politics

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

With only two local races contested Burnet County Republican Primary, most of the candidates who attended the primary ballot order drawing Thursday night will move straight through the General Election into office.

“We have no local candidates from the Democrats,” said Donna Wilcox, county Republican chairwoman, brightly.

The gathering at the Burnet County Courthouse had the tone of the passing of the guard. Although Burnet County Clerk Janet Parker has no opposition, she said this would be her last race. She tearfully expressed her love for her job.

“I took office in 1991, but I came to work for the county in 1983,” Parker said. “After my next term, it will have been almost 40 years and time to step down. For now I have a few more goals I want to achieve. There's work to be done.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

On the Republican side of the March 6 primary ballot, some of Texas' most powerful officeholders will find themselves with an opponent — and in some cases, several opponents.

Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Houston is seeking re-election to his position, which he first was elected to in 2012. Cruz has two GOP challengers who have filed to run against him: Geraldine Sam of LaMarque and Mary Miller of Austin.

In statewide races, Gov. Greg Abbott of Austin will seek a second term as the state's top executive and has a challenger in Larry Scott “Secede” Kilgore of Irving.

Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick of Houston is likewise seeking re-election, but has drawn a primary opponent in Rockwall businessman and civic leader Scott Milder, who officially filed Thursday.