HOSPAC Scores Victories
In 2008 Primary Elections
Voters turned out in record numbers for both the Democratic and Republican primaries on March 4. The presidential elections – especially the tight race between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic Party nomination – energized the electorate. HOSPAC, the Texas Hospital Association’s political action committees, made endorsements in most primary races.
In statewide races, the Democratic challengers to the two Republican incumbents up for election on the Texas Supreme Court were decided. Sam Houston, an attorney from >Houston, will face HOSPAC-endorsed Justice Dale Wainwright in November for Place 7. In Place 8, Linda Reyna Yanez, justice of the 13th Court of Appeals in Edinburg, will be the Democratic nominee running against HOSPAC-endorsed Justice Phil Johnson. Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson (R) was unopposed in the primary and faces a Democratic challenger in November. >
State Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston) received 50.97 percent of the vote to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. He will face incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Dallas), who is endorsed by HOSPAC.
U. S. House of Representatives
All of 32 members of the Texas congressional delegation are up for re-election. HOSPAC endorsed in all but one race, and all HOSPAC-endorsed candidates won their primary election. Only three incumbents had primary election challengers and each won his respective primary.
HOSPAC did not endorse in the Congressional District 22 race where 10 Republicans vied to see who will challenge incumbent Congressman Nick Lampson (D-Houston) in the General Election. Receiving 29.72 percent of the vote, Shelley Sekula Gibbs, a Webster dermatologist, faces Pete Olson, an attorney from Sugarland, who received 20.72 percent of the vote in the Republican primary. They will meet in the April 8 run-off to determine who will challenge Lampson in November. Gibbs won a special election in 2006 to succeed former Congressman Tom Delay, but was defeated by Lampson in the 2006 General Election.
Texas Senate
Of the 31 members of the Texas Senate, 15 are up for election this year. HOSPAC endorsed all 15 of the incumbents seeking re-election. Only Sens. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) and Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) had primary opponents, and both won re-election to the Senate because they are unopposed in the General Election.
In Senate District 11, Joe Jaworksi, a Galveston attorney, received 59.04 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary. He will face HOSPAC-endorsed Sen. Mike Jackson (R-La Porte) in November. This district is 59.8 percent Republican.
Texas House of Representatives
Eight incumbents were defeated in their respective primaries, including Reps. Juan Escobar (D-Kingsville in District 43); Nathan Macias (R-Bulverde in District 73); Paul Moreno (D-El Paso in District 77); Pat Haggerty (R-El Paso in District 78); Thomas Latham (R-Sunnyvale in District 101); Corbin Van Arsdale (R-Houston in District 130); Kevin Bailey (D-Houston in District 140); and Borris Miles (D-Houston in District 146).
Five districts have primary runoffs. In the open seat in District 52, which previously was filled by Rep. Mike Krusee (R-Taylor), Republicans Byron Daniel of Georgetown and Dee Hobbs of Hutto are in the runoff to see who will face Democrat Diana Maldonado of Round Rock in November.
In District 55, the seat being vacated by Rep. Dianne White Delisi (R-Temple), Republicans Ralph Sheffield and Martha Tyroch, both of Temple, are in a runoff. The winner will face Democrat Sam Murphey of Harker Heights in November.
Rep. Buddy West (R-Odessa) is in a runoff with Tyron Lewis in the Republican primary in District 81. Lewis, a former district judge and former Ector County Republican Party Chair, received 43.97 percent of the vote to West’s 38.37 percent. The winner is unopposed in November.
In District 112, the seat being vacated by Rep. Fred Hill (R-Richardson), Republicans Angie Chen Button and Randy Dunning, both of Garland, face off in the runoff. The winner will face Sandra Phuong VuLe (D-Garland) in November.
In the open seat in District 144, which previously was filled by Rep. Robert Talton (R-Pasadena), two Republicans face a runoff. Ken Legler of Houston and Fred Roberts of Pasadena are vying to challenge Democrat Joel Redmond in November.
Several incumbents face challenges in the November General Election. Others have won re-election after successfully defeating their primary challengers and are unopposed in November.
Complete election results are available; watch for HOSPAC’s endorsements for the General Election. (Lisa Kepple/John Hawkins) |