It’s coming down to the wire in the hot race for HD149.
“I’m everywhere I can be,” said Republican state Rep. Talmadge Heflin, who is facing a strong challenge from his Democratic opponent, Hubert Vo. “Monday will be a long night. Tuesday will be a really long night.”
Like other candidates in close races across the region, Heflin and Vo are putting in 12- to 14-hour days, attending fairs, knocking on doors, manning telephone banks and making media appearances in the last hours before Election Day. Both began their campaigning Saturday at 7 a.m.
Heflin, the chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee is seeking his 12th term in Austin, but must first fend off a challenge from Vo in a race that many political experts expect to be close.
Their constituency, House District 149 in western Harris County, is remarkably diverse — 36 percent Anglo, 21 percent Hispanic, 20 percent black and 18 percent Asian.
Vo spent much of Saturday at his campaign headquarters, overseeing a group of 125 volunteers spreading over the district hanging flyers, putting up yard signs and handing out pamphlets. Vo also planned to spend a few hours on the phone, calling targeted voters and urging them to vote on Tuesday.
“We just want to make sure that we do everything to cover every corner,” Vo said. “It’s a very close race, and I’m very much happy with the way it’s going right now.”
Will the forecast record turnout carry Vo to victory, or will the rising tide lift all boats? Will Kerry do as well as I think he will in Harris County, and in doing so sweep in Vo and maybe Jim Dougherty as well? Tune in Tuesday to find out.