Phil Riddle
editor@weatherforddemocrat.com
Local politicians and wanna-be office holders may make their election wishes official as filing for spots in the March 2 party primary ballots opens Thursday.
A few races have already kicked off, including a pair of local Republican battles.
Local developer Cary McKay has announced he will take on incumbent County Judge Mark Riley, and business owner Mason Wallis has launched an attempt to unseat embattled Precinct 4 County Commissioner Jim Webster.
Other local offices involved in the March primaries include Justices of the Peace other than Place 1, district and county clerks, county treasurer and district attorney.
In addition, all 150 state representatives, including District 61’s Phil King, who represents Weatherford in AUstin, will be seeking re-election.
A few statewide races are also shaping up, including a well-documented tussle for GOP supremacy in the run for the governor’s mansion.
Incumbent Rick Perry is seeking his third full term as the state’s top executive, while Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is challenging for the Republican nomination.
After a slight initial lead over the Governor, Hutchison has slipped in recent polling and is now trailing Perry.
According to Rasmussen Reports, an independent pollster, Perry led by nine percentage points two weeks ago.
Perry is registering stronger among voters who brand themselves “conservatives,” while Hutchison has attracted more “moderate” and “liberal” GOP voters.
Though turnout is difficult to predict, especially so far out, it will play a part in the result of the primaries.
“In all primary elections, turnout is the key,” Scott Rasmussen wrote for the online Rasmussen Report. “It appears Perry has a clear advantage if only the conservative Republican base shows up in a low-turnout election.”
Conversely, Hutchison’s chances appear better if more voters show up.
Democrats have a list of several possibilities for governor in 2010, but the expected front-runner, former Houston Mayor Bill White, has not officially declared himself a candidate. Entertainer and unsuccessful 2006 independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman and Houston businessman Farouk Shami have each indicated interest in running as Democrats.
Local U.S. Rep. Kay Granger is also seeking re-election.
Filing for ballot slots goes through Jan. 4.
Early voting starts Feb. 16.
Texas Offices up for Election in 2010
All 32 U.S. Representatives
Governor
Lt. Governor
Attorney General
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Commissioner of General Land Office
Commissioner of Agriculture
Railroad Commissioner
3 members of the Supreme Court
3 members of the Court of Criminal Appeals
16 State Senators
All 150 State Representatives
8 members of State Board of Education
Various Court of Appeals Justices
Various District Judges. Criminal Judges, Family District Judges
All Criminal District Attorneys
All County Judges
Statutory County Court Judges
All District Clerks
All District and County Clerks
All County Clerks
County Treasurers
County Surveyors
County Commissioners, Precincts 2 and 4
Justices of the Peace (except those with a Place 1 designation)
Source: Office of the Texas Secretary of State
