I missed this KTRK story from Tuesday about Martha Wong's phantom endorsement, in which she claimed that some generically nice things said about her by HISD Superintendant Abe Saavedra constituted an actual statement of electoral support. Seems Martha really really doesn't want to recognize the obvious here:
There is a piece of mail at the center of the debate. Inside the brochure touting Martha Wong's support for education is a quote from HISD Superintendent Abe Saavedra stating "Martha has always been supportive of our needs in HISD and an advocate for us."Wong says it's perfectly appropriate.
"We didn't ask for an endorsement," she said. "He stands by his quote."
But last week, after the brochure hit mailboxes Dr. Saavedra issued a statement to the contrary, saying, in part, "it is unfortunate that a misunderstanding may have occurred, but I have not authorized my name to be used in campaign materials. I have not endorsed a candidate."
Wong says the mailer simply used a quote, not an endorsement.
"We have worked with Dr. Saavedra. He knows us," Wong said.
When asked if it is a misunderstanding, Wong answered, "That's something you should ask Dr. Saavedra."
Political science professor Michelle Carnahan says while one brochure may not mean the difference between winning and losing, Wong's campaign staff should not have made such a rookie mistake."Ellen Cohen's campaign, part of her being not being the incumbent is that she doesn't have a record to stand on, but Martha Wong does," Carnahan said. "She's defending her record, and this is something she should've known."
