( - promoted by Todd Hill)
UPDATE: The Star-Telegram confirms Turners candidacy for HD 96 late Thursday, which was reported here on BOR Wednesday.
If my sources are correct, then it looks like a great start for Tarrant County heading into the New Year. On the heels of the successful Dan Barrett race in House District 97; a strong challenger appears to have emerged to run in House District 96 in southern Tarrant County.
Reliable sources say that Chris Turner, a long-time aide and District Director to Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards, will file sometime this week to challenge either Craddick supporter Bill Zedler, or Republican primary challenger Lee Jackson in the 2008 General Election.
Barrett's race provided a blue print that I'm sure Turner's campaign will embrace too, which is changing the way business is done down in Austin by putting the people's interests ahead of special interests. There are a number of growing issues facing Texans such as the failed leadership of Republican Tom Craddick, a public education system under consistent Republican assault, out of control utility rates, and the growing uninsured population, or high expense of retaining health insurance for many Texans. This campaign will not be short on issues to run on to say the least.
HD 96 is a highly competitive race so a candidate of Chris Turner's caliber is indicative of the changing political environment in Tarrant County. We couldn't field a candidate who knows the district and the local elected officials and business leaders better then Chris.
As mentioned before, Zedler received 52% of the vote against an unfunded and relatively unknown Democrat in Chris Youngblood. Terri Moore, the twice-Democratic candidate for District Attorney, received 48% of the vote in this district in 2006.
District 96 encompasses parts of Arlington, Fort Worth, Mansfield, and the growing diverse city of Crowley, which at least part of Crowley ISD was part of Barrett's recent electoral success. 96 overlaps with Senate District 10, another key Democratic target with Wendy Davis as our only declared candidate in that race.
Positive news and momentum continues to roll in for Democrats in Tarrant County as we look forward to Turner's apparent filing this week. |
