Endorsements? You Won’t Hear Any From Me

Since I've began hosting Lubbock's First News, I have never done endorsements on the air. It's just something I'm not very comfortable with doing. I don't blame other people in the media for doing them, I just prefer not to hand out endorsements on the radio show.

There are a few reasons why I don't endorse candidates. First, and probably the most important is the fact that if I give out an endorsement, I feel like I'm connected to that candidate somehow. One of the things I've taken pride in with LFN is that we owe nothing to anyone. In other words, I have no problem criticizing any politician out there. I don't really think twice about it and to me that's pretty fair. No politician owes me anything, and I don't owe them anything.

Another reason for not endorsing any candidates is that I don't think people really care about endorsements anymore. Some people act as though endorsements are this major deal in politics still, and I just don't buy it. The local newspaper gives out endorsements and one of two things happen. People laugh at them, or shrug it off. I and most of you reading this can probably predict who the paper will endorse most of the time.

I give my opinion everyday on the candidates and get your opinions as well. We have also interviewed each candidate running for City Council except for Dwight Fullingam who didn't want to appear on LFN. In my opinion, that should be enough. You don't need me to tell you who to vote for.

Finally, do some homework. Another reason I don't endorse candidates is because even though we have interviewed the candidates, debated their qualifications on the air, and discussed their thoughts, words, and actions, we still want you to do your own homework. I don't like hearing people say that they want someone else to tell them who to vote for. Make up your own mind, and maybe we will agree, maybe we will disagree. At least you have some skin in the game.

With all that said, go vote! That's what I endorse, informed people voting. Early voting has started and continues through May 8 for local races. Election day is May 12.