GOP Contested Primary Filing Roundup

Since I don’t expect many filings early next week with the holidays upon us, I thought now would be a great time to round up filings across the state (and some “intentions” we’ve heard about here, there and yon.

We’ll hit the GOP contested filings first, and the Democratic ones later today, followed by any uncontested primaries (at this point) in districts with incumbent lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle.

U.S. Congress, District 3, GOP Primary

The dissatisfaction with State Rep. Johnson in Plano has evidently been significant enough to draw him not one but two opponents. The first, Wayne Avellanet, we told you about earlier. Now, another candidate has entered the race, Harry Pierce, a retired airline pilot. No information has emerged about Pierce yet, but we’ll keep you posted. So far, Avellanet is the biggest threat to Johnson.

U.S. Congress, District 4, GOP Primary

For the third election cycle in a row (if I recall correctly–2004, 2006, and now 2008), the people who are tired of waiting for Congressman Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall) to retire continues to grow. Kathy Seei, the former mayor of Frisco and most recent filing, is probably Hall’s biggest threat at this point. Kevin George (R-Celina) is campaigning as a “Constitutional Republican” and spouts tons of ultra-right-wing rhetoric on his website. Gene Christinsen (R-Celina) is the owner of a racing team (among other things) and has the dubious distinction of being endorsed by Chuck Norris (who has also endorsed the Total Gym). This will no doubt be an interesting primary. Can’t wait to see if Ralph Hall pulls out his decade-old endorsement from Charlton Heston in this race.

U.S. Congress, District 22, GOP Primary

To date, four Republicans have filed in the hopes of having an opportunity to spend half a million bucks in the primary and two million bucks plus in the general election for the right to come in a point or two behind Democrat Nick Lampson of Stafford next November. Perhaps the most interesting tidbit in this race is that State Rep. Robert Talton (R-Pasadena), the establishment front-runner, has yet to file. Of course, Shelley Sekula Gibbs, last year’s famous Temporary Congresswoman, has filed as has ad exec John Manlove. Pete Olson, a former staffer for U.S. Senator Phil Gramm is also in the race as is former state district judge Jim Squier.

State Board of Education, District 11, GOP Primary

This primary will be a strange duck, and is all because of intelligent design, I suspect Hardy, the incumbent, was the only SBOE member who voted in favor of adding intelligent design into science curriculum because of the “large body of evidence unanswered” by evolution. challenger Barney Maddox has appeared before the SBOE before and is no fan of evolution either. I suspect he’s mad about intelligent design. Who knows, but this will be a really entertaining race.

Texas House, District 4, GOP

Betty Brown (R-Terrell) will face Wade Gent in a race we’ve discussed numerous times. Gent has the backing of moderate Republicans and the Gent family political machine. Brown has the backing of Craddick, Leininger, et al. We predict this will be one of the more expensive primaries in the state outside of a major metro area, and perhaps the bloodiest.

Texas House District 29, GOP

Three men have lined up to replace one-term piece o’furniture Mike O’Day. Randy Weber, who lost last year’s special election to fill this seat, is probably the favorite. Other candidates are Craig Kelsay and Gary Bucek.

Texas House District 73, GOP

This is the first challenge on the list to one of Leininger’s “Million Dollar Babies” from last cycle. Doug Miller, former chair of the Edwards Aquifer Authority has stepped up to challenge Nathan Macias. Interestingly, we’ve heard that Leininger won’t be helping Macias this time because he’s ticked over some obscure vote from the last session. We’ll wait to handicap this one because we’re unclear on Miller’s position on toll roads, and anti-toll road forces were a significant force in defeating former State Rep. Carter Casteel (R-New Braunfels). Anti-toll road forces are strong in this district and could swing the race if Miller isn’t in harmony with their issues.

Texas House, District 81, GOP

Here, the primary will be both a referendum on Speaker Craddick and an airing of dissatisfaction with Rep. Buddy West, who some are unsatisfied with (not to mention tired of waiting on him to retire). West has had some pretty public disagreements with Craddick, but a bunch of pro-Craddick robocalls and money beating up on West could be ill-received, as Rep. West is recovering from a bout with kidney disease. The candidates are Randy Rives, former head of the Ector County School Board and attorney Tryon Lewis.

Texas House, District 101, GOP Primary

It is unclear if this election will be a “referendum on Craddick” or not, since incumbent Thomas Latham (R-Sunnyvale) is a craddick opponent, but Latham does have a primary opponent in former Mesquite Mayor Mike Anderson.

Texas House, District 112, GOP Primary

Three are vying to replace retiring State Rep. Fred Hill: software engineer Randy Dunning, Angie Chen Button, and attorney James Shepherd.

Texas House, District 144, GOP Primary

In House District 144, three are vying to replace Rep. Robert Talton who is presumably running for Congress in CD 22 though he hasn’t filed yet: John Hughey, Fred Roberts, and Ken Legler.

Bookmark It