Who Didn’t File In The Redistricted Districts

The free-for-alls in the congressional districts touched by redistricting have produced a quite interesting, if not entertaining, bevy of candidates in CDs 21, 23, 25, and 28.

It’d almost be easier to ask who didn’t file in the four districts.I’ll take them in reverse order.

CD 28

In CD-28, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) drew two opponents: attorney Frank Enriquez (D-McAllen) and Constitution Party candidate Ron Avery (C-Seguin).

While I’d bet on Cuellar in this battle, Enriquez has run for office before—and lost. He ran for Place 3 on the 13th Court of Appeals back in 2000 and lost to Errlinda Castillo (D-Corpus Christi). Interestingly, Enriquez spent over $141,000 on the contested primary for the open seat and was defeated by someone who spent very little if any money on the race.

This will be a likely replay of some of the issues from this year’s primary when Cuellar faced Ciro Rodriguez, i.e., who is more Democratic. A quick search of Enriquez noted that he’d given to presidential candidate John Edwards; he also gave to State Rep. Aaron Pena back in 2003 ($500).

The “wingnut” Constitution Party candidate, Avery, thankfully, appears to have no illusion about winning:

“I think that it’s a good platform to educate people from,” he said. “If you do it from any other platform, you just irritate people and they want to get back to Oprah Winfrey and stuff.”

/Note to Mr. Avery: Have you tried blogging? It’s cheaper than running for Congress.

I’ve got some calls out to folks on the ground in this district to see what kind of support Enriquez may have down there. I’ll keep you advised.

CD 25

In CD 25, Lloyd Doggett drew three opponents who will likely not come close to forcing him into a runoff.

First, you’ve got Libertarian Barbara Cunningham (L-Caldwell), Brtan Parrett (I-Austin), an independent, and then Grant Rostig (R-Dale).

Rostig was the Libertarian candidate. He is trying to pull a Ron Paul and switched to the Republican Party after redistricting with little worthwhile fanfare. There’s no chance he’s going to get much, if any, serious R support, in my book.

CD 23

Down in CD-23, there is a massive field:

August Beltran (D-San Antonio), Rick Bolanos (D-El Paso), of course incumbent Henry Bonillia (R-San Antonio), Adrian DeLeon (C-Carrizo Springs); Luke Gilliland (D-San Antonio); Ciro Rodriguez (D-San Antonio), Craig Stephens (I-San Antonio), and Albert Uresti (D-San Antonio).

There is no way this won’t involve a runoff. At this point, it’s almost feasable to wonder if Bonillia would actually make it to the runoff.

I’d bet on a Ciro Rodriguez/Bonillia runoff in this one, with Uresti a close second. DeLeon will be a non-entity; as you will recall, he ran for Lt. Governor this cycle. And, while Bolanos may make some waves in El Paso, I don’t think the man who held the nomination for this seat until the re-redistricting ruling came out has much of a shot with Uresti and Rodriguez in the race.

CD 21
CD-21 is also interesting, and will probably result in a Courage/Smith runoff. You’ve got independents Tommy Calvert, James Lyle Patterson, Mark Rossano and of course, Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio) and John Courage. And, don’t forget Libnertarian Strohm and, of course, “Democrat” Gene Kelly.

I was  leaning toward saying there might not be a runoff, but I just don’t see how one would be avoided. Of course, a runoff is better for Courage.