EXCLUSIVE: Former Republican Party Chair's Endorsements or Non-endorsements Might Surprise Some Voters

SAN ANGELO – Former long time Tom Green County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Betty wrote an open letter to GOP voters in the county detailing his choices for the March 1, 2022 Primary. 

Some of those endorsements or non-endorsements might take some party faithful by surprise.  

Here is Betty's Letter exclusive to San Angelo LIVE!:

Open Letter to Republican Voters of the Concho Valley

"For the last decade I have refrained from endorsing or even discussing over much the candidates in the Republican Primary. As the Tom Green County Republican Chair it just always seemed best to stay out of it. Judges are admonished to ‘avoid even the appearance of impropriety’ and that always seemed the best policy. This time last year I resigned as your Chair for a number of reasons including just plain being tired but also because I was being encouraged to run for office myself. I was more than a little surprised to discover I was pretty happy doing what I do and even happier being out of politics! It is therefore with no little trepidation that I write to discuss the races upcoming and give my two cents.

After most of thirty years in politics and the legal profession it will not surprise anyone that I know most of the candidates. I am proud to say that almost without exception I am confident that you will be pleased with the folks you have to choose from. Starting with the Justice of the Peace races and specifically with JP1, the choice is clear. Justice Susan Werner has done an excellent job, runs a tight ship and there is simply no reason to change. Her opponent is actually a long time law enforcement member I know and like and have nothing but respect for. Once she retires or should he seek another job in law enforcement I would likely support him, I just can’t versus Justice Werner.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, is a real problem for me. I have known both candidates for most of thirty years. Both are long time, well respected members of the law enforcement community. Chris Duerstine has been friend since he was a very young man and my wife and I were friends with his parents. A good family man, kind and considerate, the County could not do better, and yet Tom Daniel and I worked together for years when he was with SAPD. Now that he has retired I know he would do a great job as JP2. I like and respect both so I guess you are on your own on this one.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, is quite a bit easier. Stayce Speck has been in the Sheriff’s office for 27 years. There isn’t a job there she can’t do. A lieutenant there now, she is seeking to move to the other side of the bench. Her opponents are also good folks I have known many years, but one has no law enforcement experience or legal experience on his resume and the other’s experience is primarily with criminal law. Stayce Speck is one of those annoyingly meticulous, detail oriented over-achievers that has experience dealing with dead bodies, evictions, civil matters and criminals both in town and out in the County and I am confident will be the kind of fair minded, impartial justice we can count on for years to come.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, is Justice Eddie Howard. He is the rock upon which all else has been built when it comes to the Justice Courts in Tom Green County. A finer man I have never known and I am honored to endorse him and call him a friend.

The County Court at Law, Place 2, is currently held by retiring Judge Penny Roberts and her replacement will have big shoes to fill. For me the choice is Andrew Graves. In his time, Graves has been a felony prosecutor and defense lawyer. Fair minded and hard working, he has years of experience more than his opponent. While both candidates are well thought of, it is telling that the San Angelo Police Officers PAC has endorsed Graves, as well as a number of prominent defense attorneys. Graves’ opponent is a younger fellow who has only worked as a prosecutor, as far as I know, and will no doubt have his day some time in the future, but for today there can be no doubt who has the demeanor and experience such an important Court needs.

For County Clerk I have to say I know both of these fine ladies and just can’t call it. Christine Ubando was appointed after the retirement of Liz McGill and seems to be doing well. Lupe Comez is just a terrific person and one of the hardest working ladies I know. Lupe Gomez has worked hard to support Republican candidates with her work with the Republican National Hispanic Assembly so I think I have to lean that way, but I just don’t think we can go wrong there.

County Commissioner, Precinct 4, is a bit of a mess. The incumbent has failed to impress as will not surprise anyone. One does not get 5 opponents without working at it. I have known Bill for a long time and sometimes things just don’t work out at a job and you need to move on. I doubt he will thank me for saying it the next time I run into him but there it is. Having said that I think I’ll stay out of this one except to say that I think probably Shawn Nanny, Derrick Garnet, Lori Wilson or Dustin Barton are your best choice. The other challenger seems to think expanding social services is the most pressing issue facing the County. I can’t help but wonder about that.

For County Commissioner in Pct 2, Sammy Farmer is running unopposed and will certainly continue to do a good job.

For County Judge I admit the choices are quite diverse and interesting. All capable men, their backgrounds could not be more different. A councilman, a lawyer, a jeweler and a newsman by label, but really much more by experience and temperament. The councilman is a young dynamic leader whose experience in City government and business would be an asset. The jeweler is well educated and a calm and certain presence having developed a successful business in stressful times and contributed to his community in numerous ways. The lawyer is former cop and successful attorney known by most of us old guys and about as bright as they come. The newsman? Well you can hardly not know him. Opinionated and forceful, a veteran and Aggie who not just created a successful business but created a new type of new business. To my shock I admit that Joe Hyde has impressed me with his knowledge of the issues and his bulldog determination to grapple with all the issues facing the County. I told him when he asked me about running and I say it again here, “Maybe the County wants their own ‘Trump’ to tackle the problems facing it!” if so then I am confident Joe will be energetic and entertaining. As for Lane Carter, Tommy Usery and Todd Kolls, what can you say but I do not doubt each would do well, in their own way. All three are good guys and in my mind conservative leaders who bring something special to the race. For the life of me I can’t call this one but I sure am glad these four guys stepped up to run. I just don’t think we can go far wrong here.

For State Representative and for Congress I am proud to call both Drew and August my friends and that they will continue to serve the people of the Concho Valley so well and so ably. I may not like every single vote, but I do not doubt they know the issues better than me, the politics of their respective shark tanks and the needs of their constituents better than any possible other person. There is a reason the Concho Valley is such a great place to live and the fact that so many wonderful people are willing to put there names in a hat and work so hard is a big part of that. I am proud of my and my wife’s part in helping to grow and strengthen the Republican Party so that we can have such terrific choices. It is nice to know we will be well taken care of these next few years."