Tom Schieffer came by this past week to carry his own torch for the Democratic nomination for Texas governor.

He’s an earnest enough fellow. I’d never met him. Schieffer served in the Legislature in the 1970s, before my arrival in Texas a quarter century ago. He also served as U.S. ambassador to two key allies — Australia and Japan.

But he made a pledge I’ve heard countless times during my 14-plus years in the Panhandle: I won’t forget about you if I get my party’s nomination.

OK, whatever.

Let’s be honest here. Candidates for these big-ticket offices go to where their time will be worth the investment. That would be the Metroplex, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Everyone in the burgs knows it, too. What’s more, because this region votes so heavily Republican, the Democratic candidates as a rule don’t care about us, and the Republicans simply take us for granted. Our fellow Texans in the Valley, which votes as heavily Democratic as this area votes Republican, face a similar sense of abandonment.

Schieffer said he’d be different. “The Panhandle is a vital part of the state, with its agriculture and natural resources,” he said.

I mean no disrespect to Tom Schieffer, but if I had a nickel for every candidate’s declaration that he or she will return to the Panhandle …