Cole Running to Replace Dukes
One election ends, another begins …
By Richard Whittaker, 12:16PM, Tue. Nov. 8, 2016
This just in from the Desk of No Surprises: former Mayor pro tem Sheryl Cole has confirmed that she will run in next year's special election to succeed Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Pflugerville, in representing House District 46.
Dukes is on today’s ballot, challenged by Republican Gabriel Nila. She is expected to take the seat easily, but she does not plan to ever retake her office. After 11 legislative sessions, Dukes announced in September that she will retire in January, triggering a special election. The stated reason is ongoing medical issues stemming from a 2013 car wreck, but it’s broadly suspected that an ongoing investigation into allegations she abused her office played a factor.
Former council member and failed 2014 mayoral candidate Cole had already thrown her hat into the ring in consideration of serving as Dukes’ successor in September. She switched from the “maybe” column to “definite” on Monday, when she told The Daily Texan: “I do plan to run for the seat once there’s a [special] election called.”
That makes Cole the only named contender, though there is grumbling discontent among Democratic activists that she is being pushed as the only option by establishment Dems in an effort to dissuade anyone else from getting in the race. The question now becomes whether those complaints will coalesce behind another candidate, if one’s to be found.
Got something to say on the subject? Send a letter to the editor.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Richard Whittaker, Oct. 24, 2017
Richard Whittaker, Nov. 15, 2016
Richard Whittaker, May 29, 2017
March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024
Texas House of Representatives, 85th Legislature, Election 2016, Dawnna Dukes, Sheryl Cole, Special Election