Wofford
Susan O'Dell
Bill & Anne McAfee
Madeleine Dewar
Chris Elliott, Chair, Travis County Democratic Party
Gloria and Merrill Whitehead (Gloria is the Hays County Democratic Party Chair)
Tony and Sherri Bazan, (Tony is County Chair in Guadalupe County)
Patricia Murphree
Nicholas Hoover & Ida Miller, San Marcos, TX
Perla Cavazos
Gloria Cisneros Lenoir
Dr. Catherine Ford and Susan Cook
Hill Country Democratic Women
M. Lynn Osler, S.F. Agent, 2007 Austin Fine Arts Alliance Co-Chair
The Rev. Greg and Celeste McDonell
Carol Cespedes
Matt Glazer, Just Another Blog
Michael Apodaca, President, Texas Young Democrats
Steve Wichard
Drs. Geoff and Linda Cox
Ted Ankrum, Candidate for U.S. Congress, District 10
Alyssa Burgin, Bulverde
Joyce & Larry Corwin
Robert W. (Bob) Miller, Chair Precinct 3104, Bexar County Democratic Party, Treasurer, Northeast Bexar County Democrats
Mark Stenger
Sandi Root
Carroll Nowlin, Austin
Donna Beth McCormick
Wes Morrison
Zada True-Courage
Carol Wilder
Yvette D. McManus, educator
Dian Helms Brown, AIFD
Stu Adamslundy
Karen Ford, candidate, Hays Co. Commissioner, Pct. 4
Fran Vincent
Owen T. Kinney (former Division Director, Texas Railroad Commission)
From the Daily Texan:
Kathi Thomas
The 25th district only covers a small portion of southern Travis Co. However, this race is of note because of important issues raised by its disparate competitors.
Democrat Kathi Thomas' vision for revitalizing the public education system comes like a breath of fresh air. If more senators were like Thomas, it wouldn't have taken years and handfuls of special sessions to patch together a workable school funding plan. Her goals include raising Texas public school teachers from the ranks of the lowest-paid in the country up to the national average and establishing comprehensive high school curricula that amount to more than a bee-line to four-year universities.
Thomas also has the fortitude and respect for common intelligence to broach tough political subjects, such as the Texas income tax. Where most others are content to delay the issue until it swells to an unavoidable fiscal disaster, Thomas supports developing a flat-tax system that is satisfactory for all Texans before it is too late.
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Republican incumbent Jeff Wentworth has openly stated that he doesn't think there's anything wrong with the education system and is running on a classic "more-of-the-same" platform. Don't let him continue to rest on his laurels. Kathi Thomas will make a valuable addition to the Texas Legislature, and the Texan endorses her as such.
FROM THE CANYON LAKE TIME GUARDIAN, written by Peter Stern
RECOMMENDATIONS:
"Kathleen "Kathi" Thomas is recommended by the Austin Women's Political Caucus for consideration of a statewide rating of Highly Qualified by the National Women's Political Caucus-Texas."
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