Early voting started today in Texas for the 2006 mid-term elections.

I voted for mostly Republican candidates and a handful of Libertarians. I did not cast a single vote for a Democrat — even those who were running unopposed (mostly for judgeships).

In the big races, here’s how I voted:

• Governor — Rick Perry (R) — I wanted to vote for Kinky…but I have strong misgivings about Kinky’s stance on the death penalty. I believe a Friedman governorship would mean fewer executions in the State of Texas. Rick Perry has proven that he’s not afraid to carry out the law and the will of the people of Texas in this regard. I most liked Kinky for his strong stance on illegal immigration. But Gov. Perry has started to show more of a backbone in this area, and is more likely to have success implementing his plans than would an inexperienced Freidman.

• Lt. Governor — David Dewhurst (R) — Dewhurst has committed to focusing on four major issues if re-elected: protecting children from sexual and Internet predators; “cleaning up” some provisions of the school finance legislation passed in 2005; addressing illegal immigration; and conserving natural resources while maintaining a healthy business climate. I think Dewhurst has done an outstanding job as the leader of the Texas Senate, and deserves to continue to do so.

• U.S. Senator — Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) — I voted for Sen. Hutchison who has shown a strong willingness to fighting for lower taxes on working families, securing our borders, and winning the War on Terror. Besides, her opponent Barbara Ann Radnofsky’s (D) resume lists her vocations as attorney and community activist, which are two strikes against her in my book right off the bat (with Democrat being the third strike).

• U.S. Congress, District 10 — Mike McCaul (R) — Rep. McCaul currently serves as the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigations, where he has shown that he is a strong proponent of securing our southern border. I read his report, A Line in the Sand: Confronting the Threat at the Southwest Border, and that’s reason enough to re-elect him. I carefully considered his Democratic opponent Ted Ankrum specifically because Ankram is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. And I have an affinity for veterans. I would be comfortable with Ten Ankrum as my representative; I like where he stands on numerous issues, and think that new blood is needed in Congress. However, Rep. McCaul is new blood (he’s a first term representative), and has served my community well. Even the uber-liberal Austin American Stateman has endorsed Rep. McCaul. While McCaul is not a veteran, he has consistently voted for issues that support our veterans.

I voted at a Randall’s grocery store about 3 miles from my office. There looked to be a steady stream of voters coming in, and one of the eldery ladies who was volunteering at the polling station said that it had been steady all morning (I voted at 11:00 a.m., just before the lunch crowds).