In a refreshing burst of honesty, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this week painted the election as a battle between tax-and-spend incumbent Chris Turner, and conservative challenger Bill Zedler. Any guess who they chose?

According to the Star Telegram, Mr. Zedler is:

“…a Tea Party-supported, reduce-the-size-of-government conservative who wants to balance the budget without raising taxes. He wants to restrict growth in future budgets to a percentage matching that of growth in the state’s population plus inflation and to use any additional available revenue to buy down property tax rates. He wants a Voter ID bill that requires a government-issued photo ID with no substitutes.”

For most Texans, the next question would be “where do I get a yard sign?”

But not the Star Telegram; you see, that was their rationale for opposing Mr. Zedler.

So what does the editorial board find so commendable in Mr. Turner? Apparently they like the Democrat’s commitment to growing the budget, most of all. They call out how Turner wil “find options” to fund the boondoggle rail projects. (Spoiler alert: those “options” are more taxes and fees.)

With the public frustrated by federal tax hikes, growing debt and burdensome federal mandates, it’s striking just how vividly out of step the Star Telegram really is with the conservative majority in Texas.

Michael Quinn Sullivan

Michael Quinn Sullivan is the publisher of Texas Scorecard. He is a native Texan, a graduate of Texas A&M, and an Eagle Scout. Previously, he has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine contributor, Capitol Hill staffer, and think tank vice president. Michael and his wife have three adult children, a son-in-law, and a dog. Michael is the author of three books, including "Reflections on Life and Liberty."

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