MARCH 2014 15 2014 PRIMARIES TEXAS SENATE Carona Fends Off Numerous Attacks From Huffines By Dan Koller People Newspapers John Carona, a resident of Pres- ton Hollow, is facing a challenge from a fellow Republican for the first time since he was elected to the Tex- as Senate in 1996. And “challenge” doesn’t begin to describe it. The foundation of Highland Park resi- dent Don Huffines’ campaign has been negative ads attacking Carona. Here’s a look at some of Huffines’ ac- cusations and Carona’s responses. OPPONENTS ON THE ISSUES 1 Huffines’ accusation: Huffines labels Carona a “career politican,” because he was first elected in 1990; Carona served in the Texas House before securing his Senate seat. (This is the first campaign for Huffines, a real estate developer.) Carona’s response: Carona points out that serving in the Legislature is a part-time job, one that he does while also running Associa, the nation’s largest manager of homeowners associations. “The Texas Legislature is a citizen legislature,” Carona said. “Perhaps he doesn’t understand that we only meet every other year, for 140 days.” 2 Huffines’ accusation: Huffines says Carona tried to rename Interstate 20 to honor President Barack Obama. Carona’s response: Carona said the bill was authored by Sen. Royce West, in whose district a portion of the highway would have been renamed, shortly after Obama was elected. As Transportation Committee chairman, Carona brought the bill to a hearing to gauge support. “There was so little support that, out of respect for Senator West, I did not even call a vote on the issue,” he said. 3 Huffines’ accusation: Huffines says Carona is too liberal and points out that he has donated money to Democrats, including West and Sen. Judith Zaffirini. Carona’s response: “When you look at these things from the vantage of Mr. Huffines, who is a Ron Paul Libertarian, everybody up here is liberal.” Carona maintains that he’s a “traditional conservative,” but one who realizes that Republicans often have to reach across party lines. “One of things that makes Texas government work so much better than Washington is that, while we certainly have ideological differences with one another, we are civil and respectful.” Don Huffines has filled our mailboxes with anti- Carona fliers.