Moreover, Collier has been endorsed by every major newspaper in the state even though his Republican opponent — state Sen. Glenn Hegar of Katy — has served 12 years in the Legislature, mostly in the Senate. Nevertheless, recent history suggests that on Tuesday, Hegar, a rice farmer, will be elected state comptroller for a variety of reasons, mainly for raising and spending more money. But for Collier none might be more demoralizing than for having a “D” after his last name.

Let’s face it, in Texas, one of the reddest states in the nation’s the “D” as in Democrat has been, for all practical purposes, a “D” as in Dead in statewide races or in heavily Republican areas such as West Texas for nearly two decade.

Collier’s story is also the story of other qualified but largely unknown Democratic candidates, particularly those running for attorney general, land commissioner and for a seat on the three-member Railroad Commission, the agency regulates the state’s oil and gas industry.

For instance, Houston attorney Sam Houston has also been endorsed by every major newspaper. Despite his famous name and professional credentials, unless there is a major upset, it looks like his Republican opponent, state Sen. Ken Paxton of McKinney, will be elected attorney general.

This will likely be the case despite the fact that Paxton has hardly campaigned, has largely avoided the media and could be indicted for Texas securities violations.

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