January 02, 2006
Tommy Merrit Has A What? And Louie Gohmert, Too!
By Vince Leibowitz
You could have bowled me over with a feather when I read via PinkDome that Tommy Merritt has an opponent.
I guess I somehow missed this, but Patrick Franklin (D-Longview), who also has a blog, will be seeking to unseat Merrit in HD 7.
Although I can't say that HD 7 will be the easiest district for a candidate like Franklin to win in, keep in mind that Merrit isn't exactly one of the GOP's most beloved State Reps.
Remember that in 2004, in the special election for Bill Ratliff's SD 1, it was Kevin Eltife who was the GOP favorite and went on to defeat Paul Sadler, not Merrit.
That said, if Franklin is able to mount a respectable effort against Merrit (which will be tough——that seat seems pretty safe, there is no doubt, however, that the PACs will enter the race with all guns drawn.
Here's a brief note on Franklin from the Kilgore News Herald.
Also, the Kilgore paper gave some ink to Roger Owen (D-Longview) who is hoping to unseat Louie Gohmert in CD 1. I guess I missed that Owen had filed (Dec. 13 according to the state party website).
Sadly, however, CD1 is going to be a tough road to hoe as well. Max Sandlin put forth a huge, well-funded and very well organized effort there in 2004 and did not fare well on Election Day. The Longview News Journal gave Owen a nod last month as well.
Vince Leibowitz is a regular contributor to Burnt Orange Report. He may be reached at Vince_Leibowitz-at-verizon.net
Posted by Vince Leibowitz at January 2, 2006 02:55 PM
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It's Filing-Mania in the TDP (The candidates who filed between 2:15 and 4:45)
TX-01: Duane Shaw
TX-02: Gary E. Binderim
TX-10: Sid Smith and Paul Foreman
TX-24: Gary R. Page
TX-26: Tim Barnwell
Right now, we're at 31 candidates in 32 Congressional seats. At the very least, people have been inspired to file for top-ballot races in 2006.
2004: Johnson, McCaul, Thornberry, and Paul were unopposed
2006: Johnson has an opponent, McCaul will face 1 of 5 Democrats, Thornberry has an opponent, and Paul has an opponent.
(granted, Mike Conaway will probably face nobody)
I don't know anything about Duane Shaw. But, right now, I'm not going make my pick between Shaw and Owen for the "token opposition to Louie Glowworm"
Hmph. I think I closed that italics tag.
Hypothetical: Who would win in a primary election, Gene Kelly or The Lesser Known Jim Wright? (James Wright being the guy who is running in TX-8 right now)
Ok, one last comment for the moment. John Culberson is still not listed as a candidate on the GOP page as of 5pm today. The GOP page is here.
Although Rick Perry got another opponent today, the formidible rancher/builder Star Locke.
Because of the GOP Website's design, I think you actually have to go back to the front page to get the newest update. It seems as though they are assigned new "document ids" or something...
Yeah, I'll check again in a few minutes.. but here's an exclusive.
Steve Stockman declared his intent to run for Congress in the 22nd District as an Independent. ( Here's the list that includes Stockman: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/candidates/inddec.pdf )
I'm pretty sure the Steve Stockman listed is the Steve Stockman who was in Congress from 1995 to 1997.
Well, the rumors I'd been hearing from my old stomping grounds turned out to be true! Wayne Christian is vying for his old seat by running against Roy Blake for HD9 in the Republican Primary. I will watch this one with interest...
