The Collin County Observer

Candidates spar over conservative credentials in Collin County judge race

Thursday, January 28, 2010
By ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News

John Muns is running for the top office in Collin County government, so don't call him a moderate.

"I am a conservative Republican," Muns said at a candidate forum Thursday. "I've always been a conservative Republican. I believe in low taxes, fiscal responsibility, transparency and limited government."

Muns is trying to unseat Collin County Judge Keith Self, who says he's the real conservative in the March 2 Republican primary.

"There's a stark difference," Self said at the forum, sponsored by several local Tea Party chapters.

Self and Muns, political veterans with die-hard supporters, are each trying to win over party loyalists by touting their conservative credentials.

Self, a retired Army officer who is seeking a second term, said he's shown he's a fiscal conservative by helping to lower the county tax rate and slow the growth of county spending.

"Four years ago, I said I would stand with the taxpayers, and I did," said Self, who as county judge heads the Commissioners Court that approves the county budget and tax rate.

Muns, who has served on the Plano school board for 17 years, counters that the county budget has "been cut to the bone."

He said spending has been slowed at the expense of adding courts and sheriff's deputies, which he said are desperately needed.

"We must be proactive in keeping up with resources for law enforcement and the courts to keep our neighborhoods safe," Muns said.

The winner faces Democrat David Smith in the November general election. But a Democrat hasn't held Collin County office in more than 20 years, so the stakes are elevated in the March primary.

Both of the Republican candidates have lined up heavyweight endorsements. Self is being backed by local state Reps. Jodie Laubenberg, Jerry Madden and Ken Paxton. He also has the endorsement of the Collin County Association of Realtors.

Muns, by comparison, has been endorsed by the Real Estate Council, which represents Dallas-area commercial real estate companies. He also is supported by former Collin County Commissioner Phyllis Cole and former Plano Mayor Pat Evans.

Ties to Plano

Muns, a real estate developer, has strong ties to Plano. He graduated from Plano Senior High School in 1978 and has served on the Plano Economic Development Board and the Plano Symphony Orchestra board.

Muns' father, James Muns, was Plano mayor from 1992 to 1996. His mother, Betty Muns, serves on the Arts of Collin County Commission.

Muns said he would work more closely with local mayors. Some were angered by Self's opposition to a 2007 county bond proposal that included money for city projects, he said. Voters overwhelmingly approved the $328.9 million bond program.

"We must be better partners with city, regional and state leaders," Muns said.

He said the county should work with cities to attract businesses to the area.

"We have to be proactive and give businesses incentives to come to Collin County," Muns said.

Self, however, said keeping the county tax rate low is the best way to draw and keep businesses.

"It's been proven again and again and again that business goes where it is welcome and stays where it is welcome," he said.

Self lives in McKinney. He moved to the county in 2000 after retiring from a 25-year career in the Army. He's a graduate of the United States Military Academy and was a Green Beret and a Ranger.

He serves on the boards of the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter and the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center.

read the rest of the article at The Dallas Morning News....