Freshman State Rep. Ernest Bailes (R-Shepherd) has received the endorsement of the former chairwoman of the San Jacinto County Democratic Party in his campaign for re-election to the Texas House.
Earline Murry, former SJC Democrat Chair, took to social media to promote Bailes’ campaign soon after he announced that he had filed to run again. Bailes was apparently pleased to receive support from the former Democrat leader, and both he and his wife liked her comment.
“You are the best Representative we have had for years!” said Murry. “I know because I was SJC Democratic Chairman for years!”
Murry went on to describe her political involvement over the last few years, recounting how she had to give up the chair position when she moved out of the county. However, Murry has now moved back and is ready to assist in Bailes’ re-election. “Will gladly put out signs [for Bailes]!”, she stated.
Bailes often votes with Democrats to obstruct conservative reforms, which has earned him one of the lowest scores among Republicans on the Empower Texans Fiscal Index. However, his tendency to vote with Democrats has won him acclaim from the relatively few liberals in his district. In the last election, multiple Republican activists recounted noticing a sizeable number of Democrats, particularly in Shepherd, crossing over into the GOP primary to vote for Bailes.
Among Bailes’ liberal votes was his vote to kill a pro-life amendment that would have closed a loophole allowing preborn children with disabilities to be killed by abortion after 20 weeks of development. Bailes also opposed property tax reform legislation and spoke against the bill to keep men out of women’s restrooms, stating he had “yet to find anyone who believes we need this legislation.”
Bailes will be facing Texas Right to Life’s legal counsel and former political director, Emily Cook, in the March 6 primary.
