Sep
22
Written by:
William Lutz
9/22/2011 5:04 PM
EDITOR's NOTE: Updated 9/27 to include Chuck Hopson's decision to seek re-election, which was inadvertently omitted.
Lots of political news happening in the past few days. Here’s a run-down:
*Announcing for re-election: Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas), Reps Jim Murphy (R-Houston), Ken Legler (R-Pasadena), Chuck Hopson (R-Jacksonville), and Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs).
* Rep. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) announced for Senate District 5, which is open due to Sen. Steve Ogden’ s (R-Bryan) decision not to seek re-election.
* Schwertner’s decision to run for the Texas Senate could prompt a contested primary for his house seat. State Board of Education member Marsha Farney and Jeff Fleece (a former candidate in Travis County’s District 50) have both announced for the GOP primary.
* Democrat Jack Ternan of Plano has announced an intention to run for open Senate District 8 in Plano. He faces an uphill battle in what has been a reliably Republican senate district.
* Giovanni Capriglione is running again for House District 98 – a North Tarrant County district. The 2010 election featured a negative slugfest between Capriglione and Rep. Vicki Truitt (R-Keller). A main policy issue was the local option transportation tax bill that Truitt carried in the 2009 legislative session, which did not pass and was not reintroduced in 2011. During the campaign, the Truitt campaign set up
www.corporategraverobbers.com to express its opinion about Capriglione’s past business dealings.
* Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst issued the following statement on Ogden’s retirement: "My friend, Senator Steve Ogden, has beena tireless workhorse in the Texas Legislature for more than two decades where he has served with distinction and honor. His unparalleled depth of knowledge and common sense, conservative business approach have been indispensible in helping us balance the state budget and better the lives of all Texans. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and the constituents he works so hard to represent."
* Dewhurst issued the following statement on the retirement of Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano): "I'm going to miss my good friend Florence Shapiro in the Texas Senate. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, she has played a critical role in continuing to improve public education for our Texas school children. I want to extend our sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to Senator Shapiro for her distinguished service to the Senate, her district and the people of Texas."
* Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) issued the following statement on Shapiro’s retirement: "A true legislative champion for our Texas school children, Senator Shapiro's spirit and leadership will be greatly missed. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, she has consistently authored, pushed, and fought for policies that raise the rigor and effectiveness of education standards for children in our state. I value her unparalleled expertise and will greatly miss working with her."