Runners and Riders for 2012

Later today, the US Department of Justice is expected to deliver its legal rebuttal to the horribly gerrymandered maps approved by the Legislature last session. There are a lot of incumbents and wannabe state reps waiting to see if it will be worth filing election paperwork. However, a few brave souls have already made their formal declarations.

Remember, just because they haven't filed, that does not mean anyone is retiring or bowing out, but there are already a large number of familiar faces making big plans.

Retiring

Beverly Woolley, R-Houston: Seems like ten terms is enough for the speaker pro-tem.

Jim Jackson, R-Carrolton: The four-time tort reformer will not seek any further office, implying that retirement really means retirement.

Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land: The Tom Craddick loyalist is stepping down for health issues.

Fred Brown, R-College Station: The seven term veteran is reportedly stepping down to run a car dealership.

Rumored: Will Hartnett, R-Dallas.

Gone Already?

Lanham Lyne, R-Wichita Falls: One term and out for the Tea Party freshman.

Joe Aliseda, R-Beeville: Another freshman down, as he runs for 156th Judicial District Attorney.

Movin On Up

Pete Gallego, D-Alpine: The veteran Democrat is looking to knock GOPer Francisco Conseco out of Congress.

Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio: The big buzz local fight will see the twin brother of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro running a primary campaign along the length of I-35 to dislodge Austin's Lloyd Doggett.

Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie: Taking on GOP incumbent Sen. Chris Harris in the redrawn Senate District 9. Anderson claims Harris is too liberal.

Randy Weber, R-Pearland: Eying the newly redrawn Congressional District 14 surrounding Galveston.

New Faces

Tony Dale: Cedar Park City councilman is eying the new HD-149, part of the newly resliced Williamson County.

Ted Pataki: Yes, of the New York Patakis. Another HD-149 Republican hopeful. Both he and Dale are probably breathing a sigh of relief that Corbin van Arsdale, the former Houston Republican who lost his seat HD-130 to Allen Fletcher, R-Tomball, in 2008, just dropped out.

Mike Schofield: Remember this name? Yup, Gov Rick Perry's former policy advisor (often seen as a key player in his attack on patients rights) will run to replace Woolley in Houston.

James Frank: Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce heavy hitter is looking to replace Lyne.

Ed Thompson: The mayor pro-tem of Pearland is looking to fill Weber's vacated House seat.

Bob Yancy: The former College Station public information officer is running to fill Brown's empty Aggie seat. Look for Brown's failed 2010 challenger Gerald “Buddy” Winn to step in as well.

Carlos Vasquez: The Fort Worth ISD trustee is taking a primary shot at veteran democrat Rep. Lon Burnham.

Lib Grimmett: The Farmers Branch Tea Partier is aiming at Jackson's vacated HD-115 seat.

Returning Incumbents

House
Sergio Munoz Jr., D-Palm View
Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City
Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton, R-Mauriceville
Garnet Coleman, D-Houston
Eddie Lucio III, D-Brownsville
Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs
Chuck Hopson, R-Jacksonville
Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound
Maris Marquez, D-El Paso
Wayne Christian, R-Center
Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands
Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite

Senate
Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio
Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio
Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville
Kirk Watson, D-Austin
Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio