This election year will be historic, for many reasons, at the national level - the Presidential tickets, the numbers of newly registered voters, and the anticipated voter turnout for this race at the top of the ticket, to name a few. But besides choosing who we send to Washington D.C. to represent us, we have very important local races reflecting our representation at County and State levels.

My name is John Carona and I have been honored to serve you in Austin as the State Senator from District 16, a district of over 750,000 people from parts of Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, and Richardson. I ask for your vote on November 4 to return to the Texas Senate for another term and to continue leading on your behalf as Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee.

During my tenure in the Texas Senate I have had various committee assignments, including Health and Human Services, Criminal Justice, Business and Commerce, and the sub-committee on Emerging Technologies, where I worked very closely with Richardson civic and business leaders on issues impacting the Telecom Corridor. Richardson enjoys close-knit civic, business and education communities that are ideal to work with when trying to find real solutions to issues for our community here in North Texas, as well as for the state.

Since being named Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee in 2006, I have brought attention to and have begun to shift the course of transportation plans in our state. The scope of the Governor’s proposed Trans Texas Corridor (TTC) and the proliferation of private toll roads have resulted in a huge outcry from the public, and rightly so. This is just one of several serious issues that I am addressing with regard to the direction of transportation in Texas. Our ability to move throughout the region on uncongested roads, expansion of regional transit through light rail, and laying the foundation for high-speed rail are all critical issues that I am entrusted with solving for the sake of our economy and our air quality.

I am first and foremost a family man (father of five) and a businessman, like many of you. For my service in the Texas Legislature, I have been elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate and have authored or served as primary sponsor for over 400 bills that have now become law, have been honored with over 200 recognitions for my service – including being named “Hero” by teachers and education leaders, and been characterized as “one of the workhorses in the Texas Senate” by the Dallas Morning News.

Each and every election is an opportunity for change, and a chance for us to select strong leaders at every level who’ll work hard to protect our community and grow our economy. I am proud of my service to Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike and humbly ask for your vote on November 4.

Editor's Note: Our Echo Election Series is dedicated to allowing major candidates in local race to state their case primarily to people in and near Richardson. We asked candidates in races directly affecting Richardson for an editorial written by anyone they designated. We will release these about one per day until they are all posted. The order of appearance is random. If a candidate appears not to be represented, then they choose not to submit an editorial. We are indebted to the candidates for their participation. We welcome any comments or feedback.