Keel Announces for Statewide Office
By Karl-Thomas Musselman
Rep. Terry Keel, of HD 47 in Southwest Travis County, has officially filed his paperwork to run for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, setting the stage for a primary battle with incumbant Charles Holcomb.
An Austin lawmaker who was instrumental in the failure of a bill that would have given judges a pay raise said Friday he will run for a seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Republican Rep. Terry Keel said he is seeking the position currently held by Justice Charles Holcomb, a Republican.
Holcomb began his term with the court in 2001, and his term expires in 2006. His office said he will seek re-election.
The Court of Criminal Appeals is the state's highest court on criminal issues, and justices are elected by a statewide vote.
In a statement, Keel said he believes he can bring a unique background to criminal law, including his experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, sheriff and lawmaker.
Keel passed up a chance to run for a lower level, closer to come court such as the 3rd Court of Appeals anchored by Austin, where Democratic Justice Jan Patterson won by a few thousand votes last year and Democrat Diane Henson came up a few thousand short of gaining a seat. It would be a competitive district, but Keel probably recognizes that a Republican primary statewide would be easier. Plus, as competitive as the Governor's race may be, it is unlikely that Democrats will win any of the Statewide judicial seats, as they are more or less simply decided by the base vote of each party. Dems are gaining a point or two a cycle for those, but they are mostly out of reach for now.
Fine by me, it just opens up HD 47 for being a top tier target in Central Texas, where Dennis Speight, Gregg Knaupe, Son of Laney, Son of Earle, and probably others are all 'considering' it. If someone announces, please let us know in the comments.
Posted by Karl-Thomas Musselman at June 24, 2005 01:24 PM
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As you guys have stated, Dists 47 & 48 are going to be a big focus. Buzz is that the Dem candidates interested in signing up for statewide races are paying attention to who the candidates are in 47 & 48, and weighing in. In 48, Andy Brown has a good head start. And apparently odds are in favor of Knaupe for 47 since he lives there, is considered the best informed on the issues, and can be appealing to a majority in the general. I agree with what most here are saying--let's get behind one candidate and go in strong.
edited by KT. I put the right HDs in. We keep getting them mixed up.
HD 48- Baxter (D-Andy Brown, Hugh Brady)
HD 47- Keel (D- Knaupe, Earle, Laney, Speight, etc.)
