Thought I’d take a minute and see how filings were going for the Republicans in Texas. I’m using this document as my main guide to who’s filed for what. Vince has done some of the heavy lifting here, and I’ll quote from his analysis of a couple of contested primaries for Congress:
U.S. Congress, District 3, GOP Primary
The dissatisfaction with 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.
Gary has more on the status of CD22; Muse tells you how you can meet some of those people. Couple things to add here – Reps. Johnson, at 77, and Hall, at 84, are two of the oldest members of Congress, which may account in part for their opposition. So far nobody has filed for CD14, though in the end I expect Ron Paul to have opposition there – two people have declared their intent to run against him. I’ve already said what I think will happen if Paul loses in the primary. I don’t know how likely that is, however.
One other place where I expect a contested Congressional race for the GOP is CD23. Bexar County Commissioner Lyle Larson is reportedly in the running against self-aggrandizer Quico Canseco. The winner gets a shot at Rep. Ciro Rodriguez. And as yet, neither of the two wannabes for CD18 has filed. I’ll be looking for that one. And I see on the local party site that Eric Storey is back for another spanking against Rep. Gene Green in CD29.
Nothing too exciting at the State House level that Vince or I haven’t mentioned already. Two local races of interest: Former HPD Chief, now Justice on the First Court of Appeals, Place 3, Sam Nuchia, has a primary opponent in attorney Ed Hubbard. No idea what that’s about. Also, Sheriff Tommy Thomas has drawn a foe in Paul Day; again, no idea what that’s about. Thomas will have a stiffer test in November, that’s all I can say right now.
Swinging back to the Democrats, the contested primary for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1, Place 1, is now official as incumbent Dale Gorczynski joins his former Chief Clerk, Harold Landreneau, on the ballot. I’m not sure if Landreneau lives in my neighborhood or just has a lot of friends here, but I’ve seen several signs for him around the place. That one will be interesting.
Last but not least, some good news in Fort Worth where Eight for 08 target Bill Zedler has drawn an opponent in Chris Turner, a long-time aide and District Director to Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards. That one has just climbed up the Races To Watch charts for me.