| While Matt works on a post that rounds up many of the candidates who have filed for office, I'd like to highlight one district since it is my home district. Many will remember HD-73 as the site of the infamous Carter Casteel (2005 Texan of the Year) vs. James Leininger Nathan Macias primary. Macias, after spending over $1 million of Leininger's money defeated Casteel by just 53 votes. I've never really let go of that one. When my relatives were in Austin visiting from Germany, I asked Rep. Bolton to introduce them from the House floor instead. Rep. Macias came up to the gallery afterwards to say hello (in truth, I did go by his office but no one was there at the time) but still, I didn't go our of my way to make nice. ANYWAYS... I'm happy to see the first of what may be a couple of Republican primary challengers step up- Doug Miller. Edwards Aquifer Authority Chairman Doug Miller filed papers Monday to run in the Republican primary for District 73 in the Texas House against first-term incumbent Nathan Macias. "Texas can accomplish great things if we work hard and work together," Miller said. "I am willing to do that hard work. Conservatives have been let down. There is too much spending and there are too many loopholes being left open for criminals to walk through. Those are the problems I intend to focus my attention upon." Miller represents Comal and Guadalupe counties on the EAA board, which he has served on since it was created in 1993. He has also served as a police officer and as mayor of New Braunfels. He owns an insurance agency.
The district will also see a Democrat running, Daniel Boone, who filed to run as a write-in last year when no Democrat filed in this highly Republican district. (Yes, he's actually a direct descendant of pioneer Daniel Boone.) Still, he got 5.6% as a write-in (nearly 8% in Gillespie County) which is pretty impressive for a write-in of any sort. He should have the Democratic ballot line this year which will be interesting to see what kind of support is out there next year. I heard some rumor earlier in the year that Fredericksburg School Board member (and past president) Wayne Harrell had been testing the waters as well. While still a conservative, he would be a great pro-education candidate and is a Republican that I respect. |
