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Political season starting early in Texas
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The political season traditionally begins after Labor Day, but this year it has begun a couple of months early with speculation that long-time State Senator Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) will not run for another term, leaving an open Senate seat in our area for the first time in many years. Senator Ogden and his wife, Beverly, adopted an elementary aged boy several years ago and since then, the senator has understandably wanted to spend more time at home in Bryan. So, if Sen. Ogden steps down, State Representative Dan M. Gattis (R-Georgetown) has announced he will run for the senate seat. He has long been interested in moving up to a bigger and better spot, and since he graduated from Texas A & M University, the current senate district 5, which includes all of his state representative district 20, and the main campus in College Station of his alma mater, make it seem like a good fit. More info on Mr. Gattis is on his campaign site, www.dangattis.org. Additionally, his chief of staff, Hal Talton, is the State Republican Executive Committeeman (SREC) for Ogden’s district. In that role, Mr. Talton has made contacts with all of the party activists in the area, which would be useful in a primary campaign. Given that open Senate seats are rare occurrences, it is likely that others will at least consider running if Ogden steps down. No word yet on any other possibilities on the Democrat side.
If Rep. Gattis runs for the senate position, of course, leaves an open spot for his state representative position, in a game of political leap frog. Many names have been discussed for that spot as well, but the first to formally announce his interest in running is long-time Republican Party activist, Milton Rister. Mr. Rister, a Georgetown resident, was most recently the head of the non-partisan Legislative Council, but he has also served as executive director of the State Republican Party and as a staffer to Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. He has deep family roots in the area. His wife is Williamson County Clerk Nancy Rister, and his uncle, Raymond, was a long time county commissioner. Other possible candidates include Cedar Park City Councilmember Stephen Thomas, who currently is deputy executive director of the Texas Facilities Commission. He is currently serving in his second term on the council and has been involved in many civic and charitable organizations there since 1999. Again, the Democrats have reportedly been recruiting and vetting candidates, but no names have been announced.
As to the race for Texas House District 52 currently held by Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock), lots of folks are reportedly interested in challenging her from the Republican party, but only two have formally announced. Stephen Casey, a newcomer to the area, is an attorney and a former naval officer. On his campaign website, www.stephencasey.net, he uses the tag line, “Caring…Conservative…Common Sense.” Ralph Pina, who is also new to the area, is a small business owner and former Congressional staffer, touts his belief in typical conservative terms, promoting less governmental intervention in citizen’s lives and lower taxes, on his site, www.ralphfortexas.com.
With all the activity in July, some eight months before the primary season, things should be interesting in Williamson County politics this year.
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