Sharp receives endorsements from Valley legislators

South Texas native and U.S. Senate candidate John Sharp was endorsed this week by Democratic state Sens. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Eddie Lucio Jr.

Their endorsements added to others that Sharp, a former state comptroller, has received from community leaders in the Rio Grande Valley.

In throwing their support behind Sharp, the state senators cited work he did as Texas comptroller to develop an economic vision, a news release from Sharp’s campaign states. They also praised his implementation of the Lone Star Card, which eliminated waste and fraud in the federal food stamp program, and his implementation of a pre-paid college tuition program.

“John Sharp is uniting South Texas behind his call for positive change,” the state senators said in a joint statement. “From health care to jobs, John’s mainstream agenda is a perfect match for our communities.”

Hailing from Placedo, a small farming town outside Victoria, Sharp has also served as a state senator and chairman of the state’s energy agency. He is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Hutchison, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in March’s primary against Gov. Rick Perry, has not yet stepped down.

Democratic Houston Mayor Bill White is also seeking Hutchison’s seat.