ustxtxb_obs_1990_01_12_50_00012-00000_000.pdf

ALAN POGUE Mark White’s entry reduces Mattox’s numbers Ann Richards Opening Doors Ann Richards was born near Waco on September 1, 1933. An only child, she attended Baylor University, and after college taught school, volunteered in local campaigns, and raised four children. In 1976, she defeated a three-term incumbent for a seat on the Travis County Commissioners Court. When she was elected State Treasurer in 1982, she became the first woman elected to a statewide office in Texas in over 50 years. She was re-elected in 1986, and on June 10 of 1989 she announced for Governor. Richards was interviewed at her state campaign headquarters in downtown Austin. Observer Editor Louis Dubose and Associate Editor Allan Freedman conducted the interview. Austin photographer Alan Pogue accompanied the editors. Richards’s press secretary, Monte Williams, said that only 20 minutes could be scheduled for the interview. The interview, however, lasted for approximately 45 minutes. How does the entry of Mark White alter the dynamics of the campaign? Whose support do you see it undercutting? I think that ensures there’llbe a runoff, and I think that’s about the extent of it. The polls indicate that Mdrk White’s entry reduces Mattox’s numbers. I think that’s a very shortterm poll result and not a long-term poll result. I think that Mattox and I are the two candidates in this race and I think that we will be in a runoff together. You haven’t noticed any difference in fundraising? No, anyone who is for White had already told me that if White got in the race so I didn’t count on it. And I haven’t had anyone that I expected to support me who is now supporting White. During the last tenure of a Democratic governor, 17 men were executed by the state. What’s your position on the death penalty? Well I I feel that the death penalty is the law of the state of Texas. And I am prepared to carry out that law. I think that any time you are dealing with human life, it is an awesome responsibility. There are some truly bad people. And those people, under the law, should be executed for their crimes. You say you believe in it personally as well 12 JANUARY 12, 1990 as you would as a governor fulfilling the role of the state? Well I don’t think you separate that once you become the governor. Even considering the recent case of Clarence Brandley and the recently adjudicated case of Randall Dale Adams? Do you have any real strong misgivings about the death penalty? The misgivings that you have about it is the judicial system. And, I think in both of those cases, although justice was delayed and inhumanly delayed it was done. And so in cases of appeals, every effort should be exhausted before execution takes place. What do you see as the purpose of the death penalty? I think initially, the justification for passing the law is that is to give pause to individuals, oh, not to commit the crime. And, whether or not we can say that that deterrent or other deterrents locking people up for life work or not is subjective discussion. Kent Hance recently proposed building an additional 25,000 prison beds. What’s your position on prison expansion and do you feel