By Catherine Cuellar, KERA 90.1 reporter
Dallas, TX – Catherine Cuellar, KERA 90.1 Reporter: In last month's four-way primary race for Dallas County Sheriff, candidate Jim Foster trailed frontrunner Lupe Valdez by less than 600 votes. But in Tuesday's runoff, Foster thinks the absence of two competitors will give him the lead.
Jim Foster, Candidate for Dallas County Sheriff: Chuck Munoz has said that he openly endorses me, and he's letting everybody know that. Sam Allen has said to the Morning News that Jim Foster is upright, honest, and that his vote and his support goes to Jim Foster.
Cuellar: Former Democratic sheriff candidates Munoz and Allen received 13 and 25 percent of primary votes, respectively. If their voters turn out again in support of Foster, he would win handily. Foster is also endorsed by the Coalition of Black Democrats. But Lupe Valdez, who won the Dallas Morning News endorsement prior to the primary, has also picked up some new supporters.
Lupe Valdez, Candidate for Dallas County Sheriff: There's been a bunch of endorsements. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Honorable Commissioner John Wiley Price, Honorable Former Mayor Ron Kirk, Honorable State Senator Royce West, Honorable State Representative Roberto Alonso...
Cuellar: Endorsements from these officials, as well as the Mexican-American Democrats and a gay group, the Stonewall Democrats, show Valdez's diverse base of support. But her campaign has been sullied by news she may be fined for violating the election code. After improperly receiving more than $100 in cash from a supporter, she returned the cash and the donor made the gift by check. Valdez also failed to itemize individual donors in a group of cash contributions that exceeded $100. She's resolved that problem, too, but Foster hopes to capitalize on her mistakes.
Foster: It is based solely on integrity. That's been the key issue from the day one, and this violation obviously goes to integrity.
Valdez: I have a top-secret clearance from the military. I have a top-secret clearance from a treasury agency that I work with. Those agencies do not give away top-secret clearances to people that are distrustful.
Cuellar: Valdez has spent 23 of her 28 years in law enforcement as a special agent for U.S. Customs. She retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to run for sheriff. Foster is a certified Texas peace officer, instructor, and mental health officer.
Foster: I have 15 years of Texas law enforcement experience. We need someone in there that is a Texas peace officer, and I've got that experience. I've got that certification. My opponent has no Texas law enforcement experience whatsoever.
Cuellar: Valdez, a Dallas resident, says her federal-level work makes her more valuable.
Valdez: Not only am I diversified, I also have done global law enforcement and international law enforcement. It is important to bring other points of view into the picture.
Cuellar: The winner of next Tuesday's contest will face Republican Danny Chandler in November's general election. Early voting ends today. For KERA 90.1, I'm Catherine Cuellar.
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