Battalion
Box by Box
See page 12 for Brazos County election re
suits, precinct by precinct.
Wednesday, November 8, 1978
College Station, Texas
News Dept. 845-2611
Business Dept. 845-2611
op
till too
Texas
races:
close to call
United Press International
DALLAS — Republicans generated un
acted strength in the state’s larger cities
esday, edging Sen. John Tower,
Texas, toward re-election and pushing
Has millionaire Bill Clements toward
ctionas the state’s first Republican gov-
icr since Reconstruction,
democrats John Hill and Bob Krueger,
ninees for governor and the U.S. Se-
e, held out hope final vote tabulations
would enable them to overcome the
IP leads and maintain the 105-year
nionatic domination of Texas’ top state
:SDA! lut if Clements’ and Tower s
90-1211
leads held,
GOP would double its number of
^^^gewide elected officials in Texas and
[Higsome reality to their long-term cam-
p to make Texas a two-party state.
filJl Inal figures from the Texas Election
eau at 2:30 a.m. today horn 246 of the
Ses 254 counties, 174 complete,
wed Clements leading Hill 1,054,965
023,706. The TEB totals gave Tower,
-year Senate veteran first elected in
l to succeed Lyndon B. Johnson, a
!1,263 to 1,001,443 lead over Krueger,
iSOAY.
a former dean at Duke University who
abandoned his academic career to return
to Texas in 1973 after a 15-year absence
and enter politics.
Figures from the National Election
Service, plagued by computer problems
throughout the tabulations, showed Hill
and Krueger in the lead early today, but
NES officials conceded a 200,000-vote
error in reporting Bexar County returns in
the governor’s race.
Hill, who stayed at his campaign head
quarters in Austin until 2 a.m. then prom
ised to return at 9 a.m. to make a state
ment on the returns, said it may be days
before the final outcome of the election is
known.
“Frankly, we may be in for several days
of suspense,’ he told supporters before
leaving what was supposed to be a victory
celebration.
“It may be too close to call. It may have
to go to an official count, and we may have
to wait for several days.”
He contended the counties with votes
still to be counted were rural counties and
counties where he had run strong in the
primary, thus making it possible he could
oters defeat
amendments
>QUAR!
United Press International
AUSTIN — Texas voters Tuesday gave
irwhelming approval to the highly pub-
zed tax relief amendment adopted
[summer by the special legislative ses-
nand also sanctioned six of eight other
isdtutional amendments on the ballot.
iESipIetttrns early Wednesday morning
)wed the “tax relief amendment” being
[ored better than 6-1. With more than
[)-thirds of Texas 254 counties report-
!, the amendment had drawned 294,445
i votes to 55,658 no votes. The amend-
iit would save taxpayers $450 million
:r a three-year period.
An amendment that would permit local
rernments to issue revenue bonds to fl-
hce construction of industrial facilities
Is being turned back and an amendment
thorizing cities to issue tax increment
hdsfor redevelopment of blighted areas
re being rejected by slim margins.
The “tax relief amendment would
ivide tax breaks from local school taxes
[homeowners, formers and ranchers and
I elderly, with the option for the state to
mburse local school districts for the
enue lost because of the new exemp-
he amendment also would call for tax-
of agricultural land on its productivity
hers than its market value, and would
ivide truth in taxation procedures giv-
on whose insis-
adopted by the
that voters ap-
citizens a voice
Id raise taxes.
before local entities
Gov. Dolph Briscoe,
tence the measure was
Legislature, was elated
proved the amendment.
“I am extremely pleased that Texas vot
ers have adopted the tax relief amendment
by an overwhelming margin," the gover
nor said. “This amendment to our consitu-
tion will go a long way toward achieving
the goal of ensuring that as much of our
agricultural land as possible stays in pro
duction.
“More importantly, adoption of this
amendment guarantes added tax relief for
our senior citizens.”
The other amendments approved by
voters:
—permits the state to purchase prod
ucts manufactured by non-profit sheltered
workshops for the handicapped without
taking competitive bids.
—exempts solar and wind powered
energy devices from property taxes.
—expands jurisdiction of justice of the
peace courts in civil cases up to $500.
—permits the Legislature to expand
membership on the courts of civil appeals
and allows the courts to hear cases in sec
tions.
—abolishes the State Building Commis
sion.
—permits water districts to issue bonds
and use tax revenue for firefighting pur
poses.
overcome Clements’ lead in the final
count.
Clements was confident throughout the
night, saying, “I’m in tune with the tempo
and times of Texas. I am right for Texas
and Hill is wrong.”
He reacted sharply to suggestions from
Hill that his $7 million campaign raised
questions about the election process.
“He’s had his snoot in the trough for a
long time. I’m sure he’s spent eight or
nine million in his efforts to be governor of
Texas,” Clements said. “I am sure that
Texas voters feel that way.”
Krueger, a two-term congressman mak
ing his first race for statewide office, gave
Tower the strongest challenge of his
career. Tower defeated a field of more
than 70 candidates in a 1961 special elec
tion to earn the right to succeed Lyndon
B. Johnson, then defeated Democratic
opponents in 1966 and 1972 by margins of
at least 200,000 votes.
It appeared Tower’s refusal to shake
hands with Krueger at a Houston debate
might turn the campaign against the di
minutive senator, a former government
professor at Midwestern University, but
Tower utilized television advertisements
to defend his actions, saying Krueger had
slurred his wife and daughter and he re
fused to be hypocritical by shaking hands
with him.
Tower, 53, is sixth in seniority among
Republican senators, and pointed out re
peatedly during his campaign that he was
the “No. 1 target of organized labor.”
Krueger contended Tower had been in
effective during his 17 years in Washing
ton.
Marks the Box
Jim Malone, election worker, watches as Margorie
Nickolson votes in Tuesday’s election. The polls in
the Memorial Student Center were open from 7
a.m. to 7 p.m. Of the more than 30,000 students on
campus, only 651 persons voted.
Battalion photo by Lynn Blanco
Democrats win most major races
Half of Brazos County votes
By KAREN ROGERS
Battalion Staff
Voters in predominantly Democratic
Brazos County responded much as ex
pected Tuesday, with Democratic candi
dates taking most of the major races. A
normal turnout of 15,295 of the county’s
31,461 registered voters participated in
the elections.
The race for U.S. Senator between Bob
Krueger and John Tower was as closely
contested in the county as the state, with
Republican Tower winning by a slim 208
votes. This was the only race the Republi
cans won in the county.
The contest between John Hill and Bill
Clements for governor was as close as the
senatorial race, but here Democrats came
out on top. Hill defeated Clements by
6,291 votes in Brazos County.
Democrat Phil Gramm defeated Wes
Mowery by 6,578 votes in the U.S. 6th
Months of work — hours of wait
1
By SCOTT PENDLETON
Battalion Staff
The candidates spent months try
ing to affect the course of a single
day. The planning and execution of
their campaigns, which absorbed
their attention and campaign con
tributions, was for one ptirpose:
victory on Nov. 7.
In a matter of hours, the candi
dates learned whether those months
had been put to good use. The roo-
ment of truth seemed too brief to do
justice to their preparation for it.
Just or not, Nov. 7 is already his
tory. Victors and vanquished alike
must now face the future.
Dr. Phil Gramm, the Texas A&M
economics professor-turned-
politician, was in the victors’ ranks
Tuesday night. His thoughts must
now turn to Washington, where he
will represent the 6th Congressional
District in the House of Representa-
'es.
A campaign aide said that
Gramm’s number one priority, as he
had promised numerous times dur
ing his campaign, will be passage of
amendment to the U.S. Con
stitution that would require the
government to operate on a bal
anced budget during peacetime.
With 72 percent of the Brazos
County vote, and 64 percent over-
Gramm was gratified at what He
considered to be a vote of confi
dence and a clear mandate to push
his programs in Congress.
Since his background is eco-
imfos, Gramm would like to be
Appointed to a committee such as
Ways and Means or Appropriations.
He knows that appointment to such
a powerful committee is unlikely for
freshman congressman. He said
would be pleased to be appointed to
the Commerce Committee, as he
would be able to use his background
and expertise.
Gramm will be keeping an office
in Brazos, Tarrant and Dallas coun
ties, the aide said.
What plans Wes Mowery may
have are unknown. Gramm de
feated the Republican from Fort
Worth in the 6th Congressional Dis
trict race. Mowery couldn't be
reached Tuesday night for com
ment. .
Candidates for local offices who
made it into the winner’s circle in
cluded Dick Holmgreen, county
judge; Bobby Yeager, sheriff; and
Gerald “Buddy” Winn, county tax
assessor-collector.
Holmgreen admits being cautious
as he enters his new job. He said he
didn’t know yet what the county
could look forward to from him.
He identified many problem
areas in the county, but said he
couldn't say he had the answers
since he didn’t know enough about
them yet.
“Some answers and going to have
to come and come quickly, Holmg
reen said in reference to the county
jail. Holmgreen emphasized die Jail
as one of the county’s problems.
Poor roads, fire protection prob
lems, a county ambulance service
and unsafe railroad tracks also con
cern Holmgreen. He said that since
the solutions to these problems all
involve money, he would have to
give each careful study.
“Until you know bow much
(money) you have to work with, you
have to go slow,” Holmgreen said.
Holmgreen would like the roads,
rail road tracks, and jail to be
brought up to better standards. In
the ease of the jail, Holmgreen said
he will opposed to short-term im
provement that would be in
adequate in a few years.
Holmgreen’s unsuccessful oppo
nent, Republican John Raney,
would like to see some im
provements made in the election
laws.
“The laws are definitely written in
favor of the Democrats and the in
cumbents," Raney said.
“The election laws didn't have the
same effect on Holmgreen as they
did on me,” He said Holmgreen
benefited from the exposure he got
during the primary and from the
presence of a whole slate of Demo
cratic candidates.
Raney said the election laws
should be changed so that candi
dates don't have to campaign so
long.
*T don’t think they wifi be,” he
added.
Raney was disappointed not only
by his loss to Holmgreen but by the
41 percent of the vote that he re
ceived,
“I thought 45 percent was about
the bottom I would get,” he said.
Bill Owens, another unsuccessful
Republican candidate, was more
critical of his opponent’s experience
than of the election. Owens, who
ran for sheriff against Bobby Yeager,
said he wasn’t expecting to win,
though he tried.
“Yeager is a pretty good of boy,”
Owens said, “but X just don't think
he has the experience necessary for
the job. Brazos County will pay a
high price for it,”
Nevertheless, Owens wished
Yeager the best of luck.
District race. This came as no surprise
since Gramm is a Brazos County resident
and former economics professor at Texas
A&M University.
One surprise was the attorney general
contest between Mark White and Jim
Baker. Although it was expected to be
close. Democrat White won the county by
a 4,021 vote margin.
In local races, Bobby Yeager, candidate
for sheriff, trounced his Republican oppo
nent, Bill Owens, by 7,839 votes.
Democrat Dick Holmgreen surprised
everyone with his larger-than-expected
victory in the county judge’s race. He de
feated opponent John Raney by 2,722
votes in what was predicted to be a very
close race.
Buddy Winn was elected county tax as
sessor by 7,493 votes. His opponent, Ed
ward Valenta, earned only 24 percent of
the vote.
Although the county usually votes the
Democratic ticket, there are several Re
publican pockets, especially in the College
Station area.
Precincts 10, 20 and 21 usually vote
predominantly Republican because most
of the registered voters are Texas A&M
University students.
The only precinct among the three to
vote the straight Republican ticket was
Precinct 20, voting for Tower, Mowery,
Clements and Baker by an average 63 per
cent. Precinct 10 split the ticket with Re
publicans Tower and Clements receiving
an average 57 percent of the vote and
Democrats Gramm and White receiving
an average 67 percent.
Most Republicans received the votes in
Precinct 21, with a 57 percent vote of con
fidence. Gramm, the exception, got 62
percent.
Other predominantly Republican pre
cincts are 8, 12 and 15. This year, how
ever, the vote was split between the two
parties.
Precinct 8 voted for Democrats Gramm
and White by an average 62 percent mar
gin. They responded less enthusiastically
for Republicans Tower and Clements vot
ing for them by an average 52 percent
margin.
A little less confidence for their candi
dates was displayed by the Republican
voters in Precinct 12. They voted for Re
publicans Tower and Clements by an av
erage 52 percent margin. Democrats
Gramm and White received an average 67
percent.
Precinct 15, which almost always votes
Republican, decided otherwise this year
and voted for Democrats Krueger,
Gramm, Hill and White with an average
65 percent. This precinct has in the past
had the highest voter turnout. This year
they were surpassed by Precinct 31, which
had a voter turnout of 56.23 percent, or
6.47 percent over Precinct 15.
There were several uncontested races in
the county: district judge, W.T. “Tom”
McDonald Jr.; district attorney, Travis B.
Bryan III; county court-at-law judge,
Bradley Smith; county attorney, John Bar
ron Jr.; district clerk, W.D. “Davis” Bur
ley; county clerk, Frank Boriskie; county
treasurer. Bill Elkins; county commis
sioner, precinct 2, Walter Wilcox; and
county commissioner, precinct 4, Bill
Stasney.
Brazos County voters thought the Texas
constitution needed some changes and ap
proved all nine proposed amendments
with an average 70 percent of the vote.
Citizens in the rest of the state, however,
did not agree with them.
Texans rejected Amendment No. 2,
which would have permitted local gov
ernments to issue revenue bonds to fi
nance construction of industrial facilities
that could be leased to private industry.
Another, Amendment No. 3, was being
rejected by slim margins early this morn
ing. If approved, it will authorize cities to
issue increment bonds for redevelopment
of blighted areas with the bonds paid for
from higher taxes collected on the rede
veloped property.
Aggies vote consistently GOP
By DILLARD STONE
Battalion Staff
Figures from Texas A&M University’s
on-campus polling station indicate Aggies
maintained their usual tendency to vote
Republican in Tuesday’s election.
Precinct 20 in the Memorial Student
Center counted 651 ballots.
In two close statewide races, the pre
cinct reported overwhelming support for
Republican candidates. U.S. Sen. John
Tower captured 73.3 percent of the vote in
his bid for re-election. His opponent, U.S.
Rep. Bob Krueger, polled about 25.4 per
cent of the votes.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill
Clements was equally well-endorsed, pol
ling 72.8 percent against John Hill’s show
ing of 25.8 percent.
In the race to fill the U.S. Sixth Con
gressional District seat vacated by retiring
Rep. Olin Teague, Democrat Phil Gramm
evidently won some support based on his
appeal as an involved Aggie, but Republi
can opponent Wes Mowery still outdrew
him by 10 votes — 50.8 to 49.2 percent
margin.
In two other statewide races, the Aggie
vote ran significantly against the statewide
count. Republican Attorney General Can
didate Jim Baker won in Precinct 20 with
60.8 percent, well over statewide winner
Mark White’s showing of 38.9 percent.
In the race to fill the unexpired Railroad
Commissioner’s term, statewide two-to-
one victor Democrat John Poerner was
outdrawn on campus by Republican James
Lacy by virtually the same margin, 64.2 to
35.8 percent.
Aggies also voted Republican in the
Brazos County races.
Republican candidates John Raney
(county judge), Bill Owens (sheriff), and
Edward Valenta (tax assessor-collector) all
lost by significant differences in the county
race while posting significant margins of
victory on the Texas A&M campus.
The 651 ballots counted at Texas A&M
represents 34.4 percent of the 1,893 voters
registered in Precinct 20. County totals
indicate that 48.2 percent of the registered
voters in Brazos County voted in the off-
year elections.
Campaign manager feels
agony of election defeat
By DOUG GRAHAM
Battalion Staff
It was quiet in Wes Mowery’s Brazos
headquarters Tuesday night. The six cam
paign workers were quiet, sitting in a sol
emn circle around a television set. The
announcer was reporting campaign re
sults.
And the result was that their candidate,
Wes Mowery, candidate for the 6th con
gressional district seat, was out for the
count.
It was almost all over except for the cry
ing.
And the area campaign manager, Russ
Darbyshire, a graduate student at Texas
A&M University, was watching the fruits
of many months of work crumbling in
black and white.
Slowly the
bearded man.
workers left. First the
then the women, packing
the cakes and chips that anticipated a
victory. They left one by one, until the
weary 24-year-old campaign manager was
alone with a radio, one Battalion reporter,
a styrofoam cooler with ice, some beer and
chips.
Darbyshire looked exhausted, having
spent the last two weeks, he said, in con
tinuous campaigning. He confessed confu
sion at his man’s defeat, a little anger, and
resignation.
“It’s a complete turnaround,” he said,
explaining that earlier opinion polls indi
cated Mowery would do well.
He said he was disappointed. It was not
anger he expressed at Mowery’s oppo
nent, Democrat Phil Gramm. He said
Mowery was outspent. “It was a clean
campaign,” he said, “but we couldn’t
match money.
(Please see “Aggie” page 13.)