2010: Newspaper Endorsements: SAEN for Gilbert

The San Antonio Express-News has endorsed Hank Gilbert in the Democratic primary for agriculture commissioner, though the paper's editorial board described the choice between the rancher and his opponent, novelist and musician Kinky Friedman, as "discomforting."

[Gilbert] has spent a lot of time explaining why he received a $100,000 contribution from gubernatorial candidate Farouk Shami days after dropping out of the gubernatorial contest.

Shami later gave Gilbert another $50,000.

While the contributions raise some unsettling concerns, Gilbert is far more knowledgeable about agriculture issues and state government than Friedman.

Friedman, the paper said, offers "no evidence that he is working to learn the ropes in the agriculture department."