Diane Guo

Editor’s note: This editorial reflects only the opinion of the Editorial Board and does not represent the opinion or views of The Daily Texan as a whole.

Following the decision of the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times’ CEOs to pull an already-drafted endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris, it is essential to remember the primary purpose of editorial boards: to provide a vetted, researched opinion reached by consensus of the associate opinion editors and editor-in-chief. The editorial board does not reflect the view of everyone involved in the publication. We are an independent entity with editorial control over our work. With no CEO to influence our judgment, this editorial board endorses three candidates for this election: Kamala Harris for president, Kathie Tovo for mayor and Colin Allred for senator. 

College students are positioned to be strongly impacted by the outcome of this election, but we also have the potential for large-scale influence over that outcome. While young people have historically voted less consistently, college-aged voters have proven their ability to sway elections in the last few years. Plan to go to the Texas Union or the LBJ School of Public Affairs in Sid Richardson Hall to cast your vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. One vote may not be the determinant of an election, but as you stand in line with your peers, remember that you are part of a much larger group of young people, all seeking to make a difference. 

Kamala Harris as president is the only way forward

Amid the United States’ increasingly polarized political climate, Kamala Harris represents a way for us to move forward. Her background as a prosecutor, attorney general, senator and vice president, and her policies — deeply rooted in uplifting disenfranchised citizens — make her the ideal candidate to unite the country.

Harris has a history of advocating for students and higher education, dating back to her support of the 2017 College for All Act and, more recently, her role in working to forgive $168.5 billion in student debt as vice president. She is the clear choice when it comes to higher education issues.

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights are the most important issue on the ballot for women under 30, according to KFF. Harris’ promise to restore abortion protections nationwide solidifies her position as the best choice for women.

Harris’ economic plans, including her promised expansion of a child tax credit and institution of a price-gouging ban to fight food inflation, reiterate her commitment to fostering an equitable society. Additionally, at a time when nine out of ten Texans say housing is out of control, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, her comprehensive affordable housing plan will provide down payments and lower rent. Furthermore, Harris’ plans to lower healthcare premiums and extend the $35 cap on insulin contribute to her vision for a more affordable, fair healthcare system.

Harris has historically been a vocal supporter of the environment in U.S. politics. As a senator, she co-sponsored the Green New Deal and the Climate Equity Act and proposed a $10 trillion economic plan to combat climate change. As vice president, she pledged $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund and broke the tie in the Senate to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant climate law in U.S. history. Harris’ past dedication makes her our best chance to fight against climate change’s effects and secure a future for our planet.

Harris has publicly expressed her support for the Second Amendment and admitted in the presidential debate that she owned a gun. As vice president, she oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Her support for the right to bear arms, combined with promises to ban assault weapons and pass universal background checks and red flag gun laws, give Americans on both sides of the aisle a sense of security for both their personal health and constitutional protections. 

Immigration and border control have been among Harris’ most controversial topics. Illegal border crossings increased significantly during her time as vice president, which is why Harris has since committed to increasing border security and pledged to bring back the bipartisan border support bill, which she blames Trump for killing. Her policies are drastically more empathetic and realistic than Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” border policies.

Donald Trump threatens democracy 

The future of American democracy is at stake this Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump’s various attempts to threaten the democratic system, visible through his criminal convictions, harmful rhetoric and repeated unwillingness to accept the 2020 election results, are the reasons this editorial board not only refuses to endorse Trump but vehemently opposes his candidacy.  

First and foremost, Trump’s criminal convictions reflect his inability to lead a lawful nation. He is currently set to stand trial for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and conspiracy against the rights of citizens due to his actions in 2020. His felony charges include falsifying business records and making a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels to hide their sexual relations from the public. Trump’s candidacy in the face of these charges makes a mockery of the American political system. How can we rely on him to enforce this country’s laws if he believes they don’t apply to him? 

In the majority of states, felons do not have the constitutional right to vote, but because of Trump’s Supreme Court appointments, they do still have the right to run for president. 

In addition to personal matters, Trump’s presidential policies represent “concepts of a plan” at best. Perpetuating divisiveness among the American people, his campaign promises include the “biggest mass deportation” of undocumented immigrants in history and the repeated withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords. Furthermore, his lack of commitment to reproductive protection or clear plan to address college tuition affordability speaks volumes about his lack of concern for young adults.

We could list a thousand reasons Trump should not earn your vote for the presidency — but the federal legal system has already found 34. That should be more than enough.

Colin Allred is the best choice to represent Texans in the Senate 

Colin Allred, a Dallas native who served three terms for Congress in Texas’ 32nd District, is running for Senate office against incumbent Ted Cruz. Allred boasts numerous bipartisan initiatives, making up 70% of his co-sponsored bills. His commitment to collaboration represents hope for positive change in the Senate. 

As a congressman, Allred strongly disapproved of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. His goal to expand affordable and over-the-counter contraceptives for women would hand the decision back to women. As Texans face the state abortion ban, a change in representation is more important than ever. 

Allred is also a strong proponent of quality public education, advocating for driving down the costs of higher education while investing in teachers and curriculums and improving primary and secondary education infrastructure.

Addressing an especially contentious topic in Texas, Allred is an advocate for increased gun violence prevention. For the safety of schoolchildren, families and communities, Allred calls for expanding background checks and mental health resources while preventing convicted abusers from purchasing guns. 

In the face of worsening climate change, Allred has already managed to get $25 million to plug 800 orphaned wells, which risk exploding and pose safety risks. He plans to move away from over-the-top oil and gas production and looks forward to leading renewable energy efforts with solar and wind energy solutions. 

The choice is clear: Allred is making concerted efforts to promote meaningful change for Texans. 

Ted Cruz wastes time in the Senate 

Texas needs new leadership, and Ted Cruz hasn’t brought a nuanced perspective since he took office in 2013. Cruz’s stance on abortion fails to support women. His plan to ban abortion, even in circumstances of incest and rape, endangers women and their right to bodily autonomy. His proud exclamations that the overturning of Roe v. Wade as a “massive victory” is a disappointing stain on Texas’ social progress. 

Cruz is a staunch denier of climate change, aiming to debunk the  “claims of global warming.” Texans suffer from hotter summers, reduced quality of water and wildfires, and Cruz doesn’t have plans for slowing down carbon emissions or developing sustainable city planning. The impact of climate change on the housing crisis and rising home insurance premiums are making places like Texas increasingly unliveable, and his lack of acknowledgment is only delaying progress.

Since Cruz began his term as senator, there have been 58 deaths and 80 injuries reported from school shootings in Texas. Even after the Uvalde shooting, Cruz remained against practical, realistic gun control measures. He resolved to “enhance security at vulnerable targets” and “add more police at school.” However, increased law enforcement presence does nothing to make schools safer. Additionally, Cruz opposes a ban on semi-automatic rifles. His policies on gun control are ineffective, and his ties to the NRA have prevented him from taking basic steps to protect children and educators. 

Kathie Tovo aims to involve the public in the mayoral position

Former city council member Kathie Tovo is the Austin representative needed to enact real change. Although Tovo is the underdog in this election, her policies and political experience offer a new perspective to the City of Austin. Tovo, a longtime Austinite, received her Ph.D from The University of Texas at Austin where she also served as an adjunct faculty member in 2023, gaining an understanding of the UT community’s needs.

During three non-consecutive terms on Austin City Council, Tovo’s 100-year “Water Forward” plan aided in developing water supply strategies, supply diversification and sustainable planning. Alongside these efforts, she hopes to continue supporting ProjectConnect, which encourages city planning to develop a new light rail system and create sidewalks and bicycle lanes. 

Austin has become increasingly unaffordable in recent years, and Tovo aims to lower utility costs and fees, cut unnecessary spending and ensure that jobs within the city offer liveable wages. Alongside her prior eviction counseling program, she supports the continued funding of rent assistance programs and “build(ing) affordable housing on city-owned land.” While Kirk Watson’s Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment initiative disregards east-side neighborhoods and doesn’t prevent short-term rentals of additional houses like Airbnb rentals, Tovo plans to mitigate these issues with her prospective housing policies. 

Tovo chaired the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition’s Membership Council, where she championed the establishment of sanctioned campsites. She opposed lifting the camping ban that the City Council approved in June 2019. For her term, she plans to partner with the private sector and other organizations to increase their investments in preventing and ending homelessness. Tovo plans to collaborate with Austin ECHO and other Austin nonprofits to provide housing for these individuals. 

Tovo helped develop the Sobering Center in Austin, which has created great strides in the community for those struggling with substance and alcohol abuse. While representing a district containing Sixth Street, Tovo made efforts to increase safety by improving lighting and adding cameras. Her community-wide safety efforts aim to involve the public rather than backroom decision-making, separating her from the incumbent mayor, Kirk Watson. 

Kirk Watson has had his turn 

While Kirk Watson does come in at a close second, his lack of communication with the public sphere leaves many Austinites out of the loop, often questioning whether citizens’ voices are heard in return. 

Watson’s support for the I-35 expansion is one example of his failure to serve the public good. This $4.5 billion plan is detrimental to the environment and will only increase urban sprawl in the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area. The expansion will displace 100 homes and businesses and increase air pollution surrounding the UT campus. 

Further, his handling of the HOME initiative, built to increase housing supply, fell short by disadvantaging vulnerable East Side neighborhoods and failing to prevent the problematic use of available housing for short-term rentals. Ultimately, many of the decisions Watson has made during his public service are contrary to the needs of his constituents.

Vote to protect our futures

There is no perfect candidate in any election cycle. This editorial board disagrees with each candidate on varying issues and policies. However, our choices were made with two questions in mind: Who can do the most good, and who will do the least harm? These endorsements reflect our answers. Let your ballot reflect yours.

The editorial board is composed of associate editors Tenley Jackson, Tanya Narwekar, Ava Saunders and Anjali Shenoy and editor-in-chief McKenzie Henningsen.