TX HD 56: Anderson To Face Primary Challenge From Sibley

[Nate Nance from Common Sense contributed to this report.]

With Labor Day less than a week away, it is no surprise that we’re seeing more and more announcements of folks who want to challenge Republicans in next year’s primary.

The most interesting challenge of late is brewing in HD 56 in Waco, where the son of a former state Senator is set to challenge Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson in the Republican Primary.

Jonathan Sibley (R-Waco), 27, is the son of former State Senator-turned-lobbyist David Sibley and just moved back to the district last month, according to the Waco Trib:

Jonathan Sibley, 27, a Waco native, moved back to his hometown last month after working for a year in Austin as a lawyer and lobbyist. In his biography, Sibley highlights his family connections to Waco: His father was Waco mayor before serving in the Texas Senate, and his grandfather, Jack Patterson, was a Baylor University athletic director.

This isn’t the first time a Sibley son has considered running against Anderson. David Sibley Jr., known to friends as Adam, flirted with a challenge to Anderson in late 2005 but ultimately decided against it.

Anderson, a veterinarian and longtime party activist, said that he doesn’t have any bad blood with the Sibleys, and that he welcomed the competition.

“We’ve been working hard for the folks in this district, and that’s what people will look at, I think, rather than any particular name,” Anderson said.

Sibley did not criticize Anderson, who’s seeking a third two-year term, but said he was running because he believes he can better represent the families of McLennan County.

Anderson supports the re-election of Speaker Tom Craddick to lead the House, an issue that is expected to be an undercurrent in contested House races next year.

The “Craddick Factor” may not be the only reason for Sibley the younger to challenge Anderson, either:

Anderson had a quiet first term in the Legislature but became more vocal in 2006, speaking out against a series of coal-fired power plants proposed for construction near Waco.

Of course, Anderson had to challenge the coal plant although the “party line” for Republicans and Texas Governor Rick Perry seemed to be ‘the more smoke, the better.’ And, for once, a Republican actually followed the wishes of his or her constituents on an environmental matter.

Interestingly, the elder Sibley, the former senator - turned - lobbyist and author of the 77th Lege’s SB 7, the “your rates will be cheaper!” electric utility deregulation bill, happens to lobby for a boat load of energy companies:

Association of Electric Companies of Texas Inc.
1005 Congress Avenue Suite 600 Austin, TX 78701
Type of Compensation: Paid
Amount: $25,000 - $49.999.99
Client Start Date: 01/12/2007
Client Term Date: 12/31/2007

CPL Retail Energy LP
221 West 6th Street Suite 2030 Austin, TX 78701-3433
Type of Compensation: Paid
Amount: $ 0.00
Client Start Date: 02/08/2007
Client Term Date: 12/31/2007

Direct Energy LP
221 West 6th Street Suite 2030 Austin, TX 78701-3433
Type of Compensation: Paid
Amount: $25,000 - $49.999.99
Client Start Date: 02/08/2007
Client Term Date: 12/31/2007

El Paso Electric Company
P. O. Box 982 El Paso, TX 79960
Type of Compensation: Paid
Amount: $50,000 - $99,999.99
Client Start Date: 01/12/2007
Client Term Date: 12/31/2007

WTU Retail Energy LP
221 West 6th Street Suite 2030 Austin, TX 78701-3433
Type of Compensation: Paid
Amount: $ 0.00
Client Start Date: 02/08/2007
Client Term Date: 12/31/2007

Wile Sibley the Elder says he won’t lobby Sibley the younger, one can only imagine what kind of interesting conversation might cross the Thanksgiving table next year if the younger happens to win the primary and the general.

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