Free Republic

So, you think that Texas is a safe red state do you? And you dismiss Texas Democratic Party influence as little to none? Time to think again, boys and girls. Your Texas Senate, controlled by Republicans, voted 22-9 on the second reading of SB-1569 (19-11 on final), which “enhances” our current unemployment system for the purpose of gaining stimulus debt from Washington. My how the mighty have fallen. Here are the 10 Republicans that joined with all 12 Democrats to make this happen:Sen. Kip Averitt (R-22)Sen. John Carona (R-16)Sen. Bob Deuell (R-2) Sen. Robert Duncan (R-28)Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-1)Sen. Craig...

Democratic former state representative was in a tight race with a Republican former mayor of Tyler Tuesday evening in a runoff election to replace longtime Republican state Sen. Bill Ratliff in the GOP-leaning East Texas district. Meanwhile, former Amarillo Mayor Kel Seliger defeated Odessa businessman Kirk Edwards in the West Texas race to replace Republican Sen. Teel Bivins. Ratliff resigned his position after a divisive redistricting battle and Bivins left his post after he was nominated in December by President Bush to serve as ambassador to Sweden. January elections did not produce a winner, so the top two candidates in...

Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, leads former state Rep. Paul Sadler, D-Henderson in the District 1 state Senate runoff election. With 84.35 percent of boxes reporting, Eltife has 50.81 percent of the ballots counted. Sadler has 49.19 percent of the vote. With 100 percent of Lamar County boxes reporting, Sadler had 59.88 percent and Eltife took 40.11 percent in the county. The Paris News will have complete election returns as well as comments from both candidates in its Wednesday print edition.

Seliger, Edwards face runoff to fill Bivins' District 31 seat AUSTIN (AP) — Former Amarillo Mayor Kel Seliger and Odessa businessman Kirk Edwards, both Republicans, are headed for a runoff election for the state Senate District 31 seat. The special election was called to re place Sen. Teel Bivins, who resigned after he was nominated by President Bush to serve as ambassador to Sweden. Seliger received 36 percent of the vote with 100 percent of the precincts re porting. Ed wards, 44, pulled in 21 percent of the vote. "I'm just very excited and energized by it and ready to...

PERRY ENDORSES ELTIFE IN SD1 RACE Dewhurst looks forward to working with Eltife Ending any speculation about his position in the Senate District 1 race, Governor Rick Perry told Quorum Report this evening, "I am for Kevin Eltife. Money, marbles and chalk." Perry appeared at a closed lobby reception for Eltife at the Austin Club. Immediately prior to the event, he stopped to make clear that he was endorsing the former Tyler Mayor. It was widely believed that the Governor was quietly supporting Eltife. His campaign's pollster and media guru, Mike Baselice and David Weeks had been advising the Eltife...