Soon after being named the sole finalist for the post of chancellor of the Texas State University System, Rep. Brian McCall (R-Plano) resigned his House District 66 seat effective April 2nd. It is likely that Governor Perry will set a special election for May 8th to fill the seat for the remainder of the current term.
Early voting ends this Friday, April 9th for the April 13th runoff election. There are eight runoff elections involving House districts. In Lubbock, there are two Republican primary runoffs. In House District 83, incumbent Rep. Delwin Jones (R-Lubbock) faces accountant Charles Perry. In House District 84, former Texas Tech regent Mark Griffin faces small business owner John Frullo. In House District 127 near Houston, Republicans Dan Huberty and Dr. Susan Curling will face off. In House District 14, incumbent Rep. Fred Brown (R-Bryan) faces former Brazos County Tax Assessor Collector George “Buddy” Winn. In Central Texas, there are two Republican primary runoff races. In the Austin area, Republicans Paul Workman and Holly White Turner will compete for the right to challenge Rep. Valinda Bolton (D-Austin) in the general election for House District 47. In House District 52, Republicans Larry Gonzales and John Gordon will fight to win the right to face Rep. Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock) in November. Out in El Paso, incumbent Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso) will try to fend off a challenge from Naomi Gonzalez. Finally, in House District 66 in Collin County, Republicans Mabrie Jackson and Van Taylor will battle it out.
Governor Rick Perry unveiled a new campaign ad Tuesday, emblazoned on NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte’s No. 71 Chevrolet Impala that’s part of the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway April 18 in Fort Worth. The governor’s name is on the hood and the car includes the phrase “Moving Texas Forward.” Perry’s campaign is paying close to $225,000 to sponsor Labonte’s stock car for one race only, but the car will tour the state for the two weeks leading up to the event.