| Ed. note: The following is one of twenty races we are featuring in the Texas Political Report. Annie's List provided research and analysis for this race. Candidate Pages: Rep. Valinda Bolton website, on Facebook, on Twitter
Candidate Pages: Paul Workman website, on Facebook, on Twitter District Overview: The Numbers, The Issues, and the Candidates
District 47 is located in the southwest portion of Travis County and is home to both working families in middle-class neighborhoods and some very "nice" upper middle class neighborhoods. Although the district includes parts of traditionally "blue" Austin, it incorporates several large conservative neighborhoods in western Travis County. Though Democrats handily outnumber Republicans in the county, Bolton won her last two elections by narrow margins, so the race will definitely be one to watch. Pocketbook issues regarding jobs and education are important here, along with water issues in an area that includes communities around Lake Travis. Republican Paul Workman is a prototypical Republican who doesn't stand out in any major way, but that could work for him. Bolton has done an excellent job securing support from female voters in recent years, and she should expect to do that again. On local issues, there is relatively little to use to challenge Rep. Bolton. Republicans are hoping to run this campaign much like the suburban races in Dallas and Harris county, focusing on national issues and ignoring the local races that matter to voters. Why Rep. Valinda Bolton Returns Next Year Obama won the district with a strong 54.1% in 2008, which means it’s still essentially a Democratic seat to lose. Rep. Bolton has built a strong record in her years in the legislature and has her own team running an aggressive and far-reaching field plan, as well as coordinated campaigns across the county working to protect her. June 30 Campaign Finance Report: | HD 47: Bolton vs. Workman | Contributions
| Expenditures
| Cash on Hand
| Rep. Valinda Bolton (D)
| $128,484 | $36,737 | $119,864 | Paul Workman (R)
| $100,244 | $89,981 | $66,923 | Bolton's Advantage
| $28,240 | - | $52,941 | |
