Comments

“I don't want citizens' voices to continue to go unheard and public needs to go unmet. I want the dignity of this town restored.”

A reader noting Carole Keeton Strayhorn possibly running afresh for mayor of Austin - see our story here - alerted me to her former spokesman-with-an-edge, Mark Sanders, trying life as a candidate. via Austin American Statesman

[Mark Sanders]

I am indeed running. For those interested check out marksanderforeustace.com . I hope I can count on your support to make this town a better place.

Sincerely,

Mark

[Eustace Citizen]

As far as I know he doesn't have much support in Austin anymore, and I really don't see him standing a chance here in Eustace.

[Austindude]

I hope that your town relizes what they will truely will be getting if Sanders is elected! Not the man I would want for my town, I'm sure if the people of your town did a little research on him they would not elect him! He talks a big game, plays dirty and has been known to offer bribes. And yes, Eustace Citizen he doesn't have much support here in Austin, why do you think he moved away....Good luck Eustace!

[Austindude]

Time on the ranch
The 2008 political season already is under way, and missing in action (so far) for the first time in several seasons is Mark Sanders, who left Austin within hours after his last candidate, former Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, lost to Gov. Perry last year in the five-way gubernatorial race.

It was the second time Sanders played a prominent role for a losing candidate against Perry. He was Democrat Tony Sanchez's spokesman in 2002.

Sanders has spent the past year on a small, East Texas horse ranch he inherited from his grandfather and, he says, plans to remain there awhile longer.

It offers different challenges — like chasing a loose horse down the highway at 5:30 a.m.— than the campaign trail.

And he finds the price of livestock feed much more important these days than ad rates.

[e-mail]

[Austindude]

What's new in Eustace
The East Texas town of Eustace, population 798, may be a few light-years removed from the big time, but local horse rancher Mark Sanders has a big-time beef with the mayor. The mayor isn't on the ballot this spring. But Sanders is running for another council seat so he can try to pass a law forcing her to resign because he believes the town needs some new direction.

Yes, Sanders is the former spokesman for several statewide officials and candidates, including former Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn. He moved to Eustace after Strayhorn lost the governor's race two years ago.

Sanders said Strayhorn has signed a letter endorsing him and has volunteered to go to Eustace and campaign door-to-door.

So far, he hasn't taken advantage of the latter offer and considers his race a long shot anyway.

Strayhorn's endorsement may have mixed results in Henderson County, where Eustace is located. She got 23 percent of the vote there in the 2006 race, slightly better than her statewide average. But Perry outpolled her 7,715 to 4,118 in the county. Democrat Chris Bell got 3,942 votes there.

[Austindude]

The two articles above have been resently released in the Houston Chronicle chron.com . Just thought Eustace would like to know!

[Eustace]

I have grown up here my whole life.... Who is this guy?

[oldtimer]

Stanley Grahms nephew...

[Eustace]

Enough said.... I've got 3 votes in my house that will not go his way!