Burnt Orange Report

Flynn May Have GOP Opponent In HD 2

By Vince Leibowitz

State Representative Dan Flynn (R-Van), may have a Republican Primary opponent next year.

According to sources within the Republican Party of Van Zandt County, Flynn may be opposed by Charles S. "Chuck" Tull, Jr., current President of the Edgewood Independent School District Board of Trustees, and son of former Grand Saline Police Chief C. Stanley Tull, Sr.

Flynn, who won unopposed—in both his Party Primary and in the general election in 2004—defeated former Greenville Mayor Sue Ann Harting and Rains ISD Trustee (and former justice of the peace) Mickey Cooper in the 2002 GOP Primary after an expensive and bitter battle.

Flynn, who is heavily backed by his party's far-right-wing, including millionaire tort reform/voucher advocate James Leininger, is considered to have a lock on next year's GOP Primary. According to January semi-annual Texas Ethics Commission reports, Flynn had about $21,000 in cash on hand in his campaign account. Subsequent reports indicate Flynn's campaign also carries around $13,000 in debt.