Endorsements line up … already

Victor Leal has announced his candidacy for the state House District 87 seat being vacated by Rep. David Swinford, R-Dumas.

But his announcement isn’t what raised my eyebrows. It was the endorsement by at least one elected House member, Warren Chisum of Pampa. Why the raised brow? Well, it seemed a bit premature for a Republican lawmaker to endorse a fellow Republican — before the primary field is officially complete.

It’s more common for officials of one party to refrain from endorsing candidates in their party. Such endorsement can have a divisive effect on a primary campaign, particularly if other strong candidates emerge to run the party’s nomination. Chisum, though, attended Leal’s coming out party today in Amarillo, signaling an endorsement of his candidacy.

Chisum is running for re-election in neighboring District 88. He is unopposed as I post this blog.

Chisum and Leal might know something no one else knows, which is that no other candidates will file for the District 87 GOP primary. But until that issue is settled, premature endorsements can end up biting the endorser — and the endorsee — 0n the back side.